Hon Deputy Speaker, I don't know whether it is unparliamentary to say hon Dreyer regurgitates what she had not eaten because she never attended any of the meetings that we had to deliberate on this budget.
The Portfolio Committee on Public Works believes that the turnaround strategy of the Department of Public Works focuses on ensuring that the department fulfils its mandate. Part of the strategy includes the following: The recalling of retired engineers to provide the required technical skills in the department; the reopening of the workshops to train artisans also forms part of the rebuilding of the internal capacity of the department; addressing weaknesses of the departmental systems and controls by improving procurement and supply chain management processes, which includes proper management of its leasing and invoicing, as well as its immovable asset portfolio; and the planned eradication of the existing backlog in the upgrading and refurbishment of all government buildings is part of the department's responsibility to ensure greater access for people with disabilities.
Finally, the department included the low-capacity municipalities' index for the public works programme by restructuring the incentive grant. This will increase the impact of the Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP, to alleviate poverty and provide skills to poor and marginalised communities, thereby improving the lives of a larger number of participants.
The Portfolio Committee on Public Works, especially those members who attend the portfolio committee meetings, therefore, requests that Parliament approves the adoption of the Budget Vote of the Department of Public Works. I thank you. [Applause.]