A sum of $8.5 billion has been allocated in

the 2020/21 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of

Representatives, towards the continuation of the Integrated Support to the

Jamaica Social Protection Strategy project.

The initiative, which commenced in November

2015, is being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security

through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

It aims to support human capital

development for poor families that are beneficiaries of the Programme of

Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

It also seeks to strengthen overall

capacity and improve quality and access to the network of social services

provided by the ministry to the poor and vulnerable population.

Anticipated targets include continued

payment of conditional cash transfers; providing on-the-job training and job

placement opportunities to 600 PATH beneficiaries; implementing a client management

information system; equipping and modernising the Social Security Services

Division in the Ministry; and completing a process and impact evaluation of the

parenting pilot project.

Up to December 2019, PATH rates were

increased by an average of up to 17 per cent as recommended under the Benefit

Review Mechanism.

In addition, parenting workshops were

conducted with more than 1,400 families; alternative payment options were

introduced to over 1,600 beneficiaries in Clarendon, Manchester and St. Catherine;

five satellites locations were established and an on-the-job training programme

for beneficiaries was rolled out.

The Integrated Support to the Jamaica

Social Protection Strategy project is slated to end in November 2020.