Question NW2521 to the Minister of Transport
31 August 2017 - NW2521
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport
(a)(i) Why has there been underspending with regard to the Rail Safety Amendment Bill, (ii) what has been done to change the situation and (iii) how is this being monitored and (b)(i) why have the (aa) deliverables, (bb) timelines, (cc) timeframes and (dd) deadlines not been met and (ii) what is being done to change the situation in each case?
Reply:
(a) (i) The Department appointed a service provider to assist with the drafting of the Railway Safety Bill and payment of invoices are aligned to project deliverables/milestones. The Department only process payment once it is satisfied with the deliverables and delays in finalising the deliverables subsequently leads to under expenditure.
(ii) The project team has regular engagements to fast-track the deliverables.
(iii) This is monitored through constant engagement, progress reports and regular follow ups with the service provider.
(b) (i)(aa)(bb)(cc)(dd) The Railway Safety Bill had to undergo the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System(SEIAS) process, which was not anticipated, as the SEIAS process was not yet introduced by the time the project timelines were drafted. The stakeholder consultations process also took longer than was anticipated and this further prolonged the completion of the deliverables. This subsequently also negatively affected the timeframes and the deadlines.
(ii) The draft Railway Safety Bill has been finalised and it is due for submission to Cabinet for approval for further broader consultation.
NW2778E