Hon Chairperson, Minister, MECs present, members and visitors, I would like to thank the department for their presentation to our committee. The Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities was established to emphasise the need for equity and access to development opportunities for vulnerable groups in South African society. This department was created in May 2009 to replace the former national multiagency structures in the Presidency.
The budget of the department grew from R172,2 million in 2012-13 to R198,3 million in the 2013-14 financial year. Although this is a nominal increase of 2,85%, when inflation is taken into account the budget has actually decreased by 2,6%. In terms of the budget, some 66% is allocated to current payment, 61% of which will be used for compensation of employees. The balance of R51,3 million is allocated for expenditure on goods and services. In addition, 31,8% of the budget has been allocated to transfer payments.
The department has produced financial reports since 2010-11. The Auditor- General has consistently stated that this department has been overspending on its budget since inception, mostly on travelling, venues and compensation of employees. The department incurred overexpenditure of R22,7 million in the 2011-12 financial year. In the 2010-11 financial year, the department overspent by some R3,7 million with fruitless and wasteful expenditure of R1 003.
The findings depict a department that has not made any progress in addressing audit findings.