Deputy Speaker, may I say that if hon members read the newspapers last week, they would be aware of indications that the majority of our people who left this country, particularly professionals, are beginning to come back home. That is most welcome.
Fortunately for us in the Department of Social Development, we have not had quite such an exodus of social workers, but as I said earlier on, we are implementing the OSD. That programme of our government is intended to ensure that we remunerate our professionals in the field of social work in such a manner that they will stay. That on its own is part of the retention strategy.
Indeed, the salaries and packages they are getting right now compare favourably. That is a very strong element of retention. However, it is never going to be easy to compel people to stay within a particular profession. From time to time, people move from one profession to another. That aspect we are not able to do anything about.
The only thing we do is to offer bursaries, scholarships, etc. We also do our best in terms of the working conditions we provide, and to ensure that we implement this OSD. That is, for now, as far as we can go. We are doing that with all the other bodies that manage and govern the social work profession. Thank you very much.
Impact of extension of child support grant
54. Mrs Y R Botha (ANC) asked the Minister of Social Development:
(a) What impact will the extension of the child support grant have on children attending school, (b) how will this extension improve the livelihood of the affected families and (c) how will intergenerational poverty be eradicated? NO572E