Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Short-staffed Social Devt Dept now ‘burdened’ with more work- Hon Penn

- Decries extra work for staff as CoI bring sweeping impacts on how assistance is given to residents to offset effects of social issues
Amidst staff shortages in the Social Development Department, Minister for Health and Social Development under the Unity Government, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has referred to new responsibilities given to the department as an extra border on those who work there. Photo: GIS/Facebook
In 2022, Public Assistance was moved from the remit of the House of Assembly to the Social Development Department, fulfilling a recommendation in the Commission of Inquiry Report by retired United Kingdom (UK) judge Sir Gary. R. Hickenbottom. Photo: VINO/File
In 2022, Public Assistance was moved from the remit of the House of Assembly to the Social Development Department, fulfilling a recommendation in the Commission of Inquiry Report by retired United Kingdom (UK) judge Sir Gary. R. Hickenbottom. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Amidst staff shortages in the Social Development Department, Minister for Health and Social Development under the Unity Government, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has referred to new responsibilities given to the department as an extra burden on staff.

Hon Penn in a recent meeting with staff of the Department discussed the Department’s future, in light of the social assistance and grant system review now under the purview of the Department as per the CoI recommendations.

The Minister also addressed staffing issues.

“The burden is now placed on the Social Development Department to process all these levels of assistance without additional staff or resources. So, I understand the struggle that you face when people are frustrated, and they sometimes take the frustration out on you. But I just want to let you know that you have my support.” 

Hon Penn discussed support for the staff to be better able to offer the expected level of service to the public.

Reform has implications on Dep't - Hon Penn 

“We have just completed the initial report, in terms of how we reform the social systems, the social network, and we are also about to take that to Cabinet with those recommendations.”

He told staff that the reforms have implications and will impact how they work and that it is important for them to be part of this process to know what is expected of them.

In 2022, Public Assistance was moved from the remit of the House of Assembly to the Social Development Department, fulfilling a recommendation in the Commission of Inquiry Report by retired United Kingdom (UK) judge Sir Gary. R. Hickenbottom.

17 Responses to “Short-staffed Social Devt Dept now ‘burdened’ with more work- Hon Penn”

  • DID YOU ?? (10/02/2023, 09:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    EXPECT IT TO BE A WALK IN THE PARK ???
    • Excuses (10/02/2023, 16:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      You mean passing work off to others because some of them can’t be bothered and overloading one person.
  • asura (10/02/2023, 09:14) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Marlon is the biggest waste to that Ministry let's start off by getting a new Minister.
  • jokes (10/02/2023, 09:24) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply

    Marlon serious? If they are understaffed WHY THE $%^& DID YOU PASS THE ADDITIONAL WORK TO THEM ABRUPTLY???? Instead of putting plans in place then transferring more responsibilities, it was done on a whim because we have cowards in HOA who only care about their titles and the power that comes with it. If they truly cared about helping people they wouldn't have dumped the assistance grants on Social Development knowing full well that their systems were not adequate to deal with the situation. Now he is here at the 11th hour talking @&^%.

  • Really (10/02/2023, 09:34) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Wake Up people this is all by design. They don't want to pay people the right amount of money for the position they was hired for. They do it in every workplace here,they hire One person to do the work of four workers and pay one person salary total crap. This is how you keep everyone at bay. It has to have someone to clean the toilet,one to flip the burgers not everyone can be rich. The Rich used to keep getting rich but during this great reset millions of rich people will die from the mark. Vaccine passport and health card is what the government are making mandatory again right now as we speak so be prepared and leave these dumb people fail. All of the people in the social security department should walk out because they got those big building costing almost 300,000 dollars and you all are short staff ask the question Why and wake up
  • Funny how (10/02/2023, 09:57) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Funny how he would say it’s short staffed yet if people go and apply for a position there no one would get hired.

    Same for the rest of any advertised government jobs. Somehow no one is good enough to employ to do these routine jobs and collect minimum wage.
  • Hush (10/02/2023, 10:13) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hire the ex Director of Taxi and Livery and C.n.d.y. They are quite capable, just outspoken.
  • Really (10/02/2023, 10:52) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    @funny how. This is all by design. The AI is going to replace the humans so this is slowly ushering in the New World Order. All departments will be replaced by computer the more technology the less work for you and then your useless but you won't see it. I pray for the sleep people because time is running out. The people keep complaining about how much work it is but the robots will do more work than you for no money and they won't walk out of their jobs. The robots will also be early which majority of the people goes to work late. Passover is coming along with the plague,and mass deaths. Protect your kids and yourself this is going to get terrible. Look at what the UK are doing to their people
  • Hon. Pls. Stop.. (10/02/2023, 10:52) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    You are my hon. But you sound very weak with that statement..Encourage the staff to work efficient and smart...Let them know they can do it...Challenge them..This is a weak and an encouraging laziness and effort...Time we focus on Brain Power and smarts not so much on man Power...Stop blaming staff shortage conveniently ..With Brain power and a smart approach 3 people can easily so a job meant for 5 people..You building a house you get more work done or value for your money with two masons and two labourers than with 4 masons and 4 labourers, all you going to get with more is more bla bla and more gassip..
    • @Hon. Pls. Stop (10/02/2023, 11:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      There might well be areas where efficiency can be improved, but I was dealing with that department just this week and they are definitely short staffed and under-funded. Current employees are already doubling up. Regardless of however smart and willing someone might be, there's a limit to what they can do.
  • Still Better (10/02/2023, 12:46) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Either way short staffed or not this is still much better than a system that blindly gave cash to politicians to just hand out!
  • facts (10/02/2023, 13:13) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marlon is the worse Minister of Health this country has ever seen. He cannot be trusted.
  • Oh Please (10/02/2023, 13:15) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marlon knew these problems when he passed the budget just now but did nothing or said nothing to have them addressed. He is just doing what he does best which is blame others and play political games.
  • COI? (10/02/2023, 13:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I keep telling everyone the well-organized COI and pre-authored report and recommendations were designed to make sure the country does not function and for no one to get help so the country can become stagnant. How can one man be an expert in all areas to say what is best? This is foolishness and the report needs to be legally challenged as well as the full processes surrounding the COI from start to finish. However, this is what Marlon and his gang wanted when they were living down by the governor trying to get power, but it is backfiring on them now.
  • facts (10/02/2023, 13:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Most government offices are short staffed,I dont know why they ain hiring anybody or if they are they doing it internally ain nobody want that or if they hiring they asking for a whole lot just try hire people who really want a job and whos willing to learn.Some people who in government they lazy and dont be caring and it have young adults who really want a job and full of energy awyo gah do better mon
  • east (10/02/2023, 23:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let Social Development Huss them rass!! They don’t do shitzzz no day… And for us in charge of SSD, we all phuck!! She don’t give out a penny!! She always saying, them need to ho look eirk in them backside… and I works there, so I know!!!
  • Real Hablar (11/02/2023, 10:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Short staff and overwork the go to line of defense of poor, lazy and incompetent leaders. Go du be wuk nuh.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.
CG Insurance Office Move


Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.