INFORMATION SERVICES: RESEARCH

PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUDGET OVERVIEW - DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DST) (Vote 18)

31 May 2004

Documentation provided

  1. 2004 Budget Overview: Department of Science and Technology- dated 3 April 2004.
  2. The Vision and Mission of the Department.
  3. "The Budget in context".: Tables A, B, C & D
  4. "Structure of the Newly Created Department of Science and Technology (DST) and its corporate Strategy for 2003/4 - 2005/6

The vision and mission of the Department of Science and Technology

The Department of Science and Technology aims to promote the development of science and technology through the enabling mechanism of the National System of Innovation (NSI). It strives towards introducing measures that put science and technology to work to make an impact on growth and development in a sustainable manner, in areas that matter to all the people of South Africa.

The Department's objectives are:

  1. To maximize the role of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) institutions in the National System of Innovation strategy.
  2. To promote public awareness, appreciation, critical evaluation and understanding of SET.
  3. To strengthen the role of the private sector in the NSI.
  4. To manage the establishment of new institutional infrastructure.
  5. To promote collaboration within the broader research community.
  6. To promote partnerships and collaboration between South Africa's research community and the international science and technology community.
  7. To internationalize and brand South Africa's SET capabilities.
  8. To improve the quality and depth of SET statistical information.
  9. To promote access to and utilization of information as a strategic resource.
  10. To advance information literacy to facilitate science literacy.

The Department's activities include programmes in the following areas:

  1. Science and society
  2. Technology development
  3. Biotechnology
  4. Bilateral co-operation
  5. Multilateral co-operation
  6. Indigenous knowledge
  7. Information society

[Source: WEBSITE: www.dst.gov.za]

The Budget in context

  1. 34 Votes.
  2. Five Clusters:

Cluster

Votes

1. Central Government Administration

1-6

2. Financial and Administrative Services

7-13

3. Social Services

14-20

4. Justice and Protection Services

21-25

Economic Services and Infrastructure

26-34

 

3. Science and Technology is one of 7 Government Departments placed in the

Social Services Cluster.

4. A breakdown of the Social Services Cluster.

 

 

 

 

TABLE A: "BIG SPENDERS" IN GOVERNMENT

Government Department

Sector

% of the Total Budget

Safety and Security

Justice and Protection Services

28,24

Defence

National Treasury

Financial and Administrative Services

11,67

Provincial and Local Government

Central government Administration

18,09

Education

Social services

22,29

Communications, etc

Economic Services and Infrastructure

19,72

 

 

TABLE B: A BREAKDOWN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES CLUSTER

Department

2004/05 MTEF Allocation

Percentage

Position of Department

Education

11 344 957 000

39,7

1

Health

8 787 865 000

30,8

2

Social Development

4 548 410 000

15,9

3

Science and Technology

1 276 212 000

4,5

4

Labour

1 191 733 000

4,2

5

Arts & Culture

1 141 578 000

3,99

6

Sport and Recreation South Africa

286 221 000

1,0

7

 

TABLE C: A RANDOM SELECTION OF BUDGET

INCREASES/DECREASES PER DEPARTMENT

Department

Increase

Decrease

Arts and Culture

 

 

Science and Technology

19,46

 

Health

104,24

Sport and Recreation

25,29

 

Safety and Security

11,57

 

Housing

7,18

 

Presidency

14,7

 

Parliament

28,84

 

Home Affairs

10,71

 

Treasury

 

13,53

Public Works

3,61

 

GCIS

 

13,8

Water Affairs and Forestry

 

28,82

Minerals and Energy

8,03

 

Correctional Services

12,1

 

Public Services and Administration

 

25,5

Transport

7,47

 

Communications

 

47,47

Environmental Affairs and Tourism

10,47

 

Justice and Constitutional Development

15,28

 

Agriculture

5,85

 

Education

7,18