Chairperson, the reports that were received in July 2009 from all provinces show that, currently, we have vacancies, in terms of children's homes, of 1 114. Actually, looking countrywide, we have a maximum capacity of 14 581, and the actual number of beds that are in use are 13 440, and then the vacancies are at 1 141. What we are trying to do now, is to ensure that we move towards the rural areas because most of the youth and child care centres are in urban areas.
Yes, although there are no backlogs reported with regard to the placement of children in children's homes, we sometimes have administrative delays such as waiting for final court orders and designation letters. Despite this, there are measures in place to avert backlogs in the placement of children as prescribed in the Child Care Amendment Act, No 74 of 1983. These measures include the development of regulations, guidelines, norms and standards for placement of children into alternative care.
Lastly, yes, the national Department of Social Development has taken measures to ensure that there is monitoring and evaluation. As I've said before, there are also norms and standards that we are using to ensure that we are able to evaluate ourselves, heads of Social Development and heads of the forum, which takes place quarterly. Thank you.
Position regarding funding for schools qualifying for National School Nutrition Programme
20. Ms N D Ntwanambi (ANC) asked the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether, in each of the past two financial years up to the latest specified date for which information is available, there were any schools in provinces that qualified for the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) but (a) did not receive funding or (b) received funding which was subsequently discontinued due to insufficient funds;
(2) whether her department has put any measures in place to ensure that (a) all schools that qualify for the programme receive funding, (b) sufficient funds are allocated to implement the programme and (c) there will not be any disruption in the feeding of learners? CO86E