Committee Report on Department of Public Service and Administration 2011 budget; Selection of sub-committee to short-list candidates to be interviewed for the Public Service Commission
Meeting Summary
The Committee met to consider and adopt its report on the Department's 2011 budget. Members queried how budget allocations to the Centre for Public Service Innovation and Public Sector Education Training Authority were calculated; why the State Information Technology Agency funds were not from Budget Vote 12 and why the budget of the Public Service Commission was still under the Department. They also stressed that the Department should move swiftly on the issue of gender equity and disabled.
In addition, Members applied the 4-1-1 policy in the nomination of members who would serve in the sub-committee that would be responsible for interviewing applicants. Four members came from the ruling party and the other two members came from the other two smaller parties.
Meeting report
The Chairperson tabled the report for consideration.
Ms A Dreyer (DA), referred to page 3 (paragraph 4) of the report and wanted to know how the allocations to the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) and Public Sector Education Training Authority (PSETA) were calculated.
The Chairperson explained that there was legislation that was with the Ministry, which had not been reviewed. The Ministry still had to report to the Committee about that piece of legislation. The structure around this issue was set up in an awkward way and the Committee had to interrogate the issue. She further indicated the budget was from the Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE) and that was what was indicated in the budget book. Lastly, she said the researcher would find the information and send it to the Committee.
Ms Dreyer asked why the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) was not receiving funds from Budget Vote 12 yet its funds were allocated. She wanted to know the origins of its money.
The Chairperson replied that the SITA budget was not reflected in the previous budget vote. Its budget was from other budget vote funds. Government departments were paying SITA some funds, though it did not receive funds directly from the Department. The Department was the only shareholder of SITA.
Mr L Suka (ANC) added that if the SITA funds were to be handled by the Department that would exonerate the other state departments that were making contributions to SITA.
Ms Dreyer commented that last year the Public Service Commission's budget was under the Department, something that the Committee did not approve. At the time, the Department had indicated that this was a temporary measure but that had not changed. It appeared as if the Commission was losing its independence, and the Committee was not receiving satisfactory answers on this matter.
Mr J Williams explained that the Minister of Public Service and Administration had made an undertaking that the Commission's budget would be moved to the Parliament and not the Department. The relevant authorities were still debating this matter.
Mr Suka noted that the report contained a list of the Committee's findings. While this was okay, the report needed to highlight the Committee's recommendations that should be forwarded to the Department. On the issue of gender equity, he suggested the Department should be encouraged to move swiftly on the matter, including that of the disabled as it was paying lip service.
Mr Nyekembe (ANC) explained there was legislation that was dealing with this matter and that the Committee needed to look at punitive measures if timeframes were not met or adherence to legislation was not done.
The Chairperson indicated the Department was not advancing good, convincing reasons for dragging its feet on the issue. The Department had good ideas but it was failing to execute them, and had not explained why it had been failing to meet targets.
The Committee agreed to adopt the report with changes.
Report on the Millennium Development Goals
The Chairperson indicated that the report was not yet finalised, hence the matter would not be discussed.
Selection of sub-committee to short-list candidates to be interviewed for the Public Service Commission
The Chairperson reminded Members that the 4-1-1 policy applied in the nomination of members who would serve in the sub-committee that would be responsible for interviewing applicants. Four members would come from the ruling party and the other two members would come from the other two smaller parties.
The ANC submitted four names:-
Ms J Moloi-Moropa
Mr L Suka
Ms M Hohale
Mr Kawu
The DA nominated Ms H van Schalkwyk.
The IFP nominated Mr C Msimang, and indicated a confirmation letter would be sent to the Committee.
The Chairperson indicated the advertisement would be published soon and must still be adopted by the Committee. People would be given until 20 May 2011 to submit nominations. The first meeting of the sub-committee was scheduled for 23 May 2011. The interviews would take place on 1 and 2 June 2011. The sub-committee would report back to the Committee on the appointment of Commissioners.
Outstanding Minutes
The Chairperson tabled two outstanding minutes for consideration. These were dated 23 and 30 March 2011. The Committee approved both minutes with no amendments.
The meeting was adjourned.
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