Deputy Speaker, Cope supported the fiscal framework as presented by the Minister. Today, we support the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill because we understand that service delivery to the people is key. As we support the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill we want to register some concerns that we want government to address. The past financial year's overall expenditure indicated that national government underspent by R11,4 billion, which is an increase from the R9,6 billion of the previous year. This is a concern because many services do not reach the people as a result of this underspending.
In the first quarter of 2012-13, the national government projected to spend R129,9 billion, but it only spent R115,8 billion, which is R13,3 billion less than the projected amount. In terms of the Division of Revenue Act, the conditional grant that contributed to this anomaly, we understand, was the Provincial Disaster grant that was allocated R180 million, but at the end of the first quarter it had spent nothing.
The Municipal Disaster grant was allocated R330 million, but at the end of the first quarter it had spent nothing on that particular account. When you look at the municipal Expanded Public Works Programme, incentives for municipalities again were allocated R599,2 million, but at the end of the first quarter 0,0% was spent. The same thing happened with regard to the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, Mig, funds. We are concerned about this persistent underspending that runs from the first quarter, to the third quarter but spirals out of control in the fourth quarter.
We are worried that this does not project the value for money and the fact that programmes are implemented; it is the same as dumping the money. The Public Service Commission reported that almost all the departments reported 99% expenditure, but when you look at the expenditure, in terms of meeting their measurable objectives, they achieved less than 60%. Education reported only 47%; Public Works 44%; Health 37%; Rural Development 41%; Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Cogta, 44%. You can see why there is a problem in terms of people toy-toying for service delivery.
We, in fact, support this budget, but we want government to address these concerns in terms of making sure that service delivery, as we approve the budget, reaches the destination where it is meant to be. We support the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill.