Chairperson, despite the enormous challenges the ACDP will, once again, support this budget. However, dedicated focus on human capital development is long overdue and much damage has been done. Funds to train new social workers and develop the capacity and skills of existing social workers are critical.
We will need to employ an estimated 3 000 social workers a year if we are to make any difference at all. With this in mind, the 190 scholarships to social work students in 2006-07 are frighteningly insufficient, and much more must be done.
Unless adequate funding is utilised for building the capacity of service providers, our severely under-resourced child protection system will continue to be totally inadequate and chaotic.
The present lack of funding for the recovery process for abused and traumatised children leaves these children vulnerable and at risk of becoming perpetrators themselves. Children are often targeted simply because they are the easiest targets, and South African society is becoming more and more violent towards children as we experience greater degrees of moral breakdown.
Without intervention an increasingly negative impact on multiple budgets, including health, safety and security and justice, is inevitable.
The ACDP is also still extremely concerned that street children continue to fall through the cracks, and the fact that there is no orphan database is very perturbing. Dedicated funds must be made available for provincial and local spheres to provide adequately for these children in need of care.
Lastly, government's failure to extend child support grants to 18-year olds has had bizarre repercussions, including, according to social workers, teen pregnancy. The ACDP will, despite the challenges, vote in favour. Thank you.