Budget Briefing
Social Development
27 February 2002
Meeting Summary
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Meeting report
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
27 February 2002
BUDGET BRIEFING
Chairperson: Mr E Saloojee
Documents handed out
Department
of Social Development Powerpoint Presentation
SUMMARY
Director General briefed the Committee on the achievements and objectives
of the department. The budget was carefully explained discussing increased
spending and projections for the next financial year.
Priority areas for improvements were identified. These included, greater focus
on the issue of child abuse, increased spending to counter the spread of
HIV/AIDS and improved training and financial management systems within the
department.
During the discussion, the need to improve the working conditions of social
workers was extensively dealt with. The Committee agreed that there had to be
action on this issue this year.
MINUTES
Ms Bester proceeded through the Powerpoint presentation. [Please refer to
attached Powerpoint presentation].
Priorities for 2001/2002
She emphasized the department's intentions to adopt a more systematic
approach to poverty relief. The increased focus on dealing with HIV/AIDS was
also mentioned.
Allocation 2001/2002
Ms Bester discussed the allocation of funds for the previous year. The adjustments estimate included in the
allocation, was as a result of the need for money for disaster relief
programmes. Therefore, the over-expenditure amount was a projection only and
the exact figures would be clearer later in the year.
MTEF - National Department
The substantial increases for the years 2002/03 were explained. The
significant percentage increase was as a result of the National Development
Agency (NDA) being transferred to the Minister of Social Development.
Departmental Budget 2002/2003
Ms Bester explained in more detail how restructuring within the department led
to an increase in personnel allocation.
Social Security 2001/2002
Ms Bester discussed the amendments to Regulations to Social Assistance Act.
It was mentioned that Cabinet approved the amendments after extensive
consultations with the portfolio committee.
Child Suport Grants
The Committee was briefed on Child Support Grants within the respective
provinces. There needed to be a review of these targets but the aim was still
to achieve three million overall.
Social Security 2002/03
Social Security for 2002/03 issues were discussed in length. The need to
replace the software system, for which a tender had been put out, as well as
the need to introduce training programmes for social security officials were
mentioned. In terms of training it was stated that a course was being designed
for officials.
Welfare Services 2001-2003
The issue of child abuse was extensively discussed. The need to finalise
the Child Care Act, Child Protection Registrar and Child abuse protocols were a
priority. Another priority was to lessen the time children spent in prison
awaiting trial. The need for new legislation to be introduced this year was
also mentioned. The committee was told that they would be briefed on the Child
Abuse hearings to be held later in the year.
HIV/AIDS 2001/2002
Ms Bester dealt with progress and objectives for dealing with HIV/AIDS.
Progress was made through working in combination with the department of health
and various NGOs in assisting to set-up home-based or community-based care
sites. In terms of objectives, priority was given to improving the accuracy of
information on how many children were infected.    Â
Non-Profit Organisations
She focused on the need for organizations to comply with the new
legislation and the rules of the department.
The presentation ended with an outline of the cross-cutting priorities for
2002/03 and an explanation on the functioning of the department. Priority areas
mentioned included, the need to strengthen volunteerism. This would be done in
addition to the general Presidential call for more volunteerism. A SADC
conference on volunteerism was planned for April/May this year. In terms of
moral regeneration, the focus was on dealing with the issue of child abuse.
In outlining the functioning of the department, the DG showed the improvement
in African representation within the department. The continuing recruitment
drive would assist in this regard.
Other progress was achieved in financial management, which ensured that the
department would now run more efficiently.
Discussion
A number of questions and points of clarity were brought up by
Committee members.
The problem of insufficient markets for poverty relief programmes in the deep
rural areas was mentioned. How could this situation be improved?
-The DG stated that projects in the rural areas needed to be clustered to
enhance the capacity to uplift the community. Further, greater quality controls
were required to ensure products were viable on a particular market.
Was there any progress in improving secure care facilities to ensure that young
children could be accommodated properly?
-Each province had at least one such facility. A problem often arose because of
the distance between the secure care facility and other centers within a
province. In this regard there were problems in the Western Cape, KZN and
Gauteng.
The issue of crisis centers in crime ridden areas was then addressed. Could
more centers be established to ensure various criminal offenders were not
released back into their communities.
- DG stated that currently there were 100 crisis centers around the country.
However, she admitted that there were not enough centers for female offenders.
This was being addressed in the justice forum.
It was asked if anything was being done to assess the impact of poverty
alleviation projects.
-DG said that more time was needed to assess the projects properly. In September
this year there would be an assessment of the last three years.
On the issue of disaster relief - what assistance were given to the communities
in these areas?
-Relief was generally given in two different ways. Firstly, immediate social
relief, and secondly, small amounts of money as support for material
losses.Â
The issue of improving the working conditions of social workers was then
discussed at length.How could the
department ensure that social workers within NGOs could get improved salaries.
Could the department interact with the department of education and various
universities to improve the quality and numbers of social workers trained.
-The issue of improved salaries could only be addressed by increasing subsidies
to various NGOs. The chairperson added that the issue of poor salaries and
working conditions for social workers was a constant problem. Minimal
advancements had been made in four years despite an acknowledgement of the
problem.
How could Committee members access projects to evaluate their progress and
suggest possible improvements.
-The DG answered that substantial lists had been compiled and would be updated
regularly.
The chairman stated that there were a number of issues that still needed to be
discussed. He suggested that workshops be held to ensure that issues were
discussed separately and in a substantial way.
The meeting was then adjourned.              Â
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