Financial assistance received the bulk of the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation's budget with $28.6 million — an increase of almost $300,000 on last year.

And child and family services received the second largest sum with $17.6 million, a decrease of $150,000.

The child day care allowance which helps to subsidise child care received an increase of $400,000 in this year's budget as part of the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation's overall allocation of $72 million.

The initiative was launched in 2008 and was in the Government's platform for re-election and received $4.8 million in comparison to $4.4 in 2009.

It is aimed at low-income families who earn less than $70,000 per year. They can claim up to $800 a month per child to subsidise day care expenses.

Speaking in the House of Assembly, Ms Cox said: "A satisfaction survey conducted in 2009 revealed that nearly 90 percent of child day care allowance recipients stated that their quality of life had improved.

"Over 50 percent reported spending more time with their children, with an emphasis on reading, 37 percent reported better control of expenses, 35 percent are pursuing a higher level of education, 31 percent have pursued employment opportunities and 28 percent have implemented budget plans."

The programme has assisted more than 700 families and 750 children.

While the Ministry's overall budget was reduced by $2 million, the highly-regarded Mirrors programme was given $2.5 million. Last year, the programme received $2.15 million. Mirrors is a residential programme for at-risk youth and has seen many positive results.

Ms Cox said the funds will pay for two intensive six-day residential training courses, one for 15 to 18-year-olds — co-ed — and one for 19 to 23-year-olds — male only.

The money will also go to introducing two new Middle School coaching for success training sessions and Mirrors will continue to deliver parent workshops and professional development training for participants aged 21 and over, Ms Cox said.

In addition the Cultural Legacy Fund got a $100,000 increase to $200,000.

Speaking post-budget, Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Neletha Butterfield said: "There continues to be an ongoing need to treat some of our children with severe behavioural disorders at overseas facilities. Last year, the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation administered the programme for over 50 children. To continue this programme, the Ministry has been given as allocation of $3.1 million for the fiscal year, a similar amount to that allocated in the previous fiscal year."

The Cross Ministry Intervention Team received $1.7 million for the year and $340,000 was allocated to continue coordinating the implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan.