9. Ms B N Dambuza (African National Congress (ANC)) to ask the Deputy President:
What (a) progress has been made with regard to the research aspect of the Programme to Support Pro-poor Policy Development (PSPPD), as outlined in the Presidency's strategic plan and (b) has been the outcome of the discussion with the European Union regarding the implementation of the second phase of the programme? NO3791E
Reply:
The Programme to Support Pro-poor Policy Development (PSPPD) is a research and capacity building programme which is located within the National Planning Commission of the Presidency. It is a partnership between the Presidency and the European Union.
The PSPPD is a five year programme which started in October 2006 and will end on 31 December 2011. It will enter into a six month closure period to conduct final evaluation and final audit processes, effectively closing end of June 2012.
The programme was developed to improve the effectiveness of public policy interventions. To achieve this, the programme focused on strengthening policy-making around poverty and inequality through the use of research within the social and economic clusters.
The Programme has focused on promoting evidence-based policy-making through:
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Research on poverty and inequality
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Developing the capacity of researchers to contribute evidence to policy
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Developing the capacity of policy-makers to understand how to use research evidence
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Supporting government’s Monitoring and Evaluation system, to help it evolve in a way that contributes effectively to evidence-based policy-making; and
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Collating, documenting and sharing examples of the use of evidence with stakeholders
To date the programme’s activities saw the culmination of inputs and linked activities since the start of implementation. In August this year a two-day Conference was held in Gauteng where thirteen research papers were presented to an audience of policy makers and academics.
In addition to this a series of articles were published in the print media showcasing some of the research studies to a wider audience.
Also, the PSPPD funded activities that resulted in a draft National Evaluation Policy Framework; and a scoping exercise and workshop for the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) was done to define citizen-based monitoring.
The PSPPD Phase two Proposal is currently being processed by the European Commission in Brussels and a decision is awaited by the Commission on the General Budget Support programme.
I thank you.
10. Mr N Singh (Inkatha Freedom Party) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether he intends taking any steps to ensure that Ministers act on the recommendations and shortcomings that have been identified by the Auditor-General for each Minister’s portfolio; if not, why not; if so, what steps;
(2) whether there are any timeframes for monitoring and evaluating the corrective action that is required; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO3944E
Reply:
Honourable member as you are aware, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, Directors-General of Departments as Accounting Officers are responsible for managing the finances. They are therefore responsible for addressing the shortcomings and implementing the recommendations identified in the Auditor-General’s reports.
As Ministers are ultimately responsible for the overall performance of their line departments they are expected to take appropriate steps to ensure that Accounting Officers act on the Auditor-General’s recommendations.
In order to strengthen the performance monitoring system, the Presidency has put in place the following measures:
The Director-General of the Presidency is the Chairperson of the Forum of South African Directors-General (FOSAD). With Cabinet approval, FOSAD has started to monitor the implementation of key improvements to management and administration in the public service.
The Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) in the Presidency is facilitating this monitoring on behalf of FOSAD. DPME provides the FOSAD Management Committee with regular reports on progress towards improving a number of key administrative problems. The aim of this monitoring is to increase the focus of Accounting Officers on addressing these matters and to provide Cabinet and the President with periodic reports on progress in this regard.
DPME is currently working with the Department of Public Service and Administration to revise the performance assessment system for Accounting Officers, to increase the role of the Presidency and the Offices of the Premier in this system, and to ensure that the managerial and administrative performance of a department is a key factor in the performance assessment of the Accounting Officer of that department.
FOSAD started monitoring managerial and administrative performance issues three months ago. This will be an on-going process until managerial and administrative performance improves. The new performance assessment system for Accounting Officers is planned to start in the 2013/14 financial year. In the meantime, the existing performance assessment system for Accounting Officers will continue.
I thank you.
12. Mrs M V Mafolo (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
What steps has the Government taken to unite South Africans in the fight against substance abuse by our youth, which robs them of their future? NO3891E
Reply:
A significant part of Government’s programme in the fight against substance abuse is led by the Central Drug Authority. This is a statutory body made up of a number of Government Departments, Non-Governmental and Community based Organisations, academics and substance abuse experts and has the responsibility to:
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coordinate efforts to reduce the supply and demand for drugs/substances of abuse
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strengthen efforts aimed at eliminating drug trafficking and related crimes
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promote the integration of substance abuse issues into the mainstream of socioeconomic development programmes
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ensure appropriate intervention strategies through awareness raising, education, prevention, early intervention and treatment programmes
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promote partnerships and the participation of all stakeholders at local and provincial levels in the fight against substance abuse.
The objectives and plans of the Central Drug Authority are captured in a National Drug Master Plan. Government Departments involved include Arts and Culture, Correctional Services, Basic Education, Higher Education and Training, International Relations and Cooperation, Health, Home Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Development, Labour, Social Development, South African Police, Sport and Recreation, Trade and Industry, Transport as well as the South African Revenue Service.
Particular government departments are charged with drawing up and implementing operational plans referred to as “Mini-drug master plans” in line with their core functions. Youth substance abuse has been identified as one of the key priorities in the Drug Master Plan.
In recognising the critical situation of growing substance abuse in South Africa, Cabinet has set up an Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Substance Abuse, chaired by the Minister of Social Development. Eight Ministers/Deputy Ministers are part of this committee.
Youth substance abuse has been a specific focus of the IMC. Plans to reduce substance abuse which have taken into account local and international best practice have recently been adopted by Cabinet.
Given the importance of obtaining wide stakeholder involvement in substance abuse strategies and plans, the Department of Social Development and the Central Drug Authority hosted a substance abuse summit in March 2011.
This was attended by 750 stakeholders comprising of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Substance Abuse, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Health Organisation, Parliament of South Africa, Provincial Executives, Legislatures and Substance Abuse Forums and Local Drug Action Committees, Organised Labour, the House of Traditional Leaders, Faith Based Organisations, Civil Society Organisations, Community Based Organisations and Youth Structures.
Government and other stakeholders signed a declaration committing to accelerated action to ensure the implementation of the resolutions adopted by this summit. These resolutions have been incorporated into the main plans of the Inter Ministerial Committee.
I thank you.
