PATH Beneficiaries to Increase to 252,000

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Omar Davies, has said that during this fiscal year, an additional 15,500 poor and disadvantage persons will receive benefits under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). The Minister, who opened the 2007/08 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives yesterday (April 12), informed that this increase would bring the total number of PATH beneficiaries to approximately 252,000. He further announced that a “welfare to work” component would be added to the programme, under which beneficiaries would have access to a number of training initiatives or employment.
In addition, through the Rehabilitation Grants Programme, PATH beneficiaries assessed as being capable of operating their own businesses will receive grants to assist in establishing of their own micro enterprises.
Approximately 236,000 Jamaican are benefiting under PATH, including some 40,500 students from PATH-assisted households, who will be provided with free lunches this fiscal year.
According to Dr. Davies, assessments by analysts in Jamaica and at the World Bank have confirmed that PATH is one of the successful programmes benefiting poor and needy groups in the society.