Gov’t to set up steering committee to overhaul PATH – Charles Jr

Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr. says a steering committee is to be established to oversee the overhaul of the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

The committee will comprise representatives from the Government, stakeholders in the education sector, healthcare, local government officials and representatives from the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).

Prime Minister Andrew Holness recently called for an overhaul of the programme amid complaints from members of the public about the selection process for beneficiaries.

“The PATH reform process will be managed by a steering committee which will review recommendations supported by two technical working groups. Decisions will be made through a consultative process. The steering committee will serve as an advisory committee and will make decisions on the reform process. This committee will be formed by the work of the technical working groups,” the labour minister explained during Parliament on Tuesday, September 19.

The minister further noted that one technical working group will review the design of PATH, including the selection criteria and the benefit levels, while the second group will review the rules of the programme, including the conditionalities and the criteria for continued eligibility.

Charles Jr. added that the revamped programme will place greater emphasis on education and healthcare.

The social security minister noted that public consultations will be conducted on the overhaul of the programme to receive direct feedback.

“At least three and perhaps more, regional public consultations will be convened and they will take the format of town hall meeting to provide an opportunity for all Jamaicans. The first of which will be held by the end of October and we will give details in short order,” he said.

The PATH programme, which was launched in 2002, is a social assistance programme targeting the most vulnerable households in the Jamaican population. The programme is currently providing assistance to over 350,000 beneficiaries.