There is no evidence to suggest an increase in social assistance applications following the closure of the Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP).

That assurance came from Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, while responding to a question in the Senate on Tuesday.

During the sitting, Independent Senator Dr. Marlene Attzs asked whether the closure or restructuring of CEPEP had led to an increase in applications for social assistance, food support, or other welfare programmes.