Reply by Minister of Social Development, Edna Molewa, on questions posed in the National Assembly for written reply

Question No. 646

Ms L D Mazibuko (Democratic Alliance) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether her department is funding any children’s homes in any of the nine provinces; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many homes in each province, (b) where are these homes situated, (c) on what date did her department first start subsidising each home, (e) how much funding does each home receive and (e) how many children reside at each home;
(2) Whether her department has conducted any evaluation of the homes since departmental funding commenced; if not, why not; if so, on what dates were each evaluation conducted;
(3) Whether any irregularities were identified during the evaluation of the children’s homes; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what were the regularities, (b) at which children’s home was each irregularity identified and (c) what action has been taken to rectify the situation?

Reply:

Honourable member,

1. Yes, although the Department of Social Development subsidises children’s homes in nine provinces, funding is not automatic. Children’s homes must be registered and should operate in accordance with the Child Care Act No 74 of 1983 as amended. The children’s home must register as a legal entity in terms of the Non Profit Organisation (NPO) Act No 71 of 1997.

1. a, b, c, d and e
Kindly refer to included table herewith. The overall running cost of a children’s home, is provided per child per month. Although disparity of funding exists in the nine provinces, the recommended subsidy per child per month is R1 800. The table illustrates the number of children’s homes, location, actual number, unit cost and the number of subsidised children’s homes in each province.

2. Yes, the table provides details on the developmental quality assurance undertaken in the children’s homes.
3. Yes, irregularities were identified in some of the children’s homes. The table provides narrative detail information on irregularities identified and action taken.

Table 2 - Developmental quality assurance

Issued by: Department of Social Development
21 September 2009