Question NW2624 to the Minister of Finance
14 September 2017 - NW2624
Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether there were any requests for deviations from the mandatory cost containment measures announced by the National Treasury (a) in the 2016-17 financial year and (b) since 1 April 2017; if not, what is the National Treasury’s policy position with regard to requests for deviations in the specified financial year and period; if so, (i) what is the name of the department, constitutional entity and/or public entity that made a request for a deviation, (ii) when was each deviation (aa) requested and (bb) approved and/or denied, (iii) what was the nature of each specified deviation requested, (iv) what was the motivation for requesting each deviation and (v) why was the specified deviation request approved and/or denied in each case?
Reply:
(a) Yes, the received deviations by the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer are indicated in the table below.
(b) Yes, the received deviations by the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer are indicated in the table below.
(i) Name of Department |
(ii) When was each deviation |
(iii)The nature of each specified deviation requested |
(iv) The motivation for requesting each deviation |
(v) Why was the specified deviation request approved and/or denied in each case |
|
(aa) Requested |
(bb) Approved and/or denied |
||||
Department of Military Veterans |
19 June 2017 |
Approved |
Business Class travel Require guidance on travel provisions for members of the DMV’s Appeals Board and Advisory Council that are appointed in terms of sections 9 and 19 of the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011 and not in terms of Section 12A of the Public Service Act of 1994 as was previously indicated. |
|
|
The Presidency |
31 March 2017 |
Not approved |
Request to exceed the maximum allowance rate per star grading for domestic hotel accommodation |
|
National Treasury does not give blanket approvals to deviate from cost containment measures. |
The Presidency |
29 August 2017 |
Under review |
Request for deviation from Instruction Note No. 4 of 2017/18 for essential core staff to travel in the same class when accompanying the President and Deputy-President on commercial flights. |
Arrangement of commercial air travel on occasion, including accommodating of essential core staff travelling with principals. |
In efforts to minimise cost, the Presidency will on occasion arrange for commercial air travel for the President and Deputy President. On such occasions, it is critical that essential core staff traveling with the Principals be accommodated in the same class during the flights. The core staff comprises, but is not limited to, Private/Assistant Private Secretary, Presidential Aide, Medical Doctor and two Close Protectors. The National Treasury Instruction Note No. 4 of 2017/18 makes provision for business class travel for certain ranks. However, this excludes the core support staff of the Principals due to ranks not covered, irrespective of duration of travel. |
Department of Labour |
20 July 2017 |
Approved on condition that the newspapers are not procured for personal use of employees |
Procurement of newspapers and magazines |
The newspapers are for comprehensive monitoring of the mass media, the development of media analysis and research solutions and delivering of most appropriate interventions as a key element of the strategic management function. |
Newspapers are for comprehensive monitoring of the mass media, the development of media analysis and research solutions and delivering of most appropriate interventions as this is a key element of the strategic management function. |