4. Question No. 4—Social Development and EmploymentSHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 4—Social Development and Employment4. SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How has MSD provided support to people and whānau impacted by COVID-19?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Our Government has continued to move fast to cushion the impact of COVID-19 on some of our most vulnerable people whānau and communities. We've provided over $50 million in additional funding for food banks and support services since the Delta outbreak began. This includes more recently our $12 million funding boost to providers who have experienced prolonged lockdowns in the lead-up to Christmas. This has helped reach tens of thousands of people and whānau right across the motu but particularly in Tāmaki-makau-rau. I want to take this opportunity to thank all our social service providers the New Zealand Food Network food hubs and food banks front-line staff iwi and hapū for their hard mahi commitment and dedication to the cause. Shanan Halbert: How are the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) supporting people and whānau who will need to self-isolate moving forward?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We recently announced $204 million to support individuals and whānau who contract COVID-19 and need to self-isolate at home. This support comes as we enter into a new phase in our response to COVID-19. It underlines the importance of supporting the welfare needs of individuals and whānau who may need additional support to isolate safely. We're taking a locally-led approach specific to each region and community. This funding will support this approach by empowering our local partners and organisations to deliver welfare support. Shanan Halbert: What feedback has she received about the MSD's response to COVID-19?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Over the course of the pandemic I've had over 70 check-ins with social service providers and community groups via Zoom. More recently the Prime Minister and I met with social service providers in Auckland. The main feedback was that Government and MSD had listened and had given providers the support they need to best service their communities. Hurimoana Dennis of Te Puea Marae said that Government support meant they were able to provide a one-stop shop for people. They'd come in for a vaccination and walk out vaccinated with food support and sometimes even a job. It's been heartening to see the collaboration and innovation of providers like this who have worked closely in partnership with Government to support those most in need through these challenging times. To all our social service providers across the motu we say thank you and we also wish them all a very merry Christmas.Jan Logie: Does she think it is equitable that beneficiary debt rose from $150 million to $750 million in 2020 with no amnesty while some of the wealthiest businesses operating in this country took COVID support posted high profits and paid dividends to shareholders with no clawbacks from MSD?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: With regards to a debt for MSD clients this is an issue that was here when we came into Government. We put in our manifesto coming in after the last election—[Multiple members interjecting]Rt Hon Trevor Mallard: Order!Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: —that actually addressing debt to Government which is not just debt to the Ministry for Social Development but particularly debt to MSD Justice and Inland Revenue had to be something that we addressed and we've committed to doing that this term.