ATC210224: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service And Administration on consideration of the first and second quarter performance 2020/21 for the Budget Vote 10 of the Department of Public Service and Administration, Dated 24 February 2021

Public Service and Administration

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service And Administration on consideration of the first and second quarter performance 2020/21 for the Budget Vote 10 of the Department of Public Service and Administration, Dated 24 February 2021

 

1. BACKGROUND

The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) having considered first and second quarter performance of 2020/21 financial year of the Department ofPublic Service and Administration, reports as follows:

 

1. INTRODUCTION

Parliament through its Committees has a constitutional responsibility to oversee quarterly programme performance information of the departments and their entities in a specific financial year. The Money Bills Amendment and Related Matters Act (2009) describe the process of exercising this responsibility. The Act states that portfolio committees of parliament must conduct reviews of the finances of their respective departments and entities and if required, issue recommendations on the forward use of resources.

Programme performance information focuses on information that is collected by government departments in the course of fulfilling their mandates and implementing policies. Quarterly performance reports serve as a vital tool used by parliamentary committees to ensure accountability, transparency and oversight on how government resources are spent. Committees are expected to monitor both financial and non-financial performance of the departments. The Public Finance Management Regulations compel departments and their entities to prepare quarterly report within 30 days after the end of each quarter. Committees conduct oversight over performance reports to fulfil Parliament’s oversight and accountability mandates as enshrined in the Constitution and under the rules established by the National Assembly.

On February03, 2021, the Committee considered the first and second quarter performance of 2020/21of the Department of Public Service and Administration and Centre for Public Service Innovation (an entity). Performance information was in accordance with the Strategic Plans, Annual Performance Plan and Medium Term Strategic Framework 2019-2024. The report further provides an overview of the presentations made before the Committee mainly focusing on the achievements, output in respect of the performance indicators and targets set for the above-mentioned financial year. The report outlines the findings/observations of the Committee relating to the Department’s performance. 

 

1. DEPARTMENT PROGRAMME PERFORMANCE

 

1. BUDGET ALLOCATION AND EXPENDITURE

The Department had spent R96 859 million in the first quarter and R206 931 million in the second quarter from the allocated budget of R565 706 millionfor 2020/21 financial year. The Department has paid all service providers within 30 days in both two quarters. There were no cases of unauthorised expenditure and irregular expenditure in the first and second quarter. A case of wasteful expenditure paid during September 2020 was identified in the second quarter, with a total value of R 2 500.00 and the matter was being investigated.

In the first quarter2020/2021financial year, the Department achieved 27targets of 30 planned targets. Only 3 targets were not achieved and department provided its reason for the deviation. In the second quarter 2020/2021 financial year, the Department achieved 24targets of its planned targets and only 4 were not achieved.

Allocated Budget and Expenditure: First Quarter

Allocated Budget and Expenditure: Second Quarter

Description	Adjusted Budget	Actual  - 30 September 2020	Unspent	% Spent
	R'000	R'000	R'000	%
Administration	231,703	101,970	129,733	44.0%
Policy Development, Research and Analysis	33,782	13,668	20,114	40.5%
Public Service Employment and Conditions of  Service	56,363	24,059	32,304	42.7%
Government Chief Information Officer	17,895	8,105	9,790	45.3%
Service Delivery Support	49,183	22,755	26,428	46.3%
Governance of Public Service Administration	45,135	19,213	25,922	42.6%
Total	434,061	189,770	244,291	43.7%
Center for Public Service Innovation	34,834	17,161	17,673	49.3%
Total	468,895	206,931	261,964	44.1%

 

1. Programme Performance

The Department have six programme, which are as follows:

 

1. Programme 1: Administration

The main purpose of the programme is to provide strategic leadership, management and support services to the Department, and coordinate the Department’s international relations. The purpose of the programme is to provide policy, coordinated strategic and overall administrative support services to enable the Ministry and the Department to deliver on the mandates.

Programme 1 had five predetermined targets in the first quarter 2020/21 financial year. All targets were achieved. In the second quarter 2020/21 financial year, the Department achieved all six targets.

 

1. Programme 2: Policy Development, Research and Analysis

The main purpose of this programme is to manage and oversee the formulation, development and review of policies, policy reform and transformation programmes. It also manages research on and analysis of public service capacity, performance and reform by conducting productivity, accessibility and continuity studies tracking trends in best practice in public administration discourse in order to enhance access to public services through feasibility and continuity studies.

Programme 2 hadtwo predetermined targets in the first quarter of 2020/21financial year. Of total targets, 1 was achieved and 1 target was not achieved. In the second quarter 2020/21 financial year, the Department had achieved all 2 planned targets.

1. Programme 3: Public Service Employment and Conditions of Service

The purpose of this programme is to develop, implement and monitor human resources policies and functions by managing labour relations negotiations, employee relations, discipline and work environment management. The programme is aimed at designing remuneration and job grading policy frameworks as well as support the implementation of human resource development and planning strategies, systems and practices.

Programme 3 hasseven predetermined targets in the first quarter of 2020/21financial year. Of total targets, 5 was achieved and 2 target was not achieved. In the second quarter 2020/21 financial year, the Department had 6targets, 4 were achieved and 2 targets were not achieved.

 

1. Programme 4: Government’s Chief Information Officer

The purpose of the programme is to promote and manage the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) as a strategic tool in the design and delivery of citizen-centred services within government by coordinating and consolidating Public Service Information Communication Technology policies, strategies, costs, risk assessments, as well as ICT Governance matters. The programme was introduced in order to develop, implement and monitor information communication technology (ICT) policies and norms and standards.

Programme 4 had five predetermined targets in the first quarter 2020/21 financial year. All targets were achieved. In the second quarter 2020/21 financial year, the Department had 5 targets, 4 were achieved and 1 target was not achieved. 

 

1. Programme 5: Service Delivery Support

The purpose of the programme is to manage and facilitate the improvement of service delivery in government by supporting and monitoring Operations Management and Service Delivery Planning. The programme has five sub-programme which are Operations Management, Service Delivery Support Programmes and Service Centres (Thusong), Complaints and Change Management (Batho Pele), Public Participation and Social Dialogue; and Community Development and Citizen Relations.

Programme 5 had four predetermined targets in the first quarter 2020/21 financial year. All targets were achieved. In the second quarter 2020/21 financial year, the Department had 4 targets, 3 were achieved and 1 target was not achieved. 

 

1. Programme 6:Governance and Public Administration

The purpose of this programme is to manage and oversee the development of policies, strategies and programmes on Public Service ethics, integrity and leadership. Furthermore, the programme envisages to ensure intergovernmental relations and macro organization of the State which include organizational design, strategic planning framework as well as monitor government intervention programmes and Human Resource Information System. The programme has five sub-programmes, which are:  Human Resource Management Information Systems, Public Service Leadership Management, Organisational Design and Macro Organisation, Ethics and Integrity Management and International Relations and Government Intervention.

Programme 6 had seven predetermined targets in the first quarter 2020/21 financial year. All targets were achieved. In the second quarter 2020/21 financial year, the Department achieved all five targets.

 

 

1. CENTRE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATION
   1. Policy Priorities

The responsibility for the public sector innovation is vested in the Minister of Public Service and Administration, in terms of section 3(1)(i) of the Public Service Act (1994). The Act mandate the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) to unlock, entrench and nurture the culture of innovation within the public sector for improved performance and productivity.

During the 1st quarter period, the Organisation had one (1) target on the APP, and the target was achieved by the end of June 2020. In the 2nd quarter period, the Organisation had two (2) targets on the APP, and one (1) target was not achieved by the end of September 2020.

The report presents the first and second quarter performance of the CPSI, which is as follows:

 

1. Programmes

1. Programme 1: Administration

The programme provides strategic leadership, overall management of and support to the organisation. There are three sub-programmes under programme 1 which are Strategic Management, Corporate Resource Management and Office of the Chief Financial Officer.

1. Programme 2: Public Sector Innovation

The programme drives service delivery innovation in public sector in line with government priorities. There are three sub-programmes under programme 2, which are Research and Development, Solution Support and Incubation, and Enabling Environment.

 

1. FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS

The Portfolio Committee made the following observations and findings:

1. The Committee notes and welcomedfirst and second quarter performance of 2020/21 financial year for the Department of Public Service and Administration and Centre for Public Service Innovation.

 

1. The Committee encouraged the Department to closely monitor the vacancy rate as it was increasing at an alarming rate. However, the Committee was cognizant of the impact of the departmental budget cuts to fund Covid-19 priorities. The Department was encouraged to fill critical positions where there are funded vacant post needed.

 

1. The Committee applauds the Department of being proactive in managing irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure over the past years and current. The Department has to continue reporting zero cases on the above-mentioned expenditure.

 

1. The Committee was concerned about the inability of government departments to submit reports due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. The Department was encouraged to ensure government departments submit quarterly reports as mandatory.

 

1. The Committee was updated about the salary adjustment for the public servants on the last leg on the implementation of agreement of 2018/19 to 2020/21 financial year. The National Treasury had informed organised labour unions that there’s no money for salary adjustments in 2020/21 financial year. Furthermore, the Department indicated that in December 2020, Labour Union lost a case from the Labour Court to the employer (government). However, Organised Labour Unions filed an application to the Constitutional Court to appeal the verdict of the Labour Court. Therefore, government is still waiting for the Concourt to set up a date and hear arguments on the matter. 

 

1. The Committee was pleased with the drafting of guidelines on conducting lifestyle audits in the public service.The Committee encouraged the Department to expedite this crucial process with the aim of rooting corruption in the public administration.

 

1. The Committee stressed the need for consequence management on the fruitless and wasteful expenditure on the implicated officials in the disciplinary processes.

 

1. The Committee was concerned with the failure of government departments in finalising disciplinary cases within the stipulated period of 90 days.  The Committee advised the Department to name and shame departments unable to finalise disciplinary cases timeously in order toaccount.

 

1. The Committee was concerned about timelines of the Public Administration Management Act and Public Service Act amendments. The Department was urged to prioritise amendments of this legislation without delays.

 

1. The Centre for Public Service Innovation was advised to assist the Departments during the period of Covid 19 and come up with innovations which would assist the Department in providing better service delivery during this period.

 

1. The Committee was concerned with the high rate of vacancies at the CPSI and advised that these vacancies be filled.

 

1. The Committee was pleased about the E-leave Management System from Eastern Cape Province replicated at the CPSI as part assessing possible national-wide roll-out. The Committee views this asan effort towards digitizing government services and encourage the Centre to collaborate with the Department of Public Service and Administration to ensure manual leave application in the public service become a practice of the past.

 

 

5. The Portfolio Committee recommends as follows:

5.1       The House adopts and approve first and second quarterperformance report for 2020/21 financial of the Budget Vote 10 of the Department of Public Service and Administration.

 

Report to be considered