39915 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

39915 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How often, if at all, does the Ministry Of Social Development collect and store information regarding potential fluctuations in main benefit numbers, broken down by main benefit type?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that they are constantly storing and collecting client information such as details regarding main benefit applications and sanctions as they engage with the welfare system. However, only specific datasets are standardly reported weekly, monthly and quarterly. To provide data outside of standard reporting within a written parliamentary question timeframe would take substantial effort and require the Ministry to divert personnel from their core duties. Regular reporting is found on the Ministry’s website here: www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/statistics/index.html This is also my response to written parliamentary questions 39909 (2024), 39910 (2024), 39911 (2024), 39912 (2014), 39913 (2024) and 39914 (2024).