(1) Whether the Human Resource Development Council has looked at the degree of skills and capacity gaps in the public service, especially at provincial and local levels; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether there are any strategies in place to close and respond to the skills and capacity gaps in the public service; if not, why not; if so, what mechanisms are in place to assist provinces and municipalities to attract the essential skills in order to respond effectively and efficiently to the challenges facing South Africa?