Vision on Mission Continues to Receive Government Funding
“Ministry of the People and Social Development Addresses Statements in the Express of September 26th 2014”
October 1st, 2014 – On Friday September 26th 2014 the Trinidad Express published an article titled “Gov’t to end $$ for Vision on Mission,” which indicated that the Government will no longer be providing support to this organization in Fiscal 2015. Further to the responses of Minister Alleyne-Toppin to questions from the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament on this programme, the Ministry is providing the following information:
1. In 2011, Vision on Mission received in excess of two million dollars ($2,450,865.41) to establish a facility in Wallerfield. This facility has been designed as an Anti-crime, Ex-offenders, In-transit Rehabilitation, Re-Integration and Delinquency Treatment Centre. Additional funding in the amount of $3,919,172.27 was provided in 2013 to facilitate the completion and refurbishment of the centre.
2. Cabinet is currently reviewing a request from the Ministry to provide Vision on Mission with additional funds in an effort to complete all works related to the establishment of this treatment facility.
3. The Wallerfield Treatment facility belongs solely to Vision on Mission. The Ministry of the People and Social Development will not have oversight of day-to-day operations at the facility, and will not be responsible for maintenance of the facility per the MOU that governs the relationship between the Ministry of the People and Vision on Mission.
4. The Ministry is currently conducting the renewal process for the annual subvention of Vision and Mission and wishes to advise that there are no plans at this time to discontinue support for the critical services it provides to deportees.
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Corporate Communications and Education Unit
Ministry of the People and Social Development
CL Financial Building
St. Vincent Street, Port of Spain
(T) 625.5258, (T) 623.2608 EXT 5402, (F) 623.8496