The attainment of social transformation can only happen if people can lift themselves out of poverty, whilst creating adequate social nets to protect the most vulnerable in our society. For maximum impact we have to persist with comprehensive programmes that deal with poverty, inequality and underdevelopment, but in the same breath, we also have to protect and advance the rights of all.
The National Development Plan forms the foundation of a long-term plan to build a national democratic society that is nonracial, nonsexist, democratic, united and prosperous.
The portfolio committee has deliberated on Budget Vote No 19, that is the Department of Social Development and its entities, and has also looked at their strategic and operational plans. The budget of the department consists of five programmes. It is a considerable budget of R120 billion, which is quite substantial. The increase of 7,4% is noted, and 99,5% consists of transfers and subsidies which include the substantial transfer of R113 billion for grants. Without wasting time, let me discuss the committee's observations.
We concluded that not enough focus is being given to programmes dealing with people with disabilities. We feel that it should be one of the department's priority areas. The department must ensure that its programmes are geared towards the protection and rights of people with disabilities.
Early childhood development, ECD, centres for children with disabilities are still too thinly spread in our communities. We need more daycare centres, aftercare facilities and investment in specialised care for our disabled children. I want to emphasise that there should be an intentional investment in skills development for disabled youth, so that they can participate in our economy and be mainstreamed in all levels of society, government and the private sector.
Turning to the National Development Agency, NDA, we were very concerned about it a few years ago, but ...
... hulle kry nou hul huis in orde en dinge kom nou bymekaar. [... they are getting their house in order and things are taking shape.]
The budget of the NDA needs to be increased because it is totally inadequate to carry out its mandate. We always complained about its presence in provinces. Now we can see it, but vacant posts must be filled timeously. There should be interaction between the Minister and the Minister of Finance, to lobby for more money for the NDA. The capacity building role that the NDA can facilitate for nonprofit organisations, NPOs, should be strengthened and they have to ensure that the NPOs are compliant.
We welcome the presence of advisory centres in provinces because that is going to assist. As I stated previously, the R171,7 million allocated should thus be increased. We noted the critical vacancies in the department and raised the fact that it could affect service delivery in the long term. However, we are happy with the announcements that the Minister has made.
The capacitating of NPOs, speeding up their registration and their compliance, etc was another concern for the committee. So, more focus should be placed on monitoring and evaluation.
We note the shortage of social workers, especially with regard to the Children's Act, also the scholarship programme initiated by the department and innovations to make the programme a success as well. The use and training of social auxiliary workers through learnerships should be considered.
The absence of food banks in our rural areas is a concern to the committee, as is the concentration in urban areas. Food security initiatives like food banks in our rural communities could significantly improve the quality of life of our rural communities.
Another concern worth mentioning is the fact that the funding models in the provinces differ substantially from one other. The court challenges under way in the Free State are also noted. Yesterday, or the day before, another nongovernmental organisation in the Free State again threatened to go to court if the subsidies to children's homes are not paid. As a committee, we will be watching and following that process in the Free State very closely. Hopefully, the finalisation of the financial awards policy will normalise the confusion that exists at the moment.
Turning to the recommendations, the Minister should ensure that the youth programmes are being rolled out to six other provinces. These programmes have only been rolled out to three provinces. The programmes are aimed at empowering the youth to be agents of change. It's crucial that the other provinces also benefit from this initiative.
We further recommend that the target of 66 000 social workers be reviewed. The committee is awaiting a detailed report on the social work scholarship programme.
As I said, we as a committee are concerned about the vacant posts at senior management service level within the department itself, and we are glad that today we received a newly appointed director-general and I think a deputy director-general has also been appointed in the department. Turning to the SA Social Security Agency, Sassa, we recommend that the implementation of a biometric system for Sassa officials should be prioritised. Dormant accounts should be resolved. As the Minister said, the attempted robbery and shootout at the pay point at Lindelane in Kwazulu- Natal was upsetting, especially since it resulted in the death of a pensioner. Sassa should ensure that security at pay points is strengthened, although it is not their function but the responsibility of the contractor. They should make sure that there is a security plan for all eventualities at pay points.
The increase in state capacity will ensure that the comprehensive social security strategy of government can be fully implemented. The fact that social assistance has reduced the poverty gap by 63% is an indication that the provision of social assistance is making a difference in the lives of our people.
The provision of the child support grant to children of school-going age, coupled with the school nutrition programme, has had a positive impact on school attendance. These initiatives, and the school uniform assistance in some provinces, make it virtually impossible for children not to be in school.
Our children are our future. Therefore, we have to expand our ECD programmes and aftercare, and place special emphasis on child-headed households. Child-headed households should be prioritised because it is an area where our youth are forced to be adults, through no fault of their own, and have to fend for their siblings. In conjunction with psychosocial support, we need to give them hope for the future, and we will therefore be monitoring the department's efforts to create opportunities and jobs for the youth of our country.
We welcome the universalisation of the old age grant, although the means test is administratively cumbersome and very expensive. Minister, why should we have a phased-in approach if we can abolish the hated means test? This will ensure that everyone who is 60 years of age qualifies for it. It means that men and women can now apply for an old age grant on their own, thereby increasing household income and increasing social cohesion in households and communities. We will be saving money on administrative costs, staff training and systems.
Looking forward, we should consider the universalisation of the child support grant for all South African children, as stated in the Mangaung resolutions. This will ensure that all children are in school and cared for. Children constitute 31,3% of the South African population. This is a significant number. Since the costing has been done on the financial implications, the impact will be felt immediately in our communities since no deserving child will be excluded.
In conclusion, allow me to thank the staff of the portfolio committee, Yolisa, Lindiwe, Siyavuya and Nozuko, for their professional conduct in supporting the work of the committee over the years. I thank them for being there to ensure that we carry out our constitutional obligations. They are indeed part of the success of this committee. I wish to thank the Minister and Deputy Minister, as well as the management of Social Development and its entities, for their co-operation and presence at our meetings, for taking us seriously and for respecting us. Thank you. Let's make this financial year an unforgettable one, where we achieve all our objectives as a committee and as a department. The ANC supports Budget Vote No 19. [Applause.]