The Department of Environmental Affairs is committed to utilising resources allocated through the Parliament appropriation process in the most cost effective and responsible way. As a first priority the Department utilises public servants in the department to do the work. Only if the specific expertise is not available internally, will the department consider using the services of consultants.
In making use of consultants, the department ensures cost effectiveness. Where possible, we aim to ensure that consultants transfer these skills to departmental officials. The Department will continue to ensure that the use of consultants are in line and guided by the PFMA and the relevant Treasury Regulations. The use of consultants is reported in our quarterly financial reports to the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs (PCEA), and in our annual financial statements. These are audited by the Auditor General and are tabled in Parliament as part of our Annual Report.
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