Other issues:

· Outcome of Bi -Annual Summit on Substance Abuse, CDA. Copies of the National Drug Master Plan 2006-2011 are available and can be collected from Isaac. The new prevention and treatment of substance abuse bill has been published for comment by the public.

· Recommendations by the PC SocDev, based on its oversight report to the EC, adopted in Nov 06. Policy issues on disability grants, HIV/AIDS, child headed households to be considered. Outcome of the OVC (orphaned and vulnerable children) conference July 2006 - implementing the recommendations taken at this national forum.

· Children's Amendment Bill - -touch base with ANC study group in the NCOP to identify most important aspects of its hearings on this bill (being child headed households, corporal punishment, ECD and where it stand to finalize its work on this. Negotiating mandates are expected on 6 March 07 with final mandates by 20 March 07. This amendment bill will then be referred to the NA PC SocDev for hearings and deliberation. Note this is a Sec 76 tabled in the NCOP as the first House. Amendments made by the PC SocDev in this process, will have to go back to the NCOP - so it is crucial to be informed on the reasoning and motivation of amendments by the NCOP.

· DSD tabled 3 major research reports on the profiles of social grants beneficiaries in Cabinet, in Dec 06. These reports confirmed that the CSG is not a perverse incentive linked to teenage pregnancies. Committee may want to consider a serious look at these reports, linking it to social retirement reform and economic activity to social grants.

· The status of the Social Assistance Act (2004) with regulations is an outstanding DSD matter. PC had briefings in March +Aug 2006 on this.

· Oversight plan of the PC SocDev for 2007. Linking oversight strategy with provincial legislatures where possible.

Suggestions from the Study Group:

Progress in respect of Comprehensive Social Security: Invite the following statutory Bodies:

− COSA TU

− Mike Simpson

− M Olivier

− The CEO of SASSA

Give them topics to brief the committee e.g. Income security, compulsory contributions, pension reform and challenges with the existing retirement.

The committee to consider: to undertake an oversight visit in May 07