Attached herewith is a report of the Portfolio Committee for your information

ADV.E N LAMBANI: SECRETARY: LIMPOPO LEGISLATURE

REFORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE OLDER PERSONS BILL [B68B-2003]

1. INTRODUCTION
The House may recall that the Older Persons Bill [B68-2003] was dealt with in this august House in the past year and a final mandate conferred on our NCOP Delegation to vote in favour of the Bill to pass into law.

However, consideration of the Bill was deferred by the NCOP pending the costing of the Bill.

2. THE BILL
The Bill is a s76 and seeks to deal effectively with the plight of older persons by establishing a framework aimed at the empowerment and protection of older persons and at the promotion and maintenance of their status, rights, well-being, safety and security: and to provide for patters connected therewith.

3. AMENDMENTS ON THE BILL
The Bill, has since our last mandate to our NCOP relegation, been amended by the Select Committee on Social Development. The Committee was accordingly briefed on the amendments and financial implications of the Bill by our NCOP Delegate on 27 May 2005. It is of

it is of utmost importance to note that the Department of Social Development and the province have indicated their readiness to implement the Bill once enacted into law in the next cycle of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.

The Committee considered the amendments made on the Bill by the NCOP Select Committee on Social Development and supports them fully.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee, having considered and supported the amendments made on the Older Persons Bill [B68B-2003], recommends to the House; to confer a final mandate on our NCOP Delegates to support the amendments and vote in favour of the Bill to pass into law.

5. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I hereby move that this report be adopted as a report of this House and that a final mandate be conferred on our NCOP Delegation to vote in favour of the Bill to pass into law. I move accordingly

HON. S C N SHOPE SITHOLE
CHAIRPERSON: PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.