45173 (2025). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

45173 (2025). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Since 1 October 2023, how many applications for Special Needs Grants for food, if any, have been received, broken down by month, service centre and result?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (The Ministry) that due to how debts are recorded in Ministry systems, answering this question would require a review of individual client files, and for the Ministry to undertake substantial manual collation and divert staff from their core duties. In accordance with the Speaker’s Ruling 185-4, I consider that the time, and hence the expense, of answering this question is not in the public interest.