Page 2245 - Week 06 - Monday, 11 May 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
(4) Was additional assistance provided to relocate family members of recruits; if so, what additional assistance was provided, including details and quantity of financial amounts.
(5) What assistance was provided, both financially and through other means such as government programs, to assist in the re-settlement of recruits and their families in Canberra and will he quantify any financial assistance.
Mr Barr: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The Office for Children, Youth and Family Support (OCYFS) recruited 32 workers from the United Kingdom to Care and Protection in 2004, and a further 36 workers in 2008.
(2) The costs incurred from the 2008 Overseas recruitment campaign are as follows:
• $25,826.82 for Travel fares
• $27,063.40 for Advertising
• $1,727.85 for Incidentals
• $46,798.78 for Accommodation
As at 31 March 2009, the total cost to relocate recruits was $101,416.85.
The total for recruitment campaign and relocation costs is $716,760.23.
The costs incurred from the 2004 Overseas recruitment campaign are as follows:
• $14,934.00 for Travel fares
• $13,163.00 for Advertising
• $1,853.00 for Accommodation
The total cost to relocate recruits was $389,205.00.
The total for recruitment and relocation costs is $419,155.00.
(3) Each applicant had a ceiling of $12,000 plus $2,000 for each accompanying dependent, up to six dependents in line with ACT Government policy.
The payments covered, flight, visa application costs, medicals, police checks, shipping of goods, accommodation on arrival and car hire on arrival.
(4) The Government’s “Live in Canberra” program was utilised and Disability Housing and Community Services (DHCS) also assisted family members to find employment (at no cost to DHCS).
A mentoring program was initiated by OCYFS, where staff members volunteered to provide support and assistance to the person recruited and their family. This mentoring often occurred during out of work hours at no cost to DHCS.
(5) There was a ceiling of $12,000 per applicant plus $2,000 for each accompanying dependent, up to six dependents. UK recruits attended two weeks of Induction Training provided by Care and Protection Services (CPS). The recruitment campaign made use of the Government’s “Live in Canberra” program CPS Staff organised a furniture pool so UK recruits could ‘borrow’ furniture and essentials to help them settle. Each recruit was allocated a ‘buddy’ and was supported by staff that had been in Canberra for some time.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .