Social Development
With reference to the Premier’s announcement of additional support for early childhood development centres (ECDs) in his speech about the Western Cape Recovery Plan:
- (a) How many ECDs in the province still lack COVID-19 protocol compliancy in order to reopen safely, (b) how is the Province assisting these ECDs, (c) what is the rand value of the additional PPE and hygiene material that the Province plans to distribute to ECDs and (d) by when will such transfers take place;
- whether the Province has received any additional support from the national government in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
- (a) what are the details of the “special consultative forum” planned for key stakeholders in the ECD sector, (b) by when will this be launched, (c) what are the aims of the forum and (d) how will the deliverables of the forum be measured?
With reference to the Premier’s announcement of additional support for early childhood development centres [ECDs] in his speech about the Western Cape Recovery Plan:
- [a] How many ECDs in the province still lack COVID-19 protocol compliancy in order to reopen safely,
Response:
The Department of Social Development received an additional request for support with COVID readiness from a further 16 unregistered facilities over and above those already assisted. The DSD is currently assessing this request.
- [b] how is the Province assisting these ECDs,
Response:
When ECDs requiring assistance come forward or are identified by DSD, the individual needs of each ECD are assessed and funding is provided for personal protective equipment [PPE] and related equipment for staff and children
- [c] what is the rand value of the additional PPE and hygiene material that the Province plans to distribute to ECDs
Response:
The amounts provided to each ECD are based on national guidelines wherein basic health & safety and hygiene products may not exceed R4 146 per site. The Province has thus far distributed a total of R11 million to 2166 ECDs in the province for this purpose.
- and [d] by when will such transfers take place;
Response:
Transfers to the value of R11 million have already taken place. Additional transfers are planned for the remainder of the financial year.
- whether the Province has received any additional support from the national government in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
Response:
The National Department of Social Development is planning to make some additional funding available to the provinces from the Presidential Employment Intervention expenditure, but this is still subject to confirmation.
- [a] what are the details of the “special consultative forum” planned for key stakeholders in the ECD sector, [b] by when will this be launched, [c] what are the aims of the forum and [d] how will the deliverables of the forum be measured?
Response:
The details of this forum are in the planning and consultation stage and will be communicated once finalised.
