Rich Katherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Rich Katherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:616;Page:11920] 
11.  
KATHERINE RICH (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Social Development and Employment 
: What were the reasons that the Community Employment Group gave $26000 to a woman to “do a whole lot of travelling for hip hop” when she admitted that she was “green” on her knowledge of hip hop “Nothing major came of the trip apart from seeing it all happen.” and that the Hawaii and Fiji leg of the trip was “basically to chill out.”? 
Hon RUTH DYSON (Acting Minister for Social Development and Employment) 
: 
 The grant was given because the selection panel was satisfied that the application met the fund’s criteria including the applicant having a proven track record as a social entrepreneur and the worth of the application to the community. As a result of recent statements on aspects of how the grant was used I have asked the Community Employment Group to undertake a full review of the circumstances of the approval of this grant of what it was spent on and of the results that were achieved. I can also advise the House that the Social Entrepreneur Fund has been frozen since November last year. 
Katherine Rich 
: Can the Minister tell the House whether any taxpayers’ money went towards any aspect of the couple of days in Paris that was undisclosed to the Community Employment Group or towards the “chill out” in Fiji and Hawaii? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: That information will be provided to me in the report that I have asked for as referred to in the answer to the primary question. 
Moana Mackey 
: Is she satisfied that the objectives of the social entrepreneur scheme are being met; if not what changes is the Government proposing to make? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: The Minister for Social Development and Employment has had a concern that grants made from that fund were not sufficiently directed to its purpose which is to improve the social and economic well-being of disadvantaged communities by supporting key people who are working to make a positive difference in their areas. In August of last year he asked officials to undertake a review of the scheme. That review has been completed and has recommended revised grants criteria. Those recommendations are due to be considered by Ministers shortly. 
Dr Muriel Newman 
: Does the Minister believe that taxpayers got more value for money from spending $40000 to create a bibliography of the spiritual make-up of Maori or from giving $15000 to Robert Reid the failed Alliance candidate for Wellington Central to complete a first-year course for a graduate diploma in economic development; and is that an indication that social entrepreneur grants are being given as a payback to political cronies and mates? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: The irony of the example used is tragically wasted on that member frankly. But I can confirm as I did in the answer to the previous supplementary question that the Minister for Social Development and Employment has had a concern about the application of grants made from that fund. That is why he asked for a complete review in August of last year and that is why the fund was frozen in November. 
Judy Turner 
: Is the Minister concerned about the value of such a trip when the applicant herself has stated that: “I asked them for the money told them what I wanted to do and if the people wanted to buy into that then that’s fine.”? In light of that can she confirm that the actual number of jobs resulting from this junket is likely to be not many if any? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Yes I can confirm that I share the member’s concerns. 
Katherine Rich 
: Does the Minister agree with Charlie Moore the head of the Community Employment Group who after being asked on National Radio whether the hip-hop grant money was well spent replied: “I certainly think it is. Yes I do.”; if not why not? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Not on first information no.