Measuring Tools for compliance and performance

QUESTION 3214 / NW3826E


DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 21 October 2011
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33 of 2011


Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:






(1) With reference to her Department’s 2010/11 Annual Report and the references reported therein where compliance could not be measured due to an absence of a measuring tool, why measuring tools were not developed in her Department prior to targets being set;






(2) whether any measuring tools have been developed in each case since the tabling of the report; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of each such tool?






NW3826E


REPLY:






In respect of Asylum Seeker Management:






(1) The National Immigration Information System (NIIS) was developed, and implemented to enable the Department of Home Affairs to manage asylum business data, and information, effectively, and efficiently. Challenges were, however, experienced with regards to the processing of new data, in respect of reporting, and business processes.






(2) As indicated in my Budget Vote speech, the enhancement and integration of the NIIS is vital, and critical to enable the Department to measure performance, in regard to the management of Asylum Seekers.






The Department is, currently, working on optimizing its measuring tools, through the enhancement of the NIIS. Enhancements in the NIIS include:






§ Automated status change within NIIS


§ Track and Trace (Audit trail)


§ Pre-screening, or verification module


§ Registration module


§ Refugee Status Determination module


§ Appeal and Review modules


§ Refugee Identity Documents module


§ Refugee Travel Documents module


§ Data and Report Management module


§ Integration of the NIIS into the National Population Register, the Enhanced Movement Control System, and Case Management Solution of the Department’s Inspectorate






In respect of Permits:






(1) A basic report generating measuring tool in EXCEL was developed, and implemented, in order to report on performance indicators for Visa applications, Temporary and Permanent Residence Permit applications. However, during an audit on the performance in the 2009/10 financial year, the Auditor General rejected the reporting tool, sighting it as unreliable, since evidence could be manipulated.






(2) A Track & Trace reporting tool for Temporary and Permanent Residence Permit applications was already developed in 2009, but, only, rolled out to all Permitting Offices (Large Offices) by June 2010, hence, the reason why an annual report, with reliable Permit statistics, could not be generated, according to the required standard. The new reporting tool called Track and Trace is, now, available within the Permitting environment. It can provide details on the number of applications submitted during a specific period, for specific categories of permits, the nationality of applicants, etc.






A more reliable reporting tool for Visa, Temporary, and Permanent Residence Permit applications submitted abroad, remains a challenge, due to the lack, and reliability of Information Technology systems at some South African Missions abroad. However, the Department of Home Affairs is addressing this situation with the assistance of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

http://www.pmg.org.za/node/26575