The aim of budget reform is to ensure that budgets reflect Government’s priorities and support the extension and improvement of service delivery. The Estimates of National Expenditure is a key element of this reform process.
Now in its second year, the Estimates of National Expenditure provides extensive information on the objectives and strategies of departments, their spending plans, and aspects of service delivery. In this way, it promotes transparency, enables vigorous and informed debate in Parliament and within civil society, and so enhances planning and accountability.
The 2002 Estimates of National Expenditure builds on last year’s publication, adding important information. For the first time departments outline targets for service delivery in key output areas. This is a further step in providing Parliament with ‘measurable objectives’ for each expenditure programme, as will be required by the Public Finance Management Act from next year.
The 2002 Estimates also provides more detailed financial information on a range of large public entities, enhancing oversight of these delivery agents. Departmental spending allocations and plans for information and communication technology are also identified separately for the first time.
The expenditure estimates of departments are the outcome of an arduous administrative and executive process. Treasury spending teams, under the political guidance of the Minister of Finance and the Ministers Committee on the Budget, have worked closely with the policy and budget teams of other national departments and agencies to ensure that government priorities are appropriately funded.
Thanks are due to all who have cooperated to enable the successful conclusion of the budget process over the last year and so made possible the publication of this critical resource for taking budget reform forward.
Maria Ramos
Director-General: National Treasury