Social Development

2014-03-28

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Reply received: December 2014

QUESTION 1120 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 29 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 12

1120. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many state-owned old age homes are registered by (a) her department and (b) provincial Departments of Social Development;

(2) (a) how many residents are accommodated in these homes in each province and (b) what is the ratio of social workers to residents in each province;

(3) whether there are any beds/rooms vacant in these facilities; if not, (a) how long are the waiting lists in each province and (b) what is the average time taken to process applications; if so, how many? NW1358E

Reply:

The registration of old age homes is the competency of the provincial Departments as the national department only deals with policy matters. I have referred this question to provincial departments to furnish us with the required information.

Reply received: December 2014

QUESTION 1119 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 29 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 12

1119. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many motor vehicles, in each province, are registered to her (a) department and (b) provincial Departments of Social Development;

(2) in each case, how many of these vehicles, in each province, have been involved in motor accidents in the (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14 financial years;

(3) in each case, how many of these vehicles, in each province, are (a) not roadworthy and (b) still awaiting repairs;

(4) in each case, what is the total amount spent on (a) motor vehicle accident repairs, (b) motor insurance and (c) payments to insurers for short falls on repairs in each province for the specified financial years;

(5) in each case, which service provider has the tender for motor vehicle repairs in each province? NW1357E

Reply:

(1)(a) 8 vehicles

(1)(b) N/A, Provincial Departments managed their own fleet

(2)(a)(b) N/A

(3)N/A

(4) (a)(b)(c) r0,00

(5)N/A

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 965 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 22 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 10

965. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many students were awarded bursaries for social development studies by her department in the (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13 and (iii) 2013-14 financial years;

(2) (a) how many of these students have attained their degrees/diplomas and (b) what is the total amount spent on the studies of each student and (c) are the students employed by her department;

(3) what are the provisions of the bursary with regard to the employment of students by her department on completion of their studies? NW1115E

Reply:

(1) Number of students awarded bursaries for social work studies by the Department in the (i) 2011-2012 is 4 844, (ii) 2012-2013 is 6 339 and in 2013-2014 is 5 205.

(2) (a) A total of 1 307 students attained their degrees in 2011-2012, a total of 1 352 in 2012-2013 and 1 620 in 2013-2014.

(b) An average amount of R50 000 spent for each student in 2011-2012, average of R55 000 in 2012-2013 and R60 000 in 2013-2014

(3) The provisions of the bursary with regard to the employment of students by her department on completion of their studies they are contractually bound to serve the equal number of years the department has funded them for their studies.

Reply received: September 2014

QUESTION 964 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 22 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 10

964. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

How many disabled people (a) are registered for disability grants in each province in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) were registered for disability grants in each province in the 2013-14 financial year? NW1114E

Reply:

		(a) Number of PWD registered for Disability Grants in Each Province ON 31 July 2014 (2014-15) Financial Year as Illustrated:

31-Jul-14		EC	FS	GP	KZN	LP	MPU	NC	NW	WC	NATIONAL
	Permanent	173 674	63 553	85 530	227 307	75 982	64 284	33 191	68 934	114 670	Permanent	907 125
	Temporary	7 303	14 581	27 487	67 293	16 766	14 375	15 744	16 946	38 496	Temporary	218 991
	TOTALS	180,977	78,134	113,017	294,600	92,748	78,659	48,935	85,880	153,166	TOTAL	1,126,116

		(b) Number of PWD registered for Disability Grants in Each Province at the end of 2013-14 Financial Year as Illustrated:

31-Mar-14		EC	FS	GP	KZN	LP	MPU	NC	NW	WC	NATIONAL
	Permanent Disability	173 429	64 332	87 136	228 690	74 846	63 202	33 009	68 581	113 734	Permanent Disability	906 959
	Temporary Disability	6 283	15 871	25 686	67 443	16 511	14 056	15 192	17 273	35 145	Temporary Disability	213 460
	TOTALS	179,712	80,203	112,822	296,133	91,357	77,258	48,201	85,854	148,879	TOTAL	1,120,419

Reply received: September 2014

QUESTION 906 /2014

Reply received: November 2014

QUESTION 963 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 22 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 10

963. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What was the breakdown of (a) national and (b) international funding and/or donations received by her department in the 2013-14 financial year including (i) who were the donors and/or funders and (ii) the (aa) amounts and (bb) criteria or sectors for allocation of this funding? NW1113E

Reply:

This information is available in the Annual Report for the financial year 2013/14. The report was recently tabled before the Portfolio Committee on Social Development.

QUESTION 906/2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 07

906. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With regard to the awarding of the tender to Cash Paymaster Services (CPS), (a) what were the reasons that CPS was allowed to submit only (i) one technical proposal and (ii) one preferential proposal when the bid expressly requested separate bids for each province, (b) what is the name of the person who waivered this condition and (c) on what basis was this done? NW997E

Reply:

(a) This matter had been dealt with in the High Court of South Africa ( North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria Case 7447/2012), and Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa ( Case No. 678/12) Constitutional Court of South Africa (Case CCTT 48/13) 2013ZACC 42 and Constitutional Court of South Africa (Case CCT 48/13).

The Honourable Member can obtain this information from those judgm

Reply received: October 2014

QUESTION 905 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 07

905. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether she can provide a copy of the report, with regard to the awarding of the tender to Cash Paymaster Services (CPS), that was compiled by the Independent Process Monitor (IPM) on the bid evaluation committee (BEC) and the bid adjudication committee (BAC); if not, why not;

(2) who (a) served on the IPM, (b) what are their qualifications and (c) how were they appointed onto the IPM? NW996E

Reply:

1 Yes (Attached IPM Report)

2 (a) Leslie Mkhabela

(b) B. Juris. & LLB degree

processes.

Reply received: September 2014

QUESTION 904 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 07

904. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With regard to the awarding of the tender to Cash Paymaster Services (CPS), in each case, (a) what are the names of the partners that CPS are using, (b) who are their directors and (c) in which provinces are they situated? NW995E

Reply:

CPS proposed the following consortium in their Bid Document

(a) (i) Born Free Investments 272 (Pty) Ltd

(ii) Retles Trading (CC)

(iii) Ekhaya Skills Development (CC)

Contact Persons for the respective companies are as follows:

(b) (i) Mazwi Yako

(ii) B Makoetlane / J Makoetalne

(iii) Nonhlanhla-Ntshalintshali

The official addresses presented by the companies as part of the Bid Proposals are as follows:

Building No 6

3001 William Nicol Drive

Bryanston

Gauteng

(ii) Address of Auditor

No. 9 Harold Street

Devon Park

Blue Downs

Western Cape

(iii) No. 895 Alverstoke

Strubensvalley

Johannesburg

1724

Reply received: September 2014

QUESTION 902 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 07

902. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether a technical evaluation committee (TEC) was established with regard to the recent awarding of the new contract for the payment of social grants to Cash Paymaster Services; if not, why not; if so, (a) who served on the TEC, (b) what are the qualifications of each person who served on the TEC, (c)(i) how and (ii) by whom were the specified persons' appointment to the TEC determined, (d) on what dates did the TEC meet and (e) how long did each meeting last;

(2) whether the TEC produced any reports; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many and (b) please provide full copies of each report? NW993E

Reply:

(1) No technical evaluation committee was established.

The tender for the payment of social grants established 3 official committees:

(i) Bid Specific Committee

(ii) Bid Evaluation Committee

(iii) Bid Adjudication Committee

(2) Not applicable

Reply received: December 2014

QUESTION 896 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 07

896. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many early childhood development (ECD) centres are registered in each province;

(2) how many applications for accreditation are outstanding;

(3) how many accreditations are completed on average on a monthly basis;

(4) what amounts were (a) budgeted for, (b) transferred to and (c) spent by provinces on ECD workers in each province (i) in the (aa) 2012-13 and (bb) 2013-14 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2014;

(5) whether there has been a delay in payment of ECD subsidies in the (a) 2013-2014 and (b) current financial year; if so, in each case (i) what is the length of the delay and (ii) what are the amounts due?

REPLY:

(1)

PROVINCES	NUMBER OF ECD CENTRES REGISTERS
North West	816
Western Cape	1799
Mpumalanga	1119
Free State	1471
Northern Cape	394
Gauteng	1650
Limpopo	2666
Eastern Cape	1088
Kwa-Zulu Natal	2079

(2)

PROVINCES	OUTSTANDING ACCREDITATIONS
North West	31
Western Cape	1168
Mpumalanga	21
Free State	400
Northern Cape	384
Gauteng	0: no outstanding accreditation
Limpopo	11
Eastern Cape	793
Kwa-Zulu Natal	0 : no outstanding accreditation

(3)

PROVINCES	COMPLETED ACCREDITATIONS
North West	10
Western Cape	50-60
Mpumalanga	20
Free State	15
Northern Cape	10-20
Gauteng	5
Limpopo	18
Eastern Cape	8
Kwa-Zulu Natal	3-6

(4)

2012/13

PROVINCE	BUDGETED	TRANSFERRED	SPENT
North West	R49 154 000	R44 079 406	R16 000 000
Western Cape	R230 286 120	R230 286 120	R230 286 120
Mpumalanga	R120 897 901	R120 897 901	R36 269 370
Free State	R57 826 742	R52 542 000	R52 542 000
Northern Cape	R17 481 546	R20 717 051	R20 717 051
Gauteng	R240 000 000	R240 000 000	R240 000 000
Limpopo	R196 000 000	R196 000 000	R196 000 000
Eastern Cape	R42 339 000	R42 339 000	R42 339 000
Kwa-Zulu Natal	R176 965 000	R161 874 000	R161 874 000

2013/14

PROVINCE	BUDGETED	TRANSFERRED	SPENT
North West	R55 000 000	R47 699 785	R18 000 000
Western Cape	R246 000 000
Mpumalanga	R185 296 320	R184 607 064	R55 382 120
Free State	R58 772 160	R55 746 000.00	R55 746 000
Northern Cape	R23 826 401	R23 443 587.00	R23 443 587
Gauteng	R284 000 000	R284 000 000	R284 000 000
Limpopo	R240 000 000	R240 000 000	R240 000 000
Eastern Cape	R60 753 000	R60 753 000	R60 753 000
Kwa-Zulu Natal	R211 333 000	R201 932 00	R201 932 000

2014/15

PROVINCE	BUDGETED	TRANSFERRED	SPENT
North West	R67 830 000	R28 298 789	R3 000 000
Western Cape	Not provided	Not provided	R52 025 952
Mpumalanga	R191 877 840.00	R92 300 202	R32 305 707
Free State	R60 297 976	R18 414 000	R18 414 000
Northern Cape	R20 634 919	R6 613 298	R6 613 298
Gauteng	R321 870 000	R144 831 000	R144 831 000
Limpopo	R227M
Eastern Cape	R29 448 000	R13 795 243	R13 795 243
Kwa-Zulu Natal	R219 108 000	R116 321 067	R116 321 067

(5)

PROVINCE	2013/14	What is the length of the delay	What are the amounts due
North West	There has been delays in payments	2 months	nil
Western Cape	Delays due to NPOs not complying	-	Not provided
Mpumalanga	Late submissions by NPO	3 - 6 months	R1 229 680 000
Free State	There were delays due to late signing of and submission of Memorandums of Agreement by District offices	1-3 months	Not provided
Northern Cape	No delays in the payment of ECD subsidies	4 months
Gauteng
Limpopo	No delays experienced	-	No funds due
Eastern Cape	There were delay due to the introduction of the new payment system	3 months	No funds due
Kwa-Zulu Natal	Late submissions by NPO	1month	Nil

PROVINCE	2014/15	What is the length of the delay
North West	Delays caused by the changes in the Executive Management of the Department	3 month	R9 million
Western Cape	Delays due to NPOs not complying	-	Not provided
Mpumalanga	Late submissions by NPO	3-6 months	R1 148 310
Free State	There were delays due to late signing of and submission of Memorandums of Agreement by District offices	1-3 months	Not provided
Northern Cape	No delays in the payment of ECD subsidies	4 months	R1 565 520 withheld as ECD's could not satisfy the Department's requirements and provide evidence.
Gauteng	Delays due to the following: Changes in the budget structure of Social Development from 3 programme to five programme Upgrading of the provincial SAPS system by the Gauteng of Finance. Introduction of a new back-up solution NPOs change of banking details		Not provided
Limpopo	No delays experienced	-	No funds due
Eastern Cape	Not provided
Kwa-Zulu Natal	Late submissions by NPO		Not provided

Reply received: September 2014

QUESTION 896 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 07

896. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many early childhood development (ECD) centres are registered in each province;

(2) how many applications for accreditation are outstanding;

(3) how many accreditations are completed on average on a monthly basis;

Reply:

At the time of responding the replying to this question the Department was still awaiting a comprehensive response from provincial departments which are responsible for this function. I will furnish the Honourable Member with a reply upon receipt of provincial inputs.

The Member can also look for information through the relevant Provinces.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 895 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 07

895. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many social welfare workers are registered in each province;

(2) what amounts were (a) budgeted for, (b) transferred to and (c) spent by provinces to employ social workers (i) in the (aa) 2012-13 and (bb) 2013-14 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2014;

(3) (a) what number of social welfare workers is employed in the mental health sector in each province and (b) of these how many are employed by (i) the State and (ii) non-governmental organisations;

(4) (a) what is the ratio of social workers to (i) hospitals and (ii) patients and (b) what is the ratio of social workers in the mental health sector to (i) hospitals and (ii) patients in each province;

(5) whether there has been any delay in payment of social workers (a) in the 2013-14 financial year and (b) since 1 April 2014; if so, in each specified case what (i) is the length of the delay and (ii) are the amounts due? NW984E

Reply:

The Member can also look for information through the relevant Provinces.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 894 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 August 2014

Internal question paper no: 07

894. Ms E R Wilson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many child welfare departments are registered in each province;

(2) how often are child welfare departments obliged to report to her department;

(3) whether these reports from the specified child welfare departments were received timeously in the 2013-14 financial year; if not, what are the relevant details of the departments that have not reported timeously including (a) length of delay, (b) reasons for delay and (c) any action taken with regard to each delay;

(4) what subsidy amounts were (a) budgeted for, (b) transferred to and (c) spent by child welfare departments in each province in the (i)(aa) 2012-13 and (bb) 2013-14 and (ii) since 1 April 2014;

(5) whether there has been a delay in transferring the subsidies to child welfare departments in the 2014-15 financial year; if so, in each case, what (a) is the length of the delay and (b) are the amounts that are due? NW983E

Reply:

The Member can also look for information through the relevant Provinces.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 809 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 25 July 2014

Internal question paper no: 06

809. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether (a) she, (b) the Deputy Minister, (c) the Director-General or (d) any of her staff (i) attended, (ii) accepted an invitation and/or (iii) received tickets to the 2014 Soccer World Cup in their official capacity; if so, what are the relevant details including the (aa)(aaa) names and (bbb) positions of those who attended and (bb) breakdown of the amounts spent by her department on (aaa) travel, (bbb) accommodation, (ccc) entertainment and (ddd) any further specified expenses;

(2) (a) what is the breakdown of the amount spent by her department on any persons accompanying (i) her, (ii) the Deputy Minister, (iii) the Director-General or (iv) any of her staff to attend the 2014 Soccer World Cup including (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation, (cc) entertainment and (dd) any further costs and (b) in each case, what is the (i) relationship and (ii) reason for accompanying the relevant person? NW896E

Reply:

(1) (a)(i)(ii)(iii)(aa)(aaa) No

(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(bb)(bbb) No

(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(cc)(ccc) No

(d)(i)(ii)(dd)(ddd) No

(2) (a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv) Not applicable

(aa) Not applicable

(bb) Not applicable

(cc) Not applicable

(dd) Not applicable

(b)(i)(ii) Not applicable

Reply received: October 2014

QUESTION 783 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 25 July 2014

Internal question paper no: 06

783. Mr J J Mc Gluwa (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) How many (i) child protection organisations and (ii) social workers are accredited to provide adoption services in each district municipality and (b) what are their details;

(2) whether her department has taken any steps to increase the number of (a) child protection organisations and (b) social workers who are accredited to provide adoption services; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) how many adoption cases are outstanding in each province? NW870E

Reply:

(1) (a) The Department has accredited (i) 46 child protection organisations and (ii) 48 adoption social workers to provide adoption services. However, the information that the department has on accredited adoption service providers is per province and not according to each district municipality.

(b) Details of accredited child protection organisations and adoption social workers are attached as Annexure A.

(2) The Department took the following steps to increase the number of (a) child protection organisations and (b) social workers who are accredited to provide adoption services through the following interventions:

- Capacity building of adoption service providers and stakeholders in provinces where the need for the spread and accessibility of adoption services in communities was addressed.

- Child protection organisations and adoption social workers were encouraged and invited to apply for accreditation to provide adoption services.

- The new child protection organisations that were not providing adoption services were formally designated by the department to render child protection services before they were accredited to provide adoption services.

Information on the number of outstanding cases is kept by the child protection organisations and adoption social workers who must bring such cases before the Children's Courts to finalization.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 760 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 25 July 2014

Internal question paper no: 06

760. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) How many (i) judgments and (ii) court orders were made against her department in the (aa) 2010-11, (bb) 2011-12, (cc) 2012-13 and (dd) 2013-14 financial years and (b) in each case, (i) how many of these (aa) were implemented and (bb) await implementation by her department and (ii) what was the nature of the (aa) judgment and/or (bb) court order? NW847E

Reply:

Please note the response is attached as Annexure A. see the link http://www.pmg.org.za/rnw760-1408045annexurea

Reply received: September 2014

QUESTION 673 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 July 2014

Internal question paper no: 05

673. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Why did the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) for the awarding of the tender to Cash Payment Services (CPS) only consist of four members instead of five, as stipulated in the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) supply chain management circular No 10 of 2008;

(2) whether anyone of the members of the BEC was a supply chain management practitioner; if not, why not;

(3) which specified person is responsible for ensuring that the BEC complies with all aspects of the supply chain circular No 10 of 2008;

(4) whether the person who is responsible for ensuring that the BEC complies with all aspects of the supply chain circular No 10 of 2008 informed anyone within her department or any entity reporting to it that the BEC did not comply with the said circular; if not, (a) why not and (b) which sections of legislation compels the specified person to do so; if so, please provide copies of all correspondence in this regard indicating (i) the date, (ii) to whom the correspondence was written and (iii) the response from each recipient? NW757E

Reply:

(1) The Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) consisted of 4 scoring members plus a supply chain person who was responsible for administrative evaluation.

(2) The non-scoring member was from Supply Chain Management.

(3) Mr. Godfrey Twala was responsible for ensuring that SASSA Supply Chain Management Policy is adhered to;

(4) No

(a) There was no need to inform anyone within her department or any entity reporting to it that the BEC did not comply with the said circular because the SASSA Supply Chain Management Policy (2008) which guide this process does not stipulate the number of members that the BEC must consist of. The SCM Circular No 10 of 2008 stipulates that SCM practitioner is responsible for evaluation of administrative process.

(b) (i) Not Applicable

(ii) Not Applicable

(iii) Not Applicable

Reply received: September 2014

QUESTION 672 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 July 2014

Internal question paper no: 05

672. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With regard to the tender awarded to Cash Paymaster Services, (a) how many officials were involved in the drafting of the technical report, (b) what are their names and (c) what positions do they hold within her department? NW756E

Reply:

We are not certain what the member refers to by the "technical report".

Reply received: September 2014

QUESTION 671 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 July 2014

Internal question paper no: 05

671. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any (a) members of the (i) bid adjudicating committee or (ii) bid evaluation committee or (b) other person involved in the awarding of the tender to Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) had or have any business or personal connections to CPS or any of its subsidiaries; if so, (aa) what are the names of the persons, (bb) what is the nature of the connections and (cc) what specific role did each person play in the awarding of the tender;

(2) whether these persons declared these connections to CPS or any of its subsidiaries; if not, why not;

(3) whether any action has been taken against these persons; if not, why not; if so, what was the action with regard to each specified person? NW755E

Reply:

(1) (a) (i) Not to my knowledge

(ii) Not to my knowledge

(b) Not to my knowledge

(aa) Not Applicable

(bb) Not Applicable

(cc) Not applicable

(2) Not Applicable

(3) Not Applicable

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 523 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 11 July 2014

Internal question paper no: 04

523. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With regard to the tender awarded to Cash Paymaster Services (CPS), on whose authority was the tender specification changed through the issuing of Notice 2 on 6 June 2011 which specified biometric verification as a requirement and not a preference? NW605E

Reply:

The tender specification was not changed, Bidders Notice 2 was issued to respond to frequently asked questions.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 444 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 04 July 2014

Internal question paper no: 03

444. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What criteria are used to add people to the Older Persons Abuse Register? NW527E

Reply:

The criteria used to add people to the Older Persons Abuse Register is in terms of the Older Persons Act, 13 of 2006 as follows:

Section 31(1) of the Older Persons Act, 13 of 2006, mandates that the Minister must in the prescribed manner keep a register of persons convicted of the abuse of an older person or any crime or offence contemplated in section 30(4).

In terms of section 30(4) of the Older Persons Act, 13 of 2006, if a court after having convicted a person of any crime or offence, finds that the person has abused an older person in the commission of such crime or offence, such finding must be regarded as aggravating circumstances for sentencing purpose.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 443 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 04 July 2014

Internal question paper no: 03

443. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What progress has been made with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the audit into old age homes? NW526E

Reply:

The Member can also look for information through the relevant Provinces.

Reply received: April 2014

QUESTION 335 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 14 March 2014

Internal question paper no: 06

335. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

How many names appear on the electronic older persons abuse register? NW388E

Reply:

Currently there are no names (0) on the electronic Older Persons Abuse Register. It is envisaged that the electronic Older Persons Abuse Register will be implemented during April 2014. This is a change from our previous set date for implementation due to training of officials and stakeholders that needed to be undertaken and the consultations with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

Reply received: April 2014

QUESTION 334 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 14 March 2014

Internal question paper no: 06

334. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many persons have been removed from the social grant database since the commencement of the re-registration process;

(2) (a) how many of these persons were found to be fraudulent and (b) how many have been charged? NW387E

Reply:

(1) A total of 1,015,489 social grants have been removed from the SOCPEN system since the commencement of the re-registration process, factual verifications of the re-registration back office process is still being done before the files are to be sent to Fraud Management and Compliance Unit.

(2) (a) None.

(b) No person has been charged yet pending the finalization of the verification process referred to in (1) above.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 308 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 27 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 02

308. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What are the details of office furniture ordered and or purchased for the use of her and/or her staff since 1 May 2014;

(2) in respect of each piece of furniture, (a) what is the description, (b) what is the breakdown of the costs, (c) where will each piece of furniture be used and (d) who will use each piece of furniture;

(3) what are the details of furniture disposed of;

(4) in respect of each piece of furniture disposed of, (a) what is the description, (b) original purchase costs and (c) on what date was it purchased;

(5) (a) how was this furniture disposed of, (b) what disposal method was used, (c) what is the name and contact details of person/s to whom it was disposed and (d) at what price was it disposed of? NW389E

Reply:

(1) The Ministry did not purchase any furniture for the period in question.

(2) (a) None

(b) None

(d) None

(3) Not applicable

(4) (a) None

(b) None

(5) (a) None

(b) None

(d) None

Reply received: April 2014

QUESTION 283 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 March 2014

Internal question paper no: 05

283. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With regard to recommendation 11.6 of the SA Human Rights Commission report of 15 October 2013 on the Child Protection Register, (a) what progress has been made with regard to reforming section 120(4) of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, and (b) on what date will the Amendment Bill be tabled in Parliament? NW336E

Reply:

The Department of Social Development has not yet received a formal response and feedback from the South African Human Rights Commission on the investigation done.

Reply received: April 2014

QUESTION 282 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 March 2014

Internal question paper no: 05

282. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her department has conducted an audit with regard to recommendation 11.2 of the SA Human Rights Commission report of 15 October 2013 on the Child Protection Register; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date was the report of the audit submitted to the commission and (b) if he could provide a full copy of the report of the audit? NW335E

Reply:

The Department of Social Development has not yet received a formal response and feedback from the South African Human Rights Commission on the investigation done.

Reply received: April 2014

QUESTION 281 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 March 2014

Internal question paper no: 05

281. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether, with regard to recommendation 11.1.1 of the SA Human Rights Commission report of 15 October 2013 on the Child Protection Register (CPR), an updated CPR has been submitted; if not, why not; if so, on what date was it submitted? NW334E

Reply:

The Department of Social Development has not yet received a formal response and feedback from the South African Human Rights Commission on the investigation done.

Reply received: March 2014

QUESTION 280 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 March 2014

Internal question paper no: 05

280. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether she is aware of the financial impact on nonprofit organisations (NPOs) of regulation 56 of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, which requires a designated social worker to place an advertisement in at least one local newspaper when it appears that a child has been abandoned or orphaned; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what has the impact been and (b) what action does she intend taking in this regard? NW333E

Reply:

Yes, the Minister of Social Development is aware of the financial impact on nonprofit organisations (NPOs) of regulation 56 of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, which requires a designated social worker to place an advertisement in at least one local newspaper when it appears that a child has been abandoned or orphaned.

(a) The financial impact of implementing the regulation 56 of the children's Act, Act 38 of 2005 has been the increased expenses for NPOs to place advertisements in the newspaper. NPOs include these additional expenses in the service specifications or service objectives that they submit to the Department for funding.

(b) The Minister of Social Development intends to continue providing support through NPO funding to NPOs that need assistance to implement regulation 56.

Reply received: April 2014

QUESTION 279 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 March 2014

Internal question paper no: 05

279. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) What is the current backlog of foster care grant cases in each province and (b) how many of these cases were finalised in each month of the preceding 12 months? NW332E

Reply:

(a) Current backlog of foster care grant cases in each province: (Note that the numbers provided relate to new applications for foster care child grants, not reviews)

Eastern Cape 10

Free State 21

Gauteng 90

KwaZulu-Natal 0

Limpopo 62

Mpumalanga 138

Northern Cape 23

North West 34

Western Cape 233

(b) Number of new foster care grant cases finalized in each of the preceding 12 months, per province:

Month	EC	FS	GP	KZN	LP	MP	NC	NW	WC	Total
April	337	134	208	519	172	103	88	159	55	1775
May	402	108	188	599	247	116	84	152	66	1962
June	339	83	114	437	183	180	32	87	50	1505
July	310	83	150	478	104	46	176	113	74	1534
August	408	462	711	1570	356	262	199	544	344	4856
September	519	403	562	1410	325	243	179	490	352	4483
October	349	75	141	501	181	108	49	114	61	1579
November	292	54	96	411	137	96	41	98	34	1259
December	238	68	95	327	106	56	32	47	46	1015
January	898	213	72	220	247	47	64	291	53	2105
February	811	133	130	358	441	98	127	262	121	2481
Total	4903	1816	2467	6830	2499	1355	1071	2357	1256	24554

Source: Socpen new applications processed within 21 days report

Reply received: November 2014

QUESTION 274 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 27 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 02

274. Ms S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What are the details of motor vehicles ordered and/or purchased for her use since May 2014;

(2) (a) what is the (i) make, (ii) model, (iii) total cost and (iv) breakdown of the cost of each motor vehicle and (b) where will each motor vehicle normally be stationed? NW354E

Reply:

I have not purchased or ordered any new vehicles for the period in question.

The official vehicles which I am currently using in both Cape Town and Pretoria were allocated to me in 2010.

Reply received: March 2014

QUESTION 227 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 28 February 2014

Internal question paper no: 04

227. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What are the reasons for her department not maintaining and populating the Child Protection Register, as found by the SA Human Rights Commission (details furnished)? NW276E

Reply:

The Department is maintaining and populating the Child Protection Register (CPR) resulting in 488 names as at the end of the third (3^rd) quarter on 31 December 2013.

However, the Department still experiences challenges to adequately maintain and populate the Register due to the following reasons:

1. The Department depends on other stakeholders, namely the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) and administrative forums to provide information to maintain and populate the Register as acknowledged in the Commission's report. For example, the Department relies on the courts to submit to populate the Register as stipulated by the legislation.

2. Administrative forums as stipulated in the legislation have not yet fully complied with the requirements to provide information to be populated on the Register.

The Department has used the available information provided by courts and forums to populate names on the Register to date.

Reply received: March 2014

QUESTION 226 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 28 February 2014

Internal question paper no: 04

226. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Does her department have a policy on the maximum time allowed for signing off on a clearance placement for foster homes and places of safety; if not, why not; if so, what is the time period;

(2) what is the current backlog of signing off clearance placements at the Social Development office in Germiston? NW275E

Reply:

(1) No, the Department of Social Development does not have a policy and legislation on the maximum time allowed for signing off on a clearance placement for foster care and temporary safe care (previously known as the Place of Safety). However, in terms of the Children's Act, 2005 children are placed in temporary safe care and foster care through a court order.

The Children's Act, 2005 states the following

· Children are removed to temporary safe care with or without a court order in terms of Sections 151 and 152 as well as Regulation 53. Form 36 must be completed by a social worker or police official if a child is removed without a court order and it must be submitted to the temporary safe care as soon as it is practically possible.

The parent, guardian or care-giver must be informed of the child's removal within 24 hours, if they can be traced. The clerk of the children's court must be informed of the removal of the child not later than the next court date

· A child may not be in temporary safe care or kept or retained at any place or facility including a registered Child and Youth Care Centre for longer than six months without a court order in terms of Section 167(2).

· In terms of Section 167(3) and Regulation 57 the provincial head of social development must approve a person, facility, place or premises for Temporary Safe Care. Form 39 must be completed and a copy must be handed to the relevant person, head of the relevant place, facility or premises immediately upon approval.

· In terms of Section 158 a children's court may issue an order placing a child in the care of a child and youth care centre only if another option is not appropriate.

· Section 155(2) requires a designated social worker to compile a report within 90 days after conducting an investigation for the Children's Court to decide if a child is in need of care and protection. If a Children's Court finds that a child is in need of care and protection in terms of Section 150 of the same Act, a Presiding Officer may issue a legal court order placing such a child in foster care.

· Section 126 (1) (4), (5) and Regulation 44 states that before a person is allowed to work with or have access to children the person must establish whether or not their name appears in Part B of the National Child Protection Register by completing form 29 if the enquiry is made by an employer or form 30 if the enquiry is made by a person.

Enquiries must be directed in writing to the Director-General on a confidential basis. The Director-General must respond in writing within 21 working days indicating in a notification letter, whether the person's name appears in Part B of the National Child Protection Register or not.

· Section 120 of the said Act states that a finding that a person is unsuitable to work with children may be made by a children's court, any other court in any criminal or civil proceedings, any forum established or recognized by law in any disciplinary proceedings concerning the conduct of that person relating to a child.

· Section 122 of the Children's Act and Regulation 42 requires that the registrar of the relevant court, administrative forum or person must notify the Director-General in writing of any findings that a person is unsuitable to work with children within 21 working days.

(2) Since the Department of Social Development does not have a policy and legislation on the maximum time allowed for signing off on a clearance placement for foster care and temporary safe care we cannot provide information to respond to this question.

Reply received: March 2014

QUESTION 225 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 28 February 2014

Internal question paper no: 04

225. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether nonprofit organisations (NPOs) receive additional funding in order to implement sections 33 and 34 of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) what is the estimated cost to an NPO to implement section 34 of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005? NW274E

Reply:

(1) No, nonprofit organisations do not receive additional funding in order to implement section 33 and 34 of the Children's Act 38 of 2005. The National Department of Social Development provides funding to National nonprofit organisations (NPOs), some of which are child protection organisations (CPOs). These NPOs receive funding based on agreed objectives and service specifications. The objectives differ and may include implementation of certain areas of the Children's Act 38 of 2005. However, funding is not disaggregated according to the different sections, but according to service areas or objectives. Therefore, funding for the implementation of section 33 and 34 of the Act is included in funding for implementation of the Children's Act.

(2) There is no estimated cost to an NPO to implement section 34 of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005. The costing of the Children's Act, which was conducted in 2006, did not provide the estimated cost for NPOs to implement section 34 of the Children's Act 38 of 2005.

Reply received: April 2014

QUESTION 224 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 28 February 2014

Internal question paper no: 04

224. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Does the Government contribute towards the operational costs of nonprofit organisations (NPOs) who perform functions that are by law the responsibility of the Government; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) does her department have a staff member dedicated to raising funds for NPOs who are expected to fund their own operational costs; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW273E

Reply:

(1) Yes, the Government does contribute towards the operational costs of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) who perform functions that are by law the responsibility of the Government. The requirement for funding of the NPOs is that they submit business plans in response to the call for submission of such, which then serves as their application for funding. Operational costs in the business plan are therefore linked to the objectives that NPO's commit to deliver for a specific financial year.

(2) No, Department does not have a staff member dedicated to raising funds for NPOs. The current departmental NPO financing policy (Policy on Financial Awards to Service Providers (PFA)) provides for a framework for funding on NPOs by the Government. The legislative framework also creates an enabling environment for NPOs to raise funds from other sources other than Government.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 216 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 27 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 02

216. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) What amount of funding has a certain non-profit organisation (name furnished) received from her department in each financial year and (b) what was the funding intended for in each year;

(2) who are the board members of the non-profit organisation? NW294E

Reply:

(a)The Department of Social Development does not fund BOSASA as a non-profit organization.

(b) Not applicable.

(2) The following are board members of BOSASA:

Thandi Makoko: Chairperson and Executive Director

Jacqueline Leyds: Managing Director

Dr Louis Scholtz: Director

Muniera Olivera: Director

Syvion Dlamini: Director

Reply received: November 2014

QUESTION 215 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 27 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 02

215. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) On what date did her department receive the report by the SA Human Rights Commission into the Child Protection Register;

(2) what progress has been made with regard to each recommendation made by the SA Human Rights Commission into the Child Protection Register? NW293E

Reply:

The Department became aware of the report and its recommendations through media report. With regard to implementation, the Department continues to engage with key government departments to implement them.

Are you aware, the Department has initiated the process to review and re-draft Section 120 of the Children's Act with the view to address some of the gaps in the Act

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 184 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

184. Ms J Steenkamp (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What are the details of all the costs of the maintenance of the pot plants in her (a) departmental offices and (b) official residence (i) in the (aa) 2009-10, (bb) 2010-11, (cc) 2011-12, (dd) 2012-13 and (ee) 2013-14 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2014;

(2) in respect of the pot plant maintenance, (a) what is the (i) address and (ii) name of the office where they were/are displayed, (b) for whose benefit are these pot plants, (c) what was/is the value of maintenance for each office and (d) what are the details of any contracts and/or plans for the maintenance of these pot plants in the future? NW233E

Reply:

(1)(a)(i)(aa) R163 602.64

(1)(a)(i)(bb) R142 812.90

(1)(a)(i)(cc) R114 653.30

(1)(a)(i)(dd) R133 112.12

(1)(a)(i)(ee) R106 839.03

(1)(a)(ii) R155 066.22

(1)(b)(i)(aa)(bb)(cc)(dd)(ee)(ii) The Minister has no pot plants in her official residence.

(2)(a)(i) 134 Pretorius Street, HSRC Building, Pretoria, 0001 and Harlequins Office Park, 164 Totius Street, Groenkloof, 0081

(2)(a)(ii) Please refer to attached Annexure

(2)(b) The pot plants are for the benefit of the Department

(2)(c) Please refer to attached Annexure for list of offices

(2)(d) Jan Lamberts Plantcare (Pty) Ltd, P.O. Box 23416, Gezina, 0031. A maintenance contract will be put in place to maintain all office pot plants.

See the attached link: www.pmg.org.za/files/rnw184a.pdf

Reply received: March 2014

QUESTION 156 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 21 February 2014

Internal question paper no: 02

156. Mrs N W A Michael (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How are budgets for the nonprofit organisation sector determined given her own department's target of a maximum of 60 cases per social worker;

(2) what is the average number of cases per social worker at the (a) Kempton Park, (b) Tembisa, (c) Edenvale and (d) Boksburg child welfare centres? NW162E

Reply:

The Gauteng provincial Department of Social Development determines the subsidy and the number of social worker posts based on historical case loads, prevalence of social pathologies in a particular community and its demographics.

In other words, the number of social workers per organization is informed by the previous track record of cases handled in the previous financial year taking into account the afore-mentioned aspects

The average number of cases per social worker at the said organisations is as follows:

NPO	Office	Case load per worker	No of workers	Average
Kempton park child welfare	Kempton park	180 150 30	1 social worker (foster care supervision) 4 social workers (access , parental plan and place of safety placement) 1 Intake worker	60
Tembisa child welfare	Tembisa	1760	4 social workers 2 social workers (unsubsidized) 11 social auxiliary workers	104 caseload per social workers including auxiliary social workers
Edenvale child welfare	Edenvale	74 67	1 social worker 1 social worker	71
Boksburg child welfare	Vosloorus	240	6 social workers	47
	Reiger park	290	3 social workers	58
	Boksburg	310	2 social workers	155

Reply received: October 2014

QUESTION 150 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

150. Mr K J Mileham (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What are the details of all expenditure that was found to have been (a) irregular and (b) wasteful in her department for each year from 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(2) in respect of each such finding of (a) irregular and (b) wasteful expenditure, (i) what (aa) is the description thereof, (bb) is the value thereof and (cc) action has been taken against the persons accountable for such expenditure and (ii) how much thereof (aa) has been recovered and (bb) from whom? NW163E

REPLY:

(1) (a)The details of the irregular expenditure were based on non-compliance to procurement procedures i.e. services were rendered without an order being issued to the preferred service provider.

(b) 01April 2009 to May 2014.

(1) (a) The details of the Fruitless and wasteful expenditure relating to hotel no shows, car damages and shuttle no shows.

(b) 01April 2009 to May 2014.

(2) (a) Irregular

(i) (aa) The description of irregular expenditure is either noncompliance to procurement policies and procedures of appointment of service providers without obtaining an official order prior to the services being rendered; and also without inviting competitive bids.

(i) (bb) R47 407 444.07

(i) (cc) Written and final written warning letters were issued

(ii) (aa) No amount was recovered

(bb) None.

(2) (b) Fruitless

(i) (aa) The description of Fruitless and wasteful expenditure is either hotel no shows, car damages and shuttle no shows.

(i)(bb) R423 603.90

(i)(cc) Write-off the expenditure, written warnings and final written warnings.

(ii) (aa) No amount was recovered

(bb) Not applicable

Reply received: April 2014

QUESTION 125 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 21 February 2014

Internal question paper no: 02

125. Ms H M Makhuba (IFP) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

How many (a) persons are currently employed in Project Mikondzo and (b) child-headed households have benefited from this project? NW131E

Reply:

(a) No new officials have been employed for Project Mikondzo. The Project is implemented by the current staff employed by DSD, SASSA and NDA.

(b) The project is not meant to benefit child headed households but to ensure access and to improve the services that the social development sector (i.e. National and Provincial Social Development Departments, SASSA and NDA) provides to South African citizens at the local community level. The focus is on the 1300 poorest wards and the aim is to monitor service delivery at community level with a view to determine the gap between policy formulation and implementation. The findings then assist the Department in developing and implementing short and long-term interventions to address service delivery challenges in respect of social development services.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 64 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

64. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What amount has been paid to a certain person (name furnished) by the SA Social Security Agency? NW70E

Reply:

SASSA didn't pay any money to Mr. Michael Hulley.

Reply received: October 2014

QUESTION 63 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

63. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) In which wards and municipalities were food parcels distributed in (i) January 2014, (ii) February 2014, (iii) March 2014, (iv) April 2014 and (v) May 2014 and (b) how many food parcels were distributed in each of these wards and municipalities during the same period? NW69E

Reply:

SASSA manages a legislated programme known as social relief of distress, which is the immediate provision of material assistance to South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees who find themselves in a situation where they are unable to provide for themselves or their families. This assistance is thus short term relief provided as a response to a crisis situation Food parcels are provided as one form of social relief of distress. Assistance may also be provided in the form of food vouchers and/or cash in certain situations.

The social relief of distress programme is provided in terms of the Social Assistance Act, 2004. The legislation defines the circumstances under which a citizen may qualify for social relief of distress, namely that the applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee, who has insufficient means and complies with one or more of the following criteria:

· Is awaiting payment of an approved grant;

· Is, for a period of less than 6 months, medically unfit to undertake any remunerative work;

· Has not received maintenance from a parent, child or spouse legally obliged to pay maintenance, and efforts have been made to secure the maintenance;

· Is in a family where the breadwinner has died within the past 3 months;

· Is in a family where the breadwinner has been admitted to a state institution;

· Has been affected by a disaster;

· Refusal to provide assistance will cause undue hardship.

In applying the criteria for social relief of distress, SASSA has identified 3 broad categories of citizens who may qualify. These include people affected by a disaster, families who have young children who are malnourished or severely food insecure and seasonal workers. In cases of disasters, SASSA provides immediate assistance in the form of hot meals, blankets and other humanitarian aid, in co-operation with Local Government while those affected are housed in community facilities. Those affected may also receive food parcels or cash awards when they able to return to their homes.

The intervention for families with malnourished or food insecure children is a 6 month intervention in the form of food parcels. The social relief of distress in these cases is only part of an integrated intervention with the families, which includes the establishment of household food gardens or involvement in other developmental initiatives.

With regard to seasonal workers, a need has been identified to support seasonal workers in the 4 to 6 months that they are not employed. The majority of these workers are in the farming or fishing industries. However, a challenge which has been experienced with implementing this programme is that many of the seasonal workers are not South African citizens, which then limits the ability of my Department to be able to assist.

It is important to note that the Social Relief of Distress programme is needs driven. It is therefore difficult to indicate where and when social relief of distress will be provided for any financial year. Planning is done to some extent by identifying the poorest wards in the country, however, applications may be received from any area. The programme is managed in terms of the available budget, and by ensuring that all who are assisted meet the criteria as legislated.

Kindly refer to Annexure "A" for the detail regarding the food parcels distributed in the first 4 months of 2014, as part of the implementation of the social relief of distress programme.

Reply received: September 2014

QUESTION 62 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

62. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What is the schedule for the distribution of food parcels for the remainder of the 2014-15 financial year? NW68E

Reply:

Social Relief of Distress (SRD) is an immediate response to a crisis situation for people with 'insufficient means' and/or 'undue hardship'. Its primary purpose is to ensure that vulnerable people have food to eat. SRD may be issued in the form of food parcels, vouchers or cash.

In terms of Regulation 14(1) an application for SRD is made in the relevant form and completed by the applicant or his/her procurator at the offices of the Agency in the presence of a designated officer. There is no schedule for distribution but rather applications are made in terms of the Social Assistance Regulations and they are either approved or rejected based on the eligibility criteria prescribed. In other circumstances, SRD would be provided in areas declared as disasters in terms of the Disaster Management Act. During the financial year 2014/2015 SASSA has prioritized the issuing of SRD in the following situations:

· Children suffering from mal-nutrition;

· Medically unfit for period of less than 6 months;

· Assisting families where the breadwinner died or is unemployed, including seasonal workers;

· Assisting in disaster situations; and

· Individuals awaiting grants.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 61 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

61. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

When will the office of the SA Social Security Agency in Tembisa, Gauteng be upgraded? NW67E

Reply:

SASSA has since made a request to the Ekurhuleni municipality over a year ago to upgrade the facility as the structures belong to them. Due to the fact that this process coincided with the municipal Urban Renewal Programme (URP) the upgrading could not commence earlier as anticipated.

The agency has since received correspondence from the municipality indicating that the URP process is ready to be implemented. It is therefore anticipated that the process will commence in a few months. This will include the erecting of a perimeter fence around the premises.

Whilst waiting for the above mentioned programme to commence, SASSA managed to carry out maintenance work within the said office, like painting and purchasing of additional chairs to accommodate the beneficiaries.

Also as a mechanism to improve the effective provision of social assistance services to the community and reduction of the influx in the current office, the agency is in the process of seeking additional office accommodation at another section of Tembisa whereby a satellite office will be opened.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 60 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

60. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

When will the office of the SA Social Security Agency in Kempton Park, Gauteng, re-open? NW66E

Reply:

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) commenced with the process of seeking alternative accommodation more than a year ago. However it should be noted that this is a second attempt to find alternative accommodation due to limited office accommodation within the Kempton Park area.

It is expected that the National Department of Public Works will go out on tender in the next few months to source suitable space for SASSA.

In order to ensure that there is continuous service provision at Kempton Park, the agency is in discussion with the municipality to have a temporary structure to operate the service for at atleast three times a week. It is expected that this process will be completed and fully operational in a month's time.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 59 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

59. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Has the report into the death of a certain person (name furnished) at the South Coast Recovery Centre been completed; if not, when will it be completed; if so, when will it be made available to her parents? NW65E

Reply:

Yes, the report into the death of Ms Blair Trouchet at South Coast Recovery Centre has been completed.

The parents may approach the Office of the Director-General to request access to the report through the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act No.2 of 2000).

Reply received: April 2014

QUESTION 48 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 February 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

48. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How much does her department plan to spend on (a) advertising, (b) communication and (c) marketing between 1 January 2014 and 30 April 2014 (i) in total and (ii) as a breakdown of the amount;

(2) (a) what mediums is her department going to use in each case and (b) who is the service provider to be used;

(3) what is the main message that her department plans to communicate during this time? NW49E

Reply:

(1) The Department is not planning to spend any new amounts but continuing with the already budgeted marketing, advertising and communication until 31 March 2014. For the period 01 - 30 April 2014, budgeting is still in process. The Department has standing projects, namely: Project Mikondzo and the Anti-alcohol and substance abuse campaign.

An amount of R8 million has been allocated for Project Mikondzo

(2) (a) (b)

MEDIUM	SERVICE PROVIDER	AMOUNT
Community Radio stations	Government Communications and Information Systems(GCIS)	R1 884 200
Community newspapers	Phoenix Tabloid Eastern Cape Today	R359 704.80 R485 913.60
Partnership with SABC Radio	SABC	R4 099 872.30

An amount of R18 million has been allocated for the Anti-alcohol and substance abuse campaign:

MEDIUM	SERVICE PROVIDER	AMOUNT
Newspaper advertorial	Media 24: Daily Sun Sunday Sun Son City Press	R799 817.19
Newspaper advertorial	Independent Newspapers: The Star Cape Argus Daily News	R750 752.42
Taxi Rank TV, Taxi and bus branding	Primedia	R2 087 773.00
Partnership with SABC TV	SABC	R5 587 460.00

(3) The Department of Social Development is communicating the following main messages during this period:

· Social Development: "Responding to the needs of people"

· Towards an alcohol and drug abuse free South Africa "TAKE A STAND"

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 03 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

3. Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether steps are being taken to ensure that the accreditation of social workers does not take longer than six weeks as opposed to the present situation where accreditation can take up to 12 months thereby preventing social workers from rendering adoption services;

(2) what are the challenges preventing timeous accreditation;

(3) whether the process is being streamlined to achieve the six weeks time frame; if not, why not; if so, in what ways;

(4) whether her department's social workers who are rendering adoption services will be expected to go through the same accreditation process of registering their adoption speciality at the SA Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP), as required of all others, before they are allowed to actually render the service; if not, why not; if so, when will her department's social workers become compliant with the requirements of the accreditation process? NW3E

Reply:

1) While it is acknowledged that there are administrative delays in processing, it is not true that the accreditation of social workers takes up to 12 months. However, social workers are required to submit relevant documents based on the requirements for accreditation in terms of section 251 of the Children's Act 38 of 2005. Pre- assessment of documents is done, which results in some of the applicants not having all the documents.

2) Challenges preventing timeous accreditation emanate from:

a) Some social workers fail to submit their applications for accreditation with all the required documents.

b) Response after follow ups take long. Social workers are informed that they must also liaise with the Department to ensure that all documents are in place before submission. This serves as a measure to prevent the process taking longer than expected.

3) Yes, the process is streamlined since applications are received and pre- assessed to ensure that they have complied with the accreditation requirements. If all documents are in order, the accreditation panel evaluates the applications for recommendation and approval. In instances where all the required documents are not submitted, contact is made with the social workers to submit outstanding documents. This is one of the reasons for the delay in the accreditation process.

4) No, the department's social workers are not required to render adoption services currently. Therefore, they are not included in the definition of an "adoption social worker". The Department will be submitting the 2^nd Amendment of the Children's act 38 of 2005, which will enable the social workers in the employ of the Provincial Department of Social Development to be eligible to render adoption services.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 02 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

2. Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether she is aware that there is a conflict of interest in terms of placements of a new-born baby due to an official insistence on a neutral 60-day placement period for the birth parents' consent for adoption to lapse;

(2) whether she has found that the neutral 60-day placement period is in the best interests of a new-born baby which is at its most important development phase in terms of recognising people, bonding, trust, attachment and brain development and the fact that it is discouraging for prospective adoptive parents;

(3) whether she will investigate this complex issue in order to achieve the paramount best interest of the child and to achieve consistency between the courts in this regard? NW2E

Reply:

(1) Section 233 (8) of the Children's Act provides that the person who has consented to the adoption of the child may withdraw the consent within 60 days after having signed the consent, after which the consent is final. This implies that the birth parents' decision to change their mind and take care of their child should always be respected. However, that does not mean that a new baby consented for adoption by the birth parents cannot be placed in a temporary safe care with fit and proper prospective adoptive parents. The social worker placing the child should explain to the prospective adoptive parents that the 60 days for the birth parents' consent must first lapse before the adoption of the child can be considered.

(2) It is in the best interest of every child to remain and grow up in his/ her family of origin with birth parents. If that is not possible, a new baby may be placed in a temporary safe care with suitable prospective adoptive parents, as this is important for the development of the child in recognising people, developing bonding,trust, attachment and brain development. The social worker facilitating the case must still ensure that prospective adoptive parents are counselled that they cannot adopt the child as yet until the 60 days period for the child's birth parents'consent for the adoption has lapsed. In a case where the birth parents withdraw their consent within the stipulated period, their rights to keep the child must be respected, if it is in the best interest of the child. This might discourage some of the prospective adoptive parents to become temporary safe care, pending the consideration of an adoption .

(3) The Department will discuss the concerns raised regarding the matter with the Department of Justice and Correctional Services as well as the National Chief Magistrate Forum to follow up with Presiding Officers.

Reply received: August 2014

QUESTION 01 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 June 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

1. Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1) Whether letters from her department confirming that the names of prospective adoptive parents do not appear on Part B of the National Child Protection Register should be issued within two weeks of receipt of the Form 30 application; is so,

(2) whether these time frames are being adhered to; (a) what are the reasons for the delays and (b) how does she intend to ensure adherence in future? NW1E

Reply:

(1) The Department of Social Development does issue letters to prospective adoptive parents confirming that their names do not appear on Part B of the National Child Protection Register. However, the letters are not issued within two weeks of receipt of the Form 30 application, but within 21 working days as provided for in Section 126(5)(c) which indicates the time frame for the Director-General to respond in writing after receipt of the Form 30 application.

(2) The time frame is not being adhered to; due to (a) insufficient human resources within the responsible Unit as the main reason for the delays, and

(b) The department is exploring the possibility of increasing staff within the

responsible Unit and sourcing the assistance of other officials from different Units

within the Chief Directorate: Children.

Reply received: March 2014

QUESTION 01 /2014

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 February 2014

Internal question paper no: 01

1. Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether, in view of the fact that about 36 000 nonprofit organisations (NPOs) discovered that their status had changed to de-registered or non-compliant with her department, those NPOs who lack the necessary capacity have been assisted to submit outstanding reports in line with the Nonprofit Organisations Act, Act 71 of 1997, before the end of March 2014;

(2) whether her department has conducted an assessment of the (a) costs and (b) consequences associated with discontinuation of services that were provided by the specified NPOs? NW1E

Reply:

(1) The 36000 non-profit organizations that were initially de-registered were given a grace period until end of March 2014 to submit their annual reports, thus deeming their respective registration status as complaint. The Department initiated an awareness campaign to ensure that all affected organizations submit annual reports before the mentioned made. An NOP Roadshow was and is still being rolled-out nationally with a specific target to non-compliant NPOs. The objective of the Roadshow is to ensure that the NPO services are brought to communities, which is in line government strategy of accessibility of services. Thus far, the roadshow has been implemented in three provinces (Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga) and NPOs have been registered. The Department also embarked on media campaigns such as radio interviews and media statements encouraging NOPs to submit reports. In both Mikondzo (Department's flagship programme for increasing footprints) and Minister's outreach projects, the Department manned helpdesks in pursuit of assisting NPOs. Further to the mentioned interventions, the Department has also embarked on capacity building initiative, where NPOs have been trained on governance and compliance. This exercise has been done in five provinces (Western Cape, Gauteng, Northern Cape, North West and Mpumalanga) and will continue to be part of the Department's strategy for the next financial years in collaboration with the National Development Agency (NDA) whose mandate includes capacity building of NPOs.

(2) No assessment has been done as there is no known organization that has discontinued services due to de-registration.

2014-03-28

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