Questions & Replies: Social Development

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Questions and Replies Social Development Minister of Social Development

Questions & Replies: Social Development

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2012-12-30

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Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3352

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 42

3352. Mr E H Eloff (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1535 on 4 July 2012, the working agreements with (a) Canada's Children's Bridge, (b) Ireland's Family Bridge and (c) the Dutch adoption agency NAS (Nederlandse Adoptie Stichting) have been implemented; if not, what is the status, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details, in each case? NW4251E

REPLY:

No, no working agreements have been implemented with (a) Canada's Children's Bridge, (b) Ireland's Family Bridge and (c) the Dutch adoption agency NAS (Nederlandse Adoptie Stichting). The details are as follows:

· There was an agreement between the South African Central Authority and the Canadian Central Authority that there should be one Child Protection Organization in South Africa facilitating adoptions with an adoption agency in Canada.

· There was no working agreement between the South African Central Authority and the Irish Central Authority.

· . The South African Central Authority was not considering any Child Protection Organization in South Africa to facilitate adoptions with another adoption agency in Netherlands.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3350

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 42

3350. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What steps are being taken by her department against the alleged discriminatory policies of the Abba adoption agency? NW4249E

REPLY:

The ABBA Adoption Agency was contacted by the South African Central Authority with regards to the alleged discriminatory policies. It then came to light that ABBA Adoption Agency policy document had indeed a few discriminatory clauses. Following discussions between ABBA Adoption Agency and the South African Central Authority, the latter subsequently refined its policy document, a copy of which was sent to the South African Central Authority. It was then confirmed that all discriminatory clauses had indeed been removed. There was thus no further action taken against the organisation as the policy had been rectified and aligned to the South African Constitution and the Children's Act 2005.

AFM Abba Adoptions

Adoption principles, policy and criteria for inter-country adoptions.

Introduction

This document is an attempt to review and confirm specific adoption principles, policies and norms and standards that are relevant to the inter-country adoptions working agreements. We have also been experiencing an increase in interest from foreigners to adopt from Abba and are currently experiencing a lot of pressure that are being placed by specific lobbying and minority groups from some "receiving countries".

Both Abba adoptions and the South African regulating adoption authorities have evolved to a large extend in recent years and this further necessitates the importance of us continuing to develop our policy position and practical application thereof.

Background

It is important to refer to the fact that until recently South African adoption organizations could set their own policy and criteria with regards to what they believe would be good adoption practice and in line with their own value system, as long as it did not conflict with the law or directly infringed on anybody's rights as prescribed by the SA Constitution.

The Children's Act that came into force during April 2010, gives a clear indication of who qualify to adopt, but there were no supportive policy documents outside the standard norms and standards, that could give specific guidance to organizations in respect of adoption criteria. (Age, marriage, size of family etc.)

Both the South African Central Authority and accredited organizations in this field have however now identified the need to have a set of uniform principles and guidelines that can be used as criteria by organizations working in this field.

This is very important as uniform policy and criteria will protect individual organizations to a large extend, when it comes to applying intake criteria.

A Workshop will be hosted in this respect and the outcome will be send to you the moment that it is available, where after we can align our criteria and policy position.

One very important aspect that will also be deliberated is the practical application of non discriminatory policies in adoption criteria, "of who is eligible to adopt ", in such a way that the best interest of children are still protected and that the essence of adoption remains finding the "most suitable family" for a child and not the other way around.

There are only a few countries in the world that allows adoptions by individuals in same sex relationships. Of those countries the majority are "receiving countries". In view of the changing global trends , where Africa are becoming a focus point in inter-country adoptions , the fact that South Africa are the only "sending country" in Africa that allows same sex adoptions , the country's policy position in respect of this becomes very relevant

Current Reality

In the absence of uniform country policy and or criteria we would like to confirm the following, namely:

According to the South African constitution and Children's Act no practitioner may discriminate against any prospective adoptive parent based on his or her race, religion, cultural orientation, sexual orientation and or financial status.

Although we realize that the spirit of the law is intended to make adoption more accessible for South African parents, it also indirectly applies within the inter-country adoption program, and we can therefore not have discriminatory blanket policies that excludes any prospective applicants purely based on one the abovementioned factors.

On the other hand adoptions are supposed to be a child centered process and the position remains that all future placement possibilities will be assessed within that context.

We realize that you give serious consideration to our preferences and requirements when it comes to the assessment of suitability of applicants and that you have always strived towards finding the best and most suitable applicants that will fit with the value base of this organization, and the many partners and clients that we serve.

Abba has already (post Act implementation) communicated our position that we no longer have any blanket discriminatory intake requirements.

We therefore do not have any blanket discriminatory approaches to our work. Despite this we still have the same value base and preferences within our program but it needs to be balanced with a holistic approach where the best interest of the child will be paramount.

In view of these mentioned challenges, Abba confirms our longstanding position that we see the purpose of inter-country adoptions as follows:

> Protecting fhe best interest of children is our first responsibility. This in the main entails considering inter-country adoptions as an exceptional measure where a specific child's situation necessarily demands it, to ensure permanency to a child deprived of a family environment.

> Finding the most suitable adoptive families for specific legally adoptable vulnerable children that could not find permanent family care in SA.

>The adoption placement should be the least restrictive and most empowering form of alternative care for the children concerned.

> The applicants should be assessed holistically as to their suitability, but it should be kept in mind that their profile should prevent further losses that an adoptive child will experience over his life span.(Loss of family , culture , language , country and therefore gradually becoming ,more and more part of a very small minority group that poses many challenges as the losses accumulates).

>Inter-country adoptions should focus on the needs of children and not the rights of parents. South Africa only places a very limited of number of children for Inter-country adoptions per year. The country has a clear position that National Adoption placements should be promoted and that all efforts should be focused on this aspect. Children can only be considered for inter-country adoptions if there is no suitable permanent form of alternative family care in South Africa.

> The whole intervention system should be of such a nature that we ensure we are finding families for children and not the other way around.

> According to our legislation and minimum norms and standards the child's cultural and religious needs must be taken into consideration throughout the intervention process and the preferences of the birth families should also be taken into consideration, even within the context of an inter-country adoption. (As long as it does not infringe on the best interest principle and or subsidiary requirement.)

Working Agreement-Role division in respect of assessment of suitability

>The recruitment and acceptance of prospective families by the receiving contract partners will be based on the need and specific profile of children as communicated by Abba Adoptions. We will continue to communicate the profile of parent that is needed, based on the profile of adoptable children that can benefit from inter-country adoptions.

> The recruitment and assessment of suitable adoptive parents will be the responsibility of the Abba Partner in the receiving country. We expect from our partner to carry out the responsibility of ensuring that the most suitable adoptive parents for the profile of SA adoptable children will be accepted and processed. We also expect that this process will be managed by you and that only in specific individual and complicated cases the sending country will be approached about the suitability aspect of prospective adoptive parents.

>We further confirm that we will not communicate directly with any prospective applicant from our contract receiving countries about their suitability to adopt from SA. All enquiries will be referred to our partner organizations in those countries.(Unless when it is a SA citizen that habitually resides in the receiving country or when instructed by SACA).

>We emphasize the importance of the neutral position of the accredited inter-country adoption organization that deals with adoptable children within an integrated child protection approach. The organization should not get caught up in the process of assessment of suitable adoptive parents or any rights based issues of such applicants.

Adoption Principles

>AFM Abba Adoption has no blanket policy that may infringe directly or non-directly on following rights:

Rights to equality

Human dignity

Rights of the Child

> All decisions to be made will be based on the principle that the child's best interest is of paramount importance and the assessment of the potential suitable of applicants will also be subject to this principle.

> All applications will be considered from a child centered perspective and consideration will be given to the needs and rights of children rather than the needs and rights of parents.

>Due to the high volume of applicants interested to adopt from South Africa, the already long waiting list for healthy children and the limited number of healthy children becoming available for Inter-country adoption, the following factors should determine the selection and intake of applicants:

The profile of children available for Inter-country adoptions, i.e. age, health condition, emotional needs and legal background. AFM Abba will provide quarterly feedback regarding the profile of parents needed.

The current need is for parents open to adopt older babies and toddlers living with HIV, but have a healthy and quality life, using antiretroviral.

Currently the waiting list for couples adopting healthy babies, have been closed since there are already more parents on the waiting list that the number of children available.

The implementation of new legislation has impacted the timeframe before children are legally available for placement and adoption. The thorough legal adoption process, as well as the efforts to find local parents, leads to children being between 6 and 12 months old before placement.

Preference will be given to applicants that previously adopted from South Africa, as the child will have the privilege to grow up with a sibling sharing the same roofs.

All adoptions are done from a child centered approach, and not the rights of a prospective parent. This means that intakes will be determined on the needs of children and not parents.

Within the context of abovementioned non-discriminative policy, we still confirm that AFM Abba is a Faith based organization, and value adoptive parents that will raise their children within Christian values.

Specific adoption criteria applicable to prospective adoptive parents applying for Inter-country adoption:

1 Stable marriage relationship. In cases where the couple cohabited before marriage they must preferably have cohabited for at least five years and be legally married for one year. The stability of the relationship will be the determining factor and could be discussed.

2. Applicants should be between the age of 25 and 38 when they apply, since this is a long process. The average age between child and parent should be 40 years. This will however be assessed in a holistic way.

3. The age of the adopted child can never exceed the age of any other child(ren) already in the adoptive family, unless a biological sibling of a child become available for adoption

4. Preference will be given to childless first-time applicants and second adoption applicants. Applicants open to adopt children with serious special needs, will be prioritized as this is the profile of children awaiting families.

5. Preference will be given to South African born adoptive parents, and their applications will be processed as a priority.

6. Applicants must be healthy, physically and mentally with no progressive terminally chronic illness or serious disabilities.

7. Applicants must have clear criminal records all should also be cleared from any sexual offences as required by SA legislation.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3347

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 42

3347. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1538 on 12 July 2012, she will provide a full copy of the specified policy to Mrs H Lamoela; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW4245E

REPLY:

Yes, the department will provide a copy of the of the policy document on the Inter-country Adoption Working Agreement to Mrs H Lamoela once it is finalised. The department is currently engaged in a process of finalising the document inter-country Adoption Working Agreement following consultation with various stakeholders in the adoption fraternity. Finalisation of the policy document is thus earmarked for the end of March 2012.

DRAFT DOCUMENT ON INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION WORKING AGREEMENT

INTRODUCTION

Inter-country adoption is a practice which is governed by The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Inter-country Adoption. This convention w2s entered into and signed by several countries on 29 May 1993.

The Convention emphasizes the principle of cooperation between contracting states to the Convention to work together to ensure the protection of children. It stresses the importance of enhancing cooperation and exchange of information between Central Authorities, public authorities, accredited bodies and persons under Article 22(2) of the Convention, notably with a view to promoting good practice and to ensure that illegal and unethical procedures prior to the adoption of a child, be effectively and systematically combated. The responsibility to engage in cooperation falls directly on the Central Authority (CA) of each country. This responsibility cannot be delegated to accredited bodies or other Authorities.

South Africa will also maintain inter-country adoption cooperation with countries that are not party to the Hague Convention to ensure the care and protection of children.

Section 260 of the Children's Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005) provides that a child protection organisation accredited in terms of section 259 to provide inter-country adoption services may enter into an adoption working agreement with an accredited adoption agency in another country and the agreement must be approved by the Central Authority.

Working agreements with foreign countries should be entered into by the Authorities of both countries before the child protection organisation can close agreements at operational level. The child protection organisations must first be accredited and authorized by the respective Central Authorities to facilitate inter-country adoption according to the said stipulated criteria.

DEFINITION

An adoption working agreement is a written agreement entered into by a child protection organization accredited in the Republic of South Africa with an equivalent organization in another country, in order to facilitate inter-country adoption between the Republic of South Africa and another country.

BACKGROUND

Inter-country adoptions became a reality in South Africa in the year 2000. in terms of section 1 B(4) (f) of the Child Care Act, 1983 (Act No 74 of 2983), (hereinafter referred to as "the current Act"), non South African citizens who were not resident in the country could not adopt South African born children. During May 2000, however, this section of the current Act was found to be unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court and deleted in its entirety. This opened up the practice of inter-country adoptions of South African born children.

In South Africa adoptions are regulated in terms of Chapter 4 of the current Act. This Chapter, however, was not developed to include the option of inter-country adoption. The South African Law Commission reviewed the current Act and compiled a Chapter to be included in the new Children's Act, and strongly recommended that South Africa become a member of the Hague Convention of 1993, the Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Inter-country Adoption.

Interest from foreign countries was overwhelming and many foreigners wanted to adopt South African children. For the Department to monitor and control all adoptions taking place between South Africa and foreign countries; South Africa acceded to The Hague Convention on 1 December 2003 and the Department of Social Development took on the responsibility of the Central Authority. Working agreements were established between some local child protection organisations and private practitioners with accredited adoption organisations in the following countries: Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Austria, India, Luxembourg and Canada.

PURPOSE OF AN ADOPTION WORKING AGREEMENT

South Africa has many children in need of permanent homes. Due to insufficient prospective adoptive parents coming forward to adopt them, some are being adopted internationally. Such inter-country adoptions should be facilitated by the Central /Competent Authorities and accredited organisations from South Africa and other foreign countries. The working agreements between the two organisations must be in place to ensure:

that all inter-country adoptions are in the best interest of a child

that suitable homes in other countries for children who cannot be placed locally are found

the prevention of pre-identification of children and privately arranged adoptions by prospective adoptive parents and unaccredited persons or organisations from a foreign country without the involvement of the Central/Competent Authority and accredited child protection organisation

prevention of abduction or trafficking in children

that all inter-country adoptions are agreed upon by both countries and adhere to the requirements of The Hague Convention and the adoption laws of both countries

that the receiving country meets the needs of the adoptable children from the sending country

that after care services and support are provided to the adoptive families by the organisations involved

adherence to the subsidiarity principle by exploring all avenues to place children within the country of origin before considering inter-country adoption

prevention of improper financial gain or other gain in connection with inter-country adoption and

that working agreements with foreign organisations and child protection organisation are fairly balanced.

PRINCIPLES TO BE ADHERED TO BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES COOPERATING WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

The following principles must be adhered to by foreign countries cooperating with South Africa in respect of inter-country adoption:

the child's light to a family;

respect for child's cultural and community diversity;

the subsidiarity principle;

transparency of the adoption process;

accountability of individuals and organisations involved in the adoption process;

ethical rules;

effective management and professional integrity

the non profit objective

competency

monitoring and evaluation of the pre and post adoption services and

the child's right to his or her own history and origin

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION WORKING AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES

Adoption working agreements must be formalized and agreed upon by the Central Authorities in both countries. The working agreement must be in writing, dated and signed by an authorized representative of the Central Authority of the respective countries.

Child protection organisations of both countries should be formally accredited and authorized to facilitate inter-country adoptions.

The child protection organisations must also enter into their own written working agreements based on tile adoptability of a child, screenin3 2nd admission policy for prospective adoptive parents, fee structure, matching, placement of children and post adoption services to adoptive families.

The following documents are required from both Hague and non-Hague countries when entering into an adoption working agreement:

a copy of its accreditation process

accreditation and authorization of the child protection organisation

the adoption legislation or policy of that country.

procedure that is being followed for inter-country adoption in that country.

the coordinating body or authority within the country e.g. if the country has several authorities or states.

the names of other countries that the country is cooperating with.

The Central Authority of South Africa will not enter into an adoption working agreement with a foreign country that supports any of the following:

individuals approved by their government or Central/Competent Authority, as suitable adoptive parents visiting Child and Youth Care Centres to find adoptable children;

Pre- identification of children in Child and Youth Care Centres

interest in adopting children from all countries.

institutional instability e.g. institutions that are not credible

corruption, child trafficking, and abduction

inconsistency of ethical standards.

advertisement of adoptable children on the internet

discrimination of children

privately arranged adoption by unauthorized individuals and organisations

making business out of inter-country adoption and

inter-country adoption to and from countries experiencing crises such as war, natural disaster, economic and political instability

PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED WHEN ENTERING INTO AN ADOPTION WORKING AGREEMENT

The following process must be followed when entering into an adoption working agreement with another country:

the South African Central Authority (SACA) must establish credibility, of the foreign country

SACA may initiate contact with the Central/Competent Authority of another country

SACA must investigate and enquire about the authenticity and quality of the organisation

SACA must identity and inform an accredited child protection organisation in South Africa of the outcome of contact with foreign country and provide them the opportunity to make an application for authorization to work with the identified organisation in that country

the identified child protection organisation in South Africa must complete an application form requesting a working agreement with the relevant organisation of the foreign country

the completed application form must be forwarded to SACA together with the attachments required on the application form

in return the Central1 Competent Authority of the foreign country must forward the profile of its accredited child protection organisation to SACA

the working agreements between the two child protection organisations must be based on the adoption working agreement that was entered into between the Central Authorities of respective countries

proposed working agreement of the respective child protection organisations must be submitted to the Central/Competent Authorities of both countries for approval

a panel to approve working agreements between organisations must be established comprising of five members from the following Directorates; Adoptions and ISS: Child Protection, policy, legislation; Monitoring and Evaluation and Social Service Provider Management and Support.

if the foreign child protection organisation meets the requirements of the South African Central Authority, the Central Authority may authorize the working agreement and working relationship with the foreign child protection organisation

a license to work with the foreign child protection organisation which is subject to renewal will be issued to the child protection organisation for five year period (see annexure 'A')

South African Central Authority has the right to terminate working agreements between South African Child Protection Organisation and foreign country's Child Protection Organisation by way of written notice based on, inter alia, breach of the working agreement, corruption: non compliance to the principles mentioned, relevant legislation of both countries and The Hague Convention

if a working agreement of a child protection organisation is terminated, interim arrangements must be made between the Central/Competent Authorities of the respective countries to deal with pending cases and

all working agreements must be monitored by the Central1 Competent Authority to ensure compliance

CONCLUSION

Any foreign country interested to enter into cooperation with South Africa should comply with the above.

ADOPTION WORKING AGREEMENT APPLICATION FORM

A. PARTICULARS OF CHILD PROTECTION ORGANISATION (RSA):

Name of organisation

Physical Address

Postal Address

Telephone Number (s)

Code

Fax Number (s)

Code

E-mail Address

Non-Profit Organisation Number

Duties

Date of Accreditation

Accreditation Number

Accreditation Period

5. PARTICULARS OF WELFARE ORGANISATION (FOREIGN COUNTRY)

Name of organisation

Physical Address

Postal Address

Telephone Number (s)

Code

Fax Number (s)

Code

E-mail Address

Non-Profit Organisation Number

Duties

Date of Accreditation

Accreditation Number

Accreditation Period

Signature of applicant:

Position in the organisation:

Date:

The following documents of both organisations should be attached:

Organisation's profile

Proof of registration as Non Profit Organisation

Accreditation1 Authorization certificate

Adoption legislation/policy

Draft adoption working agreement

Fee structure

FOR DSD OFFICE USE ONLY

Name of organisation

Received by

Date received

Evaluated by

Date Evaluated

Comments

WORKING AGREEMENT

SOUTH AFRICAN CENTRAL AUTHORITY

The parties to this agreement hereby agree to the principles and procedures as set out in this document to be followed in co-operation in the field of inter-country adoptions.

All inter-country adoptions facilitated by the South African Central Authority are done within the frame of working agreements between specific Central Authorities as prescribed by the Hague Convention.

The South African Central Authority upholds ethical principles as set down in:

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Hague Convention on The Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Inter-country Adoption.

African Charter on the Rights of the child.

Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. U N protocol to prevent trafficking in persons

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act,1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996) Child Care Act, 1983 (Act No. 74 of 1983)

Children's Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 Of 2005) and the Children's Amendment Act of 2007

Criminal Procedure Act, 1951 (Act No. 77 of 1951

Social Services Profession Act, 1978 (Act No. 110 of 1978)

Births and Death Registration Act,1997 (Act No. 67 of 1997)

Article 21 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children states:

"The primary aim of adoption is to provide the child who cannot be cared for by his/her own parents, with a permanent family. If that child cannot be placed in a foster or adoptive family and cannot in any suitable manner, be cared for in the country of origin, inter-country adoption may be considered as an alternative means of child care."

The South African Central Authority and the specific Central Authorities should co-operate in order to find homes for South African children in need of suitable families that cannot be found within South Africa and vice versa.

The South African Central Authority is situated in the National Department of Social Development and serves as the authority to acknowledge and authorize organizations and procedures for Inter-country adoptions. South Africa has acceded to the Hague Convention during the year 2003.

ROLES OF THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY

The Central Authority will develop policy, procedures; standards and guidelines for the adoption process.

The CA will accredit, control and review child protection organizations to provide inter-country adoption services.

Accreditation shall only be granted to and maintain by bodies, demonstrating their competence to carry out properly their tasks with which they may be entrusted

The Central Authority may approve adoption working agreements as long as the prescribed requirements are met.

Collect; preserve and exchange information about the situation of the child and the prospective adoptive parents, where it is necessary to complete the adoption.

Promote the development of adoption counseling and post adoption services in South Africa

Provide each other with general evaluation reports about experience with inter-country adoption

The Central Authority will ensure that all possible avenues were explored to place the child locally before considering inter-country adoption

Monitor and evaluate working agreements between child protection organizations and accredited adoption organizations in foreign countries.

The SACA will issue the Section 17 consent for a child to be adopted through an inter-country adoption as prescribed in the Convention

The SACA will issue Section 27 Certificate of Conformity as prescribed in the Convention

SACA will closely supervise; keep record and statistics of every inter-country adoption

Specific adoption procedures for co-operation between South African Central Authority and foreign contract partner.

1. The South African Central Authority receives the home study, letter, profile and other translated official documentation of the prospective family from the contract Central Authority.

Prospective adoptive parents are subject to an investigation concerning their suitability to adopt. The relevant authorities must have ensured that thorough adoption preparation and screening programs have been made. The Central Authorities must also ensure that the prospective adoptive parents receive adequate preparation for inter country adoption according to the ethical rules stated in the Hague Convention.

The South African Central Authority acknowledges its responsibility towards the child to be adopted as well as towards the child in his/her country of origin concerning the prospective adoptive parents and their suitability to care for an adopted child.

The home study will include information about prospective adoptive parent's identity, eligibility and suitability to adopt, background, family and medical history, social environment, reasons for adoption, ability to undertake an inter country adoption, as well as the characteristics of the children for whom they would be qualified to care.

The following authentic documentation must be attached to every home study:

Certified copies of passports

Police Clearance.

Proof of official translation.

Medical Certificates.

Section 17 Apostil led.

Profile.

Certificate of employment.

Extract from the population Register.

Organization after care commitment.

2. Follow-up and after care:

The South African Central Authority will requires progress reports from the relevant authority during the first five years after the finalization of the adoption. Time frame: year one -four months after the placement and there after annually until the five year period lapses.

This agreement can be changed through the agreement of the parties.

SOUTH AFRICAN CENTRAL AUTHORITY

DATE:

FOREIGN CENTRAL AUTHQRITY

DATE:

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION NO. 3342

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 November 2012

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 42)

Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

Whether the Medicine Control Council (MCC) of his department has submitted its report to the Central Drug Authority (CDA) for the 2011-12 annual report; if not, (a) why not and (b) what are the reasons for the MCC's failure to attend the meetings of the CDA Board in the 2011-12 financial year; if so, (i) when was the report submitted and (ii) what are the further relevant details?

NW4239E

REPLY:

The Medicines Control Council (MCC) did not submit a report to the Central Drug Authority (CDA) for the 2011-12 annual report. A report of activities during 2011-12 is attached.

(a) This was an oversight on the part of the MCC;

(b) Representatives of the MCC attended the meetings of the CDA Board on 20 September 2011 and 27 July 2012. An apology was tendered for the meeting held on 27 September 2012.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3341

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 42

3341. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether she has been informed that the website of a certain adoption agency (details furnished), which is the new United States-South Africa adoption programme between Spence-Chapin of New York and the Johannesburg Child Welfare, states that (a) applicants must (i) have been married for at least three years and (b) all applicants, including (i) single women and (ii) heterosexual persons, must be younger than 48 at the time of the application; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps does she intend to take in this regard;

(2) Whether she was informed of these requirements before approving the agreement; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW4238E

REPLY:

(1) No, I have not been informed that the Spence-Chapin adoption agency states that (a) applicants must (i) have been married for at least three years and (b) all applicants, including (i) single women and (ii) heterosexual persons, must be younger than 48 at the time of the application.. The department does not prescribe the criteria to other authorities with regard to their policies or legislation.

(2) No, I was not informed of these requirements before approving the agreement. However, when an agreement is signed between the department and an adoption agency, broad areas of collaboration are outlined.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3335

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 42

3335. Mr E H Eloff (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department has expressed its unwillingness through (a) correspondence and (b) any other means to work with the adoption authorities of (i) Ireland, (ii) the United Kingdom, (iii) Canada and (iv) the Netherlands at any stage; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;

(2) whether she will provide Mr E H Eloff with copies of correspondence in this regard; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the further relevant details? NW4230E

REPLY:

(1) No, the department has never expressed its unwillingness through (a) correspondence and (b) any other means to work with the adoption authorities of (i) Ireland, (ii) the United Kingdom, (iii) Canada and (iv) the Netherlands at any stage. The details are as follows:

· The South African Central Authority forwarded working agreement documents to Irish Central Authority on 22/06/2012 for their consideration and is still awaiting their response.

· There is a working agreement between South African Central Authority and the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man Central Authorities signed on 12/08/2011 and 5/08/2011, respectively.

· There is a working agreement between South African Central Authority and Canadian Central Authority signed on 3/04/2012 and 23/03/2012, respectively

· There is a working agreement between South African Central Authority and Netherlands signed on 17/07/2012 and 3/09/2012, respectively.

(2) Yes, the Minister of Social Development will provide Mr E H Eloff with the copies of working agreements of the above mentioned correspondence. (a) The working agreement documents are attached hereto.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3333

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 42

3333. Mr E H Eloff (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2049 on 9 October 2012, she has been informed of the response of her department's Director of Adoptions and International Social Services (Adoptions and ISS) in respect of the (a) 2009 Canadian and (b) 2010 Ireland Working Agreements; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) what are the details of the (a) advice that the Director of Adoptions and ISS received from her department's legal department and (b) authorisation that the Chief Director: Children gave to the Director: Adoptions and ISS;

(3) whether she will make a statement on the matter? NW4228E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, I have been informed of the response of the department's Director of Adoptions and International Social Services (Adoptions and ISS) in respect of the (a) 2009 Canadian and (b) 2010 Ireland Working Agreements.

The Director: Adoptions and ISS had a meeting with the Minister of Social Development and discussed the issues of Inter-country working agreements.

(2) (a) No advice was received from the department's legal service by the Director of Adoption and ISS. (b). No authorization was given by the Chief Director: Children to the Director; adoptions and ISS.

(3) I will not be making any further statement on the matter.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3307

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 42

3307. Ms S K Plaatjie (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether she has made an assessment of the implications for her department of the Census 2011 statistics which indicated that the number of vulnerable and orphaned children will increase in the next 10 years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW4195E

REPLY:

Yes, the department has made an assessment and noted the outcome of the Census 2011 regarding the number of orphans and vulnerable children.

There are currently mechanisms within the Department which are geared towards addressing the plight of orphans and vulnerable children.

The department has identified a community based model, namely Isibindi Model, which has been developed and tested by the National Association of Child and Youth Care Workers (NACCW) for rollout in all communities in South Africa. This Model is expected to capacitate Child and Youth Care Workers and increase capacity within Home Community Based Care (HCBC) throughout provinces.

The Isibindi model deploys trained community-based child and youth care workers in communities in an innovative team outreach program providing developmental support to vulnerable children and families. The model has been identified and proven as a mechanism that successfully addresses the needs of orphans and vulnerable children through the appointment of child and youth care workers who provide direct support to children in their homes, at community level through safe parks and life skills programmes.

It is seen as a cost-effective model operating accountably at prevention and early intervention levels of the child and youth care system in partnership with a range of inter-sectoral role players. The model's overall goal is to create safe and caring communities for vulnerable children, and youth at risk through a developmental child and youth care work response. Isibindi practitioners provide psychosocial support, particularly targeting rural communities, orphans and child-headed households.

In order, to reach more children the model will be up-scaled through the training and employment of 10 000 child and youth care workers and the increase of sites where services will be rendered. The rollout will be phased in, over a period of 3-5 years.

There are Home Community Based Care (HCBC) organizations, funded by Department of Social Development which render services to orphans and other vulnerable children. Services rendered include home visits, providing material and psycho-social support, doing preventative work and facilitating support groups. These services are provided by deployed community caregivers, who are either volunteers or in receipt of stipends.

Children are assisted with school uniforms, provision of cooked meals, homework supervision, health care, counselling and referrals for foster care placements. Child care forums are sub-projects of the HCBCs, where community caregivers go from door to door, identifying orphans and other vulnerable children, ensuring that they have birth certificates, have foster parents, are attending school, are in receipt of their entitled social grants and are up to date with immunization.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3299

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 42

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

Whether her department will consider the policy suggestions made at the South African Institute of Race Relations seminar into

the state of South African families and youth in order to find solutions for the causes for and effects of family breakdown; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW4185E

REPLY:

Yes, the White Paper has already taken into consideration the policy suggestions made at the South African Institute for Race Relations Seminar. The Iatter has also subsequently submitted its inputs on the draft White Paper on Families for consideration by the department and is represented in the Inter-sectoral task team, constituted to provide technical assistance and guidance in finalising the drafting of the White paper on Families.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3220

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 16 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 41

3220. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether there are any plans to decriminalise any illegal substances; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which substances and (b) when? NW4108E

REPLY:

No, there are no plans to decriminalise any illegal substances because they are dangerous to the social, economic and psychological functioning of the users.

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3216

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 16 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 41

3216. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to the National Development Agency annual report for 2011-12, (a) which line items has the Auditor-General agreed to move from mandated expenses to administration expenses and vice versa and (b) what are the relevant details? NW4104E

REPLY:

(a) The Auditor-General has not agreed to move any mandated expenses to administration expenses; and neither has the National Development Agency (NDA) proposed to do so.

(b) The NDA proposed instead to reclassify the salary costs of the Development Managers who work in our provincial offices from the current financial year onwards. This reclassification was moving these salary costs from the administration to the mandate expense category. This was necessitated by the fact that they spent most their working time supporting projects directly; hence their salaries had to be reclassified in-order to best align with good accounting practices.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3209

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 16 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 41

3209. Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What are the reasons for the decision to reject the application by a certain person (name and details furnished) for a disability pension and the appeal against this decision despite a neurosurgeon having clearly pointed out that this person is not medically fit to work? NW4096E

REPLY:

In terms of Regulation 3(b) of the Regulations relating to the application for and payment of Social Assistance and the requirements or conditions in respect of eligibility for Social Assistance which were promulgated on the 22 August 2008, eligibility for a Disability Grant is guided and informed, in part, by the outcome of a disability assessment conducted by a medical officer.

In conducting this assessment and prior to providing a recommendation regarding disablement, the medical officer considers the following:

· The applicant's clinical information as contained in the medical referral letter that is completed by his/her own clinician.

· All clinical records, including investigative reports, submitted by the applicant that not only support the application but also verify the applicant's diagnosis.

· The outcome of a clinical examination conducted by the medical officer to confirm the existence, nature and severity of the medical impairment and the impact it has on the applicant's ability to work.

· Compliance with other Social Assistance Regulatory requirements, which include the applicant's compliance with prescribed treatment

The existence of a permanent impairment (e.g. Diabetes Mellitus, Arthritis, etc) does not in itself imply that an applicant would automatically qualify for a Disability Grant. It is rather the severity and complications of the verified impairment, including their impact on ability to work that are of importance in determining disablement.

Mr Abraham Carel Greyling (ID: 540413 5057 080) did apply for a Disability Grant with his last unsuccessful application being on the 26 July 2011.

The reasons for the unsuccessful application, based on Mr Greyling's medical condition, were provided to him. Mr Greyling applied to SASSA for a Reconsideration of the unfavourable decision as provided for in section 18(1) of the Social Assistance Act of 2004, as amended. The Reconsideration application was dismissed by SASSA on the 28 July 2011.

Following an appeal lodged with the Minister of Social Development, SASSA submitted all Reconsideration documentation regarding Mr Greyling's application to the Independent Tribunal for them to adjudicate the matter.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3205

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 16 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 41

3205. Ms H N Makhuba (IFP) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What are the details of plans that her department has put in place to assist (a) nongovernmental organisations and (b) nonprofit organisations? NW4065E

REPLY:

The department of Social Development has the following detailed plan in place to assist (a) nongovernmental organizations and (b) nonprofit organizations:

· Full and effective implementation of the Policy on Financial Awards to Service Providers;

Non-governmental organizations and non-profit organizations are same types of organizations. The department has initiated policy and legislative development and reviews to provide nongovernmental organizations and nonprofit organizations with an enabling environment within which to operate. The Policy on Financial Awards to Service Providers (PFA) which is a funding policy, and the related Administrative Tools have been reviewed to accommodate the views of NPOs, to define the partnership between the department and the nonprofit organization (NPO) sector and to embrace and accommodate new and engaging NPOs to enable the department to reach out to the most underserviced areas of the country.

The aim of the Policy on Financial Awards to Service Providers is to provide guidance to the department's response on the financing of service providers (nongovernmental organizations (NGO's)). In support of this policy and to ensure its effective implementation, the department has developed NPO Financing Guidelines. The department intends to roll out the PFA Implementation plan in all provinces to ensure its effectiveness. The plan entails the following elements:

· Development of the Funding Model for the NPOs

The Department is developing a Funding Model for the NPOs which will be consulted on with the National Treasury.

· Strengthening of networks to represent the sector

The department has facilitated the establishment of a National NPO Forum in order to develop a collective approach to critical issues impacting on the smooth function of NPO sector.

· Capacity building of emerging organisations

The department and the National Development Agency (NDA) continue to work closely together on the provision of support and capacity building of NPOs especially the emerging ones that operate in the previously disadvantaged areas.

· Ensuring timeous disbursement of funding to NPOs

The department has developed and implemented funding guidelines as a way of ensuring timeous disbursement of funding to NPOs at both National and Provincial levels towards improved service delivery.

· Development /enhancement of a Monitoring and Evaluation system

The department is developing a Monitoring and Evaluation System which will be beneficial to both the department and the NPO sector in ensuring compliance to the policy, guidelines and related legislative frameworks in the delivery of services i.e. the Norms and Standards for Social welfare services delivery and the Social Welfare Framework.

· Implementation of NPO Summit Declaration

The declaration of the NPO national summit will be implemented in order to ensure continuous participation and engagement with the NPO sector where the Minister will be advised on social ills and challenges facing the NPO sector.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3161

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 09 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 39

3161. Mr. M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether any senior management positions within her department are vacant; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which positions are vacant and (b) for which period has each post been vacant? NW3999E

REPLY:

Yes, there are senior management positions vacant within the Department.

In terms of (a) and (b), an annexure is attached that sets out the particulars of the positions which are vacant as well as the period.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3103

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 02 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 38

3103. Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department is currently subscribed to The New Age (TNA) newspaper; if so, (a) how many subscriptions does her department have, (b) when was each subscription initiated, (c) what has been the annual subscription fee for each specified subscription since it was initiated and (d) what is the exact purpose of each subscription;

(2) Whether a discount was negotiated for any of the specified subscriptions; if so, (a) for which specified subscriptions and (b) what discount in each case;

(3) whether her department has mass-purchased the TNA on an ad hoc basis since the inception of the newspaper; if so, (a) on what dates, (b) how many copies in each case and (c) why were the papers purchased in each case;

(4) whether (a) the publishers of the TNA and (b) any other entity donated copies of the paper to (i) her department and (ii) any entity reporting to her; if so, in each case, (aa) which entity donated the papers, (bb) to which entity were they donated and (cc) how many copies were donated? NW3932E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, the Department is currently subscribed to The New Age (TNA) Newspaper through F& J Distributors.

(a) The Department subscribed to eight (8) copies of the New Age.

(b) All subscriptions were initiated from 1st January 2012.

(d) The newspapers are comprehensive resource for up to date and information on local and international news reflecting current news, opinions, experiences and performances of government and other related stakeholders.

(2) No discount was negotiated for all the subscriptions.

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable

(3) No, The department has never mass purchased TNA newspapers on an ad hoc basis.

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable

(4) (aa) Yes, the Publishers of The New Age has donated copies of the newspaper in the

Department.

(bb) The Department of Social Development

(cc) Five hundred (500) copies, only for one (1) month of February 2012 for

promotional activities.

?G p `??ss=NoSpacing style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>· The Mail and Guardian: 19 subscriptions, at an annual cost of R9099,82.

· The New Age: 15 subscriptions, with an annual cost of R6491,15.

· Trade publications (the Farmers Weekly and Engineering News): 12 subscriptions, with an annual cost of R3435,55.

(2) No

(3) No

(4) No

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 3029

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 02 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 38

3029. Mr. M Waters (DA) to askthe Minister of Social Development:

REPLY:

The following cumulative numbers of disability grants for children, better known as Care Dependency Grants, were awarded during the financial years in question as indicated hereunder:

Period

Number of Care Dependent Children

2009-10

110,731

2010-11

112,185

2011-12

114,993

Even though the cause of disablement is documented on the medical assessment reports, the SASSA's social pensions (SOCPEN) system does not provide fields for the capturing of medical diagnosis. Furthermore, the stigma associated with some medical conditions and the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality prevents the Agency from capturing medical diagnosis onto the SOCPEN system.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 3028

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 02 November 2012

Internal question paper no: 38

3028. Mr. M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What are the minimum norms and standards at child and youth care facilities? NW3722E

REPLY:

The Department of Social Development has developed Norms, Standards and Practice Guidelines for the Children's Act. The attached are the Norms and Standards for Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs).

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 2997

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 26 October 2012

Internal question paper no: 36

2997. Mr N J van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether the accounting officer submitted the annual financial statements for the financial year ending 31 March 2012 to her by 31 August 2012; if not, (a) why not and (b) on what date (i) were the statements submitted to her and (ii) did she submit the annual report and financial statements to Parliament? NW3763E

REPLY:

Yes, the annual financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2012 were submitted to the Minister in the form of the Department's Annual report 2011/2012

(a) not applicable

(b)(i) the report, including the annual financial statements was submitted on 31 August 2012

(b)(ii) Yes, the Annual Report, which includes the Annual Financial statements, was submitted to Parliament when the report was tabled on 28 September 2012.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 2993

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 26 October 2012

Internal question paper no: 36

2993. Mrs. P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her department's 2011-12 annual report, when is it envisaged that the (a) integration with the Social Development Information Management System (SDIMS) and (b) provincial capacity will be completed? NW3759E

REPLY:

(a) A service provider will be appointed before the end of the financial year 2013-2014 who will be contracted to integrate the Social Development Information System eight (8) provincial silo applications into an Enterprise Social Development Management System (SDIMS)

(b) Provinces will be capacitating in the capturing of information to the Child Adoption Registration System and this will depend on the state of readiness of each province.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2990

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 26 October 2012

Internal question paper no: 36

2990. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) What are the relevant details of the transaction in which more than R1 billion was deposited by the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) into the account of an unnamed woman (details furnished) and (b) who (i) processed and (ii) authorised the transaction;

(2) (a)(i) how many erroneous transactions have occurred since the agency's inception and (ii) what steps have been taken in each instance against the responsible officials and (b) how many of these transactions have been detected by her department;

(3) Whether any measures have been put in place to detect erroneous transactions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3756E

REPLY:

(1) (a) The large (incorrect) balance printed on the ATM slip was due to a software error. This error could only occur when a beneficiary's account became negative due to: -Fees levied through the National Payment System (NPS)

Software errors which exist in a number of bank/retailer switches

(b)(i) Neither the Agency nor Cash Paymaster Services Pty (Ltd) (CPS) processed this transaction. This error could only become apparent when performing a balance enquiry transaction. It must be made clear that actual account balances were never affected and therefore no fraud or extra cash could have been dispensed or utilised by the account holder. It was only the information on the printed ATM slip that was incorrect.

(b)(ii) This transaction was not authorised either by the Agency or by Cash Paymaster Services Pty (Ltd) (CPS)

(2) (a)(i) No erroneous transactions had occurred and (ii) No steps could be instituted as SASSA officials are not responsible for the transfer of funds into beneficiary's accounts and

(b) No such transactions were detected.

(3) Yes there are measures in place to detect all transactions; Funds for the payment of social grants are transferred electronically to Cash Paymaster Services Pty (Ltd) (CPS). CPS is responsible for transferring funds into the beneficiary's bank accounts. Should an error occur, it will be detected on the reconciliation file and the pay contractor will assume full liability for any overpayment.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2973

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 26 October 2012

Internal question paper no: 36

2973. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

How many beds are available for (a) state and (b) private patients in rehabilitation facilities reporting to her in each specified province? NW3737E

REPLY:

There are 725 beds available for state and 2110 beds available for private patients in rehabilitation facilities reporting to Minister of Social Development.

The table below indicates the availability of beds both for state and private facilities reporting to me in each specific province.

Province

(a) Beds at state treatment centres

(b) Beds at private treatment centres

Gauteng

281

688

KwaZulu-Natal

240

467

Eastern Cape

Nil

166

Free State

Nil

North West

Limpopo

Nil

Northern Cape

Nil

185

Western Cape

130

434

Mpumalanga

TOTAL

725

2110

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2932

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 26 October 2012

Internal question paper no: 36

2932. Mr. M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any person has been appointed in response to the advertisement for a General Manager: Fraud and Compliance for the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what is the (a) name and (b) qualification of the successful candidate;

(2) whether the above candidate is stationed at the SASSA head office in Pretoria as stipulated in the advertisement; if not, (a) who took the decision that the successful candidate did not have to work from Pretoria, (b) where is the candidate situated and (c) how does he/she manage the unit while being situated elsewhere; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether the successful candidate has flown from his/her home base to Pretoria since being appointed; if so, (a) on which dates and (b) what was the cost to SASSA for (i) flights, (ii) transport, (iii) accommodation and (iv) any other specified expenses in each case;

(4) whether the successful candidate has (a) security and (b) chauffeur services; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) why and (ii) what is the cost to SASSA ? NW3492E

REPLY:

(1) Yes

(a) Ms. Renay Ogle

(b) Qualification of the Successful candidate: Matric and Certificate in Management.

Ms. Ogle has more than 10 years in forensic auditing at senior management level. She held numerous high level positions in government including among others Head of Forensic Investigative Unit in the Western Cape Province; Deputy Provincial Commissioner SAPS; Director Forensic Audit. The qualification meets the basic requirements of the job advertised.

(2) Yes

(a) The Candidate's official base is in Pretoria and she is responsible for Fraud and Compliance management across the country.

(b) In May 2012, when Ms. Ogle joined SASSA, the organisation was involved in the investigation of large amounts most of which were in the Western Cape. At that time, SASSA had limited capacity in the Western Cape, with no manager for fraud management. Due to operational reasons, she was requested to operate from both the Western Cape and Pretoria to enable her to fast-track the investigations in the Western Cape while fulfilling her other management responsibilities.

(c) The Fraud and Compliance functions cut across all the regions. Ms. Ogle's management responsibility is not only limited to the Head Office, she also manages staff placed in all regional offices. She can operate from any region, depending on the complexity of the investigations and numbers involved. Management Meetings for Fraud and Compliance are held mostly in Pretoria.

(3) Yes

(a) And (b) are summarized on the table below

Date

Flights

Accommodation

Other

(e.g. Shuttle)

Total Cost

27/07 -

Cape Town

3,180.00

31/07 -

George CPT

2,500.00

03/08 -

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,156.00

1,200.00

7,356.00

07/08 -

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,156.00

600.00

6,756.00

22/08 -

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,150.00

29/08-

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,166.00

1,200.00

7,366.00

03/09 -

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,188.00

07/09 -

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,186.00

12-14/09-

CPT - DNB-CPT

6,642.00

3,082.12

9,724.12

19 - 21/09 -

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,170.00

1,600.00

7,770.00

24-25/09 -

CPT - DNB -CPT

6,629.97

1,600.00

8,229.97

26/09 -

CPT - KIM - CPT

5,212.00

27 - 28/09 -

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,174.00

2,052.01

8,226.01

04/10 -

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,182.00

09/10 -

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,182.00

11/10 -

CPT - DNB -CPT

6,638.00

12/10 -

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,113.00

17 -18/10 -

CPT - ORT -CPT

6,298.00

1,500.00

7,798.00

104,922.97

9,834.13

3,000.00

117,757.10

(4) Yes

(a) Ms. Ogle had access to protection service which is mainly used when she travels to areas of high risk investigation.

(b) No

i. Ms. Ogle is involved in high risk investigation of syndicates of a nature that evidenced an organized attack by fraudsters on the social grant system, which have been defrauding the social assistance programme for years. She has received a number of threats.

ii. No payment has yet been made in relation to these services.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2896

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 19 October 2012

Internal question paper no: 34

2896. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2336 on 3 October 32012, she will authorise an investigation into why it took two days to report the disappearance of the missing children to the police; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3572E

REPLY:

The Minister of Social Development investigated the circumstances around the death of the children in question. The following is a sequential report on events from the time the Mantadi Child and Youth Centre discovered that the children were missing:

· 15 August 2012 (Wednesday), the children were dropped off at school by a private transport operator.

· 15 August 2012, children went to their family home and were allegedly sent back to the Centre unaccompanied.

· 15 August 2012, the care giver established that the children did not return from school and were not present in the Centre during supper time.

· 15 August 2012, the care giver informed the Centre Manager that the children had not returned from school and were not present in the Centre.

· 16 August 2012 (Thursday), the Centre Manager informed the designated social worker that the children were not in the Centre.

· 16 August 2012, the designated social worker went to look for the children at the family home and other places that the children are frequently spotted.

· 17 August 2012. (Friday), the designated social worker went back to the family to establish whether the children had returned home. During the visit, the designated social worker was threatened by the biological father of the children.

· 17 August 2012, the designated social worker went to South African Police Services Mookgopong to report that the children were missing. South African Police Services informed the designated social worker that the Centre Manager should come to the police station to open a case of missing children. The designated social worker informed the Centre Manager about this on the evening of 17 August 2012

· 18 August 2012 (Saturday), Centre Manager went to South African Police Services to open the case of the missing children.

· One hour later the Centre Manager was called to return to the police station to identify the bodies of children found in the bush. The Centre Manager accompanied by an administrative staff member went to the police where the bodies were found and subsequently identified the children. South African Police Services has been requested to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the children as prescribed in Section 178 (3) of the Children's Act.

· 20 August 2012 (Monday), the Centre Manager completed Form 40 (Reporting of serious injury, abuse or death of a child in Alternative Care) in respect of Section 178 and regulation 64 of the Children's Act of 2005 and was submitted to the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development.

· 20 August 2012), the designated social worker completed a psychosocial report in terms of Section 178 of the Children's Act and was submitted to the Provincial Head of the Department Social Development.

· 21 August 2012, (Tuesday) the psychosocial report was submitted to the Member of Executive (MEC) for Social Development in Limpopo.

· 29 August 2012 (Thursday), a visit was conducted by 2 senior social work managers from National Department of Social Development to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of the children in question. A professional report was compiled with recommendations which included the following :

ü Counselling to be offered to the family members.

ü Assigning a social worker to the Centre for 3 days per week.

ü Issuing of food vouchers by SASSA to the family.

ü Assistance with preparation for the funeral arrangements.

ü Trauma debriefing for the children and staff members of the Centre.

ü A visit to interview and support the family members was also conducted.

· 5 September 2012. (Wednesday) A task team comprising of both national and provincial senior social workers conducted a Quality Assurance process as per Section 211 of the Children's Act. The Quality Assurance process was completed at the Mantadi Child and Youth Care Centre.

· 12 September 2012- The Minister of Social Development accompanied by senior officials of the National and Provincial Departments of Social Development visited both the centre and the family to offer their condolences and support.

Based on the information provided, the Minister of Social Development ensured that all processes involving the investigation into the death of the children were followed. The designated social worker conducted the investigation initially as an abscondment matter and; followed the prescribed procedures of tracing children and reported the matter to the South African Police Services within one day after being informed. The South African Police Services requested that the Centre Manager come in and officially open a case of missing children and this was completed within 48 hours. The South African Police Services Policy on Missing Persons stipulates that "the family or loved ones can contact the police to seek help regarding the missing persons after they realise that they have no luck in tracing the missing persons. "This implies that there is no required time frame given for the reporting of missing persons by South African Police Services. However, the expectation is that the family makes an effort to trace the missing persons initially. In this matter the social worker attempted to trace the children prior to reporting the matter to the South African Police Services.

The Children's Act is silent on the mechanisms for the reporting of missing children placed in Alternative Care. The Children's Act only makes provision for abscondment of children in Alternative Care as highlighted in Section 170. It further highlights in Regulation 77 the reporting responsibilities of staff in Alternative Care concerning incidents of death, injury of a child or absence without permission0. Form 40 provides for the reporting of serious injury, abuse or death of a child in Alternative Care.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 2841

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 19 October 2012

Internal question paper no: 34

2841. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department is revising the amount of paperwork that institutions are expected to complete on a monthly basis; if not, (a) why not, (b) what is the need for the amount of paperwork and (c) who actually reads all the paperwork; if so,

(2) Whether institutions will be allowed to submit documents electronically; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, when is it envisaged that the review will take place?

NW3446E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, the Department is reviewing its record management process of non-profit organisations registering in terms of the Nonprofit Organisations Act no 71 of 1997 by converting all paper documents received from NPOs into digital records. The Department is in the process of reviewing the reporting format and the amount of paperwork that must be submitted by the non-profit organisations

(a) Not applicable ,

(b), the applications and constitutions are scrutinized for the registration requirements in terms Section 13(1) of the NPO Act. The annual reports are checked for compliance with section 18 (2) of the NPO Act. Staff in the NPO directorate is responsible to check and scrutinise all these paper work from the non-profit organisations for compliance purposes. (c) Organisations seeking registration and registered NPOs submit applications with their constitutions and annual reports to the Department (NPO Directorate) in terms of sections 13, 18 and 19 of the Nonprofit Organisations Act no 71 of 1997. This is prescribed in terms of the law that governs the non-profit organisation (the NPO Act)

(2) Yes, The Department has initiated the development of an online NPO web-system, and the systems will allow for submission of all the above documents electronically. The public will also be able to view these documents online. The system will be rolled out in the first quarter of 2013/14 Financial year.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2821

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 October 2012

Internal question paper no: 32

2821. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether, with regard to section 113(f) of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, her department has determined (a) patterns and trends of abuse and (b) the deliberate neglect of children; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether, with regard to section 113(g) of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, her department is using the information in the register for (a) planning and (b) budgetary purposes to prevent the abuse and deliberate neglect of children and protect children on a (i) national, (ii) provincial and (iii) municipal level; if not, why not, in each case; if so, how was this information used for (aa) planning and (bb) budgetary purposes? NW3477E

REPLY:

(1) No, the Department of Social Development (DSD) has not formally determined with regard to section 113 (f) of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, (a) patterns and trends of abuse and (b) deliberate neglect of children, due to the under reporting to the Register which limits the Register in terms of reflecting a true picture regarding the level of abuse, neglect and exploitation occurring on the ground. The DSD has embarked on a National Surveillance Study on Child Protection in South Africa which aims at determining the exact scope and nature of child abuse, neglect and exploitation in South Africa. Part of the study will also consider the administrative data within the CPR. The research will be undertaken next year and the results to be publish during the financial year 2015/2016.

(2) Yes, with regard to section 113 (g) of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, DSD is using the CPR as one of the repositories for (a) planning and (b) budgetary purposes to protect children on a (i) national, (ii) provincial and municipal level, due to the limited information that the Register provides. (aa) The information is used for preparing Child Protection Implementation Plans, when planning for resources needed, indicators for Monitoring and Evaluation purposes, and when DSD developed the Child Protection Strategy and (bb) for budgetary purposes when costing the Child Protection Services as part of costing the Child Protection Implementation Plans. This is done annually when planning and developing the budget for the next MTEF cycle. As mentioned the Register is still very limited in its information and not comprehensive enough to draw predictions from.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2802

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 October 2012

Internal question paper no: 32

2802. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department has a register on which abandoned babies are recorded; if so, (i) when was it established, (ii) how many babies have been abandoned in each province since the inception of the register and (iii) who is responsible for maintaining the register; if not,

(2) whether her department will establish such a register; if not, (a) why not and (b) how does her department monitor the number of abandoned babies; if so, when will it be established? NW3455E

REPLY:

(1) No, the Department of Social Development (DSD) does not have a register on which abandoned babies are recorded. (i)(ii)(iii) Not applicable.

(2) No, The Children's Act, No. 38 of 2005 does not make provision for the establishment and maintenance of such a Register. When reporting deliberate neglect to the national Child Protection Register (CPR), abandonment is an indicator under neglect. The CPR is not programmed to provide the information as such.

(a) DSD does not plan to establish such a register as provinces are keeping their own registers and monitor the cases when reported to them;

(b) Monitoring of cases is a provincial competency and statistical data is collected and analysed by provinces. A request will be made to the internal directorate: Information Technology to allow for the provision to disaggregate additional data from the CPR.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2764

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 October 2012

Internal question paper no: 32

2764. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her department has spent any monies on rental accommodation for staff in the (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10 and (iii) 2010-11 financial years; if not, what is the position in each case, if so, in each case, with regard to each specified financial year, (aa) what amount, (bb) at which health facilities were the staff members working and (cc) for what number of staff members? NW3413E

REPLY:

(i)(ii)(iii) The Department of Social Development did not spend any monies on rental accommodation for staff in the 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 financial years.

(i)(aa) Not applicable

(ii)(bb) Not applicable

(iii)(cc) Not applicable

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2763

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 12 October 2012

Internal question paper no: 32

2763. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her department recorded a deficit in the (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11 financial years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the amount in each financial year? NW3410E

REPLY:

The Department did not recorded any deficit in the 2008-09; 2009-10 and 2012-11 financial years.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2720

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 21 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 31

2720. Mr J J van der Linde (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her department has awarded any contracts to a certain company (name furnished) since its establishment in 1996; if so, in each case, (a) when was the contract awarded and (b) what was the (i) nature of the contract and (ii) total accumulative value of the tender? NW3338E

REPLY:

(a)(b)(i)(ii) According to our available records, the Department did not award any contracts to Kopano Ke Matla Investment Company (Pty) Ltd since its establishment in 1996.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2672

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

2672. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her department has developed a poverty line in order to identify persons who live below the poverty line and are in need of social assistance; if not, (a) why not, (b) when will one be developed and (c) how does her department determine who is in need of assistance in the absence of a poverty line; if so, what (i) is the poverty line and (ii) are the further relevant details? NW583E

REPLY:

No, the Department has not developed a poverty line to identify persons who live below the poverty line. However, in terms of social assistance, one of the eligibility criteria used to identify people in need is the means test.

(a) Statistics South Africa is currently conducting research in respect of a poverty line to make recommendations to the relevant principals.

(b) As indicated in (a) above, statistics South Africa will be in a better position to provide the timeframe as they are leading on this project.

(i) The income thresholds of the various social grants are reflected in the table below:

INCOME THRESHOLD

Grant Type

Single

Spousal Relationship

Older Persons

R47 400

R94 800

War veteran's

R47 400

R94 800

Disability

R47 400

R94 800

CHILD GRANTS

Child Support

R33 600

R67 200

Care Dependency

R144 000

R288 000

Foster Child

No Means Test

(ii) In terms of adult social grants, i.e. older persons, war veterans and disability grants, the means test consists of an income test and an asset test. The income and assets of both the applicant and spouse are taken into account when considering an application for the said social grants. An applicant must pass both tests to become eligible for the particular social grant.

In terms of child grants, i.e. child support grant and care dependency grant, the means test only considers the income of the applicant and in the case of a person in a spousal relationship the income of the spouse. Foster child grant has no means test.

The asset threshold for the adult grants is reflected below:

ASSET THRESHOLD

Grant Type

Single

Spousal Relationship

Older Persons

R792 000

R1 584 000

War veteran's

R792 000

R1 584 000

Disability

R792 000

R1 584 000

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2670

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 21 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 31

2670. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department's policies prioritise services to children as immediate rights; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether her department prioritises services to children to the maximum of its resources; if not, (a) why not and (b) what is the position in this regard; if so,

(3) whether any financial shortfalls prevent the Government from providing all the services as contemplated in the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005 (as amended), for each specified type of service; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3288E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, the Department of Social Development's policies prioritise services to children as immediate rights. The Children's Act 38 of 2005, Child Justice Act 75 of 2008, Social Assistance Act 59 of 1992 and the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008 give effect to children's rights as enshrined in the Constitution.

· The Children's Act 38 of 2005

The Children's Act gives effect to the following constitutional rights of children, namely: -

(i) Family care or parental care or appropriate alternative care when removed from the family environment;

(ii) Social services;

(iii) Protection from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation; and

(iv) That the best interests of a child are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.

· The Child Justice Act 75 of 2008

The Child Justice Act gives effect to Section 28 (g) (i) and (ii) of the Constitution. The Child Justice Act protects the rights of the children not to be detained except as a measure of last resort. Furthermore children may be detained only for the shortest appropriate period of time, and has the right to be:

(i) Kept separately from detained persons over the age of 18 years

(ii) Treated in a manner, and kept in conditions, that takes account of the child's age.

· The Social Assistance Act 59 of 1992

The Social Assistance Act provides for qualifying children from impoverished families, those with severe disabilities and in foster care to receive a Child Support Grant; Care Dependency Grant and foster child grant respectively.

· The Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008

The objects of this Act are to combat substance abuse in a coordinated manner; provide prevention, early intervention, treatment, reintegration and after care services to deter the onset of and mitigate the impact of substance abuse. It protects the children's rights to social security as provided for in section 28 (1) (c) of the Constitution.

(2) Yes, the Department prioritises services to children to the maximum of the resources available. Services to children in terms of the Children's Act 38 of 2005 are provided for and funded by the National and Provincial Departments of Social Development.

(3) The Department is maintaining existing services however there are shortfalls in the human resources, budgets and the expansion of services, which are as follows:

· Human Resources

Since 2007 treasury provided the Department with funding for the social work scholarship programme to increase the number of social workers to implement the Act and other pieces of legislation within Welfare Services. To date over 5000 social workers qualified through the scholarship programme.

· Expansion of Early Childhood Development programmes, infrastructure, as well as services.

· Provision of services to Child Headed Households. The Department requested additional funding for orphans and vulnerable children through Isibindi programme.

- The table below indicates the amount requested and allocated to cover the shortfall in the expansion of Early Childhood Development programmes and Provision of services to Child Headed Households.

Service

Amount requested in 2009 for 2010-13

R'000

Amount allocated

2010-11

R'000

Amount allocated

2011-12

R'000

Amount requested

2012-13

R'000

Amount allocated

2012-13

R'000

Early childhood development

Provinces

National

Provinces

National

Provinces

3 223

1080

229 908 8

5, 839

1, 434

24, 400

(infrastructure audit)

Funds were allocated directly to the provinces

Child and youth care services (Isibindi)

National

Provinces, NACCW and NPOs

National

Provinces

6, 149

272, 874

6, 700

86, 923

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 2648

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 21 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 31

2648. Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department has awarded any tenders to a certain consulting company (name furnished) (a) in the (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2012 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (aa) what was the nature of the work, (bb) what amount was paid to the specified company and (cc) who are the directors of the specified company;

(2) whether her department has given work to a certain consulting company (name furnished) (a) in the (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2012 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (aa) what was the nature of the work, (bb) what amount was paid to the specified company and (cc) who are the directors of the specified company? NW3265E

REPLY:

(1)a(i)(ii)b(aa)(bb)(cc) The Department did not award any tenders for the period 2010-2011, 2011/2012 and for the period 1 April 2012 up until 30 September 2012.

(2)a(i)(ii)(b)(aa)(bb)(cc) The Department did award work to the consulting company 4Chakras Consulting

PERIOD

2a(i)(ii)b

NATURE OF WORK

2(aa)

AMOUNT PAID

2(bb)

NAME OF DIRECTORS

2(cc)

2010/2011

Appointment of a service provider to undertake a study on various mode of social relief of distress disbursement

R499 320.00

Ms Janet du Preez

Dr M Kuppen

Ms N Jhingoor

2010/2011

Development of a victim empowerment sustainability plan and costing thereof

R349 467.00

Ms Janet du Preez

Dr M Kuppen

Ms N Jhingoor

2011/2012

Appointment of a service provider to facilitate and compile a report for the workshop on the violation of children/s rights through the abuse of cultural practices of Ukuthwala

R54 720.00

Ms Janet du Preez

Dr M Kuppen

Ms N Jhingoor

ass=?? ai`??'margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>· The New Age: 15 subscriptions, with an annual cost of R6491,15.

· Trade publications (the Farmers Weekly and Engineering News): 12 subscriptions, with an annual cost of R3435,55.

(2) No

(3) No

(4) No

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2647

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 21 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 31

2647. Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How often will each (a) community-based service, (b) treatment centre, (c) after-care and reintegration facility and (d) any other related facility be inspected in terms of the regulations of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, Act 70 of 2008;

(2) whether (a) national, (b) provincial or (c) any other personnel will be used to conduct the inspections; if not, who will conduct such inspections; if so, (i) how many people will be used in each category, (ii) what specific training will be provided to ensure that inspections are conducted properly and (iii) what amount has been spent on training to date for each category? NW3264E

REPLY:

1. (a) Community based services(b) treatment centre (c) after care and reintegration facility and halfway houses will be monitored at least once a quarter in terms of regulations of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, Act70 of 2008.

2. Yes, (a) national and (b) provincial personnel will be used to monitor anti substance abuse services and facilities

(i) The number of officials to conduct monitoring of services and facilities will be determined by the Director-General and or Head of the Department of Social Development

(ii) Officials at both National and Provincial levels will be capacitated on how to use the Monitoring and Assessment Tool

(iii) No, no money has been spent on training on monitoring thus far. Training will form part of the implementation plan of both the Act and Regulations. However provinces have already been introduced to the Monitoring and Assessment Tool.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2646

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 21 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 31

2646. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What additional amount has been budgeted for the implementation of the regulations of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, Act 70 of 2008, for the remainder of the 2012-13 financial year? NW3263E

REPLY:

The National Department of Social Development has not budgeted an additional amount for the implementation of the Regulations of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, Act 70 of 2008, for the remainder the 2012-13 financial year. However the Department will use its remaining budget of R208.2m (National R4.6m and provincial R203.6m) to implement regulations for the remainder of 2012-13 financial year.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2582

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 14 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 30

2582. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to her reply to question 1371 on 11 June 2012, how many names of persons who have been convicted of child abuse or neglect have been submitted by each province for inclusion in part Q of the Child Protection Register since 1 April 2012;

(2) How many names are currently on part B of the Child Protection Register? NW3190E

REPLY:

(1) There are no names of persons who have been convicted of child abuse or neglect that has been submitted by each province for inclusion in part Q of the Child Protection Register since 1 April 2012, as Part Q is non-existent. The Child Protection Register consists of Part A (Record of abuse or deliberate neglect inflicted on specific children) and a Part B (Record of persons who are unsuitable work with children) only. Part A Register has 49 cases of conviction submitted from provinces as indicated below:

a. KZN: 14

b. Eastern Cape: 4

c. Free State. 19

d. Mpumalanga: 12

(2) Currently there are 41 cases of persons found unsuitable to work with children. There are also 29 320 inquiries which have been received from employers and individuals to establish whether their names have been included on the Register in terms of section126 of the Act.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2581

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 14 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 30

2581. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether the child adoption register is fully operational; if not, (a) why not, (b) when will it become fully operational and (c) how much was budgeted for this register in the 2010-11 financial year; if so, (i) when did it become fully operational, (ii) how many records of adoption cases appear on the child adoption register and (iii) of these records, how many adoptions have been completed;

(2) whether an estimated cost for the establishment of the child adoption register is available; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the estimated cost, (b) how was this amount calculated, (c) what is the breakdown of these costs, (d) how many funds have been spent and (e) for what period has this estimated cost been calculated? NW3189E

REPLY:

(1) The Department of Social Development administers two different adoption registers. The first one, called the Adoption Register, is used to register the finalised adoption cases.

The second register is called the Register on Adoptable Children and Prospective Adoptive Parents (RACAP) and is used to register adoptable children and prospective adoptive parents available in South Africa.

Both the registers are fully operational.

(i) The Adoption register has been in operation since 1924 while the RACAP became operational in April 2010. The provision for the establishment of the RACAP is made in the Children's Act 38 of 2005 which was promulgated in April 2010. In the absence of an electronic RACAP register when the Children's Act came to effect, a manual register was developed and is being implemented while an electronic register is being developed. The electronic RACAP system has been developed by the Information Technology Directorate of the Department and the training of adoption service providers is due to be conducted in October 2012 in preparation for the piloting of the system. The electronic system will be piloted until the end of March 2013 and it is envisaged that the electronic register will be fully implemented in April 2013.

(ii) The Adoption Register has a total number of 24 994 adoption cases registered.

RACAP has a total of 1525 adoptable children of which 1147 children are no longer available for adoption, as they have been matched with prospective adoptive parents. There are currently 378 registered children available for adoption.

The total records of prospective adoptive parents on the RACAP are 664 from which 377 are no longer available to adopt children as they have been matched with adoptable children. There are currently 287 prospective adoptive parents on RACAP that are still available to adopt children.

(iii) There are 24 994 adoption cases on the Adoption Register which have been completed.

(2) There are no estimated costs for the establishment of both the Adoption Register as it is already in place. There are also no estimated costs for the establishment of the RACAP as the system is being developed by the Information Technology Directorate within the Department.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2548

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 14 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 30

2548. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With regard to the awarding of the tender to Cash Paymaster Services (Pty) Ltd (CPS), how will CPS biometrically verify beneficiaries who receive their grant payment via electronically based payment methods? NW3155E

REPLY:

The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2547

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 14 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 30

2547. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to her reply to question 1378 on 10 June 2010, (a) how many children who were adopted (i) in the (aa) 2010-11 and (bb) 2011-12 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2012 were (aaa) 0-6 months, (bbb) 6 months-1 year, (ccc) 1-2 years, (ddd) 2-4 years, (eee) 4-7 years old and (fff) older than seven years;

(2) whether any of the adoptions were across racial lines; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many in each case and (b) between which racial groups did the adoptions take place;

(3) what is the average time for an adoption to be finalised;

(4) whether this average time has been reduced; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3154E

REPLY:

(1)(a)(i)(aa) In 2010-11 financial year 2436 were adopted and

(bb) in 2011-12 financial year 1620 children were adopted.

(ii) Since 1st April to 25 September 2012 the total of 912 children were adopted per specific age groups as follows:

(aaa) 0 – 6 months : 40

(bbb) 6 months – 1 year : 120

(ccc) 1 – 2 years : 224

(ddd) 2 – 4 years : 126

(eee) 4 – 7 years : 136

(fff) Older than 7 years : 266

(2) Yes, some of the adoptions from 1st April to 25 September 2012 were across racial lines.

(a) The number of adoptions across racial lines per age group were as follows:

Age groups

Number of cross racial adoptions

0 - 6 month old

6 months - 1 year old

1 – 2 years old

2 – 4 years old

4 – 7 years old

Older than 7 years old

Total

138

(b) Majority of cross racial adoptions took place between black children and white adoptive families. Few of these adoptions were between coloured children and white adoptive families. The adoption register does not specify the racial groups between which the adoptions took place, hence there is no exact figure attached to this response.

(3) The average time for the adoption to be finalised is 12 months.

(4) There has not been reduction in time to the process of finalising adoption because there are procedures in place that should be followed. The length of the adoption process depends on variety of factors including the type of adoption and procedures.

The related types of adoption, where both the child and the prospective adoptive parents are readily available, may take less than 12 months to be finalised, including the registration of the adoption with the Registrar of Adoptions at the Department of Social Development and the birth registration of the adopted child with the Department of Home Affairs. However, non-related adoptions, where the adoptable child is not pre-identified like in related adoption, may take more than 12 months to be finalised due to a number of factors including the following:

· Assessment and investigations of both the child and the prospective adoptive parent/s' home circumstances for the purpose of adoption.

· Preparation of the prospective adoptive parents by the adoption social worker

· Efforts undertaken by the adoption social worker to trace the biological parent/s or family of the child, in case of an abandoned child for example the social worker is required to place a newspaper advertisement for a period of three months to trace biological parent/s or family of the child.

· Investigation of child abandonment case by the police

· Medical assessment of both the adoptable child and prospective adoptive parents

· Availability of an adoptable child.

· Availability of fit and proper prospective adoptive parents willing to adopt a child.

· Matching and bonding process of an adoptable child and prospective adoptive parent/s.

· Registration of the adoptable child on the Register on Adoptable Children and Prospective Adoptive Parents (RACAP)

· Registration of the prospective adoptive parent/s on the RACAP

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2520

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 14 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 30

2520. Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether she intends calling for public participation in the green paper on Families before a White Paper is drafted; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the further relevant details? NW3120E

REPLY:

Yes, the Green Paper was gazetted in October 2011, and the following Gazette No 34692 was issued as part of the consultative process with the public (see attached Annexure A part 1 and part 2). Furthermore the department conducted provincial consultations which started in February 2012 country wide and were concluded in July 2012. These consultations sessions were attended by amongst others, faith based organizations, service providers and officials from various government departments, civil society organisations, community based organizations research institute, and institutions of higher learning (see report attached Annexure: B).

In addition public hearings were also conducted in all the nine provinces in order to afford ordinary citizens the opportunity to give their input. The public hearings were held in an urban and rural setting in each province.

Table 1: Participants' attendance urban and rural public hearing according to province.

Name of Province

Urban

Rural

Date

Gauteng

143

30-31 May 2012

North West

118

21-22 June 2012

Limpopo

140

04-05 June 2012

Northern Cape

05-06 June 2012

Eastern Cape

168

171

18-19 June 2012

Western Cape

150

07-08 June 2012

Kwa Zulu Natal

140

196

18-19 June 2012

Free State

192

11-12 June 2012

Mpumalanga

155

147

14-15 June 2012

In terms of diversity, the representation of women was nearly three times higher than men. People with disabilities were under represented. Most participants were affiliates of civil society structures although a significant number of participants indicated no affiliation to any structure. Participants aged between 30 – 59 were in the majority across the public hearings. Although youth comprised 20% of the total number of participants, their representation was higher than that of older persons aged between 60 and over (see Annexure C).

The department has received written submissions from various stakeholders and participated in in a number of radio talk show to popularize the green paper.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2498/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2498. Mr M R Sayedali Shah (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether (a) her Ministry, (b) her department and (c) any entity reporting to her plan to host end-of-year parties; if not, in each case, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, (i) for how many persons and (ii) at what cost;

(2) whether the cost of the specified end-of-year parties has been budgeted for in the current financial year; if not, from where will the funding be sourced; if so, (a) what amount has been budgeted and (b) from which part of the budget will it be incurred? NW3104E

REPLY:

(1) (a) Not applicable to SASSA.

(b) Not applicable to SASSA.

(c) Yes, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) plans to host end-of-year parties in jointly with the Department Of Social Development for its employees at Head Office

(i) Around 337 employees.

(ii) At a total cost of R150 000.00

(2) Yes, the cost of the above year-end-parties being the contribution that SASSA will make towards Social Development has been budgeted at R 150 000.00 for the current financial Year.

(a) A total amount of R150 000.00 has been budgeted for as a contribution towards the Department Of Social Development for the end-of-year parties.

(b) The funds will be incurred from the Operational budget within SASSA.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2473/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2473. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether, with reference to the tender recently awarded to a certain company (name furnished), any of the other unsuccessful bidders' evaluation scores were reduced after the issuing of Notice 2 on 6 June 2011; if so, which bidders' scores were reduced, (b) from what score to what score were their bids reduced, (c) what were the reasons for the bids being reduced in each case and (d) who reduced the scores in each case? NW3076E

REPLY:

1(a), (b),(c) and (d) The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2472/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2472. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 968 on 11 June 2012, a technical evaluation committee (TEC) was established with regard to the awarding of the new contractor for the payment of social grants; if not, why not; if so, (a) who served on the TEC, (b) what are their qualifications, (c) how was their appointment to the TEC determined, (d) by who was it determined, (e) on what dates did the committee meet and (f) how long did each meeting last;

(2) whether the TEC produced any reports; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many and (b) when will copies of each report be made available? NW3075E

REPLY:

1. (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f). The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

2. (a) and (b). The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2471/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2471. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to her reply to question 969 on 11 June 2012, in respect of the awarding of the new contractor for the payment of social grants, (a) who were the members of the Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC), (b) what position within the public service do they hold, (c) on which dates did the BAC meet, (d) what was the length of each meeting and (e) who attended each meeting;

(2) whether any member of the BAC submitted any documentation that raised concern; if not, why not; if so, (a) which members submitted such documents and (b) on which date;

(3) whether a copy of (a) each document of concern and (b) the transcript of each meeting of the BAC will be made available; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW3074E

REPLY:

1. (a), (b), (c) and (d). The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

2. (a) and (b) The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

3. (a) and (b) The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2464/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2464. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether any costing has been conducted with regard to the cost of administrating the means test for (a) old age grants, (b) child support grants, (c) disability grants and (d) other specified grants; if not, (i) why not and (ii) when does she intend to conduct costing for the specified grants; if so, what is the cost for each specified grant application? NW3066E

REPLY:

No costing was undertaken on the cost of administering the means test for any of the social grants.

(i) The means test is conducted as part of an integrated administrative process in which various criteria are assessed to determine the eligibility of grant applicants. Applicants are required to provide documentary proof such as birth certificates or identity documents, together with proof of income in the form of salary or wage slips. For example, child support grant applicants need to provide birth certificates (to prove eligibility on the basis of age) and salary slip or other proof of income (to prove eligibility on the basis of income). All the documents are examined in the same process to determine eligibility. The means test element is simply the comparison of the salary or wage against the predetermined income threshold. The cost of checking the income criteria has therefore not been separated from the overall cost of assessing eligibility for the social grants.

It is important to note that the means test is applied as a mechanism to enable the Government to prioritise the poorest households for income support. The alternative to means testing would be to universalise all the grants. In view of limited budgets, the policy decision has been to rather prioritise vulnerable groups such as older persons, children from poor households and people with disabilities. However, the Department is conscious of the limitations of means tests, and has initiated some assessments to test the feasibility of universalisation.

(ii) There is no intention to conduct a costing for the cost of the means testing. The focus is rather on a comprehensive process to improve the grant administration process, in order to reduce fraud and enhance the quality of services rendered to our people.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2441/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2441. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) What were the reasons that the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) only consisted of four members instead of five members as required in the South African Social Security Agency supply chain management circular No 10 of 2008 and (b) who is responsible for ensuring that the BEC complies with all aspects of the said circular;

(2) whether the person responsible for ensuring that the BEC complies with all aspects of the said circular, informed anyone within her department or any entity reporting to her that the BEC did not comply with the said circular; if not, (a) why not and (b) which sections of the legislation compels them to do so; if so,

(3) whether she will provide copies of all correspondence in this regard to Mr M Waters indicating (a) the date and (b) to whom the correspondence was written and (c) the response from each recipient; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3041E

REPLY:

(1) (a) and (b) The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

(2) (a) and (b) SASSA is unable to answer questions relating to the awarding of the social grants payment tender because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

(3) (a), (b) and (c). SASSA is unable to answer questions relating to the awarding of the social grants payment tender because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2440/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2440. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether she has made the report available which was compiled by the Independent Process Monitor (IPM) on the (a) Bid Evaluation Committee and (b) Bid Adjudication Committee into the awarding of the tender to Cash Paymaster Services (Pty) Ltd; if not, why not; if so, where is it available;

(2) whether she will provide a copy of the report to Ms E More; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) (a) who served on the IPM, (b) what are their qualifications and (c) how were they appointed on the IPM? NW3040E

REPLY:

(1) The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

(2) The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

(3) (a), (b) and (c) The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2439/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2439. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) What are the names of the partners that Cash Paymaster Services (Pty) Ltd (CPS) will be using after having been awarded the tender for the provision of payment services for social grants, (b) what are the names of the directors of the specified partners and (c) in which province is each specified partner situated? NW3039E

REPLY:

(a), (b) and (c) The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged at court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2438/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2438. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Why was Cash Paymaster Services (Pty) Ltd allowed to submit one technical proposal and one preferential proposal when the bid expressly requested separate bids for each province;

(2) (a) what are the names of the persons who waivered the condition and (b) on what basis was it waivered? NW3038E

REPLY:

(2) (a) SASSA is unable to answer questions relating to the awarding of the social grants payment tender because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

(b) SASSA is unable to answer questions relating to the awarding of the social grants payment tender because the matters associated therewith are sub judice.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 2412

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2412. Ms N P Gcume (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her department decided to give the responsibility of distributing grants to the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) instead of contractors; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) when was the decision taken and (b) why? NW3006E

REPLY:

No. In terms of section 2(2) of the Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Act No 13 of 2004) as amended the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is responsible for the administration of social assistance. SASSA's mandate is to ensure the effective and efficient management, administration and payment of social assistance.

When the social assistance function was transferred from the provincial governments to SASSA, it had to honour the contractual obligations in respect of third party pay contractors who were responsible for the actual pay-out of social grants to beneficiaries. SASSA may determine whether or not it wishes to outsource the payment of social grants through the appointment of a third party payment contractor.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2411/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2411. Ms N P Gcume (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) was working with a certain company (name furnished) in the re-registration process while the awarding of the tender to the said company was sub judice; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3005E

REPLY:

The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged in court and I am thus unable to answer specific questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are sub judice. However, the High Court judgement did not set aside the awarding of the tender hence the said company continues with the re-registration process.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 2405/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 07 September 2012

Internal question paper no: 29

2405. Ms N P Gcume (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether officials in her department purchased tickets to the New Age Business Briefing; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in terms of which provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, were the tickets procured;

(2) whether she will make a statement on the matter? NW2998E

REPLY:

(1) No tickets were purchased to the New Age Business Briefing.

(2) Given that DSD has not purchased tickets for any of the New Age Business briefing, it is not necessary for the Minister to make a statement on the matter.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2345

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 31 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 28

2345. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether officials of her department visited the South Coast Recovery Centre (SCRC) on 27, 28 and 29 August 2012 to determine the SCRC's ability to continue operating; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what were the reasons for the visit? NW2925E

REPLY:

Yes, officials from the Department of Social Development, accompanied by three (3) medical experts visited SCRC from 27 to 29 August 2012. The reason for the visit was to conduct a comprehensive inspection into the circumstances leading to the death of Ms Blair Trouchet, a former resident at SCRC. The inspection team will submit their report to the Director-General of Social Development within 14 days after concluding the inspection.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2336

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 31 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 28

2336. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Why was the disappearance of three children from the Montadi Youth Care Centre (MYCC) only reported a day later (details furnished), (b) when was the absence of the children first noticed and (c) who is in charge of the MYCC;

(2) Whether she intends to set up an independent inquiry into the late reporting of the missing children; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the names of the persons who will conduct the inquiry? NW2916E

REPLY:

(1)(a) The disappearance of these children was detected during the routine check in the evening on the same day 15/08/201l2. The child care worker then reported that the children had not returned to the centre at that point .The centre manager reported the abscondment to the departmental social worker in the morning of the 16 August 2012.

The social worker in terms of section 170 (Child absconding from Alternative Care) of the Act went to the children's parents home to check if they were there. The parents informed the social worker that indeed the children had come home on the 15th of August 2012 and that they, had sent them back to MYCC unaccompanied. The social worker then went to the centre to ascertain whether the children had returned or not. The social worker was informed that the children were still not available. On the 16th of August 2012, the social worker continued tracing them in alternative areas where they used to live before being taken to the centre in vain. On the early morning of the 17th August 2012 suspecting that they might be at home he returned there again and was told that the children never came back again.

After the social worker exhausted all means of apprehending or finding the children, he then went to the police station to report the children as missing persons. However, the police also required the manager of the centre to come to the police station to report the matter. It emerged that when a manager of the centre arrived, she was then informed by the police, that they found the bodies of three children, dead in the bush. The manager of the centre was requested to identify the bodies, which she did.

(b) The centre discovered that the children namely, Hosea, Johanna and Bafana were missing on the 15th of August 2012. It was discovered by the night shift carer in the evening and she then informed the manager of the centre about the absence of these children. Therefore the manager of the centre was informed on the same day.

(c) Mantadi Youth Care Centre is governed by the board of management and the centre is being managed on a day to day basis by Ms Makoela Huanna Anna.

(2) Based on the information given, the province had no reason to believe that the Minister should set up an enquiry to look at the issue of late reporting, as this was not the case in the present situation. The South African Police Service (SAPS) are busy with investigation in this regard. A joint National and provincial team of social workers conducted an assessment which will be included into a Quality Assurance process according to Section 89 (1) of the Regulations on Child and Youth Care Centres in terms of the Children's Act 38 of 2005, on the incident and the Mantadi Youth Care Centre.

The Minister of Social Development and other senior managers from the department also visited the centre and the family on the 12 September 2012.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2336

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 31 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 28

2336. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

REPLY:

(1)(a) The disappearance of the three children was detected during routine check in the evening of the 15/08/2012. The child care worker then reported that the children had not returned to the centre at that point. Then the centre manager reported the abscondment to the departmental social worker in the morning of the 16 August 2012

The social worker in terms of Section 170 (Child absconding from Alternative Care) of the Act went to the children's parents home to check if they were there. The parents informed the social worker that the children had indeed come home on the 15th of August 2012 and that they, had sent them back to MYCC unaccompanied. The social worker went to the centre to ascertain whether the children had returned or not. The social worker was informed that the children were still not available. On the 16th of August 2012, the social worker continued tracing them in alternative areas where they used to live before being taken to the centre in vain. On the early morning of the 17th August 2012 suspecting that they might be at home he returned there again and was told that the children never came back again.

After the social worker exhausted all means of apprehending or finding the children, he then went to the police station to report the children as missing persons at the police station. However, the police also required the manager of the centre to come to the police station to report the matter. It emerged that when a manager of the centre arrived, she was then informed by the police, that they found the bodies of three children, dead in the bush. The manager of the centre was requested to identify the bodies, which she did.

(c) Mantadi Youth Care Centre is governed by the board of management and the centre is being managed on a day to day basis by Ms Makoela Huanna Anna.

(2) Based on the information given, the province had no reason to believe that the Minister should set up an enquiry to look at the issue of late reporting, as this was not the case in the present situation. The South African Police Service (SAPS) are busy with investigation in this regard. A joint National and provincial team of social workers conducted an assessment which will be included into a Quality Assurance process according to Section 89(1) of the Regulations on Child and Youth Care Centres in terms of the Children's Act 38 of 2005, on the incident and the Mantadi Youth Care Centre..

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2238/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 24th August 2012

Internal question paper no: 27

2238. Ms N P Gcume (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her department has made payments to (a) registered and (b) unregistered charities in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12 financial years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (aa) what sums and (bb) over what period in each case? NW2814E

REPLY:

(a) Yes, the Department did make payments to registered Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) as reflected in Table 1 below:

(b) The Department did not transfer funds to any unregistered charities.

(aa) The sums transferred to the NPO for (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12 are reflected in Table 1.

(bb) The organisations are funded over one (1) financial year.

Table 1: List of registered NPOs funded in 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 with amounts

Other Funded organisations

Registered as

NPO/ Trust/ Section 21 Company

(a)

2011-12

(i)

2010-11

(ii)

2009-10

(iii)

(aa)

AMOUNT (R )

(aa)

AMOUNT (R )

(aa)

AMOUNT (R )

Cape Town Child Welfare Society

003-214 NPO

400 000

Not funded

Khanya AICDD

2005/6514/08

Section 21

213 925

286 000

1 000 000

Lovelife Trust

Trust

43 360 000

43 460 000

41 000 000

NABSSA

029-195 NPO

273 000

192 000

NAPWA

070-694 NPO

793 000

482 000

250 000

Soul City

012-983 NPO

4 500 000

1 000 000

Food Bank South Africa

070-670 NPO

5 000 000

Action on Elder Abuse SA

006-228 NPO

649 000

533 718

489 650

ACVV Hoofbestuur

002-834 NPO

1 067 890

1 000 662

1 275 215

AFM Executive Council

000-762 NPO

611 293

572 881

515 881

Alzhemers South Africa

001-352 NPO

649 000

700 000

560 000

Badisa Christian Compassion

011-891 NPO

513 552

481 222

441 480

Child Line South Africa

035-472 NPO

821 799

770 063

706 480

Child Wefare South Africa

000-834 NPO

1 839 201

1 723 415

1 581 115

Deaf Federation of South Africa

000-701 NPO

590 360

627 092

575 314

Die Onderstueningsraad

001-618 NPO

550 190

515 553

472 985

Disabled Children Action Group

008-412 NPO

755 000

Not funded

Epilepsy South Africa

001-911 NPO

420 140

909 189

1 233 301

Famalies South Africa

001-560 NPO

1 068 000

1 001 691

1 238 204

Khulisa Crime Prevention Initiate

057-405 NPO

500 000

1 190 517

1 092 217

Life Line Southern Africa

002-571 NPO

900 000

971 880

624 000

National Ccouncil for People with physical Disabilities South Africa

000-923 NPO

600 000

703 063

626 664

National Institute for Crime Rehabilitation of Offenders

003-147 NPO

300 000

971 313

1 092 919

National Peace Accord Trust

009-220 NPO

690 000

Not funded

SA Depression and Anxiety Group

013-085 NPO

1 000 000

859 170

615 710

SA Federation for Mental Health

000-238 NPO

702 500

635 616

441 400

South African Council for Social Services Provider

Social Services

Professions Act

1 476 000

1 100 248

1 035 000

SANCA

006-218 NPO

680 500

1 353 296

1 352 400

Suid Afrikaanse Vroue Federasie

001-446 NPO

642 075

601 654

551 966

South African Older Person

050-785 NPO

649 000

590 900

542 100

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2313

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 24 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 26

2313. Mr E H Eloff (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) What steps has she taken to give effect to the performance agreement that she signed with the President in 2010, (b) what outcomes have been measured and (c) what follow-up steps has she taken with regard to each specified outcome? NW2897E

REPLY:

(a) In 2009, the National Treasury has jointly with the Presidency issued a revised planning framework for Strategic and Annual Performance Plans which promote the application of the outcome based approach adopted by government. Given this, the Department of Social Development has since carefully designed its Strategic and Annual Performance Plans to give effect to the outcomes that are reflected in the Minister's performance agreement. This has given the Department an opportunity to carefully think through what needs to be achieved in collaboration with other partners [participating in the delivery agreements] to ensure that implementation results in real improvements in the lives of those who are targeted.

(b) The Minister of Social Development is a signatory to the Delivery Agreement for Outcomes 2, 4 and 7. In addition, given the nature of services delivered by the social sector, other outcomes that we contribute directly to are Outcomes 1 and 3.

For the period 2011/12 the department continued to be involved in direct delivery required to achieve these outcomes.

Outcome 2: A long and healthy life for all

The Department developed an HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention Strategy 2012- 2016 which addresses both the social drivers and social impact of HIV/ AIDS and TB. The Department also continued to implement and expand the Home Community Based Care and Support (HCBC) programme by providing guidance and support to provinces and implementing partners. We also launched a directory of community-based services to children throughout South Africa.

Significant progress was made in our ongoing campaign against drug and alcohol abuse. The Department finalised and gazette the regulations under the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Act, 2008 (Act No. 70 of 2008), aimed at ensuring prompt and high-quality services. The Department also developed a treatment model for victims of drug and substance abuse which seeks to standardise treatment services and guide the development of individual-specific treatment programmes. These initiatives form part of the Department's contribution to Outcome 2, achieving a long and healthy life for all South Africans, and Outcome 3, ensuring that all people in South Africa are and feel safe.

Outcome 4: Decent employment and inclusive economic growth

As part of the government's multipronged strategy to reduce youth unemployment, 2 426 youths were linked to work opportunities through the National Youth Service Programme. They included Masupatsela Youth Pioneers who were employed as assistant community development practitioners in the Eastern Cape.

Another milestone for the reporting period was the accreditation by the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) of the curriculum for the Masupatsela Youth Pioneer programme. This will enable all participants to obtain a qualification when they complete the programme.

The Department leads the coordination of the Expanded Public Works Programme in the Social Development Sector, with the Department of Public Works as overall coordinator. In the year under review the Social Development Sector created 152 109 job opportunities – significantly more than the target of 132 000. This, together with other initiatives aimed at linking young people to economic opportunities, ensured that the Department continued to play a significant role in achieving Outcome 4, creating decent employment through inclusive economic growth.

Outcome 7, vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities with food security for all

Social Assistance: The Department, through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), continued to expand the social safety net, reaching more than 15,5 million South Africans in 2011/12. About 2,7 million of these were older people, and more than 10,9 million were beneficiaries of the Child Support Grant (CSG). This augmented the incomes of grant recipients, and enabled the Department to contribute directly to the realisation of Outcome 7, vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities with food security for all; and

Civil society support: The registration of Non-Profit Organisations was also prioritised. A total of 18 448 applications were received, and 95 per cent of these (17 573) were processed within two months. A total of 14 792 organisations met the registration requirements and were registered, bringing the total to 90 967. The Department built the capacity of 1 323 registered NPOs, in order to ensure that they serve their communities effectively. NPOs are key partners in achieving Outcome 7, promoting vibrant, equitable and sustainable communities.

In addition to these outcomes, the Minister has also prioritized outcomes 1 and 3 which are critical for the realisation of the government-wide outcomes. These include outcome 1, given the importance of early childhood development and outcome 3 in view of the Department's work on the Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP).

Outcome 1, Quality basic education.

Early Childhood Development: The goal of investing in the development of children is one of the primary means of improving human capital and reducing levels of intergenerational poverty. In pursuit of this goal, the department conducted a number of ECD awareness campaigns, highlighting the importance of registering ECD centres and partial care facilities, and providing children with access to those facilities.

A highlight of the financial year was a national ECD conference, hosted by the Department in March 2012. The conference assessed past successes and current challenges in respect of ECD. Improving ECD services is a key step towards achieving a number of positive social outcomes, notably Outcome 1, improving the quality of basic education.

Progress towards the realization of these outcomes for the period 2009/10 is presented on Pages 14-16 of the 2009/10 Annual Report of the department. Similarly, for the 2010/11 period, progress is presented on pages 14-16 of the 2010/11 Annual Report of the department.

Outcome 3, All people in South Africa are and feel safe.

Child care and Protection:The number of children benefiting from Child and Youth Care Services (CYCC) increased significantly, and more than 23 000 children were placed in foster care, bringing the total to more than 536 000. A major outcome of our promotion of adoption awareness was an increase in the number of adoption cases, with about 1 620 registered in the course of the year. A total of 194 of these were inter-country adoptions, and the rest were national adoptions.

The Department is responsible for maintaining the Child Protection Register. Part A and B of the register are being implemented according to the Children's Act. The abuse, neglect and exploitation cases are being reported on the register and employees are being screened. A total of 2 344 cases reported by the provinces were entered in Part A, and 11 191 enquiries were processed in respect of Part B. The applicants were notified of the screening results. These form part of the Department's contribution to Outcome 3, ensuring that all people in South Africa are and feel safe.

The Department works closely with provinces and civil society organizations to monitor progress towards the realization of these outcomes on a quarterly basis. In addition to this, the Minister has initiated campaigns such as Taking the Department of Social Development to Communities and October month through which she interacts directly with communities to assess progress towards the realisation of the outcomes. It is also worth noting that the Department recently completed an evaluation of the impact of the child support grants which indicated that the grant has a positive impact with respect to the alleviation of poverty among others.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2213/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 24th August 2012

Internal question paper no: 27

2213. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What are the reasons for the closure of the Ubombo Home (UH) in Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal;

(2) (a) how many children were living in the UH when it was closed and (b) where did each child go after the UH was closed down;

(3) what facilities (a) were available at the UH and (b) are available at each of the new homes to which the children have been sent;

(4) whether any children have gone missing since the UH closed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many, (b) how old is each child who has gone missing, (c) what action has been taken to find each of these children and (d) what are the names of the social workers who are responsible for the children? NW2678E

REPLY:

(1) Ubombo Children's Care Village is not registered as a Non-Profit Organisation in terms of the Non Profit Organisation's Act (1997) and this means they were operating the facility for profit making purposes. In addition to that the facility is not registered in terms of the Children's Act 38 of 2005 due to the fact that it does not meet the requirements such as the following :

· The facility does not meet the minimum norms and standards,

· The care givers do not have appropriate skills and training to work with the children therefore no therapeutic, developmental, family reunification programmes and permanency plans were in place,

· The caregivers employed at the facility to work with children, including the Management board, had not been screened against the Part B of the Child Protection Register (CPR) in terms of Section 118 of the Children's Act No 38 of 2005; therefore their suitability to work with the children had not been determined or verified.

In addition, all the children accommodated at the facility were not placed through the Children's Court processes. Consequently, the Children's Court has never issued any orders to appoint the owner of the facility as the legal custodian of the children in the facility. This means that at all material times the state remained the legal custodian of the children. In the premise, the decision made to remove the children was in the best interests of the children concerned.

(2)(a)There were 10 children placed at Ubombo Children's Care Village when it was closed.

(b)The children concerned were placed in other alternative care settings as contemplated in Section 156 (1) of the Children's Act No.38 of 2005 as follows:

Table 1: below indicates the number of children, their alternative care placements and the dates of placements.

Table 1

NUMBER OF CHILDREN

ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT

DATE OF PLACEMENT

Mseleni Child and Youth Care Center

6 & 14 August 2012

Foster care of maternal aunt

6 & 24 August 2012

Reunified with the biological mother

6 August 2012

No longer a minor, she remained at the Ubombo Children's Care Village out her own choice. She is now attending a catering course in Ghost Mountain Inn.

N/A

(3)(a)(b) The following facilities are available at both the Ubombo Child Care Village & Mseleni Child & Youth Care Centre

Table 2: below indicates the facilities available at both Ubombo Child Care Village and Mseleni Child and Youth Care Centre

Table: 2

UBOMBO CHILDREN'S CARE VILLAGE

MSELENI CHILD & YOUTH CARE CENTRE

· Recreational facilities i.e. computers with educational games, puzzles, story books, television set, outdoor play equipment i.e. jungle gym, swings

· Recreational facilities ie. Computers with educational games, puzzles, story books, television set, outdoor play equipment i.e. Jungle gym, swings

· Educational facilities –the facility had access to the schools in the community.

· Educational facilities –the facility has got access to the schools in the community.

· Health facilities - the facility had access to the nearby Bethesda Hospital

· Health care facilities -the facility utilises the services of Mseleni Hospital.

(4)No, none of the children have gone missing since the closure of the facility. All the children have either been placed in alternative care or re-united with their families and relatives.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2187

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 25

2187. Mr E H Eloff (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether (a) her department or (b) any entity reporting to her makes use of private security firms; if so, in each case, (i) which firms and (ii) what is the (aa) purpose, (bb) value and (cc) duration of each specified contract? NW2712E

REPLY:

(a) Yes, the Department is currently employing (i) Born to Protect Private Security Firm (ii) (aa) to render physical security services which involves access and access control only.

The tender was awarded for (cc) 2 year period that amounted to (bb) R2.3 million.

NDA

The NDA does not use services of any security company. Security Services are provided by the landlord for the premises.

SASSA

(a) Not applicable to SASSA.

(b) Yes, SASSA make use of private security firms. Further details are entailed in the table below:

(i)

Which Firms

(ii) (aa)

The purpose

(bb)

Value

(cc)

Duration

Xhobani Security Services

Guarding of assets, building and people

R10 427 400.00

6 months

Katushaya Security Services

Guarding of assets, building and people

R3 265 387.00

6 months

Reshebile Aviation and Protection Services

Guarding of assets, building and people

R5 125 426.02

6 months

Mabotwane Security Services

Guarding of assets, building and people

R9 488 414.82

6 months

Tshedza Protective Services

Circle Seven

Guarding of assets, building and people at Head Office

R772 303.44

R 927 832, 32

6 months

Kgomaganang Business Enterprise

Guarding of assets, building and people

R11 313 063.76

6 months

Mafoko Security Services

Guarding of assets, building and people

R 7 247 640.25

6 months

Raite Security Services

Electronic Security Systems Maintenance

R96 000

12 months

RnD Screening technologies Pty Ltd

Repair and Maintenance of Xray and metal detectors

R 282 765.60

36 months

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2132

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 25

2132. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether all officials in the senior management service (SMS) within her department declared their interest for the (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13 financial years; if not, (i) why not, (ii) which financial years did they not declare and (iii) what (aa) are the (aaa) names and (bbb) positions of each official and (bb) action was taken in each case; if so, what are the (aaaa) names and (bbbb) positions of the officials that declared their interest in each of the above financial years? NW2652E

REPLY:

(a) One (1) official did not declare.

(i) Unrelated disciplinary procedures were in progress at the time and the official subsequently resigned.

(ii) 2010/11 Financial year

(iii) (aaa) Ms IB Mngadi

(bbb) Formerly Director: HIV / Aids Prevention Programmes

(bb) No action (see (i) above)

(b) All officials declared for the 2011/12 financial year.

(i) There were new appointments to the SMS dispensation with effect from 21 June 2012 and 1 July 2012, respectively.

(ii) Chapter 3, Section C.3 of the Public Service Regulations 2001 (as amended) provides that "any person who assumes duty as a designated employee after 1 April in a year shall make such disclosure within 30 days after assumption of duty in respect of the period of 12 months preceding her or his assumption of duty."

(iii) (aaa) Ms LF Nziyane and Ms B Dumezweni

(bbb) Director: Prevention Programmes and Director: Strategic Planning & Management.

(bb) Written reminders to the officials are being prepared.

(c) Chapter 3, Section C.1 of the Public Service Regulations 2001 (as amended) provides that every designated employee shall, not later than 30 April of each year, "disclose to the relevant executing authority, on the form determined for this purpose by the Commission, particulars of all her or his registrable interests in respect of the period 1 April of the previous year to 31 March of the year in question". In this context it should be noted that SMS members currently employed must submit financial disclosures in respect of the 2012/13 financial year not later than 30 April 2013.

In terms of (aaaa) and (bbbb) the name lists are attached for the 2010/11 and 2011/12 financial years.

font??iy`???o:p>

(2)(a) to (c) No. The FPB has not classified any paintings in the 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 financial years.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2125

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 25

2125. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether there is a departmental protocol regarding the distribution of food parcels, including (a) who qualifies, (b) how applications are (i) made and (ii) adjudicated, (c) how often food parcels are distributed to a household and (d) what control mechanisms are in place to prevent abuse of the programme; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) what is the quantum with regard to the (a) monetary value and (b) food content of a food parcel;

(3) whether quality control measures are in place to ensure (a) value for money and (b) the quality of the food; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) whether each province uses different food companies for the compiling of the food parcels; if so, (a) which companies are used, (b) for which items, (c) how was the tender awarded to each company and (d) what is the value of each tender in each province; if not, (i) how does each province determine each service provider, (ii) which service provider provides each item for each food parcel in each province and (iii) what is the value of the tender awarded to each service provider? NW2644E

REPLY:

(1) The management of distribution of food parcels is done strictly in accordance with the provisions for social relief of distress as set in the Social Assistance Act, 2004.

(a) People who may qualify for social relief of distress are South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees, who have insufficient means and meet one or more of the following criteria:

· Is awaiting payment of an approved social grant;

· Has been declared medically unfit to undertake remunerative work for a period of less than 6 months;

· Does not receive maintenance from a parent, child or spouse who is legally obliged to pay maintenance and proof is provided of efforts to obtain the maintenance;

· The breadwinner has died and application is made within 3 months of the death;

· The breadwinner has been admitted to an institution funded by the state;

· The person has been affected by a disaster; and

· Refusal to provide assistance may cause undue hardship

Social relief of distress may be provided in the form of vouchers which allow the identified beneficiary to purchase goods at identified, pre-screened merchants which are registered on SASSA's database, or food parcels. Food parcels are primarily provided in the Free State and Eastern Cape, where the number of suppliers is limited. However, food parcels may also be provided during outreach programmes.

(b) (i) Applications are made on a prescribed form at any SASSA office. The application must be accompanied by certified copies of supporting documents proving identity and the specific criteria under which the application is made. For example, where the reason for application is that the breadwinner has died, a copy of the death certificate must be attached.

(ii) Adjudication of applications are done by SASSA staff at local offices. The decision to approve or reject an application is done on the basis of the criteria set in legislation.

(c) If approved, social relief is provided to the beneficiary on a monthly basis for a period of 3 months. This period may be extended for a further period of 3 months if the circumstances require the ongoing support. No beneficiary may receive social relief for a period exceeding 6 consecutive months. Social relief may, in certain circumstances, be provided for a period of less than 3 months – for example, where the person is awaiting payment of an approved grant, he/she will generally receive social relief only for the one month before the grant payment is effected.

(d) All social relief provided is captured on Socpen, to control the number of issues and to prevent duplicate payments to the same beneficiary. The key control for the management of social relief is the identity number – when captured, the Socpen system will indicate when last social relief was issued. Where food parcels are issued, there must be an approved application, and the beneficiary signs for receipt of the parcel.

2.(a) The value of social relief is legislated in that it cannot exceed the maximum amount of the old age pension for adult beneficiaries or the maximum amount of a child support grant for child beneficiaries. The cost of the food parcels falls within these parameters.

(b) The content of the food parcels is determined by SASSA, so that all beneficiaries who receive food parcels receive the same. The content is attached as Annexure A.

3. Quality control of the content of food parcels is in place.

(a) The content of food parcels have been costed to come within the maximum amount set in legislation, namely R1 200 for an adult parcel and R280 for a child parcel.

(b) The list of items to be provided is given to the service provider. In order to ensure quality of items supplied, brand names have been given. When food parcels are delivered, SASSA staff check the content, to ensure that they comply with the list of items given to the supplier. The supplier may not change any of the items without consent by SASSA.

4. Each province uses different, pre-identified and approved suppliers.

(a) The list of companies used per province is indicated on Annexure B.

(b) Each company supplies all the items on the list.

(c) No tender was awarded. Companies were requested to respond to a call for an expression of interest. Their premises were then inspected to ensure that they met the minimum criteria as advertised (basic requirements were that they had visible premises, were in good standing with SARS and demonstrated the ability to provide the goods as required. No minimum orders were guaranteed to any supplier. In addition, approved suppliers sign a service level agreement with SASSA to ensure that they meet the standards of the service required. Suppliers then are contacted as and when food parcels are required and they provide on order.

(d) Not relevant – no minimum amounts were guaranteed, as there was no tender issued.

(i) Not relevant. Where provinces do not have pre-approved service providers on their data base, and they are needed to provide food parcels (particularly in those provinces which ordinarily issue food vouchers), a quotation process is followed, to ensure that approved supply chain management processes are followed.

(ii) Not applicable

(iii) Not applicable

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2098

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 17 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 25

2098. Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department has put a (a) service level agreement and (b) costing model in place with regard to the number of subsidies that are available in each specified province for the provision of care for older persons, including frail care; if not, why not; if so, (i) when was it agreed to in each specified province and (ii) what are the details of the costing model in each province;

(2) whether the (a) service level agreement and (b) costing model include the monthly operational costs for each patient; if not, in each case, (i) why not and (ii) what are the estimated monthly operational costs for each patient;

(3) whether the nongovernmental organisation and nonprofit organisation (NGO/NPO) sector has requested that the funding model should be revised to include a 100% subsidy; if so, (a) which NGOs and NPOs have made such a request, (b) from which provinces are the specified NGOs and NPOs and (c) on what date in each case? NW2508E

REPLY:

(1) (a) Yes - service level agreements are available in each province between the NPOs funded and the Department of Social Development. (b) National costing models have been developed for care for older persons including frail care. The models have not yet been implemented in provinces, pending the finalisation of the NPO funding model which is being developed.

(2) (a) Service level agreement is between the NPO and the Department of Social Development and (b) Yes, the costing model include the monthly operational costs for each patient. (ii) The estimated monthly operational costs for each patient is R4, 015.

(3) Following the consultations the Department of Social Development had with the NPO Sector during the audit on the impact of the Policy on Financial Awards and the process of reviewing the policy, calls for increased funding have been raised by the nongovernmental organisation and non-profit organisation (NGO/NPO) sector. (b) The request was made by some of the NPOs in all provinces during a process of consultations (c) The audit on the impact of the Policy on Financial Awards during 2010 and the process of reviewing the policy during 2011.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2080

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 10 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 23

2080. Mr E H Eloff (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether (a) she, (b) her Deputy Minister and (c) any official from an entity reporting to her will be attending or attended, the 2012 Olympic Games; if so, what is the (i)(aa) name, (bb) rank and (cc) position/designation of each specified person accompanying (aaa) her, (bbb) her Deputy Minister and (ccc) each specified person and (ii)(aa) nature and (bb) official reason for the visit;

(2) what (a) total amount will be spent or has been spent on the trip, (b) is the (i) description and (ii) detailed breakdown of the amounts that will be spent or have been spent on (aa) accommodation, (bb) travel and (cc) subsistence costs and (c) from which budget will these funds be incurred in each case? NW2560E

REPLY:

(1) No, no person attended the Olympic Games in the Department as well as in the Entities.

(2) Falls away

yle='fC?70`Kh?J New Roman"'> Mpumalanga: 12

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 2050

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 10 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 23

2050. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1657 on 16 July 2012, she will provide Mr M Waters with a copy of the report; if not, why not? NW2530E

REPLY:

Yes, the copy of the report mentioned in the Parliamentary Question 1657 is hereby attached.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2049/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

2049. Mrs D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her reply to question 1535 on 4 July 2012, (a) what are the reasons for the delay of longer than six months of the seven applications waiting for approval and (b) which official is responsible for finalising each application? NW2529E

REPLY:

(a) With reference to the reply to question 1535, the reasons for the delay of longer than six months of seven applications waiting for approval are as follows;

· Working documents are forwarded to relevant Central Authorities to sign if in agreement with the contents thereof. The concerned Central Authorities consult with their legal team for guidance and approval.

· Central Authorities in some instances need clarification and recommend some amendments before signing off.

· Teleconferences are held to discuss and clarify issues on working agreements to come to common understanding by both Central Authorities.

· After Central Authorities have signed the working agreements, relevant Child Protection Organizations will then sign their working agreements to facilitate inter-country adoptions.

· The Central Authority will be provided with certified copies of working agreements entered into by the child protection organizations for approval thereof in terms of section 260 (2) (a) of the Children's Act 38 of 2005.

(b) The South African Central Authority officials in the Department of Social Development are responsible for finalizing all applications.

Reply received: November 2012

QUESTION 2048

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 May 2012

Internal question paper no: 13

2048. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to her reply to question 1536 on 4 July 2012, on what dates did her department take steps to deal with the concerns that clients raised with the specified adoption agencies;

(2) whether she will provide copies of all the department's correspondence in this regard to Mrs P C Duncan; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether she has found that adoption agencies are not applying any form of discrimination; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) what steps does she intend to take with regard to adoption agencies that are found to persist in using discriminatory criteria? NW2528E

REPLY:

(1) With reference to the answer of question 1536 dated 4 July 2012, the Department does not have specific dates that it communicated with specified adoption agencies as concerns raised by client were immediately addressed telephonically and these were prior to the promulgation of the Children's Act.

Currently, the Department is in the process of conducting a Monitoring and Evaluation exercise on all the adoption agencies to ensure compliance with the Children's Act.

(2) The Department is not in a position to provide copies of correspondence in this regard because the communication was conducted telephonically with specified adoption agencies.

(3) The adoption agencies are complying with legislation, thus they are not applying any form of discrimination. All adoption applicants are considered based on the provisions of the Children's Act 38 of 2005.

(4) The Department expects all adoption agencies to comply with domestic legislation especially the Constitution which prohibits discrimination on any arbitrary grounds. If there is non-compliance, the following measures will be undertaken against adoption agencies:

Ø Consultation with the relevant adoption agency to address discriminatory issues;

Ø Monitoring and evaluation of the adoption services and policies;

Ø To conduct Developmental Quality Assurance in terms of section 109 of the Children's Act with the aim of withdrawing the adoption services.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2029

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 10 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 23

2029. Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether, with regard to the provision of services to child-headed households, her department has a protocol with the Department of Health to ensure that social workers are notified immediately when a parent dies; if not, (a) why is there no such protocol and (b) when will such protocol be implemented; if so, (i) what are the details of the protocol, (ii) when was it first implemented and (iii) how effective is the implementation of the protocol? NW2506E

REPLY:

No, the Department of Social Development does not have a protocol with the Department of Health to ensure that social workers are notified immediately when parents die.

Due to the working relationship established between the Department of Health and the Department of Social Development, all social workers have been trained through the service delivery model and Children's Act (Act no 38 of 2005) how to intervene in the lives of clients in different situations and settings. The professional training received by social workers and the code of conduct of the profession has capsulated the multi-disciplinary approach principle when responding to the needs of clients. Social workers in the Department of Health are aware of their Jurisdiction and therefore, cases that need further intervention outside their parameters; are referred to social workers based in the Non-Governmental Organisation sector or Department of Social Development. These social workers will undertake the investigations and provide comprehensive reports to the social workers in the Department of Health which will assist with the development of a long term plan for clients. The collaboration and integration between the two Departments do not guarantee the development of any protocol.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2028

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 10 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 23

2028. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) is capturing fingerprints of children younger than six when their care givers apply for a grant on their behalf; if not, (a) why not and (b) what biometric identification is being taken; if so,

(2) whether she commissioned research to prove that fingerprints of a child younger than seven are fully formed and will not change; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, who conducted the research;

(3) whether she intends to provide Mrs D Robinson with a copy of the research findings?

NW2505E

REPLY:

(1) Yes. The Agency is capturing fingerprints of children aged six years and younger together with their primary care givers when they apply for grants and when they reregister.

(2) No, research was commissioned by the service provider capturing the biometrics.

No, research was commissioned by the service provider capturing the biometrics.

Reply received: August 2012

QUESTION 2023

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 10 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 23

2023. Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department has a policy on disciplining children; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether she intends introducing legislation that would prevent parental corporal punishment; if not, why not; if so, when? NW2499E

REPLY:

(1) No, the Department does not have a policy on disciplining of children. However, the Children's Act (Act 38 of 2005) is the legislative framework currently guiding the discipline of children. One of the objectives of the Act is to give effect to the Constitutional right of children to protection from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation. The Act further prohibit amongst other forms of abuse, physical abuse which include the following indicators namely fractures, bruises, cuts, welts, repeating injuries etc. The notification guidelines on Child Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation provide information to social workers on how to assess children and to determine an appropriate type of intervention. The Act provides furthermore mechanisms for the reporting of, and intervention in child abuse cases.

The Act further provides for the funding and provision of prevention and early intervention programmes aimed at developing appropriate parenting skills and the capacity of parents and care-givers to safeguard the well-being and best interests of their children, including the promotion of positive, non-violent forms of discipline.

The Regulations and the National Norms and Standards guide the management of the behaviour of children in child and youth care centres, early childhood development centres and foster care, by promoting approaches to positive discipline. They provide guidelines on the discipline of children in a humane way that promotes integrity.

(2) Yes, the Department intends to propose legislation that would address parental corporal punishment in the 2014/2015 financial year.

Reply received: December 2012

QUESTION 2009

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 10 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 23

2009. Ms P Gcume (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

How many community development workers were (a) trained and (b) employed by the Social Sector Expanded Public Works Programme (i) in (aa) 2008, (bb) 2009, (cc) 2010, (dd) 2011 and (ii) since 1 January 2012? NW2484E

REPLY:

A similar question was posed by Ms P Gcume (COPE PQ No 21 of 2012) to the Minister of Social Development in April 2012 and was responded to and tabled to Parliament see attached.

(a) (i) The Social Sector Expanded Public Works Programme has no category of

worker called Community Development Workers that was trained in:

(aa) 2008;

(bb) 2009;

(cc) 2010;

(dd) 2011 and

(ii) Since January 2012

(b) (i) The Social Sector Expanded Public Works Programme has no category of

worker called Community Development Worker that was employed in:

(aa) 2008;

(bb) 2009;

(cc) 2010;

(dd) 2011 and

(ii) Since January 2012

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 2007

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 10 August 2012

Internal question paper no: 23

2007. Ms N P Gcume (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her department has taken any steps to ensure that the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) furnish the files of grant beneficiaries with the necessary information required for audit purpose to the Auditor-General; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps? NW2482E

REPLY:

Yes, an action plan has been developed by SASSA to address all the issues that were raised by AGSA. The Department has invited SASSA's Executive Management to attend the Audit Committee of the department and will continue to do so to closely monitor the progress made in terms of their action plan and to ensure that all the issues raised by AGSA are adequately resolved. Some of the documentation was provided to the Auditors during the final stage of the audit.

Reply received: August 2012

QUESTION 1981/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1981. Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether any entity reporting to her has budgeted for (a) financial donations or (b) sponsorships in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2012-13 financial years; if not, why not; if so, in each case, what amount was (aa) budgeted and (bb) spent?

NW2370E

The National Development Agency and the South African Social Security Agency are the two (2) entities reporting to the Minister of Social Development. Refer to Table 1 for the response with regard to SASSA

Table 1: SASSA

Question

(i)

2009/10

(ii)

2010/11

(iii)

2011/12

(iv)

2012/13

(a)

Financial Donations

No, the Agency did not budget for donations as there were no planned donations

(b)

Sponsorships

No, the Agency did not budget for sponsorships as there were no planned sponsorship

Yes, the Agency budgeted for financial sponsorships

(aa)

Amount Budgeted

Nil

R2 million

(bb)

Amount Spent

Nil

250, 000.00

With regard to the National Development Agency refer to Table 2 Below:

Table 2: NDA Response

Question

(i) 2009/10

(ii) 2010/11

(iii) 2011/12

(iv) 2012/13

(a)

Financial Donations

No, the Agency did not budget for donations as there were no planned donations

(b)

Sponsorships

No, the Agency did not budget for sponsorships as there were no planned sponsorship

(aa)

Amount Budgeted

Nil

(bb)

Amount Spent

Nil

17,896.00

3,000.00

Reply received: August 2012

QUESTION 1947/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1947. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether, with reference to the reply to question 1644 on 30 July 2012, her department has appointed a team of medical experts to conduct (a) a comprehensive inspection of the South Coast Recovery Centre and (b) the circumstances leading to a certain person's death (name furnished); if not, in each case, (i) why not, (ii) when will such a team be appointed and (iii) who will appoint the team; if so, in each case, (aa) when were they appointed, (bb) what (aaa) is the name and (bbb) are the qualifications of each specified member of the team, (cc) what is their mandate, (dd) by which date are they expected to have completed their investigation and (ee) to whom will they submit their report?

NW2336E

Response:

(a) Yes, the Director-General of the Department of Social Development has appointed an inspection team to conduct a comprehensive inspection at South Coast Recovery Centre (SCRC).

(b) Yes, the inspection team was appointed to conduct a comprehensive inspection into the circumstances leading to the death of Ms Blair Trouchet.

(i) Not applicable

(ii) The inspection team was appointed on 30 July 2012

(iii) The Director-General of Social Development appointed the inspection team.

(aa) The members of the inspection team was appointed on 30 July 2012

(bb)

(aaa) Mr M Kalaeamodimo - Director: Substance Abuse; Department

of Social Development (leader)

Mr P Viviers - Social Work Policy Manager: Substance

Abuse; Department of Social Development

Ms N Lekgetho - Director: Litigation and Contracts;

Department of Social Development

Prof S Rataemane - Head of Psychiatry: MEDUNSA

Prof D Mkize - Specialist Psychiatrist: Durban Medical

Centre

Dr D Grobler - Psychiatrist: Steve Biko Academic Hospital

(bbb) Mr M Kalaeamodimo - M Soc Sc in Social Work

Mr P Viviers - M Soc Sc in Social Work

Ms N Lekgetho - LLB (Law)

Prof S Rataemane - MBChB and Masters degree in Psychiatry

Prof D Mkize - MBChB and Masters degree in Psychiatry

Dr D Grobler - MBChB and Masters degree in Psychiatry

(cc) The mandate of the inspection team is to conduct a comprehensive inspection into the circumstances leading to the death of Ms Blair Trouchet, a former resident at SCRC.

(dd) The Inspection Team will be conducting the inspection at SCRC from 27 to 29 August 2012.

(ee) The inspection team will submit their report to the Director-General of Social Development

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 1935/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1935. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her department has any contingency plans with regard to the imminent closing down of the Boksburg Child Welfare (BCW); if not, why not, if so, (a) what are the plans, (b) how many cases is the BCW currently dealing with and (c) how many social workers has her department allocated to the area? NW2324E

(a) The Department has been having consultative meetings with the said organization in pursuit of developing a contingency plan and where possible, to avert the closing down of Boksburg Child Welfare (BCW). In the interim, the Department has taken over the intake services of certain areas that were re-demarcated/reallocated to the Department as an endeavor to reduce the caseload of BCW.

The Department will continue with these consultative meetings to further assess the root causes of the possible closure and if funds are available, it will explore the probability of providing additional financial assistance.

(b) The total number of cases that the BCW is currently dealing with is as follows:

Boksburg Office – 1,653

Reiger Park Office – 452

Vosloorus Office – 237

(c) The Department is currently funding BCW to the tune of R1, 996,464 for Social Work Services which covers the following posts:

· 1 x Assistant Director

· 1 x Chief Social Worker

· 9 x Social Workers

· 6 x Social Auxiliary Workers

· 1 x Community Developer

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 1899/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1899. Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether she has had any discussions with the Minister of Health with regard to a joint subsidy by their departments to frail care institutions for older persons; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2288E

REPLY:

The Minister of Social Development has not had any discussion with the Minister of Health regarding a joint subsidy by the two Departments for frail care institutions for older persons.

The Minister of Social Development and the Minister of Health are both aware of the roles of each Department at the frail care centres for older persons. Services at the frail care facilities are currently administered through the Older Persons Act, 2006, (Act no. 13 of 2006). This Act is mandatory to the Department of Social Development.

The Department of Social Development liaises with the Department of Health whenever there is a need for their expertise on health Issues. This partnership is ongoing despite the fact that the Department of Health is not mandated to render a service in frail care facilities for older persons.

Currently the Older Persons Act, 2006 does not cater for the role of the Department of Health. However the Department of Health is invited during the registration process and during the monitoring and evaluation processes.

Both Departments of Social Development and Health produce reports on the above mentioned processes. The Department of Health assesses the nursing staff in terms of the Health Act, Pharmaceutical Act and other relevant Acts.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 1853/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1853. Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether the Child Protection Register (CPR) has a back-up IT system; if not, (a) why not and (b) what contingency plans are in place in case the primary IT system crashes; if so, (i) what are the details of the back-up system, (ii) when was it installed and (iii) what did it cost;

(2) what information is available on (a) part A and (b) part B of the CPR?

NW2245E

(1) The Child Protection Register (CPR) system does have a backup IT system. The system is protected against data loss by means of an information back-up through backup software. The back-ups of the information are performed on regular schedules as per the department's data backup policy. Regular back-ups are stored off-site for safety. Department implemented network data storage solution and backup software in 2006 for an estimated cost of R4million.

(2) The information that is available on:

(a) Part A of the CPR is information reported on children who have been abused, neglected and exploited i.e. currently there are 22 816 cases reported on the electronic system. Part A Register also keeps records on convictions and findings of the children's court which are received from courts. There are 398 cases reported in terms of Form 25 which is prescribed for both Criminal and Children's Courts to report on (1) convictions of all persons on charges involving the abuse or deliberate neglect of a child and (2) all findings by a children's court that a child is in need of care and protection because of abuse or deliberate neglect of the child; and

(b) Part B of the CPR is a record of persons found unsuitable to work with children by courts and fora. It requires that every person who works or have access to children be screened against this register to ensure that persons found unsuitable to work with children are prohibited from working with children. Currently there are 40 cases of persons found unsuitable to work with children, and 11,191 inquiries from employers and individuals to establish whether their names have been included on the Register in terms of section126 of the Act.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 1815/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1815. Mrs. D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) What is the funding policy for community-based care (CBC), (b) when was it last increased, (c) what is the monetary value for each day for each person and (d) what services are expected to be delivered with the funding? NW2207E

REPLY:

(a) The provinces are funded from the national revenue through the provincial equitable share (PES) and conditional grants and own revenue sources. The PES is constitutionally entitled discretionary funding or grant instrument which enables provinces to deliver constitutionally mandated services or functions.

The Provinces use a Policy on Financial Award to Service Providers and Provincial Business Plans to award funding to organisations. The policy is broad in scope to provide for national and provincial governments to

develop procedure guidelines according to specific needs and available resources.

The policy on financial awards is aimed at guiding the country's response to the financing of service providers in the social development sector, to facilitate transformation and redirection of services and resources, and to ensure effective and efficient services to the poor and vulnerable sectors of society. The Department funds the Home and Community Based Care (HCBC) organisations through the allocation breakdown as per provincial business plan. The Home and Community Based Care is the provision of comprehensive health and social services by primary and community caregivers in the home and community in order to promote restore and maintain a person's maximal level of comfort, social functioning and health.

(b) The Department conducted a desktop review on funding and allocations and a number of funding challenges were discovered. The challenges were lack of uniformity in the implementation of policy across provinces, the national and provincial roles and responsibilities in relation to the NPO funding were not clearly defined and the policy not aligned to the newly approved departmental pieces of legislation. The funding policy has been reviewed and was finalised in March 2011.

(c) The Department of Labour introduced the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Ministerial Determination 4, No. 949 0ctober 2011. The monetary value for each day per Community Caregiver as stipulated in the minimum EPWP wage rate is R60 per day. This is adjusted annually in-line with inflation. The HCBC as one of the programmes of the EPWP Social Sector Programmes pays stipends to community caregivers as per the EPWP Ministerial Determination.

(d) The services that are expected to be delivered with the funding are the following:

· Payments of stipends

· Care and Support to people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and other debilitating conditions

· Provision of food parcels and food supplements

· School uniforms for OVC

· Training of Community Caregivers (Skills Development)

· Capacity Building of Managers and Supervisors of the organizations.

· Rendering of Psychosocial Support Services to families and individuals.

· HIV and AIDS Prevention Programmes.

Reply received: August 2012

QUESTION 1765/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1765. Mr N J van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether (a) her department and (b) all entities reporting to her make payment to (i) suppliers and (ii) service providers within the 30 day payment period as specified by the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Act 1 of 1999; if not, in each case, (aa) how many service providers are awaiting payment, (bb) what is the monetary value of outstanding payments and (cc) how long is payment overdue;

(2) whether (a) her department and (b) all entities reporting to her are liable for any interest charged on overdue payments in any of the cases mentioned; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, what is the (i) percentage and (ii) monetary value of interest charged;

(3) whether (a) her department and (b) all entities reporting to her have negotiated revised payment schedules with each of the service providers mentioned; if not, why not; if so, in each case, what are the relevant details;

(4) what are the reasons for (a) her department and (b) all entities reporting to her not making payment within 30 days as specified by the PFMA;

(5) whether (a) her department and (b) all entities reporting to her have implemented any measures to (i) ensure full compliance with the PFMA and (ii) facilitate immediate payment for overdue accounts; if not, why not; if so, in each case, what are the relevant details?

NW2156E

REPLY:

(1) (a)(i)(ii) Yes, the National Department of Social Development does pay

its suppliers and service providers within a 30 day payment period, as specified by the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Act 1 of 1999, with the exception for payments having challenges.

(a)(aa) Currently there is one (1) supplier and eight (8) service providers awaiting payment.

(a)(bb) The monetary value of outstanding payments at the Department is R7 176 051.74, compromising of R3 618.43 in respect of the one supplier and R7 172 433.31 for the other eight service providers.

(a)(cc) Age analysis of the outstanding payments are reflected in the below table:

NUMBER OF DAYS

AMOUNT

More than 30 Days

2 129 649.69

More than 60 Days

1 167 126.09

More than 120 Days

3 879 275.96

TOTAL

7 176 051.74

(b)(i)(ii) Yes, both entities (SASSA and NDA) pay their suppliers and service providers within 30 days as specified by the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Act 1 of 1999.

(b)(aa) Only one (1) service provider currently awaits payment from the NDA whilst thirty three (33) service providers at SASSA Head Office and three hundred and fifty five (355) service providers at SASSA Provincial Offices awaits payment.

(b)(bb) The monetary value of the outstanding payment at the NDA is R51 300.00, whilst the monetary value of outstanding payments at SASSA amounts to R57 060 549.71.

(b)(cc) Outstanding payments to the respective service provider at the NDA is 120 days overdue. The age analysis of the outstanding payments at SASSA are reflected in the below table. Detailed information regarding outstanding payments at SASSA is also reflected on the attached Annexure A.

NUMBER OF DAYS

SASSA PROVINCE / HO

AMOUNT

More than 30 days

Head Office

20 654 157.14

Eastern Cape

22 624.88

Free State

35 626.95

Gauteng

2 571 274.76

Limpopo

2 336 630.21

Mpumalanga

4 916 196.45

North West

7 652 933.78

Northern Cape

171 180.69

Western Cape

1 918 088.96

KZN

9 439 188.78

Sub-Total

49 717 902.60

More than 60 Days

Head Office

5 145 992.87

Eastern Cape

772 373.50

Limpopo

298 832.46

Mpumalanga

271 608.00

North West

162 060.29

Northern Cape

89 949.00

Western Cape

249 330.89

KZN

135 365.21

Sub-Total

7 125 512.22

More than 120 Days

Head Office

54 236.91

Eastern Cape

229.00

North West

121 509.57

Western Cape

23 483.22

KZN

17 676.19

Sub-Total

217 134.89

TOTAL

57 060 549.71

(2) (a) No, the National Department of Social Development is not liable

for any interest. No interest was charged by any of the suppliers or service providers.

(a)(i)(ii) Not applicable.

(b) No, neither of the entities (SASSA and NDA) is liable for interest charged on overdue payments in any of the cases mentioned. In the case reported by the NDA the delay in payment was occasioned by incorrect invoicing by the service provider.

(b)(i)(ii) Not applicable.

(3) (a) No, the Department did not negotiate revised payment

schedules with any of the suppliers or service providers that had overdue payments to them.

(b) No, neither of the entities (SASSA and NDA) negotiated revised payment schedules with the service providers mentioned. In the case reported by the NDA the service provider has been informed of the incorrect invoicing but to date the revised invoice has not been received.

(4) (a) The reasons for the Department not making payments within 30

days as prescribed by the PFMA are:

· Delays in verifying supplier banking details;

· Slow legacy Financial systems (BAS / LOGIS);

· Delay in verification of payment documents by end-users within the Department;

· Invoices delivered directly to end-users and left un-attended;

· Delays by line managers to certify and sign invoices;

(b) NDA: The exception in the case at NDA was occasioned by incorrect invoicing by the service provider.

SASSA: The reasons for not making payment within 30 days as specified by the PFMA are attributable to the following factors:

· Disputed invoices by SASSA from suppliers;

· Last year accruals that were paid in April, May and June 2012; and

· Invoices and credit notes submitted late by suppliers.

(5) (a)(i)(ii) Yes, measures have been implemented by the Department to

ensure full compliance with the PFMA.

The Department has introduced an Invoice Register to monitor and track the movement of invoices received in the Directorate: Supply Chain Management. The Department is in the process of developing an electronic procurement and payments monitoring system that will be used to track and trace the status of procurement and payment of goods and services.

(b)(i) Yes, measures have been implemented by both entities (SASSA and NDA) to ensure full compliance with the PFMA.

(b)(ii) Yes, the following measures have been implemented by the respective entities (SASSA and NDA) to facilitate immediate payment for overdue accounts:

NDA:

· Suppliers were informed in writing of any queries relating to invoices received from them.

SASSA:

· Reminders are sent to suppliers that do not submit their invoices timeously for SASSA to effect the payments within the prescribed time frames;

· An internal control measure has been implemented to ensure that all invoices received from service providers are stamped with a "date received" stamp to enable SASSA to monitor the number of days the invoice is with SASSA. This internal control measure was tabled at the Audit Committee and also discussed with the Auditor-General;

· The ageing invoice register has been enhanced to include "invoice received date" which is then utilised to calculate the ageing of unpaid invoices;

· A Payment cycle report has been developed to monitor all payments made within 30 days after receipt of invoices; and

· A monthly consolidated report is prepared to indicate payments not made within 30 days with reasons for each supplier.

Reply received: August 2012

QUESTION 1752/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1752. Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether the register of nonprofit organisations has been published (a) in the Government Gazette and (b) at least one other widely circulated means of communication within two months after the end of the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12 financial years; if not, why not; if so, (aa) on which date in each case and (bb) in which other widely circulated means of communication in each case?

NW2143E

REPLY:

No, the Department has not published the register of nonprofit organisations in the Government Gazette nor any other widely circulated means of communication due to the following:

a) In 2001, the register was published in the Government Gazette at a cost of more than R1, 5 million for less than 200 copies with less than 300 pages per copy. The following year, the previous Director General hauled the intention of repeating the same expensive venture of publishing the register of NPOs through the Government Gazette.

b) Again, in 2003, the register of NPOs was then print as an ordinary booklet of 757 pages at cost of about R900 000 for less than 500 copies.

c) Further attempts were made in 2004 to get a publisher as a service provider to design and publish the register of NPOs and the whole project was quoted at about R4, 5 million.

d) Since then, a decision was taken not to pursue this ambitious project as it has proven to be very costly

e) In 2009 to 2011 the department published the State of NPO registration report through GCIS. The Report is an analysis of the NPO register, which entails Registered and Deregistered NPOs per province, by sector, type of registration and deregistration.

f) For 2008/09 financial year the report was published in City Press, Sunday Times, the Star, Mail and Guardian and Sowetan.

g) For 2009/10 financial year the report was published in City Press, Sunday Independent, Sunday Times, Sunday World and Sunday Sun.

h) For 2010/11 financial year the report was published in City Press, Sunday Independent, Sunday Times, Mail and Guardian, attached as Annexure A is the report and the format has been the same throughout the years.

i) An electronic version of the NPO register is posted on the departmental website and updated on a weekly basis ( www.dsd.gov.za/npo/)

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 1749 2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What is the (a) optimal and (b) actual staffing complement with regard to Early Childhood Development:

NW2140E

Reply:

NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

In terms of the current organisational structure, the Early Childhood Development (ECD) functional area is a Sub-Directorate within the Directorate: Orphans and Vulnerable Children, and the posts attached to the function are as follows:

· 1 X Director (Orphans and vulnerable groups)

· 3 X Social Work Policy Manager Grade I (SW-B3), equivalent to Deputy-Director level.

In terms of the proposed organisational structure: The review and the redesign of the children's functional area resulted in the creation of the Chief Directorate: Early Childhood Development Services. Therefore, upon approval of the structure and allocation of the necessary funding, the new ECD functional area will be capacitated as follows at national level:

· 1 X Chief Director (new)

· 1 X Director (new)

· 3 X Social Work Policy Manager Grade I (SW-B3), equivalent to Deputy-Director level.

PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

The question asked requires specific information that has to be sought from the various provincial Departments of Social Development. My Department has as a result, referred this question to relevant MECs, and we are still awaiting their responses from Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Kwa Zulu-Natal Provinces. The information received is from the following provinces: North West, Gauteng, Free State and Limpopo Province

1. NORTH WEST PROVINCE

(a) The Provincial Office –

· Partial Care (PC) & ECD Services does not have optimal staffing complement.

(b) Actual staffing complement with regard to ECD is as follows:-

Total Number of post at Provincial Office = 20

POST

STATUS

Director

Filled

Secretary

Filled

Deputy Director

All (3) Filled

Assistant Director

(1)Filled

(5) Vacant

Snr Admin Officer

All (2) Filled

Admin Officer

(2) Filled

(1) Vacant

Admin Clerk

(3) Vacant

(1) Filled

2. GAUTENG PROVINCE

(a) Optimal staffing component

Total: 52 Social Workers

49 Auxilliary Social Workers

(b) Actual staffing component

Total: 43 Social Workers

48 Auxilliary Social Workers

3. FREE STATE PROVINCE

(a) Optimal

Provincial office:

· 1 Manager

· 3 Assistant Managers

· 1 Administrative Clerk

· 1 Data Capturer

District Office:

· 5 Assistant Managers

· 5 Administrative Clerks

· 9 Supervisors/Chief Community Development Workers

· 50 Community Development Workers

(b) Actual Staff

· 1 Manager

· 2 Assistant Managers

· 1 Administer Clerk

· 3 Full time Chief Community Development Workers

· 3 Part-time Chief Community Development Workers

· 12 Full time Community Development Workers

· 40 Part time Community Development Workers

4. LIMPOPO PROVINCE

(a) Optimal

The proposed structure does not have specific posts for Early Childhood Development. There is no dedicated personnel for ECD at both District and Local levels.

(b) Actual Staffing–

· 1 Manager : ECD Services, Provincial office.

(2) Whether all the vacant posts are funded; if not, which posts are not funded; if so, which posts are funded but not filled and (b) from which date has each post been vacant?

NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

All the existing posts in terms of the current organisational structure are funded and filled.

Proposed Organisational Structure: The newly created post of Chief Director: ECD is earmarked to be filled in the 2012/2013 financial year and the Director is earmarked to be filled in the 2013/2014 financial year, subject to the final approval of the proposed organisational structure and the availability of funding. The proposed organisational structure is still with the Minister for Public Service and Administration for consultation.

PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

1. NORTH WEST PROVINCE

· 1 Assistant Director Post is in a process of shortlisting for interviewing

- The post has been vacant since 01st November 2011

· 4 Assistant Director Posts still vacant and not funded

- The posts has been vacant since 01st April 2011

· 1 Admin Officer Post still vacant and not funded

- The post has been vacant since 01st April 2011

· 3 Admin Clerk Posts in a process of shortlisting and interview

- 2 Admin Clerk Posts are new and funded, has been vacant since 01st April 2011

- 1 Admin Clerk Post has been vacant since 01st November 2011

· All ECD Coordinators Posts at 19 Service Points are filled

2. GAUTENG PROVINCE

(a) Whether all the vacant posts are funded?

All the vacant posts are funded by the Department of Social

Development

(a)(i) Funded post but not filled

· 1 Social Work Manager (June 2012)

· 2 Social Work Supervisors (October 2011 and June 2011)

· 1 Principal Social Worker (April 2012)

· 5 Senior Social Workers (May 2009 and April 2011)

· 1 Auxillary Social Worker (April 2011)

3. FREE STATE PROVINCE

The Free State Provincial office does not have a specific organizational structure for PC/ECD. It forms part of the Directorate Children. Internal arrangements were made for the allocation of 4 full time officials for this purpose. The part time community development workers are not specifically allocated to ECD, they also assist in other programmes.

The Free State does not have organizational structure for PC/ECD in districts. All officials are part of Programme 2 which is Social Welfare Services or Programme3, Community Development Services and deliver services in an integrated manner. No dedicated officials for ECD. Two districts have made internal arrangements to have few dedicated officials for this purpose. No specific posts for ECD.

4. LIMPOPO PROVINCE

The current approved structure does not have specific posts for Early Childhood Development. The only post funded is for the Manager: ECD Services.

Reply received: August 2012

QUESTION 1746/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1746. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Answer: A total number of 4 340 organisations had their registration statuses cancelled over the years i.e.

(a) 2009-10: 996 NPOs

(b) 2010-11: 452 NPOs

(ii) voluntarily deregistered; if not, what is the position in this regard if so,

Answer: No voluntarily de-registration took place during the same periods

(aa) how many in each case,

Answer: None

(bb) what are the names of each NPO,

Answer: None

(cc) what type of service was each NPO offering,

Answer: None

(dd) where was each NPO situated and

Answer: None

(ee) what were the reasons for their (aaa) registration being cancelled or

Answer: Non-compliance to the provisions of section 18 of the Nonprofit Organisations Act, Act 71 of 1997.

(bbb) voluntary deregistration;

Answer: None

(2) whether the NPOs that had their registration cancelled in the specified financial years were notified prior to the cancellation;

Answer: A notice of non-compliance is issued in terms of section 20 (2) of the Nonprofit Organisations Act, Act 71 of 1997, prior to the cancellation of an NPO registration.

if not, (a) why not and

Answer: Refer to answer above

(b) which NPOs were notified; if so, what are the relevant details?

Answer: All cancelled NPO registrations were issued with notices of cancellation.

Reply received: August 2012

QUESTION 1727

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1727. Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:

Whether she has found that the imbalance between the foster care grant and the child support grant contributes to the growing abandonment of children; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant details; NW2110E

No evidence had been presented to me regarding such behaviour of parents that persuaded me to come to such a conclusion. However, should the honourable member have evidence of such behaviour then I will appreciate it if you could make the information available to me for further consideration.

Caregivers of children who are found to be in need of care and protection may opt to apply for the foster child grant rather than a child support grant provided that such a child had been placed in the care of the foster parent by an order of the Children's Court.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 1724/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1724. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What amount was allocated by her department to each specified province in the (a) 2009-10, (b) 20101-11, (c) 2011-2012, (d) 2012-2013 financial years in relation to services towards children in terms of (i) the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005 and (ii) specified legislation on child care;

(2) what amount did her department apply for in the (a) 2009-10, (b) 20101-11, (c) 2011-2012, (d) 2012-2013 financial years for services to children in terms of (i) the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005 and (ii) specified legislation on child care;

(3) whether her department monitors the amounts that were budgeted and actually allocated in each province to services to children; if not, why not; if so, (a) what amounts were actually allocated in each province to services children in the (a) 2009-10, (b) 20101-11, (c) 2011-2012, (d) 2012-2013 financial years and (b) (i) what amounts were allocated to other (aa) departments and (bb) services in each specified financial year and (ii) for what purpose in each case?

NW2054E

REPLY:

No, the provincial budget allocation is appropriated by the provincial legislatures; therefore provinces will be best suited to respond to the details of question raised in (1) (2)

3. The national Department of Social Development does not monitor the amounts that were budgeted and actually allocated in each province to services to children. Therefore questions raised in (a) (b), (c) (d) (b) (aa) and (bb) are not applicable.

The table below shows the amount allocated for children's services

PROVINCIAL EXPENDITURE FOR CHILDREN

Provinces

2009/2010

2010/2011

2011/2012

2012/2013

Budget

Actual

Budget

Actual

Budget

Actual

Budget

Actual

June 2012

Eastern Cape

211,708

214,411

239,947

240,729

259,435

36,995

Free State

255,205

255,058

278,526

277,761

309,430

309,785

343,211

78,133

Gauteng

679,005

754,643

904,048

900,858

943,415

195,985

Kwazulu Natal

275,787

306,766

511,434

489,903

72,983

Limpopo

148,714

148,355

148,537

171,107

196,164

193,602

241,720

65,910

Mpumalanga

119,942

135,700

160,320

166,383

194,746

193,372

168,602

12,808

Northern Cape

57,351

67,099

81,269

81,267

80,430

16,452

North West

109,076

92,141

144,301

122,608

130,337

24,662

Western Cape

339,075

320,408

345,931

344,462

351,443

351,442

406,423

83,474

Total

2,195,863

2,192,448

2,368,374

2,394,773

2,932,782

2,905,097

3,063,476

587,402

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1705

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

?1705. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) (p 698)-Social Development

(1) Whether any goods were distributed in each province in the (a)(i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12 financial years or are earmarked for distribution in the (b) 2012-13 financial year; if not, why not; if so, (aa) what type of goods are they, (bb) how many goods were and are earmarked for distribution, (cc) in which municipalities, (dd) in which wards and (ee) what is the value of each of these goods;

(2) what criteria were used to determine which communities would receive such goods? NW2059E

REPLY:

1 (a)(i)(ii)(b)(aa)(bb)(cc)(dd)(ee) The National Department of Social Development has written to all Provincial Departments of Social Development to obtain the necessary information. The National Department is liaising with those provincial departments that must still submit the information before a response could be forwarded.

2 The criteria will be known once the responses have been obtained.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1701

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 May 2012

Internal question paper no: 13

1701. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether she has taken any steps to ensure that each province has the budget to implement the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2055E

REPLY:

Yes, the department has taken steps to ensure that provincial departments of Social Development had information about the budget required to implement the Children's Act. In addition, Provincial Heads of Social Development were requested to develop and sign off implementation plans that included the projected funding for implementation of the Act. The provincial Departments of Social Development were urged to submit bids to their provincial treasuries to request funding for the implementation of the Act based on their implementation plans.

In addition, the National Department of Social Development submitted various bids for full implementation of the Children's Act to National Treasury. Funding has been made available for early childhood development, child and youth care centres and the roll-out of the community based care services to children through the Isibindi model. Since 2007 treasury provided the Department with funding for the social work scholarship programme to increase the number of social workers to implement the Act and other pieces of legislation within Welfare Services. To date over 5000 social workers qualified through the scholarship programme.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1697/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 22 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 19

1697. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What service (a) must be and (b) may be (i) provided and (ii) funded in accordance with the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005;

(2) What are the costs per province of providing (a) must be and (b) may be (i) provided and (ii) funded in relation to (aa) low scenario implementation plan (bb) high scenario implementation plan (cc) full cost low scenario and (dd) full cost high scenario plan.

(3) what amount was requested to provide services that (a) must be and (b) may be (i) provided and (ii) funded by the National Treasury in each financial year since the introduction of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005?

Reply:

1. (a) The following services must be provided and funded in accordance with the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005:

· Prevention and Early Intervention programmes

· Child and Youth Care Centres

· Child protection services. These services include among others foster care and adoption services.

(b) (i) The following services may be provided in accordance with the Children's Act No 38 of 2005:

· Partial Care Facilities

· Early Childhood Development Programmes.

· Drop in centres.

(ii) The following services may be funded in accordance with the Children's Act No 38 of 2005:

· Partial Care Facilities

· Early Childhood Development Programmes.

· Drop in centres.

2. The cost per province of providing (a) must be and (b) may be (i) provided and (ii) funded in relation to (aa) low scenario implementation plan (bb) high scenario implementation plan (cc) full cost low scenario and (dd) full cost high scenario plan.

Province

Low scenario implementation plan

High scenario implementation plan

Full cost low scenario

Full cost high scenario

Eastern Cape

R1. 20 Billion

R1.88 billion

R3.33 billion

R6.58 billion

Mpumalanga

R627 527 416

R1 670 536 826

R4 598 738 858

R23 244 667 858

Gauteng

Limpopo

Northwest

Northern Cape

Western Cape

Free State

Kwa-Zulu Natal

(3) The amount that was requested to provide services that (a) must be and (b) may be (i) provided and (ii) funded by the National Treasury in each financial year since the introduction of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005?

Province

Amount requested to provide must be provided and funded services

Amount requested for may be provided and funded services

Eastern Cape

2010/11: R185 128 188

2010/11: R190 245 724

2011/12: R180 472 971

2011/12: R212 409 452

Mpumalanga

None

Gauteng

Limpopo

Northwest

Northern Cape

Western Cape

Free State

Kwa-Zulu Natal

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1696

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 May 2012

Internal question paper no: 13

1696. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) When was the implementation plan of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, first introduced and (b) by which date will it be fully implemented in relation to the (i) high scenario and (ii) low scenario? NW2049E

REPLY:

(a) The implementation plan of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, was first introduced in 2010 when the rest of the Act was promulgated.

(b) (i) The current implementation plans of the provincial departments of Social Development for the implementation of the Children's Act, were not developed in relation to the high scenario which being an ideal situation, cannot be achieved in the near future due to lack of resources. The Department has first to ensure that all children have access to basic welfare services.

(ii) Most of the activities of the current implementation plans of the provincial departments of Social Development reflect the low cost scenario.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1680

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 May 2012

Internal question paper no: 13

1680. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether, in accordance with the National Drug Master Plan, a professional licensing or qualifications board has been established to devise standards of skills training in the various aspects of addiction management; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will this board be established; if so, (i) when was the board established, (ii) who serves on the board and (iii) how often has this board met? NW2021E

REPLY:

No the professional licensing or qualification board has not been established as yet

(a) The Board has to be established in accordance to the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act of 2008 which has not been promulgated as yet.

(b) The board will be in place once the Act is in operation.

(i ) the board has not been established as yet.

(ii) the board has not been established as yet.

Reply received: October 2012

QUESTION 1678

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 May 2012

Internal question paper no: 13

1678. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether she has instituted an older persons abuse register; if not, why not; if so, (a) when, (b) how many officials are allocated to process the register, (c) what amount has been allocated towards the implementation of the register since its inception and (d) how many names appear in the register;

(2) Whether any costing was conducted into the implementation of this register; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard? NW2019E

REPLY:

(1) (a) Yes, there is a manual register of the National and Provincial level. The development of an electronic register is still in the process of being finalised.

(b) The Directorate older persons is responsible for the register, at the National office.

(c) As the electronic register is still being developed a total amount is still being consolidated to accommodate the Provincial systems as well. The estimated amount is R 8 million.

(d) The names that appear on the manual register are only for the reported cases of abuse and there are currently 130 names.

(2) The Department has costed the establishment of the register for older persons. The Business Architecture Unit assisted in costing the establishment of the register for older persons. Attached are business requirements for the two phases and the relevant details in this regard.

t s? a?O0Ke evening and she then informed the manager of the centre about the absence of these children. Therefore the manager of the centre was informed on the same day.

(c) Mantadi Youth Care Centre is governed by the board of management and the centre is being managed on a day to day basis by Ms Makoela Huanna Anna.

(2) Based on the information given, the province had no reason to believe that the Minister should set up an enquiry to look at the issue of late reporting, as this was not the case in the present situation. The South African Police Service (SAPS) are busy with investigation in this regard. A joint National and provincial team of social workers conducted an assessment which will be included into a Quality Assurance process according to Section 89(1) of the Regulations on Child and Youth Care Centres in terms of the Children's Act 38 of 2005, on the incident and the Mantadi Youth Care Centre..

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1678

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 May 2012

Internal question paper no: 13

1678. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(2) whether any costing was conducted into the implementation of this register; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard? NW2019E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, an older person's abuse register was instituted in the form of manual transaction of all reported cases at the respective provincial offices of Social Development and coordinated by the National Department of Social Development (a) In April 2010 (b) One official at the National Department of Social Development and nine officials in the respective provincial offices of Social Development. (c) Amount allocated in this regard is part of the goods and services and compensation of employees responsible for the service (d) a total of 350 cases were reported and attended by social workers. This figure excludes the number of cases of people charged and found guilty by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Department which is not currently made available to the Department of Social Development.

(2) Yes costing has been done to implement an electronic older person's register during this financial year.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1676/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 22 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 19

1676. Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask Social Development (Ms Davids):

(1) Whether her department has developed a policy in pursuance of the release of the United Nations (UN) report World fit for children; if not, (a) why not and (b) what was the undertaking given to the UN regarding the date by which the policy would be developed; if so, what is the status of the policy? NW 2017E

NW2017E

REPLY:

The Department did not develop a broad policy in pursuance to the release of the UN report World fit for children it was not necessary to do so due to the fact that the goals for World fit for children cut across numerous Government Departments.

Besides, the Department of Social Development as the lead Department had already started with the development of a policy framework and a strategic plan to coordinate and integrate response to child abuse, neglect and exploitation as far back as 1996 when the National Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCCAN) devised a draft National Strategy for Child Abuse and Neglect. This strategy was again reviewed in 2001 and 2010 in alignment with the UN report and the Children's Act 38 of 2005 respectively.

In addition to that the Department developed the Children's Act 38 of 2005 to meet the requirements of the UN report World fit for children. The Department also introduced the Child Support Grant (CSG) in 1998 following a recommendation of the Lund Committee, which was established in 1996 with a mandate to review social security options for poor families and children, as part of the ANC Government's commitment to poverty reduction. CSG is a flat rate benefit that was initially set at R100.00 per child per month (up to a maximum of six children) but it is increased regularly and currently stands at R270 per child per month. The CSG was escalated from 0-15 years to 0-18 in 2009.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1673/2012

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

(1) Whether all rehabilitation centres throughout the country are registered with the department; if not, (a) why not, (b) which of these centres are not registered, (c) how long have they been operating without being registered, (d) what deadline, if any, has the department given each rehabilitation centre to register and (e) what action will her department take if they fail to meet the deadline;

REPLY:

The question asked requires specific information that has to be sought from the various provincial Departments of Social Development. My department has as a result, referred this question to relevant MECs, and we are still awaiting their responses.

(Please find the attached response from Gauteng province).

Below is the response from Gauteng only.

Not all rehabilitation centres in Gauteng are registered with the Department.

(a) The Department of Social Development is assigned the responsibility to administer the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act 20 of 1992. The Act makes provision for registration of Treatment Centres and Hostels (Half Way Houses). Section 9 stipulates that "No person shall manage any institution or other place maintained mainly for the accommodation and care of persons who are dependent on drugs or in which such persons receive physical, psychological, spiritual or social treatment, unless such institution or place is registered under this section". Whilst the Act is clear that no person shall operate an unregistered treatment centre, it is difficult to close these facilities once they start operating due to gaps in the current legislation.

Question:

(b) which of these centres are not registered

Response:

It has to be noted that the attached list is only centres that the Department is aware of. There might be other centres operating illegally that we are not yet aware of.

Question:

(c) how long have they been operating without being registered, (d) what deadline, if any, has the department given each rehabilitation centre to register

Response:

See attached

Question:

(e) what action will her department take if they fail to meet the deadline

Response:

The Department have advised all the unregistered treatment centres to stop admitting patients until the process of registration is finalized. Most of the centres however ignored this call as they are aware of the gaps in the current legislation.

Question

2. Whether her department funds any of the above-mentioned centres; if not, why not; if so, (a) which rehabilitation centres and (b) how much was allocated to each rehabilitation centre (i) in the (aa) 2010-11 and (bb) 2011-12 financial years and (ii) for the 2012-13 financial year?

Response

The Department does not fund any unregistered treatment centre.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1659/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 15 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 18

1659. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether, in accordance with the National Drug Master Plan, her department has introduced performance indicators to monitor the (a) effectiveness and (b) progress of action plans at all levels; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether the Central Drug Authority (CDA) currently monitors the (a) effectiveness and (b) progress of each department's Mini Drug Master Plan; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1994E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, The CDA Business Plan provided measurable results that had to be achieved over five years. Each year the CDA provided the CDA Annual Report to Parliament and the results of the reporting tool as simple measurement for the effectiveness and progress registered each year. In the Draft National Drug Master Plan 2012 – 2016, the full Monitoring and Evaluation as prescribed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) has been included to measure, effectiveness and efficiency relating to performance of departments.

(2) Yes, the Central Drug Authority (CDA) monitors the (a) effectiveness and (b) progress of each department's Mini Drug Master Plan and reports the progress in the CDA Annual Report to Parliament. Regardless, of the CDA efforts relating to monitoring effectiveness and progress the departments have to wait for their heads to approve the Mini Drug Master Plans and reports prior submitting to the CDA.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1658/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 15 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 18

1658. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department has a responsibility to inspect (a) registered and (b) unregistered rehabilitation centres; if not, why not; if so, how often must inspections take place;

(2) whether her department employs inspectors to ensure that norms and standards are implemented at each drug rehabilitation centre; if not, (a) why not and (b) how does she intend to ensure that norms and standards are adhered to; if so, (a) how many inspectors are there, (b) on which dates were inspection visits made to each drug rehabilitation centre and (c) what were the findings in each case? NW1993E

REPLY:

1(a)Yes, in terms of section 12 of the Prevention and Treatment for Drug dependency Act No, 20 of 1992 the Department of Social Development has the responsibility to inspect registered rehabilitation centres.

(b) No, the Department of Social Development does not have the responsibility to inspect unregistered rehabilitation centres because the Prevention and Treatment for Drug Dependency Act 20 of 1992 prohibits any person from operating a rehabilitation centre if it is not registered in terms of section 9 (1) of the Act.

2 (a) No, the Department of Social Development does not employ inspectors for rehabilitation centres. Section 12 (1) of the Prevention and Treatment for Drug Dependency Act, No 20 of 1992 however prescribes that, " a social worker, medical officer or any other person authorized thereto by the Director-General, or any magistrate, may, and shall if so directed by the Minister, enter any registered treatment centre, registered hostel or institution or place referred to in section 9 (1) or 11 (1) and inspect that registered treatment centre, registered hostel, institution or place and the books and documents appertaining thereto and any patient or person detained or accommodated therein or cause such patient or person to be examined by a medical officer or psychiatrist".

(b) Currently, the norms and standards for in-patient and out-patient treatment centres are not mandatory. In order to ensure that the norms and standards become mandatory, the Department developed the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, No 70 of 2008 and the Regulations to operationalize the Act. The Act will become operational before the end of the 2012/13 financial year after it has been proclaimed by the President and the Regulations promulgated by the Minister of Social Development.

During 2011/12 financial year, the Department facilitated implementation of the norms and standards for both in-patient and out-patient treatment centres in all provinces. The Department will monitor implementation of the norms and standards for in-patient and out-patient treatment centres in four provinces during 2012/13 financial year and other provinces in outer years.

(a) Not applicable.

(b) On 27-28 October 2009 and 14-15 April 2011 the Director –General authorized a team of officials to conduct inspection at Noupoort Christian Care Centre in the Northern Cape Province.

(c) The Department is not in a position to make the findings of the inspection conducted at Noupoort Christian Care Centre available at this stage because the matter is under judicial consideration and therefore prohibited from public discussion elsewhere

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1657/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 15 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 18

1657. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her department has conducted any research into the levels of (a) substance abuse and (b) the types of substances abused in each province; if not, (i) why not and (ii) when will such research be conducted; if so, what are the substance abuse levels in each province for each specified type of substance abused for the age groups (aa) 0-10, (bb) 11-17, (cc) 18-24, (dd) 25-34, (ee) 35-44 and (ff) 45 years and older? NW1991E

REPLY:

Yes, the department has conducted research into levels of (a) substance abuse (b) the types of substances abused in each province

i) The department conducted need analysis during 2010/2011 in each province as a precursor to the 2nd Biennial Substance Abuse Summit

ii) The Snap Shot door to door survey report is available

aa)The findings did not tease out specific age category situations.

bb) Not applicable.

cc) Not applicable.

dd) Not applicable

ee) Not applicable

ff) Not applicable

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1656/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 15 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 18

1656. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to her reply to question 859 on 4 June 2012, how many foster care parent registration applications in respect of each province have been waiting for finalisation for (a) 1-100, (b) 101-200, (c) 201-365, (d) 366-700 and (e) longer than 730 days;

(2) what is the (a) international and (b) domestic time frames by which foster care parent registration applications must be finalised?

NW1990E

Reply:

(Please find the attached response from Gauteng province).

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1648/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 15 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 18

1648. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any persons (a) resigned and (b) were dismissed from the National Development Agency (NDA) (i) in the (aa) 2010-11 and (bb) 2011-12 financial years and (ii) during the period 1 April 2012 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (aaa) how many persons (aaaa) resigned and (bbbb) were dismissed in each of these financial years and (bbb) what were the reasons for each dismissal;

Response

(a) Resignation (1) (i)(aa)

(1) (i)(aa)

Development Manager: Mpumalanga

Administrative Assistant: Marketing & Communications

Human Resource Management Administrator

Development Manager : Gauteng

Development Manager : Northern Cape

(aaa)

Response

(a) Resignation (i)(bb)

(i)(bb)

Development Manager: Limpopo

Development Manager: KwaZulu Natal

Chief Operations Officer

Senior Researcher: Monitoring and Evaluation

Development Manager: KwaZulu Natal

Office Attendant

Internal Auditor

Acting Financial Accountant

Senior Researcher: Policy and Networks

Executive Director: Research and Development

(aaa)

Response

(b) Dismissed (i) (aa)

Reason

(i) (aa)

Human Resource Manager

Unconfirmed probation

Human Resources and Payroll Officer

Gross misconduct regarding payroll

(aaa)

Response

(b) Dismissed (i)(bb)

Reason

(i)(bb)

Provincial Manager: KwaZulu Natal

Misconduct regarding procurement of services for NDA funded projects.

(aaa)

Response

Resignation b(ii)

(ii)

Capacity Building Specialist

(aaa)

(aa)Suspended

(bb)Reason for Suspension

(cc)Date of Suspension

(dd)Remuneration received

(2)(a)(i)

Human Resources and Payroll Officer

Gross misconduct regarding payroll

18 February 2010

R 305 45. 24

Provincial Manager: KwaZulu Natal

Misconduct regarding procurement of services for NDA funded projects.

16 August 2010

R 572 527.83

Development Manager: Mpumalanga

Misconduct regarding management of NDA funded projects

19 April 2010

R 128 332.26

Development Manager: Mpumalanga

Misconduct regarding management of NDA funded projects

20 Jan 2010

R 179 541.85

Development Manager: Limpopo

Misconduct regarding procurement of services for NDA funded projects.

16 March 2011

R 245 187.35

(2)(a)(ii)

Executive Director: Research and Development

Financial misconduct regarding procurement, dereliction of duties and dishonesty

20 October 2011

R 419 466.42

Company Secretary

Insubordination and dereliction of duties and misconduct

16 February 2012

R 390 331.08

(2) (b)

Supply Chain Officer

Misconduct regarding procurement of service providers

26 April 2012

R 75 114.38

Capacity Building Specialist

Misconduct regarding procurement of service providers

26 April 2012

R 28 209.20

(2) whether any persons were placed on suspension from the NDA (a) in the (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2012 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (aa) how many persons were placed on suspension in each case, (bb) what were the reasons for their suspension in each case, (cc) on what date were they placed on suspension and (dd) what remuneration did each person receive while on suspension;

(3) whether any of these suspensions have been finalized; if not, (a) why not, (b) which ones have not been finalized and (c) when is it envisaged that they will be finalized; if so, (i) which suspensions have been finalized and (ii) what were the outcomes in each case?

Response

(aa)Suspended

(I)Status of suspension – Finalized / Not Finalized

(ii)Outcome Report

(3) (a)

Human Resources and Payroll Officer

Finalized

Found guilty of gross misconduct. Service terminated

Provincial Manager: KwaZulu Natal

Finalized

Settlement reached and termination of service

Development Manager: Mpumalanga

Finalized

Person resigned

Development Manager: Mpumalanga

Finalized

Final written warning issued

Development Manager: Limpopo

Finalized

Person resigned

(3) (d)

Executive Director: Research and Development

Finalized

Person resigned

Company Secretary

Investigations completed and disciplinary hearing to be concluded in September 2012

Disciplinary Hearing process not completed

(3) (c)

Supply Chain Officer

Investigation currently underway and disciplinary hearing to be concluded in September 2012

Disciplinary Hearing to be conducted

Capacity Building Specialist

Investigation currently underway and hearing yet to be set.

Person resigned

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1647/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 15 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 18

1647. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any international trips were undertaken by officials of the National Development Agency (NDA) (a) in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011 and (b) during the period 1 January 2012 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, in each case, (aa) how many, (bb) what is the (aaa) name and (bbb) position of each specified person who undertook such a trip, (cc) what was the (aaa) departure and (bbb) return date, (dd) what was the (aaa) destination and (bbb) purpose and (ee) what (aaa) was the total cost and (bbb) amount was spent on (aaaa) accommodation, (bbbb) food and beverages, (cccc) other specified expenditure and (dddd) air tickets for each specified person;

(2) whether any reports were compiled for each specified trip; if not, why not; which trips were not accompanied by a report; if so, where can the public access the specified reports;

(3) whether the purpose of each specified trip relates to the responsibilities of the NDA; if not, which trips do not relate to the responsibilities of the NDA?

NW1976E

REPLY:

(1) (a)(i) No (ii) Yes

(aa) One ( 1) Trip

(bb) (aaa) Dr Vuyelwa Nhlapo

(bb) (bbb). Chief Executive Officer

(cc) (aaa) 24th February 2011

(bbb) 2 March 2011

(dd) (aaa) New York

(bbb) To attend 56th session of the United Nation's Commission on the Status of Women.

(ee) (aaa) R 110 969

(bbb) (aaaa) R 20 910

(bbbb) R 7 400

(cccc) None

(dddd) R 82 659.

(b) Yes

(aa) Three ( 3) Trips

(bb) (aaa) 1. Dr Vuyelwa Nhlapo, 2. Ms Mandisa Monakali, 3. Dr Anthony Bouwer and 4. Mr Thami Ngwenya

(bbb).

1. Chief Executive Officer (Dr Vuyelwa Nhlapo)

2. Board Member (Ms Mandisa Monakali)

3. Provincial Manager (Dr Anthony Bouwer)

4. Acting Research and Development Executive (Mr Thami Ngwenya)

(aaa)

1. Brazil Trip

21 January 2012

2. United Nations conference (New York)

24 February 2012

3. World Biofuels market congress (Netherlands)

11 March 2012

(bbb)

1. Brazil Trip

28 January 2012

2. United Nations conference (New York)

7th March 2012

3. World Biofuels market congress (Netherlands)

16th March 2012

(dd) (aaa)

1. Brazil

2. New York

3. Netherlands

(bbb)

1. Brazil Trip

Social Development Ministerial visit to Brazil

2. New York Trip

To attend 56th session of the United Nations commission on the status of women

3. Netherlands Trip

To attend the World Biomas-fuels markets congress i

(ee) (aaa)

1. Brazil Trip

R 172 063

2. New York Trip

R 125 017

3. Netherlands Trip

R 160 138

(bbb) (aaaa)

1. Brazil Trip

Name of Traveller

Amount Spent

1. Ms M Monakali

R 12 843

2. Dr Vuyelwa Nhlapo

R 14 815

Total

R 27 658

2. New York Trip

Name of Traveller

Amount Spent

1. Dr Vuyelwa Nhlapo

R 23 232

3. Netherlands Trip

Name of Traveller

Amount Spent

1. Dr A Bouwer i

R 6 328

2. Mr T Ngwenya

R 6 310

Total

R 12 638

(bbbb)

4. Brazil Trip

Name of Traveller

Amount Spent

3. Ms M Monakali

R 3 333

4. Dr Vuyelwa Nhlapo

R 3 333

Total

R 6 666

5. New York Trip

Name of Traveller

Amount Spent

2. Dr Vuyelwa Nhlapo

R 20 734

6. Netherlands Trip

Name of Traveller

Amount Spent

3. Dr A Bouwer i

R 7 515

4. Mr T Ngwenya

R 7 515

Total

R 15 030

(dddd)

7. Brazil Trip

Name of Traveller

Amount Spent

5. Ms M Monakali

R 72 352

6. Dr Vuyelwa Nhlapo

R 72 052

Total

R 144 404

8. New York Trip

Name of Traveller

Amount Spent

3. Dr Vuyelwa Nhlapo

R 92 037

9. Netherlands Trip

Name of Traveller

Amount Spent

5. Dr A Bouwer i

R 73 749

6. Mr T Ngwenya

R 73 749

Total

R 147 498

2. Yes, all reports were done.

(for the trips to the UN Commission on Status of Women in 2011 and 2012 were compiled as the country reports. These can be accessed through the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities that was heading the South African delegation. The report on the Minister's visit to Brazil can be accessed at the Department of Social Development. The report on the Netherlands trip can be obtained from NDA)

(3) Yes

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1645/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 15 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 18

1645. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether the minimum qualification and essential experience for Assistant Company Secretary in the National Development Agency were changed

(a) Yes (i) in 2010

(aa) both Company Secretary and the Assistant Company Secretary had similar position requirements (Qualification and Experience) but at different salary grade. Therefore, a decision was then taken to review the position requirements to be in line with salary grade.

(bb) 22 May 2010

(cc) The NDA Board Authority and HR&R Committee Members.

(dd) (aaa) Legal or Financial Professional qualification and CIS would have added as an advantage.

- At least 8-10 years experience in a company secretarial environment

- Proven experience in an administrative position at a senior level with extensive minute taking experience

- Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements affecting the NDA, Corporate Governance principles

- General knowledge of company secretarial duties and responsibilities

- Familiarity with system/process documentation and business processes

(bbb) Qualification in Business or Office Administration

- At least 5-7 years experience in a company secretarial environment

- Proven experience in an administrative position at a senior level with extensive minute taking experience

- Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements affecting the NDA, Corporate Governance principles

- General knowledge of company secretarial duties and responsibilities

- Familiarity with system / process documentation and business processes

(2) (a) 15 August 2011,

(b) see attached names

- Precious Thembeka

- Tarryn Elaine Mc Intyre's

(d) HR & R Subcommittee Members

(3) The person appointed (Neo Moono) met the revised requirements and experience. She was the Head / Chief of staff for the Department of Public Enterprise prior joining the NDA.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1643/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 15 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 18

1643. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to her reply to question 993 on 5 June 2012, how was a certain person (name furnished) allowed to serve as a member of the Central Drug Authority (CDA) during the period that the South Coast Recovery Centre (SCRC) under his management was not registered?

NW1972E

REPLY:

A member of the Central Drug Authority mentioned in the Parliamentary Question 993 was appointed through the Public nomination process and represented the Addiction Counsellors Association and not the South Coast Recovery Centre. He was duly interviewed by the members of National Assembly (Portfolio Committee for social development and members of the select committee on social services) and was recommended to the Minister of Social Development for appointment in the Central Drug Authority.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1636/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 15 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 18

1636. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether she has been informed of instances where board members of a certain old age home in Gauteng (name furnished) issued cheques with only one signature; if not, what is the position with regard to such practices by members of the said board; if so, what action has been taken against the board members concerned? NW1964E

REPLY:

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1626/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 15 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 18

1626. Mrs J D Kilian (Cope) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

1) How many employees in her department in the post level of deputy director to director-general who have been appointed on a (a) permanent and (b) contract basis (i) have been suspended on full salary pending investigations or disciplinary action for periods exceeding three months, (ii) have resigned before the relevant investigations or disciplinary actions were concluded and (iii)(aa) have been found guilty of gross financial misconduct or negligence and dismissed and (bb) were dismissed following due process and disciplinary hearings in the (aaa) 2009-10 and (bbb) 2010-11 financial years;

2) what total amount was paid in salaries and benefits to the employees while they were suspended;

3) whether her department has laid criminal charges against any persons following investigations or disciplinary hearings where fraud or corruption was found to have taken place; if not, why not; if so,

4) whether, subsequent to the specified findings of fraud and corruption, any amounts have been recovered in terms of the relevant provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999; if so, what amounts; if not,

(5) How does she intend to comply with national legislation which was promulgated to prevent corrupt practices and compel authorities to report corrupt practices to law enforcement agencies?

NW1950E

REPLY:

1(i)

(Have been suspended on full salary pending investigations or disciplinary action for periods exceeding three months 2011-12)

1(ii)

(Have resigned before the relevant investigations or disciplinary actions were concluded 2011-12)

1(a)(iii)(aa)

(Have been found guilty of gross financial misconduct or negligence and dismissed 2011-12)

1(a)(iii)(bb)

(Were dismissed following due process and disciplinary hearings in the (aaa) 2009-10)

1(a)(iii)(bb)

(Were dismissed following due process and disciplinary hearings in the (bbb) 2010-11)

2. R235.304,00

3. No, the case involved procurement procedures (source of quotations), the Department did not suffer any losses because the service provider did render the services.

4. No

5. The National Department of Social Development has an Anti-Corruption Strategy in place aimed at rooting out corruption and raising awareness in respect of corruption.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1620/2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 15 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 18

1620. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her department has conducted any research into the financial viability of every (a) nongovernmental organisation (NGO) and (b) non-profit organisation (NPO); if not, (i) why not and (ii) how does her department know which NGO and NPO is financially viable; if so, what are the (aa) findings of the research and (bb) further relevant details? NW1880E

REPLY:

No, the department has not conducted any research into the financial viability of (a) non-governmental organizations (NGO) and (b) non-profit organizations (NPO).

(i) The department is currently embarking on dialogues with NPOs across all nine provinces. The dialogues will culminate into a national NPO summit scheduled for 14th August 2012. The department has planned to reach out to the majority of NPOs functioning at both national and provincial levels of the Department, understand their challenges and impediments to service delivery and come up with an action plan that will assist and ensure a comprehensive Departmental response to the plight of the NPOs at all levels of operation.

(ii) The department conducts an analysis of Audited Financial Statements and requests six-monthly reports from funded non-governmental organizations and non-profit organizations. The monitoring and evaluation of rendered services was also conducted through on-site visits. The said exercise gives a reflection of those organizations that can sustain themselves as those that cannot and thus enables the department to identify the appropriate support required.

(aa) Although no formal research has been conducted in this regard, the reports received from NPOs reflect that many NPOs are struggling to be financially viable due to the economic downturn. Many of these specifically those in the rural areas are collapsing due to lack of financial sustainability.

(bb) The department has developed a National Baseline Costing Model which will be used to allocate funds for services rendered by the non-governmental organizations and non-profit organizations. The cost drivers on the model are based on a sample exercise that was conducted within the sector to determine how much it costs to render a specific service holistically.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1609 OF 2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1609. Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether any traffic fines were incurred with regard to any of her official vehicles in the (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12 financial years; if so, what (i) amount in fines was incurred in respect of each specified vehicle in each specified financial year and (ii) are the further relevant details in each case? NW1938E

REPLY:

(a)(i) R1 500.00 (two infringement notices obtained from eNatis)

(a)(ii) The Department leased official vehicles from Kgwerano Asset Finance during the period 2009/2010. The Department did not receive traffic fines directly from any traffic authority. If there were any traffic fines, it would have been sent to the service provider. Kgwerano Asset Finance indicated that they do not have the information readily available as all record of the vehicles leased to the Department have been archived.

(b)(i) R500.00 (one infringement notice obtained from eNatis)

(b)ii The Department leased official vehicles from Kgwerano Asset Finance during the period 2010/2011. The Department did not receive traffic fines directly from any traffic authority. If there were any traffic fines, it would have been sent to the service provider Kgwerano Asset Finance who indicated that they do not have the information readily available as all record of the vehicles leased to the Department have been archived.

(c)(i) R5 450.00 (7 infringement notices obtained from eNatis)

(c)(ii) The above infringements are being investigated together with the protectors that drove the vehicles to determine whether the Department is liable for the fine or the relevant protector.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1540

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 08 June 2012

Internal question paper no. 17

1540. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether any agencies are registered to work with intercountry adoptions; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are their names, (b) when were they registered and (c) how many adoptions have been (i) approved and (ii) rejected since their registration?

NW1860E

Yes, there are agencies registered to work with inter-country adoptions

(a) The Child Protection Organisations registered to work with inter-country adoptions are AFM ABBA Adoptions, Impilo, Johannesburg Child Welfare, Catholic Women's League, Wandisa and KZN Christian Social Services

(b) The Central Authority do not have specific dates as the agreements were done prior to the Children's Act 38 of 2005 except Wandisa which was registered in July 2010 and KZN Christian Social Services on 3/05/2012

· 1st April 2010 – 31st March 2011 = 198

· 1st April 2011 – 31st March 2012 = 196

TOTAL = 394

(ii) none of the adoption agencies were rejected

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1538

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 08 June 2012

Internal question paper no. 17

1538. Mr. M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1) Whether any working agreements on inter-country adoptions are waiting to be approved or rejected; if so, (a) how many, (b) what is the target time for approving or rejecting applications and (c) in each case, (i) from which agency was the application received and (ii) when was it submitted;

(2) whether her department has a policy for the approval or rejection of working agreements with receiving countries; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the policy, (b) which official developed the policy and (c) when was it formulated

(3) whether the said policy is contained in a written document; if not, why not; if so, to what extent does the policy accord with the principles of (a) the Hague Adoption Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption and (b) international adoption practice;

(4) whether the said policy has been communicated to (a) South African adoption agencies and (b) adoption authorities in other countries; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(5) whether she will provide Mr M Waters with a copy of the policy; if not, why not? NW1858E

(1) Yes, there are working agreements on inter-country adoption awaiting approval

(a) There are 7 applications waiting for approval

(b) Target for approval is 6 months after application was received

(c) (i) Johannesburg Child Welfare, Child Welfare Durban and District, Catholic Women's League (JHB), Tongaat Child and Family Welfare, Cape Town Child Welfare and Impilo.

(ii) The Child Protection Organizations submitted their applications for accreditation in April 2010, they had to be accredited to render inter-country adoptions before consideration for working agreements

2. Yes, the Department has a policy for the approval or rejection of working agreements with receiving countries

(a) The policy is "Document on inter-country adoption working agreement"

(b) The South African Central Authority developed the policy

3. Yes, the said policy is contained in a written document.

(a) The policy is in line with the following principles of (a)The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption and (b) international adoption practice:

Article 1 of the Convention emphasises cooperation between contracting States to the Convention to work together to ensure that:

· Adoptions take place in the best interests of the child and respect for his or her fundamental rights

· Measures to safeguard and prevent the abduction, sale and trafficking in children for adoption are established

Article 7 emphasises the exchange of information between Central Authorities as to the laws of their state concerning adoption

Article 8 emphasises the prevention of improper financial gain or other gain in connection with inter-country adoptions

Article 11 states that an accredited body shall pursue only non-profit objectives

Article 12 states that working agreement of adoption agencies should be approved by the Central Authority

Article 17 indicates that States must ensure that all inter-country adoptions are agreed upon by both countries

4. Yes, the said policy has been communicated

(a) The department has been communicating the said policy with the South African Adoption Agencies through presentations during the broader Child Protection Forum' meetings which are held on quarterly basis.

(b) The department as the South African Central Authority has also communicated the policy with adoption authorities in other countries by sending the working agreement policy to them during the 2011/12 financial year.

5. Copy of the policy will be provided on request.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1537

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 08 June 2012

Internal question paper no. 17

1537. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any transition intercountry adoption cases are currently pending; if so, (a) how many for each specified country and (b) in each specified case, (i) how long has it been pending and (ii) which (aa) adoption agency and (bb) receiving country's central authority submitted it;

(2) whether her department has a policy for dealing with transition cases; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the policy, (b) which official developed the policy and (c) when was it formulated;

(3) whether the said policy is contained in a written document; if not, why not; if so, (a) when was it communicated to (i) South African adoption agencies and (ii) adoption authorities in other countries and (b) to what extent does the policy accord with the principles of (i) the Hague Adoption Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption and (ii) international adoption practice;

(4) whether she will provide Ms. E More with a copy of the policy; if not, why not?

NW1857E

REPLY:

(1). Yes, there are transition inter-country adoption cases of prospective adoptive parents pending.

(a) There are 10 outstanding cases of prospective adoptive parents from Germany and not outstanding cases of adoptable children

(b) All the outstanding cases of prospective adoptive parents are from Germany

(i) The South African Central Authority was informed about the pending cases in January 2011

(ii) (aa) It was not adoption agency that had outstanding cases but a social worker in private practice who was no longer rendering inter-country adoption as stipulated in the Children's Act

(bb) The Central Adoption Authority with the Youth Welfare office of the State of Bavaria

(2). The Children's Act 38 of 2005 section 314 states that anything done in terms of a law repealed in terms of section 313 which can be done in terms of a provision of this Act, must be regarded as having been done in terms of that provision of this Act. It made provision for a transitional arrangement in terms of accreditation. As a result the Department of Social Development as Central Authority sent out letters to all previous organisations and social workers in private practice who had rendered national and intercountry adoptions. The department sent out thirty (30) letters to organisations and fifty-five (55) to social workers in private practice. This allowed the organisations and social workers to function and provided services for a period of three (3) years.

(3). The Children's Act was based on the following principles of the Hague Adoption Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption and international adoption practice.

· Ensuring adoptions take place in the best interests of the child and respect for his or her fundamental rights

· Establishing safeguards to prevent abduction, sale and trafficking in children for adoption

· Establishing co-operation between States

· Ensuring authorization of competent authorities

4. Section 314 of the Children's Act serves as the departmental policy in dealing with any transitional matter, including transitional intercountry adoption cases.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1536

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 08 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 17

1536. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any adoption agencies dealing with inter-country and domestic adoptions use criteria such as (a) religion, (b) sexual orientation, (c) duration of the applicants' marriage, (d) age and (e) any other criteria to determine the suitability of persons applying to become adoptive parents; if so, (i) which agencies, (ii) on what basis is the criteria used and (iii) since what date has each of these agencies used the specified criteria;

(2) whether her department has been informed that the above agencies were using the criteria; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) what steps did her department take?

NW1856E

REPLY:

(1) (i) The following adoption agencies listed below were previously using (a) religion and (b) sexual orientation as criteria to determine the suitability of persons applying to become adoptive parents:

· ABBA Adoptions (AFM)

· Ondersteuningsraad

· Catholic Women's League

· Christian Social Services

· Nederduitsgereformeerde Maatskaplike Dienste

(ii) The above organisations previously used the said criteria due to the fact that they were historically established and financially supported by their churches to render services to their respective church members. Their services were based on Christian principles.

(iii) The department does not have specific dates as to when did each agency used the specific criteria, but the agencies had changed over the years since the amendments to the Child Care Act, 74 of 1983, and the promulgation of the Children's Act, 38 of 2005, to render services to the broad community according to the need for services.

(2) The department was informed only when clients raised concerns that the above agencies were using the said criteria to determine their suitability as adoptive parents.

(a) The department does not have specific dates as it became aware as clients were raising a concern which is prior to the promulgation of the Children's Act.

(b) The department took the following steps to addressed the concerns raised by clients with the relevant adoption agencies:

· Concerns raised by clients were addressed with individual agencies, highlighting issues of discrimination from their screening policies and requested them to remove such criteria from their policies.

· Provided training on the Children's Act' Chapter 15 (national adoption) and 16 (intercountry adoption) to all adoption agencies and adoption social workers dealing with national and intercountry adoptions, to ensure compliance to the provisions of the Children's Act.

· Issues of discrimination were addressed during training and in the broader meetings with adoption service providers and stakeholders, emphasising the requirements to be met by prospective adoptive parents in terms of section 231(2) of the Children's Act and persons' Constitutional rights not to be discriminated against.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1535

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 8 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 17

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

(1). Whether there are any agreements in place which regulate (a) country-to-country and (b) agency-to-agency adoptions; if not, why not; if so, (i) how many in each case and (ii) between which (aa) countries and (bb) agencies do the agreements exist in each case;

2. whether any second agreements exist in some countries; if not, why not; if so, (a) to which countries do they pertain and (b) what are the reasons for allowing second agreements in each case;

(3). whether her department has rejected any applications for (a) first or (b) second agreements; if so, (i) how many in each case, (ii) with which country was the working agreement in place, (iii) which agency applied for the working agreement, (iv) on which date was the application for working agreement (aa) submitted and (bb) rejected and (v) which official rejected each specified application;

(4). whether any working agreement are waiting to be approved or rejected; if so, (a) how many, (b) from which agency are they, (c) when were they submitted and (d) what is the target for approving or rejecting applications? NW1855E

REPLY:

(1) (a) Yes, there are agreements which regulate country-to-country adoptions

(b) Yes, there are agreements which regulate agency-to agency adoptions

(i), (ii), (aa) & (bb)

(aa) Name of country

(i) Number of adoption agencies in foreign countries

(bb) Names of adoption agencies in South Africa

Netherlands

ABBA Adoptions

Belgium

ABBA Adoptions, Catholic Women's League and Johannesburg Child Welfare

Sweden

ABBA Adoptions

Germany

ABBA Adoptions

Finland

ABBA Adoption and Johannesburg Child Welfare

Norway

ABBA Adoptions

Denmark

ABBA Adoption and Impilo

Canada

KZN Christian Social Services

USA

Wandisa

France

Wandisa

(aa) There are currently two country-to country working agreements that have been finalized with Australia and India, of which agency-to-agency agreements are in process of finalization.

(2) Yes, more than one agreement exist in other foreign countries

(a) Belgium, Finland and Denmark has more than one working agreement

(b)The working agreements were entered into before the implementation of the Children's Act 38 of 2005

(3) (a) No applications for first working agreements were rejected

(b) Yes, two second applications for working agreements were rejected

(i) two applications for second working agreement were rejected

(ii) there was no working agreement in place that was rejected

(iii) The following agencies applied for working agreements namely: Impilo and Wandisa

(iv) (aa) Impilo submitted a request to work with Netherlands and Canada on 19.10.2011, Wandisa submitted a request to work with Ireland on 27.09.2010 and Canada in 2009

(bb) Rejection for Impilo to work with Netherlands was on October 2011 and Wandisa to work with Canada was on 24 April 2012

(v) The working agreements were rejected by the South African Central Authority

(5) Yes, (a) there are 7 applications waiting for approval

(b) Johannesburg Child Welfare, Child Welfare Durban and District, Catholic Women's League (JHB), Tongaat Child and Family Welfare, Cape Town Child Welfare and Impilo.

(c)The Child Protection Organizations submitted their applications for accreditation in April 2010; they had to be accredited to render inter-country adoptions before consideration for working agreements.

(d) Target for approval is 6 months after submission.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1534

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 08 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 17

1534. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What is the (a) optimal and (b) actual staffing complement for each specified category employee for (i) national and (ii) inter-country adoption units;

(2) (a) what is the total cost of funding the (i) national and (ii) inter-country adoption units per annum and (b) what is the (i) name, (ii) qualification, (iii) experience in facilitating adoptions and (iv) responsibilities of each member of each (aa) national and (bb) inter-country adoption unit?

NW1854E

REPLY:

1. The National Department of Social Development has twounitsresponsible for national adoption and intercountry adoption.

(a) The optimal and (b) actual staff complement for each specified category employee for:

(i) National adoption unit has the following staff:

Optimal

Actual

Social Work Policy Developers x 3

1 Director responsible for both national and intercountry adoption

Senior Administration Officer x1

Secretary to the Director

Senior Administration Clerks x 2

Social Work Policy Manager x 2

Data capturers x 2 (for RACAP)

Social Work Policy Developers x 1

Senior Administration Clerks x 2

(ii) Intercountry adoption unit has the following staff:

Optimal

Actual

Social Work Policy Developers x 2

Social Work Policy Manager x 2

Senior Administration Officer x1

Social Work Policy Developers x 2

Senior Administration Clerks x 2

(2)(a) The total cost for funding per annum for:

(i) National adoption unit and (ii) Intercountry adoption is R4 million

The costing of the national adoption and the intercountry adoption is combined

and not split into to the two units.

(b) Staff members in the following units:

(aa) and (bb) The national adoption and intercountry adoption unit consist of eight (8) professional social workers and four (5) administrative staff. All the staff members have specific qualifications, roles, responsibilities and a range of experience in their relevant field and in adoption. However, no personal details of staff members will be provided due to confidentiality and protection of their personal identity. Only the generic information below will be provided:

(i) Names of rank titles

1 Programme Manager/Director

1 Secretary

4 Social Work Policy Managers

3 Social Work Policy Developers

4 Administration Clerks

(ii) Qualifications

Social work qualifications range from Bachelor's Degrees to a PHD in Social Work

Administration qualifications range from Grade twelve (12) to a Bachelor's Degree in Public Management and Administration

(iii) Experience

Social workers in both units have experience in generic social work, child protection services including adoption, policy development, monitoring and evaluation. Their experience ranges from seven (7) years to twenty six (26) years.

Administration clerks have experience in data capturing, the registration of adoptions, handling of enquiries in relation to registration and performing administrative tasks. Their experience range from two (2) years to fifteen (15) years.

(iv) Responsibilities

Social workers

Manage the registration of adoptions; respond to origin enquiries, develop, manage and monitor the implementation of policies and legislation in relation to national and intercountry adoption, promote national adoption services, capacity building of adoption service providers and stakeholders on national and intercountry adoption, respond to all enquiries relating to national and intercountry adoption, accreditation of service providers to provide national and or intercountry adoption services and monitor their performance regarding adoption programmes and financial aspects, perform the function of the Central Authority, evaluate and approve intercountry adoption working agreements within the country and foreign countries.

Administrative clerks

Provide administrative support to the social workers, in relation to the registration of adoptions; maintaining and keeping the adoption register updated, capturing of information on the Register on Adoptable Children and Prospective Adoptive Parents (RACAP), attending to enquiries with regards to registration of adoptions and requests for adoption documentation by persons adopted and any other administrative task.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1532

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 May 2012

Internal question paper no: 13

1532. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

With reference to the 164 500 job opportunities created by her department (details furnished), (a) how many job opportunities were created for each category of workers, (b) in which province are they situated, (c) what is the monthly salary for each category of workers and (d) how is the monthly salary determined? NW1852E

REPLY:

The Department of Social Development leads the Social Sector Expanded Public Works Programme. The Department of Public Works is the overall coordinator of this Programme. The total work opportunity contribution is therefore a contribution of the Social Sector Departments such as Health, Basic Education, Sports and Recreation and Provincial Community Safety Departments. The total number of 164 500 work opportunities was a preliminary figure provided before the official closure and verification of the figures through the Web Based System as reported in the M&E system at Public Works.

a) The total number of work opportunities created by the Social Sector EPWP is captured in the template below.

b) The provincial breakdown for the creation of work opportunities is also captured in the template below.

c) The EPWP does not pay salaries but stipends/wages and these are calculated on a daily basis in line with the number of days each individual programme takes to deliver services. The total monthly amount will therefore vary from programme to programme. The average daily wage is also captured in the template below.

d) The EPWP is implemented in line with the Ministerial Determination for EPWP as promulgated by the Minister of Labour and is a product of negotiations at NEDLAC. The Ministerial Determination currently set the daily wage at R63.18 and provision is made for an annual increment in line with inflation.

Provinces

Home Community Based Care

Early Childhood Development

MASS LITERACY

National School Nutrition Programme

MASS PARTICIPATION

COMMUNITY SAFETY

OTHER

TOTALS

Eastern Cape

Work Opportunities

8961

952

8910

778

19601

Average Stipend

Free State

Work Opportunities

3812

1355

2644

529

1085

9434

Average Stipend

Gauteng

Work Opportunities

3105

8782

5000

527

449

410

14426

32699

Average Stipend

Kwa-Zulu Natal

Work Opportunities

10312

1427

6597

1580

2226

161

22303

Average Stipend

Limpompo

Work Opportunities

11289

3541

5491

9248

1264

30913

Average Stipend

Mpumalanga

Work Opportunities

3895

1456

1576

1536

220

1057

9797

Average Stipend

Northern Cape

Work Opportunities

3055

282

942

991

2651

8000

Average Stipend

North West

Work Opportunities

9224

3092

1992

741

301

667

16017

Average Stipend

Western Cape

Work Opportunities

3469

4640

855

481

340

1096

2803

13684

Average Stipend

Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 1531

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 08 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 17

1531. Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether, with reference to the recent tender awarded to a certain company (name furnished), any of the other unsuccessful bidders' evaluation scores were reduced after the issuing of Notice 2 on 6 June 2011; if so, (a) which bidders' scores were reduced, (b) from what score to what score were their bids reduced, (c) what were the reasons for the scores being reduced in each case and (d) who reduced the scores in each case? NW1851E

REPLY:

(1) The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged and the matter is currently before Gauteng North High Court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are subjudice.

(a) The matter is subjudice.

(b) The matter is subjudice.

(d) The matter is subjudice.

Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 1474

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 15

1474. Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) When was the current Director-General of her department appointed;

(2) whether the Director-General was appointed in a permanent capacity; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1751E

REPLY:

(1) The current Director-General was initially appointed with effect from 15 May 2003 on a three-year fixed term contract.

(2) No, the Director-General was appointed on a fixed term contract for a period of three (3) years that was extended for the following periods:

i. 15 May 2006 – 14 May 2009

ii. 15 May 2009 – 14 May 2012

iii. 15 May 2012 – 14 May 2015 (current)

Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 1423 OF 2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 15

1423. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What is the deadline for submissions on the Green Paper on Families;

(2) whether her department has embarked on any public consultation meetings on the Green Paper; if not, why not; if so, (a) where did they take place, (b) on what dates, (c) what was the cost of each meeting, (d) which (i) politicians and (ii) officials attended each meeting and (e) how many members of civil society attended each specified meeting? NW1696E

REPLY:

(1) The Green Paper on Families was gazetted in Government Gazette No: 34692 during October 2011 for a period of three months. However, the Department decided to broaden its consultation process in all provinces during February and March 2012. Currently, the public hearings are being conducted until the 22nd of June 2012. Therefore the new deadline for submissions is 13th of July 2012 for the public hearings.

(2) The Department of Social Development has embarked on public consultation meetings by conducting consultative stakeholder workshops in all provinces from February to March 2012. A national consultative workshop was also conducted where national government departments and national civil society organisations were given an opportunity to give their input on the Green Paper. Presently, public hearings are being conducted in all provinces targeting both urban and rural areas in each province until 22 June 2012.

(a) The provincial consultative workshops for various stakeholders took place in: Limpopo at the Bolivia Lodge; Gauteng at the Birchwood Hotel; North West at Mmabatho Palms; Mpumalanga at Wineglass Hotel and Spa; Northern Cape at Garden Court; Free State at President Hotel; KwaZulu Natal at Garden Court Marine Parade; Eastern Cape at Mpekweni Hotel; and Western Cape at Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel. The public hearings were held in Limpopo, in Polokwane (urban) and Vhembe (rural); and Gauteng in Brandvlei-Randfontein Green Hill (rural) and North Rand Region (urban).

(b) The dates for provincial workshops for stakeholders are:

PROVINCE

DATE

Limpopo

12 and 13 March 2012

Gauteng

16 and 17 February 2012

North West

13 and 14 February 2012

Mpumalanga

22 and 23 March 2012

Northern Cape

08 and 09 March 2012

Free State

27 and 28 March 2012

KwaZulu Natal

29 and 30 March 2012

Eastern Cape

06 and 07 March 2012

Western Cape

19 and 20 March 2012

The dates for public hearings that have already taken place:

PROVINCE

VENUE

DATE

Gauteng

Brandvlei-Randfontein Green Hill Hall (rural)

30 May 2012

Gauteng

North Rand Region (urban)

31 May 2012

Limpopo

Vhembe (rural)

05 June 2012

Limpopo

Polokwane (urban)

04 June 2012

(c) The cost of the meeting for provincial workshop on stakeholders was R858 434.02 (venue and accommodation for delegates) and R413 567 (facilitation) for all the provinces. The cost of the public hearings that have already conducted is: R127 870 for Gauteng and R149 370 for Limpopo. It is appropriate to mention that the costs for the public consultation meetings were incurred by the USAID. The breakdown of the cost is attached as Annexure A and B.

(d) (i) There were no politicians that attended public consultations for the Green Paper on Families in all provinces.

(ii) The following officials from various Government Departments attended the public consultation meetings: Attendance registers are available on request.

Limpopo: 47; Eastern Cape: 49; North West: 45; Gauteng: 32; Northern Cape: 35; Mpumalanga: 23; KwaZulu Natal: 46; Free State: 29; and Western Cape: 22. Officials who attended public hearings in Gauteng (rural) are: 22; Gauteng (urban) are: 31.

(e) The following are the members of civil society who attended each specified meeting: Attendance registers are available on request.

Limpopo: 16; Eastern Cape: 08; North West: 05; Gauteng: 11; Northern Cape: 28; Mpumalanga: 13; KwaZulu Natal: 30; Free State: 12; and Western Cape: 30. Civil society members who attended the public hearings in Gauteng (rural):113; Gauteng (urban):88.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1414

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 01 June 2012

Internal question paper no: 15

1414. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether she has been informed that the Tembisa Child Integration Centre has not received any funding from her department since 1 April 2012; if so, (a) what action has she taken to rectify the matter, (b) what amount is the centre supposed to receive each month, (c) on what date was the last transfer made and (d) what alternative measures has her department put in place to ensure that all service continue without interruption;

(2) (a) what services does the centre provide and (b) what is the (i) name and (ii) position of the public servant who was responsible for ensuring that the funds are transferred on time? NW1624E

REPLY:

(a) The organisation signed the SLA with Social Development on the 22 March 2012. In process the SLA it was discovered the bank statement/details which were provided by the organisation did correspond with the banking details that was captured in the BAS system thus requiring them to resubmit the correct banking statement/details. In following up with the submission it was discovered that the account where the transfer of funds was done belonged to the centre manager who then transfer to the organisations account. The organisation was then advice to register the banking details of the organisation on the system but not that of the manager.

The entity maintenance form with the supporting documents including the copies of identity documents of signatories were submitted on the 17th May 2012. All these documents were submitted on the same date to treasury for verification. The process of verification takes six weeks from date of submission thus response I still awaited. The organisation will only be paid after the confirmation of their banking details.

(b) The organisation is approved for an amount of R1 102, 821.00 in the financial year 2012/2013. The amount of R 275 705.00 will be released on quarterly basis and not monthly.

(d) The Department always advice organisation to have sustainability plan in place which includes fundraising and donations from other sources. This organisation has thus far survived through receiving food donations and sponsor from local businesses. Service delivery has not been affected.

2. (a) It is a Drop-In-Centre that provides food parcels, cooked meals and psychosocial support.

(b) (i) The process involves a chain of officials and not only one official

(ii) Social worker, Monitoring and evaluation official, partnership and finance (region and head office, social work supervisor, social work manager).

Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 1372

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1372. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) What are the reasons for the closure of the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) office in Kempton Park and (b) when will it be re-opened;

(2) whether the general public was informed of the closure; if not, why not; if so, (a) how and (b) when;

(3) whether any alternative arrangements have been made to assist people who want to apply for social grants; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the details of these arrangements and (b)(i) how many kilometres from the Kempton Park office are the nearest SASSA offices located and (ii) what are the details of the public transport to these offices from the Kempton Park office;

(4) whether SASSA tried to obtain temporary office space in the Kempton Park central business district; if not, why not; if so, what was the outcome;

(5) whether the staff at the SASSA offices in Kempton Park has been relocated; if not, where are they accommodated; if so, to which offices? NW1620E

REPLY:

(1) (a) The Landlord of the Kempton Park office refused to renew the lease agreement entered into between him and the Department of Social Development. As SASSA was sharing the office with the Department of Social Development, the Landlord's refusal meant that SASSA had to vacate the office

(b) As soon as a new building has been procured in the area.

(2) Yes, The general public was indeed informed of the closure.

(a) By posting of notices giving the addresses of alternative offices as well as the landline and cell phone numbers of officials and the Toll Free number and informing stakeholders such as Provincial Parliamentary Officers and Ward Councilors in both Kempton Park and Tembisa.

(b) Prior to closure in January 2012.

(3) Yes, Alternative arrangements have indeed been made to assist people who want to apply for social grants.

(a) People can apply for social grants at the following offices:

- Plot 20, 200 New Modder Road, Benoni;

- Saint Antony's Road at Saint Antony Catholic Building, Reiger Park;

- Igqagqa, next to Rabasotho Police Station Tembisa; or

- 40 Catlin Street, Germiston.

(b) (i) Approximately 15 kilometres from the Kempton Park office.

(ii) Public transport in the form of Taxis and busses is always and readily available.

(4) Yes. An office was indeed identified in the Kempton Park central business district. Proper procurement processes must however be followed to secure the office, which is what is currently taking place.

(5) Yes. The staff were relocated to Tembisa, Reiger Park and Germiston.

Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 1371

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1371. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether, with reference to part A of the child protection register (CPR), all nine provincial CPR registers are compatible with one another so that each province can access the CPR of any other province; if not, (a) why not, (b) for how long has this been the case and (c) what steps are being taken to rectify the matter; if so, (i) how does a province access the CPR of another province and (ii)(aa) how many names appear in each province's register and (bb) for which specified category do they appear in the CPR in each case;

(2) whether any names have been removed from part A of the register in the (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12 financial years; if so, (i) how many in each case, (ii) what was the reason in each case and (iii) from which provincial list were the names removed;

(3) whether she has taken any action in respect of concerns regarding the automatic registration on the CPR of a person who has been convicted of a crime against children; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps have been taken in this regard? NW1619E

REPLY:

(1) No, with reference to Part A of the Child Protection Register (CPR) only eight provinces are compatible with one another.

(a)Eastern Cape is utilising a separate silo system which they decided to roll-out on their own. However, the Eastern Cape CPR information can be extracted from the system.

(b) Since 2004,

(i) only the provincial child protection line functionary (designated social worker) in each province, can access another province CPR with its own unique User ID and password. The person has only view rights on selected information which will allow them to contact the designated social worker involved in the case.

(ii)(aa) the following is a total number of names appearing in each province's

Province

2004/5

2005/6

2006/7

2007/8

2008/9

2009/10

2010/11

2011/12

Eastern Cape

278

166

178

373

181

Free State

953

210

117

Gauteng

832

461

1,075

675

1,121

296

588

Kwa-Zulu Natal

230

204

756

172

182

278

Limpopo

311

340

131

Mpumalanga

178

238

318

482

556

489

123

North West

106

142

114

119

Northern Cape

647

186

Western Cape

3,046

1,678

627

227

160

Total

4,164

2,444

3,515

1,870

3,456

1956

1348

565

(bb) The specified categories of abuse in which the names appear in the CPR are sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and deliberate neglect, and were reported as follows:

Province

Sexual Abuse

Physical Abuse

Emotional Abuse

Deliberate Neglect

Not Classified

Eastern Cape

Free State

834

243

222

Gauteng

3328

749

252

909

622

KwaZulu/Natal

817

389

303

358

Limpopo

692

153

289

Mpumalanga

1216

265

800

276

North West

262

Northern Cape

204

277

438

Western Cape

1751

1633

203

2522

472

Total

8901

3739

950

5816

1537

(2) No names were removed from the Part A of the CPR in the (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12 financial years due to the fact that the Children's Act (No. 38 of 2005) does not make provision for the removal of names from the CPR.

(3) No, the Children's Act does not provide for an automatic registration on the CPR of a person who has been convicted of a crime against a child. No submission was received for automatic inclusion on the CPR during the current review process of the amendment of the Children's Act. Currently a person who has been convicted of a crime against a child needs to be found unsuitable by the criminal court to work with children. The capturing of the conviction is therefore kept separately than the unsuitability findings in Part B of the CPR.

Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 1295

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 May 2012

Internal question paper no: 13

1295. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Who appointed the (a) experts, (b) advisors and (c) members of the committee that were involved in the evaluation and awarding of the tender to a certain company (name furnished);

(2) whether any formal process was followed in the appointment of the experts, advisors and members of the committee; if not, (a) why not and (b) on what basis was each person appointed; if so, (i) what was the process in each case and (ii) what are the further relevant details;

(3) whether she will furnish documentary proof of the process to Mr M Waters; if not, why not; if so, when? NW1504E

REPLY:

(1) (a) (b) and (c). The awarding of the social grants payment tender is being challenged and the matter is currently before Gauteng North High Court and SASSA is thus unable to answer questions relating thereto because the matters associated therewith are subjudice.

(2) (a) (b) (i) and (ii). The matter is subjudice.

(3) The matter is subjudice.

Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 1276

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 May 2012

Internal question paper no: 13

1276. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether a certain person (name furnished) was admitted to the South Coast Recovery Centre (SCRC); if so, (a) when and (b) for what condition;

(2) whether the said person was prescribed (a) benzodiazepine (schedule 5) and (b) methadone (schedule 7) for detoxification from heroin; if so, (i) who prescribed the medication, (ii) on what basis was the medication prescribed, (iii) what baseline test was conducted to determine (aa) how much heroin the person had used and (bb) what dosages of medication the person would need and (iv) what were the results of the full set of medical tests that were performed? NW1477E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, the person whose name has been furnished was admitted to South Coast Recovery Centre (SCRC); (a) she was admitted to SCRC on 20 February 2011; (b) she was admitted for drug addiction.

(2) The Department of Health is responsible to oversee the medical interventions at treatment centres and should therefore be requested to respond to the question.

Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 1274

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 18 May 2012

Internal question paper no: 13

1274. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(a) On what date did her department (i) approve and (ii) transfer funding for nongovernmental organisations for the (aa) 2011-12 and (bb) 2012-13 financial years and (b) by what date must each NGO that has received funding from her department submit the report with regard to how they had utilised the funding for the abovementioned financial years? NW1475E

REPLY:

(a) (i) (ii) (aa) (b) Transfer funding to the nongovernmental for the 2011/12 financial year were approved and paid as indicated below.

2011/12 Financial year

Name of the

Organisation

Approval

Date

(i)

Transferred

Date (First Payment)

(ii)

Transferred

Date (Second Payment)

(ii)

Date of

Submitting Reports

(b)

Afrikaanse Christelike Vroue Vereniging

25/01/2012

07/02/2012

27/03/2012

30/04/2012

Action On Elder Abuse South Africa

11/11/2011

15/12/2011

02/03/2012

30/04/2012

Apostolic Faith Mission

21/12/2011

23/01/2012

27/03/2012

31/05/2012

ALZHEIMER South Africa

06/02/2012

07/02/2012

02/03/2012

30/04/2012

BADISA

07/02/2012

21/02/2012

27/03/2012

30/04/2012

Child Welfare South Africa

25/01/2012

27/01/2012

28/03/2012

30/04/2012

CHILDLINE South Africa

03/02/2012

09/02/2012

27/03/2012

30/04/2012

Deaf Federation of South Africa

24/01/2012

07/02/2012

02/03/2012

30/04/2012

Disabled Children Action Group

23/12/2011

23/01/2012

02/03/2012

30/04/2012

EPILEPSY

23/12/2011

23/01/2012

02/03/2012

30/04/2012

Family And Marriage Society of South Africa

15/12/2011

22/12/2011

24/03/2012

30/04/2012

KHULISA Crime Prevention Initiative

24/01/2012

09/02/2012

28/03/2012

30/04/2012

LIFELINE South Africa

09/12/2011

22/12/2011

27/03/2012

31/05/2012

National Institute of Crime And Rehabilitation of Offenders

25/01/2012

07/02/2012

28/03/2012

30/04/2012

National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities

21/12/2011

23/01/2012

02/03/2012

30/04/2012

National Peace Accord Trust

14/11/2011

24/02/2012

27/03/2012

30/06/2012

Die Ondersteuningsraad

21/12/2011

22/12/2011

27/03/2012

30/04/2012

South African Council For Social Service Professions

15/12/2011

22/12/2011

27/03/2012

30/04/2012

South African Depression And Anxiety Group

14/11/2011

22/12/2011

16/03/2012

30/04/2012

South African Federation For Mental Health

10/11/2011

22/12/2011

02/03/2012

30/04/2012

South African National Council on Alcoholism And Drug Dependence

14/11/2011

23/11/2011

30/04/2012

South African Older Person Forum

14/11/2011

18/01/2012

07/03/2012

30/04/2012

Suid Afrikaanse Vroue Federasie

21/12/2011

23/01/2012

27/03/2012

30/04/2012

LOVELIFE

07/10/2011

11/10/2011

07/02/2012

30/06/2012

African Institute For Community Driven Development (KHANYA)

29/03/2011

31/03/2011

02/06/2011

31/05/2011

National Association of People Living With HIV/AIDS

11/11/2011

30/03/2012

31/03/2012

SOUL CITY

15/12/2011

22/12/2011

27/03/2012

30/04/2012

FOODBANK South Africa

28/03/2012

30/03/2012

31/07/2012

Date of submitting reports: The above date is the final reporting date, which is preceded by various intermediary reporting dates.

(a) (i) (ii) (bb) (b) Only one transfer funding has been approved and paid. The Department is still in the process of approving the funding to nongovernmental organisations in respect of the 2012/13 financial year.

2012/13 Financial year

Name of the

Organisation

Approval

Date

(i)

Transferred

Date (First Payment)

(ii)

Transferred

Date (Second Payment)

(ii)

Date of

Submitting Reports

(b)

African Institute For Community Driven Development (KHANYA)

04/05/2012

08/05/2012

30/07/2013

Date of submitting reports: The above date is the final reporting date, which is preceded by various intermediary reporting dates.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1239

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 11 May 2012

Internal question paper no: 12

1239. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) With reference to a certain article (details furnished), (a) on what dates were the (i) agreements and (ii) authorisation of the joint publication, (b) which officials signed the agreements and (c) in which capacity did they sign such agreements;

(2) whether her department has been informed of the existence and operation of a certain company (name furnished); if so, (a) from what date, (b) what action has her department taken against the said company and (c) who gave the company the permission to use her department's name and logo on its correspondence with companies? NW1436E

REPLY:

(1) (a) (i) There were no agreements signed between the National Corporate Social Investment Registrar and the Department.

(ii) There was no official authorisation for joint publication.

(b) Not Applicable

(2) Yes,

(a) From June 2009

(b) The Department requested the National Corporate Social Investment Registrar to stop claiming to be working in partnership with the Department.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1209 OF 2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1209. Mr Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What amount has her department spent on (a) catering and (b) entertainment (i) in the (aa) 2007-08, (bb) 2008-09, (cc) 2009-10, (dd) 2010-11 and (ee) 2011-12 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2012? NW1406E

REPLY:

The Department of Social Development's expenditure relating to catering and entertainment per financial year is as follows:

PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEARS

(i)

CATERING

(a)

R '000

ENTERTAINMENT

(b)

R '000

(aa) 01/04/2007 – '31/03/2008

1,859

0.00

(bb) 01/04/2008 – '31/03/2009

2,260

381

(cc) 01/04/2009 – '31/03/2010

2,528

765

(dd) 01/04/2010 – '31/03/2011

2,813

398

(ee) 01/04/2011 – '31/03/2012

6,329

367

CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR

(ii)

(ii) 01/04/2012 – 13/06/2012

621

118

TOTAL

16,410

2,029

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1180

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1180. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether any service provider has been appointed to develop norms and standards for treatment centres; if not, why not; if so, (a) when were they appointed, (b) what are their names, (c) what amount is being paid in each case and (d) what is the stipulated date by which the work has to be completed;

(2) whether there is a penalty clause in the contract; if not, why not; if so, what (a) penalties and (b) are the further relevant details;

(3) whether any penalties have been issued to date; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1375E

REPLY:

(1) No, no service provider was appointed to develop minimum norms and standards for treatment centres. The Minimum Norms and Standards for in and out -patient treatment centres were developed by the Department of Social Development. The Minimum Norms and Standards for in-patient treatment centres were approved and became effective during 2004. The Minimum Norms and Standards for out-patient treatment centres were approved and became effective during 2009. The implementation dates were communicated to service providers in writing and copies of the approved documents were distributed.

(1) (a-d) Not applicable

(2) (a-b) Not applicable

(3) Not applicable

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1161

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 11 May 2012

Internal question paper no:

1161. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development: [Interdepartmental transfer on 2 July 2012]

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 199 on 20 March 2012, any action has now been taken against the 25 255 public servants found guilty by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for fraud against the SA Social Security Agency since the inception of the SIU in 2005; if not, why not; if so, (i) what action was taken against each individual, (ii) what position did each such person hold in each department and (iii) of what amount did they defraud the agency in each case?

NW1353E

REPLY:

1. For the reasons advanced while replying to Parliamentary Question 199 of 2012 (dated 20 March 2012), SASSA is still unable to ascertain whether any disciplinary steps have been taken against the 25 255 public servants found guilty by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for fraud against SASSA since the inception of the SIU project in 2005.That is despite all the attempts SASSA has made to source information to this effect. Attached hereto as Annexure A is an example of some of the number of communiqués sent to the Department of Public Service and Administration asking for progress reports on the cases but to no avail.

The responsibility of SASSA as it relates to disciplinary action against officials not in its employ is limited to preparation of disciplinary files by the SIU that are handed over to the respective Departments who employ the implicated officials. SASSA has since written to these Departments requesting them to provide feedback on the referred cases to enable it to effectively respond to future Parliamentary questions. Recently, requests have again been made to the Department of Public Service and Administration and the Public Service Commission to assist in this regard.

In the previous reply to Parliamentary Question 199 of 2012, SASSA reported that in the past 5 years a total of 183 SASSA officials had been implicated in the social grant fraud. Of the 183 cases, 171 have been finalized with 12 still pending as at 06 July 2012. For detailed information pertaining to the cases, please refer to the attached document marked Annexure B. Five cases from Western Cape will be finalized in the second quarter of 2012 financial year. There are challenges being experienced in finalizing the other outstanding cases. The delays are mainly attributable to, among other things, difficulties with tracing primary witnesses and failure to secure cooperation from other witnesses with constant changing of statements.

Reply received: July 2012

QUESTION 1141

FOR ORAL REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:

Internal question paper no:

1141. Ms A van Wyk (ANC) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether she has monitored the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan in light of the impact of drug abuse on the social fibre of sobriety and as a contributing factor to serious and violent crimes; if not, why not; if so,

(2) what has been the extent of the implementation of the plan? NW1329E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan has been monitored. The monitoring has been carried out by the Central Drug Authority (CDA).

Departmental and provincial plans are submitted by the stakeholders during the beginning of the financial year and at the end of the financial year, annual reports are submitted to the CDA by fourteen national departments, nine Provincial Substance Abuse Forums that operated at the Provincial levels and 238 Local Drug Action Committees that operated at the Municipal levels. The reports are analysed and issues emanating from them are followed up with the concerned departments. The progress reports from the national and provincial departments are submitted to CDA twice per year during the extended CDA meetings.

The CDA also monitors the statistics issued by the national and international role-players to inform the development of effective measures to combat substance abuse.

Discussions were held in 2010 with stakeholders in all nine provinces on the effects of drugs through the community dialogues; workshops; meetings which culminated into a national Summit on Anti Substance Abuse in March 2011. A Programme of Action (POA) was developed from the resolutions of the Summit and its implementation is currently monitored on a regular basis by the Inter Ministerial Committee on anti-substance abuse

(2).The relevant National Departments, Provincial Departments, Provincial Substance Abuse Forums and the Local Drug Action Committees combated substance abuse through prevention programmes, such as campaigns, and community mobilisation initiatives throughout the country. The extent of the implementation of the plan can be gathered from the CDA Annual Reports to Parliament.

Briefly, the extent of the implementation could be as follows:

2nd Biennial Summit on Substance Abuse provided stakeholders with an opportunity to share the best practise models, in order to enhance their various practices.

The reports received from the provinces and National Departments indicated that a great deal of work has been done to combat the substance abuse problem. Basically, community members are aware of the dangers of drugs.

As part of advisory function of the CDA, a Position Paper on Cannabis has been completed, but it needs to be updated.

Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 1137……/ 2012

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper:……………… 2012

Internal question paper no:……….

1137. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether her department compels organisations dealing with (a) foster care (b) adoptions to place advertisements in newspapers at their own cost to prove that they have tried to contact the parents of the child; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) in terms of which provisions of which legislation and (ii) when did the relevant legislative obligations come into effect;

(2) whether her department has compensated such organisations for the cost of the advertisements; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1250E

REPLY:

(1) (a) Yes. (i) Regulation 56 of the Children's Act 38 of 2005 requires that for the purpose of determining that the child is in need of care and protection, the social worker must cause an advertisement to be published for a period of one month in a local newspaper where the child was found to call upon the family to claim responsibility for such a child. Regulation further indicates that in determining that the child has been abandoned or orphaned the presiding officer must be provided with a copy of newspaper advertisement to prove that efforts were made in tracing the family of the child concerned.

(1)(b)The Children's Act 38 of 2005 (Act No: 38 of 2005) in terms of Section 157(3) and Regulation 56(2)(b)(ii) requires that a copy of the newspaper advertisement must be furnished to the Presiding Officer to prove that effort have been made to trace or to contact the parents or the family of the child, in case of abandoned or orphaned child and that no person has claimed responsibility of the child for a period of at least three months since the publication of the advertisement. However, the Children's Act does not make provision on how the cost of the newspaper advertisement will be covered by adoption service providers when tracing the children's parents or families.

(2) Department of Social Development through Policy on Financial Award to Service Providers is financially supporting Child Protection Organisations rendering child protection services, including adoption services, to cover the costs of newspaper advertisement, when they make applications to request funding for their programmes at the departmental provincial offices.

Reply received: June 2012

QUESTION 1106

1106. Mr J R B Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) (a) What are the (i) yearly rental and (ii) floor space of the (aa) current and (bb) previous premises occupied by her department's head office and (b) when (i) was the current building occupied and (ii) does the current lease expire;

(2) whether her department publicly invited tenders prior to the leasing of the current premises; if not, why not; if so, (a) when, (b) where was it published and (c) which (i) companies and (ii) properties were shortlisted;

(3) what (a) floor space was offered and (b) annual rental was tendered (i) by each shortlisted company and (ii) with regard to each shortlisted property? NW1294E

REPLY:

1) (a) i) The yearly rental for the Department of Social Development at the HSRC Building and Harlequins Building for the Appeals Tribunal and Social Security amounts to R21,704 308

ii) The floor space for the Department of Social Development at the HSRC Building amounts to R18 002 m² and Harlequins Building for the Appeals Tribunal and Social Security amounts to R2 702 m².

(aa) The current premises occupied by the Department of Social Development are leased from the HSRC in Pretorius street, Pretoria.

(bb) The previous premise for the Department of Social Development was the Hallmark Building in Vermeulen Street.

(b) (i) The current office accommodation was occupied by the Department in 2001.

(ii) The current lease for the Department of Social Development will expire on the 30th April 2013 and for the Harlequins Building in the year 2014.

2) No, the Department signed two memorandums of understanding between the Department of Social Development and the Department of Public Works dated 7th April 2006 and 21 February 2011 to manage the acquisition of accommodation on behalf of the Department in terms of the agreement, the Department of Public Works is socially responsible for requiring accommodation on behalf of the Department. When the Department moved into the HSRC Building in 2001 the Department of Public Works acquired the accommodation for the Department.

3) Pertaining to question 3 The Department of Public Works has always facilitated the process of requiring accommodation as per memorandum of understanding for the Department of Social Development and as such as per memorandum of understanding is soley responsible for the acquisition process.

PMG

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Countries: Canada, South Africa, Ireland

Organizations: Parents-Child-Bridge, Nederlandse Adoptie Stichting (NAS), ABBA adoptions