Question & Replies No 376 to 400

2009-07-17

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[PMG note: Replies are inserted as soon as they are provided by the Minister]

QUESTION 376

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 03/07/09

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 05-2009)

Dr. WG James (DA) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:

(1) Whether a function was held by his department to celebrate his appointment as minister; if so, (a) how much did the function cost, (b) what is the breakdown of the cost and (c) how many guests attended the function;

(2) Whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; if so, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the breakdown of these costs?

NW436E

REPLY:

(1) There was no function held by the Department to celebrate the appointment of the Minister of Higher Education and Training

(a) Not applicable. (b) Not applicable. (c) Not applicable.

(2) Not applicable. (a) Not applicable. (b) Not applicable

QUESTION 377

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 3 July 2009

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 5 of 2009

Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

(1) Whether she purchased a new vehicle on her appointment to office; if so, (a) why, (b) what make and model is the vehicle, (c) what did the vehicle cost and (d)(i) what accessories were included in excess of the vehicle's purchase price and (ii) what was the cost of such accessories; if not,

(2) whether she inherited an existing vehicle; if so, (a) what was the make and model and (b) how old is the vehicle?

NW437E

REPLY

(1)(2) No. The Minister of Home Affairs did not purchase a new vehicle on her appointment

to the new office, nor did she inherit any vehicle.

QUESTION 378

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 3 July 2009

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 5 of 2009

Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

(1) Whether a function was held by her department to celebrate her appointment as minister; if so, (a) how much did the function cost, (b) what is the breakdown of the cost and (c) how many guests attended the function;

(2) whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; if so, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the breakdown of these costs?

NW438E

REPLY

(1)(2) No celebration was held by the Department to celebrate my appointment as the new

Minister of Home affairs. All I had, was a teleconference on 24 June 2009, in Cape

Town to link with all Home Affairs offices, so as to communicate the StratPlan to the

staff and management, and to respond to questions raised by the staff.

QUESTION 380

FOR ORAL REPLY ON 04 NOVEMBER 2009

380. Mr S C Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:

(1) Whether her department will meet its target to introduce 10 000 GWh to the electricity grid by 2013 through renewable energy sources; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) (a) what is the contribution of renewable energy sources to the grid and (b) what are these sources;

(3) How many independent power producers (IPPs) contribute to the grid;

(4) Whether her department has taken any steps to accelerate the contribution made to the grid by IPPs; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW1796E

REPLY

(1) Yes .The Department of Energy has recently promulgated a regulation that addresses the procurement of the Independently Produced Power. These regulations also give a definition to the institutional arrangement within which this procurement must be controlled. The afore mentioned regulation is expected to expedite the procurement process as well as ensure that all future electricity plans are streamlined to correspond with the country's position on primary energy mix in general; clean energy power production is prioritized in the plan.

(2)(a) The contribution of renewable energy to the grid is estimated at 1,657 MW including Cahora Bassa.

(b)The sources are hydro, landfill gas and wind.

(3) There are five Renewable Energy IPPs that contribute to the grid funded by Renewable Energy Finance and Subsidy Office (REFSO) (Methcap Bio Gas to Electricity -4.2 MW, Bethlehem Hydro- 3.1 MW , Darling Wind Farm – 5.2 MW, eThekwini Landfill Gas- 6MW, Clanwilliam Hydro- 1.5 MW).

(4) The Department of Energy has recently promulgated a regulation that addresses the procurement of the Independently Produced Power. These regulations also give a definition to the institutional arrangement within which this procurement must be controlled. The afore mentioned regulation is expected to expedite the procurement process of the IPP's as well as ensure that all future electricity plans are streamlined to correspond with the Integrated Resource Plan ,which is the country's position on primary energy mix in general; clean energy power production is prioritized in the plan.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO381 /NW1803

Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Labour:

(1) Whether the lay-off training programme will be implemented soon in order to prevent job losses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether he will transfer the allocated funds to other training and placement programmes; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether he will make a statement on the matter? NW1803E

MINISTER OF LABOUR REPLIED:

(1) The processing of Training Lay-off applications from companies in distress commenced on the 21^st September 2009 in terms of Section 189A of the Labour Relations Act under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration. The CCMA will is charged with a responsibility to assess company distress status and to recommend qualifying companies to both the Department and SETAs. The latter two will in conclude matters relating to the types of training required, duration, additional funding required from the NSF/UIF Jobs Fund in addition to what employers and the SETA are to contribute.

(2) The Director General will transfer the allocated amount to the SETA concerned after concluding an agreement with a SETA. The SETA will in turn assume the responsibility of disbursing funds to employers for payment of training lay-off allowances and to training providers.

(3) I will not be making a statement in parliament as I have already released a media statement on the Training Lay-off scheme. My Department is also distributing posters and leaflets through our Provincial offices and the 125 Labour Centres, CCMA and SETA Offices. These leaflets clearly explain the process to be followed by companies and their Trade Unions if they want to access the R2,4 billion NSF/UIF Jobs Fund that we have established.

QUESTION NO.: 382 (1452 original number)

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 September 2009

Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:†

(1)How much money is owed to Eskom in arrears by (a) local authorities, (b) provincial authorities and (c) national departments;

(2) whether Eskom has introduced any measures to collect these debts; if not, why not; if so, (a) which measures and (b) what are the relevant details? NW1810E

REPLY

(1) The total amount overdue as at 26 September 2009 was as follows:

(a) Local authorities namely; municipalities and metros: R 102,750,965.00

(b) Provincial authorities;based on Eskom's billing system this information is not readily available as the billing system is not categorized to identify provincial authorities.

2(a-b) Yes, Eskom has a debt recovery plan for various government departments and the process is as follows:

· A reminder is sent to settle accounts after the due date;

· If the account is not paid on the due date a disconnection notice is sent to the relevant authorities.

· Upon request, a payment arrangement is concluded with the respective authorities.

In case there is no compliance, Eskom enters into a second phase of negotiations as indicated below:

Eskom engages with the municipalities as well as various stakeholders such as Mayors, MECs, Premiers, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, NERSA and National Treasury to find a solution to improve municipal payment levels.

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, NERSA and Eskom have workshops with defaulting municipalities to ensure a workable solution.

Suspension of supply is used as a last resort to ensure timeous payments from municipalities that have been in arrears for a considerable number of months.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO 383

FROM MR AC STEYN OF THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE (DA): WRITTEN REPLY

TO: THE MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

1. Purpose

To submit a draft reply in respect of Parliamentary Question no 383, received from Mr. A C Steyn of the Democratic Alliance (DA).

2. Background

The Minister has received a Parliamentary Question (attached below) from a Member of Parliament. Mr. A C Steyn of the DA who enquires on the following issue/s:

Whether a function was held by his department to celebrate his appointment as minister; if so,

(1) (a) How much did the function cost?

(b) What is the breakdown of the cost?

(c) How many guests attended the function?

(2) Whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests: if so,

(a) What were the costs? And

(b) What was the breakdown of these costs?

3. Discussion

The Department of Human Settlement did not hold any function to celebrate the appointment of the Minister and Deputy Ministers. Instead, an internal introductory meeting of the Minister and Deputy Minister to staff was held.

The introduction meeting of the Ministers cost the Department 1 (a) R25 433.40; (b) see (4) below; and (c) the staff complement of the Department of Human Settlement.

For question 2 (a) & (b), please refer to (4) below.

4. Financial implications

The introduction of Ministers to staff was done a minimal cost of R25433.40 for the hiring of chairs, decor and public sound address system.

5. Recommendation

It is recommended that the attached draft reply to Parliamentary Question 383 be noted and approved should you concur with the contents thereof.

Recommended/Not recommended

DR. CLARENCE TSHITEREKE

ACTING CHIEF DIRECTOR: COMMUNCATION SERVICES

DATE:

Supported/Not Supported

MR. NYAMEKO MBENGO

CHIEF DIRECTOR: FINANCIAL SERVICES DATE:

Supported/Not Supported

MR. MZIWONKE DLABANTU

DEPUTY DIRECTOR.(GENERAL: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DATE:

Approved/ Not Approved

MR. ITUMELENG KOTSOANE

DIRECTOR GENERAL: HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

DATE:

MR. MG SEXWALE

MINISTER: HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

DATE:

QUESTION NO.: 383 (1456 Original number)

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 September 2009

1456. Mr S J Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(1) Whether Transnet has awarded a contract to a certain company (name furnished) to install a new multipurpose pipeline from Kendal to Watloo and from Alrode to Durban; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether (a) local skilled persons and (b) foreigners are employed in this project; if not, why not in each case; if so, how many skilled (i) foreigners and (ii) South Africans are employed;

(3) whether there is any skills transfer to South Africans in these projects; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1814E

REPLY

(1)Transnet has awarded the tender for the construction of the pipeline to the SpieCapag Group Five JV.This contract awarded does not include the construction of the terminals that will be built in Durban and Jameson Park, near Heidelberg.

The award of the following elements of the project will be implemented after the procurement processes are completed.

The construction of the New Multi Products Pipeline ("NMPP") consists of approximately:

· 555 kilometres of 24" diameter welded carbon steel pipeline in a new Trunkline from Durban to Jameson Park;

· 41 kilometres of 16" diameter welded carbon steel pipeline in a new inland line between Jameson Park and a depot at Alrode all in the Gauteng province;

· 31 kilometres of 16" diameter welded carbon steel pipeline in a new inland line between the depots at Alrode and Langlaate all in the Gauteng province; and

· 88 kilometres of 16" diameter welded carbon steel pipeline in a new inland line between the existing pump station at Kendal to the Depot at Waltloo all in the Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces.

(2)There are both local and foreign skilled and semi-skilled employees employed on this contract, the breakdown is as follows:

· 517 general South African workers;

· 482 skilled and semi-skilled South Africans; and

· 91, with an intended increase to 124, skilled and semi-skilled foreign employees.

There are 75 skilled expatriates and 1001 locals, of which 313 are general workers, with the remainder being semi-skilled and skilled. The skilled expatriates are mainly involved with the field joint coating and the trenchless crossings where there are insufficient local skills and SA companies with the specific expert capabilities.

NB:Note that numbers above do not reflect the work that has been subcontracted out, where the preference is to use South African companies where possible.

(3) Every effort is being made to transfer skills. This is achieved in two primary ways:

· Firstly, where the SpieCapag Group Five JV has instituted a 'People at the Gate' programme. This entails going into the communities and training appropriate people to work on the project where possible. It includes the development of specialized welders and drivers for some of the equipments.

· Secondly, on-the-job training where South Africans are working with their foreign counterparts in areas like pipeline construction and Engineering Design. This allows knowledge and skills to be transferred through practical application of foreign expert knowledge.

QUESTION NO 386

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 3 JULY 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 5 - 2009)

Date reply submitted: 20 July 2009

Mr K S Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(2) Whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; if so, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the breakdown of these costs?

NW447E

REPLY:

(1) No.

(2) Not Applicable.

QUESTION NO.: 387

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 03 July 2009

Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(1) Whether a function was held by her department to celebrate her appointment as Minister; if so, (a) how much did the function cost, (b) what is the breakdown of the cost and (c) how many guests attended the function;

(2) whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; if so, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the breakdown of these costs? NW448E

Reply:

(1) (a-c) No function was hosted by the Department to celebrate the Minister's appointment.

(2)(a-c) Responded in 1 above.

QUESTION 389 (WRITTEN REPLY) FRIDAY, 17 JULY 2009

389. Mr S J Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

(2) whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; if so, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the breakdown of these costs? NW450E

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS

(1) The Department of Public Works did not hold any functions to celebrate the re-
appointment of the Minister;

(2)(a)(b) Falls away

QUESTION 390

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [NO 5-2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 3 JULY 2009

390. Mrs A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

(2) whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; if so, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the breakdown of these costs? NW451E

THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:

(1) No.

(a), (b) & (c) Fall away.

(2) (a) & (b) Fall away.

QUESTION NO 391

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 JULY 2009: INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 5 - 2009

"391. Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:

(1). Whether a function was held by her department to celebrate her appointment as minister; If so, (a) how much did the function cost, (b) what Is the breakdown of the cost and (c) how many guests attended the function;

(2). whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; If so, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the breakdown of these costs?"

REPLY

1. No function was held to celebrate the appointment of the new Minister.

2. No costs were incurred since there was no function.

QUESTION 392

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 Jun 2009

Internal question paper no: 2

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

(2) whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; if so, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the breakdown of these costs? NW453E

REPLY:

(1) No. No function was held to celebrate the Minister's appointment to the Department of Social Development.

(a), (b) and (c) Not applicable.

(2) This falls away.

(a) and (b) Not applicable.

QUESTION: NO 393

(Internal Question Paper No 5 - 2009)
‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑
Mr J J van der Linde (DA) to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation:

(1) Whether a function was held by his department to celebrate his appointment as Minister; if so,

(a) How much did the function cost,

(b) What is the breakdown of the cost and

(c) How many guests attended the function;

(2) Whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; if so,

(a) What were the costs and

(b) What was the breakdown of these costs?

REPLY:

(1) No function was held by the department to celebrate the reappointment of the minister.

a) There were no costs incurred.

b) There is no breakdown.

c) There were no guests that attended the function.

(2) There were no cost for travel and accommodation incurred

a) The are no costs involved.

b) There is no breakdown.

QUESTION 396

396. Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(2) whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; if so, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the breakdown of these costs?NW457E

Reply:

(1) No

(2) Falls away

QUESTION NO 398

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 03 JULY 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 5)

398. Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(2) Whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; if so, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the breakdown of these costs?

NW459E

REPLY:

(1)(a) No such function was held by my Department.

(1)(b) Falls away

(1)(c) Falls away

(2)(a) Falls away

(2)(b) Falls away

QUESTION NUMBER: 399

DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 3 JULY 2009

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 24 AUGUST 2009

MRS D ROBINSON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:

(2) Whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests; if so, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the breakdown of these costs?

NW460E

REPLY:

The Department did not hold any function to celebrate the Minister's appointment.

Question 400

MRS D ROBINSON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:

(1) Whether she purchased a new vehicle on her appointment to office; if so, (a) why, (b) what make and model is the vehicle; (c) what did the vehicle cost and (d)(i) what accessories were included in excess of the vehicle's purchase price and (ii) what was the cost to such accessories; if not,

(2) Whether she inherited an existing vehicle; if so, (a) what was the make and model and (b) how old is the vehicle?

NW461E

REPLY:

Honourable Mrs D Robinson of the DA, the Department and the Ministry I head is new, so we have to purchase new cars as there were no cars for me to inherit.

b. The department has purchased a Range Rover for Pretoria and an Audi A6 for Cape Town.

c. the total cost of both vehicles is R1, 263, 113

d. No accessories were included in excess of the vehicle's purchase.

WEDNESDAY, 04 NOVEMBER 2009

QUESTION NO 378

QUESTION NO 1396 TRANSFERRED FROM WRITTEN TO ORAL REPLY IN TERMS OF RULE 117

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: FRIDAY, 06 NOVEMBER 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 18 – 2009)

Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) What expenditure associated with the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup tournament in respect of the (a) amount, (b) detailed line item and (c) budgeted amount that has been made in each airport in each of the past three financial years up to the latest date for which information is available;

(2) whether there are any areas of over-expenditure; if so, what are the relevant details with regard to each airport;

(3) what mechanisms, procedures and processes exist to monitor expenditure against budgets, timeframes, timelines and milestones;

(4) at what stage of readiness is each of the airports with regards to the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup tournament?

NW1751E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) (a), (b) and (c)

The Airports Company South Africa Limited (ACSA) has not incurred any expenditure specifically as a result of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament at any of its airports. ACSA has, however, ensured that the demand driven projects that would have been required to be completed shortly after the 2010 Soccer World Cup are completed before the tournament. This is to ensure that the peak demand expected for the 2010 event is accommodated as well as ensuring that the airports are construction free for the tournament period.

Those projects, which have been identified as being essential to this goal, are summarised below, with the approved full budgeted value along with the last 3 financial years' cash-flows, together with the value still to be spent post April 2010.

OR TAMBO	Prior Year	2007/ 8	2008/ 9	2009/ 10	FUTURE	TOTAL
Central Terminal Building	R439.5m	R774.7m	R789.6m	R391.0m	R20.0m	R2,414.8m
Aircraft Parking Aprons				R124.6m	R24.0m	R148.6m
Multi Storey Parkade	R90.0m	R186.6m	R194.5m	-	-	R471.1m
Extra Fuel Storage tanks	-	R1.9m	R12.1m	R126.2m	-	R142.0m

CTIA	Prior Year	2007/ 8	2008/ 9	2009/ 10	FUTURE	TOTAL
Terminal Building T2010	R105.7m	R349.9m	R629.2m	R465.3m	R140.0m	R1,690.1m
Multi Storey Parkade	R8.0m	R95.0m	R182.5	R167.7m	R15.0m	R468.2m
Landside road Upgrade	-	R5.0m	R9.0m	R62.0m	R10.0m	R86.0m
Aircraft Parking Aprons	-	R932.2m	R9.0m	R48.7m	R2.6m	R61.0m

LA MERCY	Prior Year	2007/ 8	2008/ 9	2009/ 10	FUTURE	TOTAL
New Airport Development		R1,880.0m	R2,082.5m	R2,622.5m	R306.7m	R6,891.9m

EAST LONDON	Prior Year	2007/ 8	2008/ 9	2009/ 10	FUTURE	TOTAL
Terminal Building Upgrade		R10.0m	R46.0m	R45.5m		R101.5m

BLOEMFONTEIN	Prior Year	2007/ 8	2008/ 9	2009/ 10	FUTURE	TOTAL
Terminal Building Upgrade	R4.5m	R17.9m	R24.8m			R47.2m

(2) Additional costs have arisen on three major projects as a result of the exceptionally high construction escalation that has been with the industry for the last 3 to 4 years. This escalation has been consistently higher than the forward forecasts predicted by the economists. Additional costs have also been incurred to mitigate the delays that have occurred on projects as a result of exceptional weather delays, delays in obtaining environmental approvals, unforeseen founding conditions and scope changes to support changing business demands. All additional costs have been approved by the Board and are included in the budgets.

(3) Projects, once approved in terms of ACSA's Delegated Levels of Authority (DLA's), are carefully monitored, controlled and reported at various levels. Ongoing cost control is exercised daily on all infrastructure developments whereby instructions with cost and or time implications are considered before issuing such instructions, unless it is a safety or security risk. All cost movements are further monitored at monthly cost review meetings and then presented to monthly Project Board meetings for final consideration and approval. If required, identified cost risks are elevated in terms of Delegated Levels of Authorities to the ACSA Executive, the Board Sub-committees of Commercial and Risk, and ultimately, the ACSA Board.

(4) All ACSA's airports will be ready for the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup and to this extent, large portions of projects have already been completed, whilst others will be completed and will become operational by early May 2010, as listed below:

O R TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Central Terminal Building : Practically complete and operational.

Multi-Storey Parkade 2 : Completed and operational.

Additional Fuel Storage : Completion scheduled for end March 2010.

Additional Aircraft Parking : Completion scheduled for end March 2010.

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Terminal Building T2010 : Departures operational 07 November 2009. Arrivals completed by end March 2010.

Multi-Storey Parkade 2 : Partially in operation, complete March 2010.

Landside Road Upgrade : Portions in operation, complete March 2010.

Additional Aircraft Parking : Completion scheduled for end March 2010.

LA MERCY

Total Airport Development : On programme, operational 01 May 2010.

EAST LONDON

Terminal Building Upgrade : Partially operational. Final completion end February 2010.

BLOEMFONTEIN

Terminal Building Upgrade : Completed and operational.

2009-07-17

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