This Brief gives an overview of the main measures announced in the Budget 2018-2019 with a special focus on social aspects of the Budget relating to the 4 priority areas of YUVA.

Employability

• Rs 1 billion to target some 14,000 unemployed and to tackle youth unemployment
• 3,000 youths to join the National Skills Development Programme (NSDP) for technical training
• Youth Service Programme introduced under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth and Sports to develop soft skills such as team building, discipline, communication and work ethics
• 3,000 unemployed to be enrolled in the National Apprenticeship Programme run by MITD
• Youth Employment Programme (YEP) to cater for post-HSC unemployed

Employment and Entrepreneurship

• SME Employment Scheme to target some 1,000 graduates for employment in SMEs
• Introduction of a Work at Home Scheme
• Support to set up 100 farms over the next two years under a Sheltered Farming Scheme
• Sensitisation and training of households in aquaponics for the production of water adaptive vegetables
• New Scheme for cooperatives that promotes a mix of agricultural and electricity production
• Creating more linkages with local businesses, encouraging community-based and inclusive tourism
• A pilot project at Mahebourg for a ‘Village Touristique’
• Rs 1 billion to support the MSMEs through the DBM
• DBM will provide loan facilities for start-ups, young entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs at an interest rate  of 3% and non-financial support through a new Hand-holding and Mentoring cell

Poverty Alleviation and Empowerment

• Provision of Rs 760 million for poverty alleviation and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable groups
• Reinforcing the Case Management Approach
• Start-up toolkits to be provided to unemployed under training and placement to enable them to work on their own and start a business

Education: Pre-primary

• Construction of 2 pre-primary units – one at Grand Baie and another one at Montagne Ory

Education: Primary

• Provision for serving hot meals at Pointe aux Piments and Bois des Amourettes Government Schools on a pilot basis
• Extension of the Tablet project to grade three students
• Reconstruction of 7 Government Schools
• Recruitment of 150 Trainee Primary School Educators

Education: Secondary

• Construction of a gym in six State Secondary Schools
• Construction of specialist rooms for Food and Textile Studies and Design and Technology in all State Schools
• Construction of new science blocks at 3 secondary schools
• Recruitment of 114 Educators for the secondary schools

Education: Tertiary

Additional income tax deduction in respect of a dependent child who is pursuing tertiary studies raised as follows:

• if abroad, from Rs 135,000 to Rs 200,000
• if in Mauritius, from Rs 135,000 to a maximum amount of Rs 175,000

Education: Special Education Needs

• Setting up of the SEN Authority
• Annual per capita grant for teaching aids, utilities, furniture and equipment raised from Rs 1,300 to Rs 5,200
• Students with special needs attending primary and secondary schools to benefit from taxi fares

Health

• New Teaching Hospital to be built in Flacq
• Medical hub developed at Côte d’Or City
• New Cancer Centre to be set up
• Acquisition of a fully-fledged mobile caravan to promote early detection of breast and cervical cancer
• Provision of Rs 100 million for the e-Health
• Recruitment of 10 Specialists, 10 Community Physicians, 7 Clinical Psychologists, 50 Trainee Nurses and 30 Trainee Midwives, amongst others
• Rs 10 million provided for a new Synthetic Drugs Prevention Programme and Rs 30 million for the Rehabilitation Programme for Alcoholics and Drug Addicts