The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

SOCIAL Services Minister Melanie Griffin said it is likely that her ministry will request more money from the government to cover increased requests for assistance with electricity and rent payments.

While she could say specifically how much money will be requested when the government presents its midterm budget next month, Mrs Griffin said that she was positive that her ministry’s records would show an increase in the need for aid.

The Minister made the update on Tuesday outside the Cabinet office.

“I expect that we will be requiring additional funding,” Mrs Griffin said, “for areas like food and perhaps for rental assistance, but definitely for food which is a high priority right now.

“We have a large volume of persons needing assistance for light and also for rent, so the community support unit continues to bear a real brunt of the onslaught from persons who are unemployed.”

Already, it appears that the government could have serious financial challenges on its hands as State Finance Minister Michael Halkitis told members of parliament last week it is likely that more money will be needed in order to satisfy prior financial commitments.”

It is not yet clear how much money to government will need.