15. Vacancies. The Committee notes once more the high vacancy rate, especially at SMS level (20%). The Department reports that it has been unable to make appointments of key top management, including the positions of DDG: Corporate Services; CFO; and DDG: Constitutional Development, because the quality of applications were insufficient. The filling of senior management posts should be prioritised: the Committee does not understand how the Department hopes to argue that it is able to manage its operations with maximum effectiveness and efficiency without managers. These vacancies, in the Committee's opinion, present a stumbling block to requests for an increased budget allocation, especially as funds from the compensation of employees budget continue to be redirected to cover operational shortfalls. While sympathetic to the challenges that recruitment processes entail, the Committee urges the Department to make its appointments urgently. The Committee requests that the Department report to it, in writing, by 30 January 2013, on progress in filling vacancies at senior management level and in critical areas. Further, the Department should be prepared to continue to report quarterly, in writing, until target vacancy levels are achieved.