House Chairperson, I would like to thank the hon Minister for her elaborate response. Hon Minister, in your response you indicated that the department is developing the memoranda of understanding with the national departments and the offices of the premiers. Could the Minister give us examples of what is entailed in one of the memoranda of understanding?
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: In the memoranda of understanding we look at targets that we have set for ourselves and the strategic plans of various departments. We monitor their budgets and check whether they have budgeted adequately for programmes for women, children and people with disabilities.
We also ensure that the particular targets that have been set, for example, the 2% target of the workforce that should represent people with disabilities and the 50% target for women in various departments form part of the memoranda of understanding that we sign. This will enable us to monitor and ensure that there is movement in terms of reaching the particular targets that we have set for ourselves as government. Thank you.
Chairperson, the Minister must surely be aware that one of the issues facing this government is access to government buildings, for both government employees with disabilities and members of the public who have disabilities. The Department of Public Works has purchased 34 mansions to house Cabinet Ministers at a total cost of R183 million.
The department continues to budget millions of rand for improving, renovating and providing accommodation for Cabinet members. Yet, the department has only budgeted R15 million per year in order to ensure that government buildings are accessible to people with disabilities. This meagre amount has to cover major requirements such as ramps, packing facilities, ablution facilities, appropriate doorways, lifts and signage.
Given this background, does the Minister agree that the amount budgeted for by the Department of Public Works is hopelessly insufficient; and does she intend meeting with the Minister of Public Works to urge him to provide more budget for this important task? Perhaps the Minister could take a magic broom along to help persuade him. Thank you.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Chairperson, yes we have met with the Minister of Public Works and we are going to meet again. I also want to advise the DA to use a broom when they go to New York and not expect other people to do something that they do not do. They fly business class and they should not expect other people ... [Interjections.]
Hon Minister, will you take your seat, please? What is your point of order, hon member?
On a point of order, Chairperson, the Minister is not responding to the question that has been posed! She is making ...
Hon member, that is not a point of order because the Minister is busy responding. You may continue, hon Minister.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: I was asked whether I was going to take a broom or not. So I was answering. One member raised that.
Proceed, hon Minister.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Yes, we have discussed with the Minister of Public Works the needs of women, children and people with disabilities. There is a plan in the Department of Public Works that has been put in place. We have also been working with the former Deputy Minister to ensure that all government buildings are accessible and there was indeed a budget to ensure that most of the buildings are accessible.
This is not the responsibility of only the Department of Public Works but also the municipalities, provinces ... [Interjections.]
Order, hon member! You have asked a follow-up question, so let's allow the Minister to respond. Respond, hon Minister!
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: In October, for instance, we had the World Congress for People with Disabilities, which was held in Durban. The Durban Metro has accessible busses that assisted us in ensuring that people with disabilities are taken from hotels to the airport and venues. We also had some delegates from Finland and Canada who told us that Durban is the ramp capital of the world because the Durban Metro has ensured that their buildings and the city in general is accessible. Of course we still have challenges in rural areas regarding accessibility. We have challenges with regard to transport where we do not have accessible public transport. These are the issues that we are discussing with various Ministers to ensure that we mainstream disability issues in all our departments and in the provinces as well. Thank you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, hon Minister, a perception has been created that you only have to deal with government departments. What I want to know is whether you have any programme that collaborates with other government departments to ensure that the private sector also mainstreams issues of women, youth and people with disabilities as much as government is expected to mainstream?
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Chairperson, we do have that because we are not only working with government departments, but we are also working with the private sector. I have already indicated that we have partnered with companies including mining, technological, aviation companies, etc, to ensure that we mainstream women in the science, technology and engineering sector. I cited one example of Techno Girls, but there are many other examples. Thank you, Chairperson.
Chairperson, thank you very much hon Minister for your economy class answer. Madam Minister, you have to answer the question asked and it was clear. Yes, you are absolutely right that there has been a budget provided by the Department of Public Works. But as I have pointed out to you, it is R15 million a year, which is probably the cost of two trips to New York. It is hopelessly insufficient to conduct the work that is required at these public buildings. So I ask the question again. Do you believe that R15 million per annum is sufficient to meet the challenge of making government buildings accessible to people with disabilities? Thank you.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: A point of correction, Chairperson. The hon member is misleading the House. The budget allocated is R30 million as we speak. Please read the appropriations! Thank you.
Hon Deputy Minister, let's allow the Minister to respond.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Chairperson, thank you, Deputy Minister. I think the member should also do his homework. I would like to know how much the DA has budgeted for people with disabilities in the Western Cape? People who do not have houses. I was there with Premier Helen Zille in November 2010. [Interjections.]
Order, hon members, order!
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: This is November 2011 and she still does not have a house. Yes, the budget is not sufficient and can never be sufficient for all the needs of the people of South Africa. [Interjections.] The DA must demonstrate to us how much they have budgeted for people with disabilities in the Western Cape if they really care. Thank you very much! [Applause.]
Steps to ensure officials not suspended with full pay for extended periods
266. Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) asked the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:
Whether his department is taking any steps to ensure that officials are not suspended with full pay for extended periods of time; if not, why not; if so, what steps?