Question NW28 to the Minister of Social Development
28 March 2017 - NW28
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether her department has budgeted any funds for social workers to place advertisements of abandoned or orphaned children in local newspapers circulating in the area where the child was found, in line with Regulation 56 of Regulation R261 of 1 April 2010 of the Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005, as amended; if not, (a) why not and (b) what is the position in this regard; if so, what amount of funding did her department budget in this regard (i) in the (aa) 2013-14, (bb) 2014-15 and (cc) 2015-16 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2016; (2) whether she has found that the funds are sufficient for social workers to place the advertisements; if so, what are the relevant details; if not, (3) is she aware of any instances where social workers were unable to comply with the specified regulation in each of the specified financial years resulting in any Children’s Court not being able to proceed with cases; if so, what are the relevant details? NW31E
Reply:
GAUTENG
1 (a) Yes, the Department of Social Development has budgeted funds for social workers to place advertisements.
(b) (i), (aa), (bb), (cc) and (ii)
|
Financial Year |
Amount |
|
2013/2014 |
R 487 000 |
|
2014/2015 |
R 674 357 |
|
2015/2016 |
R 1 332 882 |
|
Since April 2016 |
R 2 773 000 |
2. The funds are sufficient for the financial year however it increases annually due to the increase in demand. The Regions have been allocated budgets and they have entered into contracts with local newspapers. The following newspapers are also used Sowetan and Daily Sun.
The process involves the Social Workers conducting assessments and in cases where the biological parents are reported unknown, then the advert is placed on the newspaper as per Regulations 56.
The finalization of the court process is reconvened two weeks after the placement of the advert.
3. There were no instances were children’s court Enquiries were not finalized due to non-compliance with Regulations.
EASTERN CAPE
1 (a) N/A
(b) Funding only made available for 2016 which was R400 000.00
2. Funds are not sufficient due to the budget-cut/financial constraints. This is however, one of the priorities of the Sub-directorate Child Care and Protection priorities when advocating for funds to Treasury.
3. None – the Provincial Team (between DSD, SASSA & Districts) that is monitoring Foster Care management services including backlog has since engaged DoJ & CD Presiding Officers and was agreed that in all cases Children’s interest must be paramount in line with Section 28 of the Constitution and Section 2 (a – f) of the Children’s Act No 38 of 2005 as amended.