2675 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

2675 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What has been the total dollar increase or decrease for all of the Minister’s relevant Ministries, Agencies and Departments spend on contractors and consultants since 27th November 2023, to the week of 4th March?

Hon Louise Upston: Between November 2023 and February 2024, the Ministry of Social Development’s (the Ministry’s) operating spend on contractors and consultants decreased by $4.583 million. This period includes Christmas and New Year, where the Ministry has a contractor stand down in some areas, with the level of expenditure reducing throughout January and February each year. The Ministry is currently forecast to spend 13.1% less in this category in the overall 23/24 Financial Year than it did in the 22/23 year, and a further reduction is forecast for the 24/25 year. The Independent Children's Monitor, Aroturuki Tamariki, had a decrease of $35,828.88 on contractor or consultant spend between November 2023 ($42,879.42) and February 2024 ($7,050.54). The Monitor completed security assessments for its IT systems in 2023. At the time of this response, no invoices have been received for March 2024.