1. The Committee is concerned that the Department has reported that it its allocation has decreased, creating real challenges for it.. While it appreciates the Department's commitment to doing 'more with less', the Committee fears that a decrease in the allocation has the potential to undermine the ability of the justice system to work as it should. It also has the potential to undermine the Department's contribution to the national priority of fighting crime. The Department's intention to establish new structures, such as the establishment of a branch responsible for Constitutional Development, will create additional pressures that will need funding. (The Department informed the Committee that it intends to divert funds from the other Branches for this purpose). The Committee intends to monitor performance against spending very closely.