Government departments were requested to submit their expenditure estimates and data bases to the National Treasury by 24 July 2009 for the 2010 Budget allocation. Inputs were received from all the responsible managers and these were consolidated into one document. Options for additional funding were identified and these were communicated to both the Minister and the National Treasury. During August 2009, government departments were requested to reconsider their requests for additional allocations and to reprioritise and apply cost- cutting measures so as to curb expenditure. The ICD adhered to this request from the National Treasury, but also highlighted the fact that it was becoming increasingly difficult to attain the set objectives while, at the same time, improve financial control and compliance.