Questions & Replies: Social Development
2011-03-23
THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.
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QUESTION 2919/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 September 2011
Internal question paper no: 30
2919. Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether her department has placed any (a) companies or (b) persons on the List of Restricted Suppliers, thereby prohibiting the public sector to do business with them; if so, in each case, what is the (i) name of said entity or person, (ii) nature of their business, (iii) reason for restricting this service and (iv) date on which they were restricted;
(2) whether any of the implicated (a) companies or (b) persons have since been removed from the list; if so, in each case, (i) which entity or person, (ii) when and (iii) what is the reason for removing the specified company or person from the list;
(3) whether her department has conducted any business with any of the (a) companies that or (b) person who have been removed from the list; if so, in each case (i) with which companies or persons, (ii) with regard to which services, (iii) for which time period and (iv) why did her department engage the specified company or person despite previous conduct?
NW3390E
REPLY:
1(a)(b) The Department has not placed any companies or persons on the List of Restricted Suppliers
1(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv) Not applicable
2(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii) Not applicable
3(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv) Not applicable
QUESTION 2778/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 16 September 2011
Internal question paper no: 29
2778. Ms N P Gcume (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether her department has access to information about the number of persons who had been convicted of sexual offences against children under 16 in the past five years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
(2) whether her department interacts with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development regarding such convictions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW3241E
REPLY:
1) No, the Department of Social Development (DSD) has no access to information regarding the number of persons who have been convicted of sexual offences against children under the age of 16 years, in the past five years. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) is aware of the requirements of the Children's Act and the responsibility it has towards providing the said information. DoJ&CD is presently engaged in developing measures to provide the historical information of the past five years; however, since April 2011 DSD is receiving such information from some of the Courts on the current convictions
2) (2) Yes, the DSD interacts with the DoJ&CD regarding the required responsibilities as outlined by the Children's Act. Both departments hold monthly meetings to review progress regarding the implementation of the Children's Act which includes the provisioning of information. DSD is currently receiving convictions from various courts in the country. The database has 140 convictions for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 August 2011. DoJ&CD has sent out a Circular to all courts and this has led to an improvement in the information received by DSD.
A letter was sent from my office, to the Minister of DoJ & CD in August 2011, requesting his department, to assist DSD in obtaining the relevant information
QUESTION 2776/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 16 September 2011
Internal question paper no: 29
2776. Ms N P Gcume (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether any older persons were deemed ineligible during the review of social grants by the SA Social Security Agency in September 2010; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant data.
NW3239E
REPLY:
1. Yes. There were 10652 older persons who were reviewed in September 2010 and 53 were found to be ineligible for an old age pension because of means. In 2010 the income exclusion level for a single older person was R31296 and for a married older person it was R62592 per annum.
QUESTION 2560/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 09 September 2011
Internal question paper no: 28
2560. Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
What amount was (a) claimed by and (b) paid to (i) her and (ii) her Deputy Minister for subsistence and travel in each month in the 2010-11 financial year? NW2810E
REPLY:
(i) The Minister only claim subsistence and travel when travelling abroad
| Month | (a) Claimed | (b) Paid |
| April 2010 | R 2 925.37 | R2 925.37 |
| May 2010 | R 4 382.61 | R 4 382.61 |
| October 2010 | R4 353.93 | R4 353.93 |
| November 2010 | R 2 667.26 | R 2 667.26 |
| February 2011 | R 12 882.06 | R 12 882.06 |
(ii) The Deputy Minister only claim subsistence and travel when travelling abroad
| Month | Claimed | Paid |
| August 2010 | R 4 353.58 | R 4 353 58 |
| September / October 2010 | R 6 060.16 | R 6 060.16 |
| January 2011 | R 5 452.35 | R 5 452.35 |
Please be advised that you could also get the above information in the 2010-11 annual report.
QUESTION 2538/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 02 September 2011
Internal question paper no: 27
Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) What percentage of (a) the population consumes less than 21 000 kilocalories per day and (b) children suffer from acute malnutrition;
(2) For every 10 000 persons, how many (a) adults and (b) children die of hunger each day?
NW295E
REPLY:
(1) The Government of South Africa has made clear its commitment to delivering nutritional services to the Republic's neediest citizens. Accurate and representative information about a nation's dietary habits is an important element in planning for successful nutrition interventions. Although nutrition problems affect individuals, it is the household that provides the entry point for nutrition intervention efforts, since that is the unit at which food is procured and distributed (Rose et al, 2002).
According to the Medical Dictionary, Malnutrition is defined as a condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. Malnutrition occurs in people who are either undernourished or overnourished. Undernutrition is a consequence of consuming too few essential nutrients or using or excreting them more rapidly than they can be replaced. It is important to note that undernutrition is a relatively new concept, but is increasingly used. It should be taken as similar to malnutrition.
(a) The daily energy requirement for the average South African of 2 230 kilocalories (approximately 9 366 kilojoules) (Tshitaudzi, 2007, Department of Health).
(b) Table 2 below shows the percentage of severe malnutrition incidences for children less than 5 years by province within in the country.
Table 2: Severe malnutrition incidence for children under 5 years by province
| Province | Percentage |
| Western Cape | 3.8% |
| Eastern Cape | 8.1% |
| Northern Cape | 9.8% |
| Free State | 5.1% |
| KwaZulu Natal | 13.3% |
| North West | 9.4% |
| Gauteng | 6.0% |
| Mpumalanga | 5.4% |
| Limpopo | 4.4% |
| RSA | 7.8% |
Source: SA MDG Report, 2010 based on the District Health Information System
According to the SA MDG Report, 2010 severe malnutrition for under-five children averaged over the period of 2001 – 2010 based on the data from District Health Information System in Department of Health. It shows that on average, the highest incidences of severe malnutrition were in KwaZulu Natal (13.3%), Northern Cape (9.8%) and North West (9.4%), and these incidents are lowest in Limpopo (4.4%), Free State (5.1%), Mpumalanga (5.4%) and Gauteng (6%). The national incidence of severe malnutrition averaged 7.8%.
(2) (a) and (b) It is not easy to directly answer Mr D A Kganare's question re: for every 10 000 persons, how many (a) adults and (b) children die of hunger each day because according to Statistics South Africa Report on Causes of death report hunger is not directly reported as a cause of death.
According to Altman et al, 2009 from 1994 to 1998, the incidence of child hunger increased in South Africa. However, based on the General Household Survey (GHS) the country experienced a dramatic decrease of child during the period 2002 to 2007.
But according to Black et al, 2003 the proportion of deaths in which undernutrition is an underlying cause are roughly similar for diarrhoea (61%), malaria (57%), pneumonia (52%), and measles (45%). Malnutrition can also be caused by diseases, such as the diseases that cause diarrhoea, by reducing the body's ability to convert food into usable nutrients. The figure below is showing the official main causes of death statistics in the country.
Figure 1: Percentage distribution of death by main groups of causes of deaths, 2008
Source: STATS SA, Mortality and Causes of death in SA
According to figure 1 above the top causes of death in 2008 were certain infections and parasitic diseases, comprising over a quarter (26.4%) of all deaths. This group includes 712 deaths due to multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and 135 deaths due to extensively drug-resistant of tuberculosis (XDR-TB).
The second most common group of causes of death was diseases of circulatory system (13.9%) followed by symptoms and signs not elsewhere classified (13.6%), and diseases of respiratory system (13.1%). Less than 10% of deaths were due to external causes of morbidity and mortality (8.9%). Neoplasms comprised 5.9% of all deaths, perinatal conditions contributed 2.0% of all deaths, while pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium contributed 0.3% of all deaths.
Reference
1. Altman M., Hart T.G.B., Jacobs P.J., 2009: Household food security status in South Africa. Agrekon, Vol. 48, No 4 (December 2009)
2. Black RE, Morris SS, Bryce J. 2003 "Where and why are 10 million children dying every year?" Lancet. 2003 Jun 28; 361(9376):2226-34.
3. Rose D., Bourne L. and Bradshaw D., 2002: Development of nationally representative database technical report. Medical Research Council (June 2002)
4. Statistics South Africa, SA Country Report 2010: Millennium Development Goals
5. Statistics South Africa, Mortality and Causes of death in SA, 2008: Findings from death notification
6. Tshitaudzi, G. (2007), Nutritional Requirements for Individuals. Department of Health. Unpublished Paper
Consulted institutions
1. Department of Health
2. Statistics South Africa
Human Sciences Research Council
QUESTION 2496/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 02 September 2011
Internal question paperno:27
2496. Mr D C Smiles (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether (a) her department and (b) entities reporting to it have (i) awarded any tenders and (ii) concluded any (aa) contracts and (bb) financial transactions with certain companies (names and details furnished) in each specified financial year since 2005-06; if so, (aaa) which company or entity, (bbb) what are the relevant details, (ccc) what was the value of each (aaaa) tender, (bbbb) contract or (cccc) financial transaction and (ddd) what was the name of the companies who failed for each tender, contract or financial transaction that was awarded? NW2910E
REPLY:
(a)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb) – No, the Department has not awarded any tenders and concluded any contracts or financial transactions with the indicated companies since the 2005/06 Financial year.
(a)(ii)(aaa)(bbb) – Not applicable
(a)(ii)(ccc)(aaaa)(bbbb)(ccc) – Not applicable
(a)(ii)(ddd) – Not applicable
(b)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb) – No, the National Development Agency (NDA) and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) have not awarded any tenders and concluded any contracts or financial transactions with the indicated companies since the 2005/06 Financial year.
(b)(ii)(aaa)(bbb) – Not applicable
(b)(ii)(ccc)(aaaa)(bbbb)(ccc) – Not applicable
(b)(ii)(ddd) – Not applicable
QUESTION 2478/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 02 September 2011
Internal question paper no: 27
2478. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) How much has been spent of the additional R17 million that was allocated from the 2010-11 budget for strengthening the capacity and efficiency of the Nonprofit Organisation (NPO) Registration Unit;
(2) whether additional staff have been appointed to assist NPOs in implementing programmes and projects; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether the allocation has been used for its intended purpose; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the spending;
(4) whether all provinces benefited from the additional allocation; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
NW2891E
REPLY:
(1) Vote 18 of the Department of Social Development budget for the financial year 2010/11 indicates an additional allocation of R4,4 million for the Nonprofit Organisation Registration Unit 'to strengthen the capacity of the nonprofit organisations the capacity of the nonprofit organisations registration unit'[1]. This therefore increase the total budget allocation for this unit to R17 million[2].
An internal departmental reprioritisation of funds involving efficiency savings resulted into a budget adjustment of R13 million for this unit. The unit spend almost 94% of this allocated budget that amounted to R12, 2 million.
(2) Six additional staff members were appointed for a special project to improve the turn-around time of registering nonprofit organisations. All received number of 15 232 applications were assessed within the two months legislative requirements. 4 723 (36%) did not met the requirements and the applicants were advise on how best the meet the registration requirements. 10 238 (69%) of the applications met the requirements and were registered. This increased the total number of registered nonprofit organisations to 76 175, an increment of almost 14% from the previous year.
(3) The adjusted budget allocation for the unit was used for the intended purpose and the following are the details:
| Adjusted Appropriation | Virement | Final Appropriation | Actual Expenditure | Variance | Expenditure as % of final Appropriation | |
| R'000 | R'000 | R'000 | R'000 | R'000 | R'000 | |
| TOTAL | ||||||
| Current Payments | 13 599 | -570 | 13 029 | 1 224 | 802 | 94 |
| Compensation of employees | ||||||
| Goods and services | ||||||
| Transfer and subsidies | 0 | |||||
| Capital Payments | 272 | 272 | 235 | 37 | 86 | |
| Payments of capital assets | 272 | 272 | 235 | 37 | ||
(4) Several workshops were held with provinces to support and assist organisations with the registration requirements. The following are the details:
· Six workshops with the following provinces for a total number 1351 NPOs.
NPO training in Provinces
| Provinces | Number of Participants ( NPOs) |
| Gauteng | 63 |
| Limpopo | 134 |
| Mpumalanga | 49 |
| Northern Cape | 47 |
| Free State | 571 |
| Eastern Cape | 487 |
| TOTAL | 1351 |
· Three more workshops were held for 65 Community Development Practitioners (CDPs) in the Free State and Eastern Cape provinces.
CDP training in Provinces
| Provinces | No. of participants |
| Free State | 42 |
| Eastern Cape | 23 |
| TOTAL | 65 |
· Other workshops were held with local governments for community based organisations in the following areas:
Workshops with CBOs and various municipalities
| Provinces | Municipalities | Number of CBO, NPOs |
| Gauteng | Ekurhuleni | 35 |
| Limpopo | Capricorn | 1461 |
| TOTAL | 181 |
[1] The Estimate of National Expenditure 2010. pg.358.
[2] Ibid.. pg.370.
QUESTION2368/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 02 September 2011
Internal question paper no: 27
2368. Mr C L Gololo (ANC) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether (a) her department and (b) the entities reporting to her have implemented any energy-saving (i) practices or (ii) devices for buildings, offices and boardrooms in the 2010-11 financial year; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW2746E
REPLY:
DSD:
(b) (i) Yes.
The Department of Social Development via Department of Public Works has a lease agreement with the Human Science Research Council (HSRC). The HSRC is the landlord has implemented throughout the building Energy Management Measures incompliance with energy saving practices.
(b) (ii) In the HSRC Building in Pretoria, owned by the HSRC, they have a Building Management System (BMS) that has been operational for 15 years already. The system has saved a lot of energy for the HSRC for many years. The BMS automatically switches off all air conditioners and chillers in the building at 17:00 and office lights, parkade lights, boardroom/ conference room lights and basement extractor fans at 18:00. Office and parkade lights can be switched on manually if necessary by the occupant and will stay on for an hour at a time.
As part of Demand Side Management (SDM) the HSRC has reduced maximum demand peak from 1300KVA to 1200KVA and is kept under 1200KVA by internal load shedding procedures for the building. When the peak of 1200KVA is almost reached, high energy consumption equipment such as air conditioning (heating and cooling) and non-essential equipment is rippled off by the BMS to ensure the 1200KVA peak is not exceeded. Since the HSRC Building is fully occupied, the predetermined maximum demand peak of 1200KVA for a fully occupied building can be sustained for now. Further improvement in DSM is only possible by improving equipment efficiency that will require vast capital expenditure.
As part of an ongoing process they have installed electronic control on air conditioning on 2nd floor in 2010-2011 to improve the efficiency of the air conditioning in approximately 100 offices. They have also introduced some stringent load shedding measures by switching off office air conditioning at 10:00 and 12:45. Where offices are unattended, air condition will be off until switched on again by the occupant. The above has further improved on existing energy consumption measures for the building. Mobile heaters consuming a lot of electricity are not allowed in the building.
SASSA:
(b) (i) Yes.
SASSA has an approved Energy Management Policy which gives guidance in terms of implementation and compliance with energy-saving practices. The policy requires that all lights in offices are to be switched off by employees when they leave their offices every day. For security reasons, only lights in passages are to be switched on to allow security personnel to carry out patrols of buildings. Only energy saving globes/fluorescent tubes recommended by Eskom and the Department of Minerals and Energy are used in all SASSA buildings.
(b) (ii) Yes.
In accordance with SASSA's approved Energy Management Policy all electronic equipment such as computers, radios, television sets, projectors, printers, scanners and any other equipment which is electronically operated or use electrical power to be operational is to be switched off by employees when they leave their offices every day or when equipment is not in use. The equipment is to be switched off at the plug. Furthermore, all electrical appliances such as stoves, microwaves ovens, heaters are also to be switched off when not in use.
NDA:
(b) (i) The NDA has implemented a policy of Switching off Air-conditioners and lights in all the nine provincial offices and National office when offices are closed overnight. The NDA also uses energy saving fluorescent lights in all its offices across nine Provinces.
(b) (ii) The NDA has not implemented any energy- saving devices for buildings, offices and boardrooms in the 2010/2011 due to the sizes of the offices in question.
QUESTION 2237/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 19 August 2011
Internal question paper no: 25
2237. Mr D C Smiles (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether (a) she, (b) her deputy minister, (c) any specified officials and (d) any other persons have been issued with a government or official credit card during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, what are the relevant details for her, her deputy minister and each holder of a credit card in respect of the (i) name, (ii) job title, (iii) credit limit, (iv) outstanding amount as at the latest specified date for which information is available, (v) monthly expenses incurred for each month since receiving the credit card, (vi) reason for such persons being issued with a credit card and (vii) uses that such a credit card is intended for;
(2) whether any such credit cards are over their credit limit; if so, (a) whose credit cards are over the limit and (b) what is the reason for the credit cards exceeding the limit;
(3) whether any action has been taken against such persons for exceeding their credit card limits; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2612E
REPLY:
(1) (a) Yes
(a)(i) Previous Minister BEE Molewa and current Minister BO Dlamini
(a)(ii) Minister
(a)(iii) R 30 000
(a)(iv) Nil
(a)(v) Not more than R 2 000.00 per month since April 2010
(a)(vi) Minister of Department
(a)(vii) Use to pay for official entertainment expenditure.
(b) Current Deputy Minister does not have a credit card. Previous Deputy Minister BO Dlamini was issued with a credit card
(b)(i) Previous Deputy Minister BO Dlamini
(b)(ii) Deputy Minister
(b)(iii) R 20 000
(b)(iv) Nil
(b)(v) Not more than R 2 000.00 per month period April 2010 to October 2010
(b)(vi) Deputy Minister of Department
(b)(vii) Use to pay for official entertainment expenditure.
(c) Not applicable
(d) Not applicable
(2) Not applicable
(3) Not applicable
QUESTION 2190/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 19 August 2011
Internal question paper no: 25
2190. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether her department has been forced to make use of consultants to perform (a) core duties, particularly on short-term projects, and (b) work that does not form part of her department's core functions; if so, what are the relevant details with regard to the (i) consultants and (ii) projects for which they were hired? NW2563E
REPLY:
(a) The Department did make use of consultants to perform core duties.
(b) The Department did make use of consultants to perform non core functions.
(a)(b)(i)(ii)
| CONSULTANT/S | PROJECT DESCRIPTION | CORE FUNCTION | NON CORE FUNCTION |
| Child Welfare League of Canada | Design, Planning and Implementation of the South African Child Welfare surveillance project | X | |
| University Of Witwatersrand | Investigate options and make recommendations for the provision of State Support Programme for Vulnerable Pregnant Women in South Africa | X | |
| Sivuno Consulting | Facilitate and prepare a report for the four days Community Development National Indaba. | X | |
| J Mafunisa Consulting (Pty) Ltd & Omithombo Management Academy | Conduct a Diagnostic Study on the understanding and implementation of Community Development Programmes in five (5) provinces to inform the Department on Community Development Strategy. | X | |
| Barleda 168 Strategic Management Consultancy | Development of a Community Development Fund (CDF) Model | X | |
| Kika Development Facilitators | Training of Masupa Tsela Youth Pioneers and CDF | X | |
| Oxford Policy Management | Research on the feasibility of the inclusion of informal sector workers in the reform of retirement provisions | X | |
| Roux & Associates | Upgrading and updating of Social Assistance Grants forecasting. | X | |
| Community Agency for Social Enquiry (CASE) | Analyze five selected programmes in National Department of Social Development for gender responsive budgeting | X | |
| National Institute for Community Development and Management (NICDAM) | Continuation of the project for the Standardization of Learning Materials for the Management Capacity Building for Home and Community Based Care (HCBC) Organization. | X | |
| Nko Tengimfene | Development of a comprehensive stakeholder strategy including Corporate Social Insurance | X | |
| Simeka Management Consulting | Appointment of two desktop Technicians for 12 Months | X | |
| ICT Works | Renewal of contracts with IT resources on the National Integrated Social Information System Project. | X | |
| Business Enterprises at UP | Service provider to undertake a beneficiary satisfaction survey | X | |
| Data Centrix (Pty) Ltd | Electronic Scanning and Data Capturing of NPO Application forms and Financial statement | X | |
| Mashigo & Associate Cooperate Advisor | Develop norms and standards for Non Profit Organizations. | X | |
| Core Business Solutions | Edit the reviewed code of good practice for SA Non Profit Organizations. | X | |
| Kwinana Internal Auditors | Analyze all business units risk plans and consolidate into a risk assessment report for the Department of Social Development | X | |
| UNISA | Train organizational development practitioner on organizational development methodologies for a period of two months | X | |
| Karabo Media and Marketing | Development of an information booklet on social grants for children from 6 to 12 years of age | X | |
| ICT Works | Establishment of a social security center for integrated social security information system/Register for social security institutions | X | |
| Oxford Policy Management | Development of a national social budget for the Department of Social Development | X | |
| Economic Policy Research Institute | Undertake a review of the Social Assurance Programme in Sub-Saharan Africa | X | |
| 4 Chakras Consulting | Conduct research on various mode of social relief of distress disbursement and make recommendation on a cost effective mechanism | X | |
| HYM Consulting | Conduct a feasibility study for the Mandatory Pension System | X | |
| Institute for Social Law Policy | Develop a Policy Framework for Social Security Adjudication System. | X | |
| Human Science Research Council | Develop a Policy Framework on Social Security to Youth in SA | X | |
| TalentNet Consulting (Pty) Ltd | Develop and conduct an annual victim satisfaction survey | X | |
| 4 Chakras Consulting | Develop a Victim Empowerment Sustainability plan and the costing thereof | X | |
| South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (SANCA) | Development of a treatment model for substance abuse | X | |
| M AND R Badiri Consulting | Train Social Service Professionals and Volunteers on "Ke Moja" Programme Manuals | X | |
| Omithombo Youth Academy | Development of Masupa Tsela Norms and Standards | X | |
| Dabulamanzi & Njabulo Ndaba Consulting | Review of Masupa Tsela curriculum and align it to EDTP SETA requirements for FET community development qualification and facilitate its accreditation | X |
QUESTION 2188/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 19 August 2011
Internal question paper no: 25
2188. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether the total amount of R226 million that was allocated to scholarships for the training of social workers in the 2010-11 budget of her department was spent on scholarships; if not, (a) why not and (b) how many students benefited from these scholarships;
(2) whether any of these students with scholarships dropped out before completing their course; if so, (a) what was the drop-out rate and (b) what are the implications with regard to the financial expenditure undertaken by her department? NW2561E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, the total amount of R226 million that was allocated to scholarships in 2010-11 financial year budget, for the training of social workers was used for the scholarship programme.
(a) N/A
(b) A total of 5574 students at different levels of study benefited from the scholarship programme for the financial year 2010-11.
(2) Yes, some of the students who were funded dropped out before completing their studies.
(a) A total of 87 students dropped out during the financial year 2010-11.
(b) The contract signed by student stipulates clearly that those who have dropped out or do not want to serve the Department after graduating will be required to reimburse the Department. The Department is currently engaging with National Students Financial Assistance Services, the organization that administers the scholarship funds, to utilize its system recover funds from the students who have dropped out.
The Department is also in discussions with the Schools of Social Work of the respective universities and the Council for Social Services Professions (SACSSP) about the possibility of absorbing these students into employment as social auxiliary workers depending on the level of study they had attained before they dropped out.
QUESTION 1988/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 05 August 2011
Internal question paper no: 21
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) With reference to her reply to question 889 on 6 July 2011, how many registered auxiliary social workers are employed by her department at the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) Whether she has found that the number of auxiliary social workers employed to substitute social workers is sufficient at present in light of the numbers furnished in her reply; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) How many social workers are employed in each province to tend to the social welfare needs of children as specified in the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005;
(4) Whether she has found that the specified number is sufficient in each case; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2233E
REPLY:
(1) The total number of social auxiliary workers in the country is 4658, as per statistics provided by South African Council for Social Services Profession (SACSSP) as at 12 August 2011. This number reflects social auxiliary workers who are registered with SACSSP and employed by both government and NGO sector.
(2) Social auxiliary workers are not being trained and employed to substitute social workers but rather to complement them in a manner that frees them up from administrative and elementary social care tasks in order for them to focus on professional social work services.
The number of social auxiliary workers stipulated above is not sufficient given the challenges in the sector and the high demand for social welfare services. The Norms and Standards for Developmental Social Welfare Services indicate that the ratio of social workers to social auxiliary workers is 1:2. This implies that 32 782 social auxiliary workers are required to provide support to existing16 391 social workers.
While it is acknowledged that there is demand to train more social auxiliary workers, there is however a shortage of accredited service providers responsible to train them. According to Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority, there are currently 21 accredited service providers, 50% of which are in Gauteng province. The Department together with the SACSSP and the departments of Social Work in Universities are working together to put measures in place to increase the number of accredited service providers in this regard.
(3) There are 16 391 social workers employed in government and NGOs sector in all provinces, to address the social welfare needs of children as specified in the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, including all other social welfare services. These range from services for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, to older persons, and persons with disability, crime prevention and HIV&AIDS support. Due to the skill shortage related to social workers, the majority of social workers does not specialise in services to children but are expected to provide generic social work services to any client/clients that require their services, (Annexure A on the breakdown of social workers per province).
(4) The specified number of social workers in South Africa is not sufficient. The South African situation requires more social workers due to high levels of poverty and deprivation; as a result, this required a deviation from the international norm to reflect different conditions and needs which at times require more social service professionals. Therefore the norm for ratio of social workers to population countrywide is currently at 1: 3000 compared to the international norm for ratio of social workers to population which is 1:5000.
In order to address the shortage of social service professions the Department is continuing with the following:
· The implementation of the Recruitment and Retention Strategy for Social Workers that was developed in 2004.
· The intensification of the recruitment, training and employment of social auxiliary workers and child and youth workers to deliver services that do not require intense professional social work intervention. This will ease the burden of workload on social workers.
· The recruitment of retired social workers to assist in service delivery and to provide supervision and mentoring services to newly qualified social workers.
· Encouraging high school learners in the rural areas to apply for the scholarship programme with the aim of addressing the shortage of social workers in rural areas.
With regard tothe training of social workers the Department is presently providing scholarships to 4 730 social work students at all levels of study in various universities in South Africa.
ANNEXURE A
| PROVINCE | EXISTING SOCIAL WORKER: GOVERNMENT AND NGO'S (2011) |
| NW | 4262 |
| WC | 2810 |
| EC | 678 |
| FS | 811 |
| NC | 3190 |
| Limp | 2084 |
| GP | 766 |
| KZN | 470 |
| MP | 1320 |
| TOTAL | 16391 |
QUESTION 1987/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 05 August 2011
Internal question paper no: 21
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether the National Register for Sex Offenders is currently up to date; if not, (a) why has the monitoring and updating of the register not been effected on a regular basis and (b) when last was the register updated; if so,
(2) whether any additional funds are needed to update the register; if so, what is the (a) extent and (b) breakdown of the costs? NW2232E
REPLY:
(1) The Department of Social Development is not responsible for the National Register for Sex Offenders and, therefore, cannot comment whether the Register is currently up to date or not. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is mandated in terms of section 6 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Act 32 of 2007 to establish and maintain a National Register for Sexual Offenders (NRSO) in consultation with relevant departments.
QUESTION 1953/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 29 July 2011
Internal question paper no: 20
Mr D C Smiles (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(a) How many (i) international flights and (ii) domestic flights were undertaken by (aa) her and (bb) her deputy minister using (aaa) military aircraft, (bbb) chartered aircraft or (ccc) commercial aircraft during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) what class did she and her deputy minister travel in each case and (c) what amount did her department spend with regard to each specified flight? NW2191E
REPLY:
(a) How many
(aa) Minister
(i) Eight (8) - International flights
(ii) Sixty three (63) Domestic flights
(aaa) none – military;
(bbb) none – chartered flights
(ccc) total of (i) and (ii) amounts to seventy one (71)
(b) (i) International flights classes
· Seven business class
· One first class
(ii) Domestic flight classes
· Fifty two business class
· Eleven economy class
(c) Amount for each class
(i) R415 578.00 (International)
(ii) R368 621.00 (Domestic)
(bb) Deputy Minister
(i) Six (6) International flights
(ii) Seventy two (72) Domestic flights
(aaa) none (military)
(bbb) none (chartered flight)
(ccc) total of (i) and (ii) amounts to seventy eight (78)
(b) (i) International flights
· Five business class
· One first class
(ii) Domestic flights
· Fifty nine (59) business class
· Thirteen (13) economy class
(c) Amounts for each class
(i) R298 476.00 (International)
(ii) R453 419.00 (Domestic)
QUESTION 1919/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 29 July 2011
Internal question paper no: 20
Mr A M Figlan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether she has employed a ministerial special advisor; if so, (a) what are the duties of the advisor, (b) at which post level was the appointment made, (c) what is the salary level of the advisor, (d) what is the duration of the employment contract entered into with the advisor and (e) why was it necessary to appoint this advisor?
NW2157E
REPLY:
Yes, a national Cabinet Minister may employ two special advisors.
(a) The appointment of special advisors to executive authorities is regulated by section 12A of the Public Service Act, 1994 and the dispensation approved by the national Cabinet in terms of section 12A. Messrs Z Dangor and SK Shezi act in an advisory capacity and have been appointed as special advisors in terms of the Public Service Act (section 12A(1)):
· To advise the Executive Authority on the exercise or performance of the Executive Authority's powers and duties;
· To advise the Executive Authority on the development of policy that will promote the relevant department's objectives; or
· To perform such other tasks as may be appropriate in respect of the Executive Authority's powers and duties.
(b) The Cabinet approved the dispensation for the appointment and remuneration of special advisors sets out the different compensation levels that are applicable to special advisors.
In determining a compensation level for a special advisor the individual's level of expertise and the stature in the particular field are taken into account. The Dispensation provides for the following four different levels of compensation in order to accommodate different levels of expertise:
a. Compensation level (I) (Director level in public service)
(i) Enjoys noticeable national recognition as a competent expert.
(ii) Complexity advice to be rendered comparable to that given by a Director (Senior Management Service Grade A) in the Public Service.
b. Compensation level (II) (Chief Director level in public service)
(i) Enjoys recognition as a competent expert at a national level.
(ii) Complexity of advice to be rendered comparable to that given by a Chief Director (Senior Management Service Grade B) in the Public Service.
c. Compensation level (III) (Deputy Director-General level in public service)
(i) Enjoys recognition as a competent expert at national and to some degree at international level.
(ii) Complexity of advice to be given comparable to that given by the Deputy Director-General (Senior Management Service Grade C) in the Public Service.
d. Compensation level (IV) (Director-General level in public service)
(i) Enjoys recognition as a competent expert at national and international level.
(ii) To appoint and retain persons with very high level skills and/or scarce skills.
(iii) Complexity of advice to be rendered is comparable to that given by a Director-General (Senior Management Service Grade D) in the Public Service.
(c) Both advisors are compensated according to Compensation level IV as stated above because they enjoy recognition as competent experts and the complexity of advise rendered is comparable to that given by a Director-General.
(d) The duration of the contract has been agreed upon between the special advisor and the Executive Authority. Regardless of the contract period, the contract will terminate at the end of the month following the month that the Executive Authority vacates office for any reason. Messrs Dangor and Shezi's contracts are linked to the term of office of the incumbent Minister.
(e) To advise and perform other tasks for the Executive Authority (as provided for in section 12A of the Public Service Act) with respect to her portfolio, in both individuals' area of expertise.
QUESTION 1870/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 29 July 2011
Internal question paper no: 20
Mrs. H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
1. Whether she intends lifting the means test applicable to parents with disabled children under the age of 18 years in order to allow these children to qualify for a care dependency grant; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2108E
REPLY:
My Department has already started lifting the means test for parents with disabled children under 18 years to increase children's access to Care Dependency Grant. The means test for Care Dependency Grant was R48 000 per annum for a long time until 2008 when it was raised to 10 times the grant amount to R 225 600. The Department will continue to raise the Care Dependency Grant means test annually and is working towards its removal.
QUESTION 1871/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 29 July 2011
Internal question paper no: 20
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether all mobile truck units are operational in all provinces as announced by the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) (details furnished); if not, why not; if so,
(2) whether she has found that these mobile truck units have contributed towards the success of the Integrated Community Registration Outreach programme; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2109E
REPLY:
(1) No, not all of the mobile truck units are operational in the provinces. The answer to the above question is provided in more detail hereunder:
(a) There are forty mobile truck units which have been distributed to all nine Provinces. Each province has distributed them proportionally in accordance with geographic and socio-economic demand.
(b) Currently, six of the forty mobile trucks are not operational, inasmuch as:
i. Mpumalanga – One mobile truck unit is not operational due to a mechanical fault and is currently being serviced;
ii. Free State - One mobile truck unit encountered a mechanical break down and has currently been sent for repairs / service.
iii. Kwa-Zulu Natal - One mobile truck unit is not operational due to a mechanical defect and requires repairs.
iv. Northern Cape - Three mobile truck units are not operational. Two mobile truck units were broken into and SAPS are investigating, and one mobile truck unit is not mechanically operational. However, approval has been sought for the service provider to repair all three mobile truck units.
(2) Yes, these mobile truck units have contributed towards the success of the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP) inasmuch as:
a) The ICROP programme is directly responsible for promoting and ensuring that the most vulnerable South Africans are able to access social assistance, especially those citizens who reside in rural areas and are unable to reach a SASSA local office or service point.
b) The mobile truck units provide financial relief to the poorest of the poor by alleviating the burden of paying transport costs, and the inconvenience of travelling to a SASSA local office or service point.
c) Since the inception of the ICROP programme, approximately 270,795 beneficiaries residing in poverty stricken areas are receiving or have received social assistance benefits (see Table 1).
d) Furthermore, the mobile truck units contribute to: (a) Marketing SASSA in areas where other marketing tools might not be effective; and (b) alleviating queue pressures in local offices as the mobile truck units provide services directly to the beneficiaries thereby eliminate the existence of long queues.
e) Overall, poor communities residing in pockets of poverty have increasingly gained confidence in the delivery arm of government.
Table 1
| Accumulative ICROP uptake of beneficiaries 2007-2011 | ||||||||
| REGIONS | 2007/2008 | 2008/2009 | 2009/2010 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | Total | ||
| Eastern Cape | 28,011 | 22,713 | 9,740 | 11,647 | 879 | 72,990 | ||
| Free State | 8,533 | 6,156 | 4,123 | 8,143 | 53 | 27,008 | ||
| Gauteng | 227 | 4,212 | 1,737 | 4,521 | 262 | 10,959 | ||
| KwaZulu Natal | 18,025 | 12,000 | 9,100 | 8,972 | 1,469 | 49,566 | ||
| Limpopo | 172 | 11,428 | 3,471 | 3,975 | 35 | 19,081 | ||
| Mpumalanga | 2,984 | 3,650 | 3,206 | 875 | 2,604 | 13,319 | ||
| Northern Cape | - | 6,998 | 751 | 2,890 | 797 | 11,436 | ||
| North West | 1,274 | 3,691 | 3,842 | 21,142 | 4,657 | 34,606 | ||
| Western Cape | - | 8,180 | 1,123 | 17,243 | 5,284 | 31,830 | ||
| National Total | 59,226 | 79,028 | 37,093 | 79,408 | 16,040 | 270,795 | ||
| Note: The table above covers ICROP benefits only for the period 2007 until end June 2011 | ||||||||
QUESTION 1869/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 29 July 2011
Internal question paper no: 20
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether any study has been conducted to determine the relationship between the increased levels of substance abuse and poverty and unemployment in the Eastern Cape; if not, why not; if so, what are the main findings of this study;
(2) Whether there are any plans in place to combat substance abuse by improving the delivery of social services; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2107E
REPLY:
(1) The Department did not conduct any study to determine the relationship between the increase level of substance abuse and poverty and unemployment. However a study that was conducted in June 2010 focusing on the Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Substance Abuse amongst the Youth in selected areas of the Eastern Cape. The findings were as following:
· Societal risk factors enhance vulnerability of youth for substance use. i.e. (a) Pro-drug use messages in the media.
· Underemployment opportunities i.e. several participants blamed the government for not creating sufficient employment opportunities. The perceived protective mechanism is that, access to employment will reduce stress level and contribute to an enhanced sense of self.
(2) Department of Social Development has plans in place to combat substance abuse by improving the delivery of social services through prevention, rehabilitation and community based interventions for 2011/12 as follows:
Prevention programmes
· Education and awareness programmes are conducted including the Commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in 7 Districts.
· Strengthening of existing and establishment of new Teenagers Against Drug Abuse (TADA) groups in 7 Districts.
· Capacity building of new TADA groups on Ke Moja Strategy in all 24 Areas.
Community based care programmes
· Facilitate implementation and establishment of community based care programmes.
Stakeholder participation
· Strengthening of Provincial Substance Abuse Forum.
· Establishment of new Local Drug Action Committees in all Areas.
· Coordinate participation of all relevant stakeholders in Local Drug Action Committees.
Treatment and Rehabilitation services
· Disbursement of funds to all funded substance abuse Treatment Centres.
· Implementation of treatment programmes in all subsidised Treatment Centres.
· Implementation of after care services for people abusing substances in 7 districts.
QUESTION 1770/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 July 2011
Internal question paper no: 19
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether the child protection register is fully operational; if not, (a) why not, (b) when will it become fully operational and (c) how much was budgeted for this register in the 2010-11 financial year; if so, (i) when did it become fully operational and (ii) how many names appear on the list of persons unsuitable to work with children;
(2) whether any institutions that work with children have requested verification regarding the suitability of a new (a) employee or (b) volunteer to work with children; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) which institutions and (ii) how many (aa) requests were received and (bb) persons were denied permission for working with children? NW2000E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, the National Child Protection Register (CPR) is fully operational.
(a)(b) Not applicable.
(c) The budget allocated for CPR was R1, 725, 849 for 2010-11 financial years.
(i) The CPR is divided into Part A and B. Part A has been operational since 2004, and Part B since 1 April 2010;
(ii) Only one name appears on the Child Protection Register as a person who is unsuitable to work with children. However, there are 64 names of persons who have been convicted of crimes against children, who still need to be found unsuitable to work with children by the courts that convicted them, as required by the Children's Act.
(2) Yes, (a)(b)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb) institutions that work with children have requested verification regarding the suitability of new employees to work with children and no requests were made regarding the verification of a new volunteer. The national and provincial departments of Social Development, in collaboration with the child protection organizations, is involved in an awareness campaign to inform stakeholders about the requirements of the Child Protection Register. The campaign involves the distribution of CPR Part B pamphlets and information sessions with different stakeholders in all the provinces. Only one organization, the Northern Cape office of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, has submitted a request to verify if a prospective employee is suitable to work with children and no person has been denied permission for working with children as yet.
QUESTION 1769/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 July 2011
Internal question paper no: 19
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether an audit has been conducted into pay point conditions with the view as to the development of pay point improvement plans in respect of each province; if not, why not; if so,
(2) whether any recommendations were made in respect of each province in which an audit was undertaken; if not, why not; if so, in respect of each province (a) what recommendations were made, (b) what will be the cost of implementing these recommendations and (c) by when will the recommendations be implemented;
(3) whether all pay points have been inspected in order to ensure that they meet the minimum standards; if not, why not; if so, in respect of each province, (a) when were the inspections conducted, (b) who conducted the inspections and (c) what are the minimum standards each pay point must meet;
(4) whether any pay points have failed to meet the minimum standards; if so, in respect of each province, (a) which pay points have failed to meet these standards and (b) what was the consequence of failing to meet these standards;
(5) what is the breakdown of funds budgeted for each pay point, in respect of each province, in the (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11 financial years? NW1999E
REPLY:
(1) Yes. An audit was conducted into pay point conditions with a view to develop pay point improvement plans in respect of each province.
(2) Yes. Recommendations were made in respect of each province in which an audit had been undertaken.
(a) Recommendations were made as per annexure A attached hereto;
(b) R 15 million has been committed nationally for the current financial year for the implementation of the recommendations.
(c) The plan is for the recommendations to be implemented over a period of three years, starting from the 2011-2021 financial year.
(3) Yes. Pay points were inspected to check whether they complied with the minimum standards.
(a) Inspections of pay points conditions is suppose to be conducted on a monthly basis, however, due to capacity constraints this is not happening.
(b) Help Desk officials from Customer Care and Monitors where they are available at level five (5) conducts the said inspections.
(c) These are the minimum standards that each pay point has to meet:-
· Clean drinking water;
· Shelter;
· Ablution facilities;
· Seating; and
· Accessibility for people with disabilities.
(4) Yes. All provinces have pay points that do not, in one way or another, meet the minimum standards.
(a) Nationally the number of pay points that do not meet minimum standards is about 1600. Provision has been made for this current financial year to address the challenges, however, due to financial constraints pay points have been prioritized per province as indicated in annexure B attached hereto.
(b) Beneficiaries experienced undue hardship and unfavorable conditions.
(5) There was no budget allocation for the years:-
(a) 2008-09.
(b) 2009-10 (maintenance was the responsibility of payment contractors).
(c) 2010-11.
For the years 2011-2012, numbers of beneficiaries at a pay point and minimum standards to be met have been used as criteria in determining the budget allocation. Depending on the number of pay points to be upgraded per region, each region is allocated between R0.5 million and R1.5 million out of the R15 million national allocations.
| ANNEXURE A : RECOMMENDATIONS MADE PER REGION | ||
| Province | Recommendation | Period |
| Eastern Cape | Procuring 20 450 chairs for 162 pay points in three districts. | 2011/12 |
| Free State | Upgrading 15 pay points in terms of the following: - Building of ablution facilities - Buying chairs - Upgrading shelter - Installing disability ramps | 2011/12 |
| Gauteng | Upgrading 5 pay points to meet the norms and standards in terms of the following: - Provision of drinking water - Seating facilities - Fencing - Installing disable ramps | 2011/12 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | Upgrading of 62 pay points to meet the norms and standards in terms of the following facilities: - Provision of drinking water - Seating facilities: - Fencing - Installing disable ramps | 2011/12 |
| Limpopo | Upgrading 20 pay points to meet the norms and standards in terms of the following facilities - Provision of drinking water - Seating facilities: - Fencing - Installing disable ramps | 2011/12 |
| Mpumalanga | Improving conditions in 7 pay points by providing the following facilities: - Tents - Water - Ablution facilities - Chairs | 2011/12 |
| Province | Recommendation | Period |
| North West | Improving conditions in 11 pay points by providing the following facilities: - Tents - Water - Ablution facilities Chairs | 2011/12 |
| Northern Cape | Improving conditions in 11 pay points by providing the following facilities: - Tents - Water - Ablution facilities - Chairs | 2011/12 |
QUESTION 1768/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 July 2011
Internal question paper no: 19
Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) What is the current total number of beneficiaries, in respect of each category, in receipt of benefits from the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa);
(2) Whether projections have been made to determine the total number of expected beneficiaries for (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013 -14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16 financial years; if not, why not; if so, what are the expected numbers of beneficiaries?
REPLY:
(1) The total number of grants paid as at 15 July 2011 is as follows:
· Old Age 2 677 285
· War veterans 984
· Disability grants 1 207 270
· Foster child grants 540 191
· Care dependency grants 112 400
· Child support grants 10 418 596
(Note) The number of grants, not the number of grant recipients, has been provided. The numbers above therefore reflect the actual number of adults and children who directly benefit from grants
QUESTION 1728
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 28 May 2010
Internal question paper no:
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether her (a) department or (b) any of its entities has signed any contractual agreements with certain companies (names furnished*) or any of their affiliates; if so, (i) what is the nature of each contract, (ii) what is the (aa) start and (bb) end date of each contract, (iii) what is the monetary value of each contract, (iv) what are the details of the process that was undertaken for the signing of each contract, (v) who else tendered for each contract that was awarded to these companies and (vi) what amount did each tenderer quote in each case? NW1994E
Referring to the following companies and any affiliates
· 101 Junus Trading CC
· Blue Nightingale Trading 61
· Ever Roaring Investment
· SGL Engineering Projects
REPLY:
(a) and (b)(i),(ii)(aa),(bb);(iii)(iv),(v),(vi)
No by the Department of Social Development, the National Development Agency and the South African Social Security Agency. The names or the affiliates of the above-mentioned companies could not be obtained to determine of the Department has entered into contracts with anyone of them.
Only the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO) can determine which are affiliates to the above-mentioned companies, there after the Departments will be able to establish if contracts were entered into with any such company.
QUESTION 1726/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 July 2011
Internal question paperno: 18
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether any audits have been conducted recently into the backlog of applications for foster care grants in each province; if not, why not; if so,
(2) whether any recommendations have been made for each province; if not, why not, in each case; if so, in each province, (a) what recommendations have been made, (b) what will the cost of implementing these recommendations be and (c) by when will these recommendations be implemented;
(3) with regard to each of the specified provinces, (a) how many applications for foster care grants are currently in the backlog, (b) what are the reasons for this backlog and (c) how many applications for foster care grants have been received (i) less than (aa) six months, (bb) one year and (cc) three years ago and (ii) more than three years ago;
(4) whether any of these applications will be fast tracked in any of the specified provinces; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many, (b) what are the details of the process to be followed to fast track these applications and (c) when is it envisaged that these applications will be completed? NW1950E
REPLY:
(1) No. There are no backlogs on the applications for the Foster Child Grant and therefore no audits were required. All applications are processed within 21 working days and the grant is paid from the date of the court order irrespective of when the application is made.
(2) Yes. The Department of Social Development, SASSA and the Department of Justice have a dedicated task team which meets on a monthly basis to discuss critical issues relating to foster care. This task team is coordinated by the Department of Social Development, and all discussions emanating there from are escalated to the Office of the Director-General who takes the appropriate action, if necessary. Accordingly, the Provinces have been advised that:
(a) All Provincial Departments of both DSD and SASSA are to inform foster parents to apply for a foster child grant immediately upon the issue of a foster care order.
(b) Information dissemination is critical, especially as there is no cost to providing information to foster parents on the requirements and time frames for the application of a Foster Child Grant.
(c) The above must be implemented continuously upon the placement of a child in foster care.
(3) (a) There are no applications for the foster child grant in backlog.
(b) There should be no reason for the foster child grants being in backlog because the delay in processing is the maximum of 21 days.
(c) What is in backlog is the extension of the expired courts that are currently in payment. The backlogs of expired court orders in payment, excluding the children turning 18 years in December 2011, in the respective provinces are as follows:
(4) Yes. A court order obtained by the Centre for Child Law had enabled the fast tracking of extension orders by enabling social workers to extend the orders instead of the Children's Court.
(a) Currently approximately 68739 extension orders have been issued by the Department of Social Development
(b) Social Workers will extend expired court orders. A list of expired court orders has been provided to DSD for extension.
(c) It is anticipated that by December 2011 all expired court orders will be extended.
QUESTION 1716/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 24 June 2011
Internal question paperno: 18
Mr A M Figlan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) What is the detailed expenditure breakdown for the Ministry sub-programme under Programme 1: Administration in the (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10 and (d) 2010-11 financial years;
(2) (a) what was the actual budget increase each year, expressed as a percentage, for funds allocated to this sub-programme and (b) how is the increase for each specified financial year justified? NW1930E
REPLY:
(1) The table below illustrates the detailed expenditure for the Ministry under the Programme 1: Administration in the 2007/08 to 2010/11 financial years:
| EXPENDITURE PER FINANCIAL YEAR | ||||
| Economic Classification | 2007-08 (a) | 2008-09 (b) | 2009-10 (c) | 2010-11 (d) |
| Salaries and wages | 6,173,806 | 7,152,618 | 6,823,190 | 7,032,574 |
| Social contributions | 601,814 | 799,116 | 780,497 | 686,275 |
| Administrative fees: payments | - | 63,676 | - | 146,789 |
| Advertising | 234,732 | 169,975 | 51,017 | 11,000 |
| Agency & Support/outsourced services | - | - | 33,905 | - |
| Assets | ||||