Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Donna Cox, has described the theft of Food Cards from an employee’s desk as beyond unacceptable.
Minister Cox, contributing towards the budget debate, said that 32 Food Cards were stolen from the unlocked drawer of a Ministry employee in August, adding that the Permanent Secretary was told of the theft two weeks later. She said while the matter was being investigated by the police and an internal inquiry was underway, analysis of the spending patterns on the stolen cards showed cash was being allowed to accumulate.
Cox also said the withdrawals and spending patterns showed the cards were being used at businesses not on the Ministry’s list of vendors approved to accept Food Support Cards.