Question NW3525 to the Minister of Social Development
30 October 2015 - NW3525
Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Will her department increase the budget of the Central Drug Authority (CDA) for the 2016-17 financial year in order to enable the CDA to (a) adequately assess the impact of the National Drug Master Plan and (b) collect the necessary baseline data against which it will measure the impact of its interventions; (2) since her reply to question 79 on 18 March 2015, how many (a) Provincial Drug Forums (PDFs) and (b) Municipal Action Committees (MACs) are currently (i) in place and (ii) operational in each province; (3) does her department have the capacity to monitor all the PDFs and MACs; if not, why not; if so, what does her department plan to do in order to capacitate itself in this regard?
Reply:
(1) (a) Yes. The budget of the Central Drug Authority (CDA) for the 2016-2017 financial year by 6.2% according to Medium Term Expenditure Framework. The current budget is R6.1 million which covers both personnel and goods and services.
(b) Yes. The budget will to some extent enable the Department to collect baseline data against which we will measure the impact and efficacy of current interventions, at least in one province.
(2) To ensure a seamless and coordinated approach to the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan, the Department has commenced with the process to conduct an audit of all structures. I will furnish the Honourable Member with a comprehensive reply upon completion of this process.
(3) Yes. Measures currently underway include the upgrading of the Directorate to a Chief Directorate to ensure proper coordination and support to the CDA.