NZDF

Departmental Outputs

Departmental Output - Policy and Administration

Description

Under this output expense the Minister of Veterans' Affairs purchases the provision of policy advice on, and administration of, a wide range of issues relating to veterans’ entitlements care and recognition.

This includes:

  • Policy advice to the Minister of Veterans' Affairs on veterans’ entitlements, care and recognition, including legislation, major policy proposals and the development of new initiatives of significance to the sector.
  • Ministerial servicing and support – briefings, draft responses to Ministerial correspondence and Parliamentary questions, Official Information Act enquiries, Ombudsman enquiries.
  • The provision of administration for the War Pensions Advisory Board and the War Pensions Appeal Board.
  • The administration of the Rehabilitation Loan Scheme.
  • The administration of the contracts for service relating to the maintenance and development of Services Cemeteries.
  • Quality audits of the maintenance and development work carried out in Services Cemeteries.
  • The coordination of New Zealand’s participation in the commemoration of significant military anniversaries.

Links to Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand Outcomes 1 and 3.

Departmental Output - Policy and Administration
Output Component Quantity Specifications Quality Specifications Performance Measurement
Provide policy advice to the Minister of Veterans' Affairs on veterans’ entitlements, care and recognition.

The number of occasions that the Minister will seek advice, or the CDF feels need to offer it, will depend on a range of factors beyond the control of Veterans' Affairs New Zealand.

The anticipated range of key submissions includes the following:

  • Statutory Reports to Parliament - 2
  • Submissions to Cabinet - 5-12
  • Special Briefing Papers - 20-30

The Minister will expect expert advice to be delivered in accordance with the agreed statutory timeframes and in accordance with the defined characteristics of quality advice: purpose, logic, accuracy, options, consultation, practicality and presentation.

Replies within 20 days of receipt of requests, if not otherwise specified.

95% of first drafts of all policy papers accepted by the Minister.

90% of all other responses accepted without amendment.

Provide Ministerial servicing and support.

The anticipated range of written submissions includes the following:

  • Ministerial Correspondence -
    200-300
  • Parliamentary Questions - 50-100
  • Select Committee Reports - 2-5

Submissions will be delivered in accordance with the agreed timeframes and in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines.

The aim is the provision of a comprehensive service: the capacity to react quickly; the regular evaluation of policy for effectiveness in achieving required outcomes and timely briefings on significant issues; and support for the Minister, as required, in Cabinet Committees, Select Committees and in the House.

95% of all responses will be completed within requested time-frames; 20 working days if not otherwise specified.

95% of all responses will be accepted without amendment.

Provide administration for the War Pensions Advisory Board and War Pensions Appeal Board.

Meetings of the War Pensions Appeal Board will be arranged by the Board Secretary at least 6 weekly.

Meetings of the War Pensions Advisory Board will be arranged by the Secretary for War Pensions as required.

All arrangements and actions will meet the Boards’ requirements. 95% of all actions defined by the Boards will be completed within 20 working days, if not otherwise specified.
Provide Management of the Rehabilitation Loan Scheme

The monitoring of loan payment schedules will be within completed by the 7th of the month following receipt.

Information provided will be of sufficient quality to enable the Ministry of Social Development to make payments. 100% of all actions will be completed within agreed timeframe.
Administration of maintenance agreements and contracts for service relating to the maintenance and development of Services Cemeteries.

Administering maintenance agreements covering an estimated 181 Services Cemeteries.

An estimated 100 (in the range of 50 to 150) contracts for service will be administered.

Two contracts for manufacture and 47 contracts for installation will be administered.

Contracts to be current, legally correct and clearly specify maintenance and development requirements.

There will be no breaches of contracts by Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand.

Serious breaches of contracts by contractors will be managed as per the conditions in the contract.

Quality Audit Services Cemeteries. Quality audits will cover the 181 Services Cemeteries in New Zealand on a rotational basis over a three-year period. Quality audits will ensure that specifications outlined in contract have been met. Services Cemeteries standards are being maintained to the satisfaction of Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand, Local Authorities, the RSA and veterans’ representative organisations.
Coordinate New Zealand’s participation in the commemoration of significant military anniversaries. The number of anniversaries that New Zealand will be involved in will depend on a range of factors beyond the control of the Veterans' Affairs New Zealand. An anticipated range of 2 to 4 events will require coordination. The Minister will expect participation to be delivered in accordance with agreed parameters and budget. The event coordination will be to the satisfaction of the key stakeholders.
Cost of Output Policy and Administration
Cost Components $million Remarks
Total Expenses
Revenue Department / Other
Revenue Crown
Total Revenue
4.901
-
4.901
4.901
GST exclusive

Departmental Output - Services to Veterans

Description

Under this output expense the Minister of Veterans' Affairs purchases the assessment of entitlements and benefits and the provision of appropriate services.

This includes:

  • The assessment and review of entitlements and benefits - War Disablement Pensions, Veterans’ Pension and burial in Services Cemeteries.
  • The provision and installation of ex-service memorials for eligible veterans.
  • The provision of Case Management for veterans and their families.

Links to Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand Outcome 2.

Departmental Output - Services to Veterans
Output Component Quantity Specifications Quality Specifications Performance Measurement
Assess and Review Entitlements to War Pensions and Veterans Pensions An estimated 14,000 (in the range 13,500 - 14,500) decisions on new or reviewed disabilities will be made by the War Pensions Claims Panels Assessments and Reviews will be conducted against extant policy. 95% of assessments will be completed within 10 working days of receipt by the War Pensions Claims Panel.
  An estimated 500 (in the range of 450 - 550) decisions on applications for War Disablement Pensions will be reviewed by the National Review Officer.   95% of reviews and re-openings will be completed within 3 months of receipt by the National Review Officer.
  An estimated 300 (in the range of 250 - 350) decisions on applications for claims War Disablement Pensions to be re-opened will be considered by the National Review Officer.    

 

An estimated 600 (in the range 550 - 650) administrative and retrospective reviews will be undertaken by the Secretary for War Pensions.

An estimated 50 (in the range 45 - 55) decisions will be reviewed by the War Pensions Appeal Board.

An estimated 150 (in the range 100- 200) decisions on eligibility for the Veterans’ Pensions will be made by the Secretary for War Pensions.

 

95% of reviews will be completed within 3 months of receipt by the Secretary for War Pensions.

95% of Appeals will be heard within 3 months of receipt by the War Pensions Appeal Board.

Provide plaques and headstones for eligible veterans

Administration of applications for ex-service memorials. This includes assessment of entitlement, arranging supply and installation.

An estimated 2,100 (in the range of 1,500 – 2,500) applications for plaques and headstones will be processed.

The manufacture of plaques and headstones will meet technical specifications and be manufactured in accordance with agreed contract standards.

Decisions on eligibility will be made within legislative parameters.

99.5% of ex-Service Memorials will be factually correct, meet technical specifications as contracted and be correctly installed.

75% of ex-Service Memorials to be manufactured and installed within four months (where correct documentation has been supplied with the application).

Provide Case Management

An estimated 2,000 (in the range of 2,000 - 2,500) veterans will be case managed. The veteran’s needs will be individually assessed and services and supports from within the veteran’s community will be put in place where required.

An estimated 70 (in the range of 60 - 80) veterans’ partners will be provided with counselling.

An estimated 20 (within the range 15 - 25) children of Vietnam and Operation Grapple veterans will be provided with additional health services.

An estimated 300 (in the range of 250 - 350) contracts for service will be administered.

Service provided will be based on the needs of the veteran and / or their family.

The provision of the service will be timely.

The range of services provided will be appropriate to the needs of the veterans and / or their family.

A holistic approach will be taken to the provision of services and supports.

95% of all new referrals to case management will be assigned a case manager within 5 working days.

100% of all active cases will be contacted every 4 months (in the range 1 to 4 months) to monitor progress and the effectiveness of the interventions put in place.

85% of all veterans and their families that are part of the case management service will be satisfied that the service delivered is appropriate to meet their needs.

Cost of Output Services to Veterans
Cost Components $million Remarks
Total Expenses
Revenue Other
Revenue Crown
Total Revenue
2.630
0.477
2.153
2.630
GST exclusive

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This page was last reviewed on 23 January 2008, and is current.