SDC - $1.05 Billion Approved No Financial Statement for Spend Provided

Auditor General's Findings

In the 2018/19 Annual Report the Auditor General’s Department found that Parliament approved $1.05 Billion in the MLGCD Recurrent Budget (for the Social Development Commission)

However, the SDC did not submit the 2018-19 financial statements for audit in keeping with Section 13 (1) of the Jamaica Social Welfare Commission Act. Therefore, stakeholders would have been denied information to assess SDC’s stewardship over the administration of public fund. The MLGCD subsequently indicated that the SDC will be presenting the 2018/19 financial statements by January 31, 2020.

Permanent Secretary (current): Marsha Henry-Martin

Breach Category: Resource Management

Permanent Secretary (at breach): Marsha Henry-Martin

Breach Type: Untimely Preparation of Appropriation Accounts

Status: Full Compliance

Last Assessed: May 19, 2020

Year Reported: 2019

Year Resolved: 2020

JAMP Update

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has provided JAMP with a transmittal letter of the “unaudited financial statements for 2017-2018 and 2018-2019.The AG’s concern pertained to Section 13(1) which says:

“The Commission shall in each year prepare and present on or before the 1st day of October to the Minister a report on its proceedings during the twelve months ending on the 31st day of March in such year, and such report shall include in respect of the said twelve months-
(a) a complete report of the financial position of the Commission
(b) a copy of the accounts of the Commission; and
(c) a copy of any report made on such accounts by the Auditor-General.

JAMP is seeking clarification from the Ministry as the document provided (please see link below) does not clearly demonstrate that the Minister’s office was the recipient.