45349 (2025). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

45349 (2025). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many applications for hardship assistance, if any, were approved and declined for car repairs, clothing, dental treatment, and electricity in each quarter June 2020, broken down by reason declined?

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.