The Ministry of Labour is developing a database to track persons who benefit from social assistance funds.

The ministry says the instrument will enhance its capability to significantly minimise incidences of duplication of benefits across welfare programme offered by the State.

In its 2016-17 annual report to Parliament, the labour ministry says its Public Assistant Department has already designed a database under it’s the Rehabilitation Programme.

That programme provides grants to persons in need of social assistance for compassionate purposes or to improve their economic situation.

The labour ministry says 5,234 persons benefited from grants totalling $121 million for the period April 2016 to March 2017.

Giving a breakdown, the ministry says 999 families received Rehabilitation Grants totalling $24.1 million to start income generating projects and to boost existing ones and 2,979 persons received Compassionate Grants totalling $71 million to assist with medical, funeral and other expenses.

Another 926 families received Emergency Relief Assistance totalling $19.1 million and 330 students received Education and Social Intervention Grants totalling $6.4 million.