FRASER-MOLEKETI ON TWO-DAY WELFARE LEKGOTLA

Issued by: Ministry for Welfare and Publication Development

STATEMENT BY WELFARE AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT MINISTER GERALDINE FRASER-MOLEKETI ON THE TWO-DAY WELFARE LEKGOTLA

9 DECEMBER 1997

The next two days, beginning on Thursday will see MECs for Welfare and I meeting in Pretoria and engaged in crucial discussions during the welfare lekgotla (bosberaad) - the last to be held this year.

As we move from policy formulation to service delivery, among key issues to be tabled for discussion at the lekgotla at the Roode Vallei Country Lodge, will be:

• The utilisation of the R50 million from the poverty alleviation fund recently made available to Welfare by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel. This fund will be used by provinces, national councils and national organisations.
• The impact of the Welfare Laws Amendment Bill on the National Social Security System. We shall be focusing on resolving problems relating to both expenditure and social security programmes.
• Implementation of the Child Support Grant.
• New legislation coming before Parliament in 1998.
• Progress so far made in the transformation of the child and youth care system in the country. Welfare's preparedness to deal with children awaiting trial outside of Correctional Services facilities by May 1998, will be assessed.

We have made great strides in Parliament this year through the endorsement by both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces of key bills - the Welfare Laws Amendment Bill, and the Nonprofit Organisations Bill.

Among our greatest challenges in the coming year will be the introduction of the new Child Support Grant to replace the old State Maintenance Grant, transformation of the child and youth care system, our social development programmes and the adoption by Parliament of the White Paper on Population Policy.

A statement on the resolutions taken will be released on Sunday.

Issued: GERALDINE FRASER-MOLEKETI, MP Minister for Welfare and Population Development

ENQUIRIES: BRIAN SOKUTU, Press Secretary Cellphone: 082-807-5397