Following various discussions on matters relating to employment equity raised in the Western Cape region, I have decided to appoint a team led by Adv Ntsebeza to investigate and report back to me on this matter. Once I have received these findings and recommendations, I will be able to announce the position of the department going forward.
I am also glad to report that the department has significantly reduced the number of consultants working in information technology, IT, from 156 at the end of the 2010-11 financial year to about 45 consultants at the end of 2011-12. The consultants are being replaced through the filling of permanent IT technical posts. In conclusion, the following is an analysis of the funds we are being allocated in the Budget Vote. The budget allocations over the MTEF period will increase the baseline to R17,732 billion, which is a 7% increase, in 2012-13; to R18,763 billion, which is a 6% increase, in 2013-14; and to R19 billion, which will be a 6% increase, in 2014-15. I must also indicate that there are budget cuts of R257,1 million in 2012-13, R268,8 million in 2013-14 and R285 million in 2014-15 on capital works projects as a result of underspending over the previous financial years. This is a matter that will be addressed through the infrastructure roll-out that we will announce during the Adjustments Estimates in September.
It is my belief that the process of embedding change in the department is being firmly established and that, for the first time since 2005, the path to the realisation of the White Paper objectives appears more realistic. We are confident of our ability to build on this strong foundation and we thank Parliament, the NCOP and its committees for the support they have been giving us. We believe that through your vigilant oversight, further weaknesses can be identified in our system and that, together, we can address them.
Once more, I would like to thank the management of the Department of Correctional Services for the sterling work they continue to do in support of our policy objectives. I also want to thank the offenders who, with each passing day, are recognising the need to change their lives and to embark on our skills development programmes. Both the offenders and our officials have rewarded my faith and belief that it can be done and we shall succeed. [Applause.]