A "return to greater normality" in care of COVID-19 cases in the community will see the government spend $58.1 million to cover services through to June next year.
Announcing the extension to funding for Care in the Community welfare support this morning, Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said New Zealand was pivoting to support a broader range of circumstances for people significantly impacted by COVID-19 requirements.
The funding will include:
- $30.6m for Community Connectors
- $18.5m for community food organisations and MSD's Food Secure Communities programme
- $5m to support the wellbeing of disabled people
- $2m to support the community provider capability
- $2m for Personal Protective Equipment for at risk communities and providers delivering services for Care in the Community
It would mean looking at the role of the Community Connection Service, which supports the needs of people who are self-isolating, and a plan for continuing to fund community food provision.
Current Care in the Community welfare support would remain in place until the legislative requirement to self-isolate was lifted.
"After responding to multiple resurgences and Omicron, this transition and the support we're providing will be an important opportunity to reset and assess the future needs of the sector," Sepuloni said.
"We're providing confidence and certainty to social service organisations and foodbanks who have worked tirelessly to support their local communities, whānau and people."
The $5m to support disabled people would be ring-fenced, and would be administered by the Ministry of Social Development in consultation with disabled communities.
It comes after an urgent inquiry by the Human Rights Commission found the government response to COVID-19 caused considerable stress and confusion for disabled people and put their wellbeing at risk.
Sepuloni said the changes were part of the government's transition beyond the Omicron peak.
"Where we are at now is very different to where we were two years ago. We now have higher rates of vaccinations, greater data, and more tools in the tool box to help us slow the spread of Omicron," she said.
"As we undertake our post-peak plan and transition to a greater normality, our response will continue to place people at the heart of it and ensure we're leaving no-one behind."
RNZ
