Question NW330 to the Minister of Finance
14 March 2016 - NW330
Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Does he intend using Sector Education and Training Authorities’ (SETAs) surpluses to cover expenses indicated in the 2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework pertaining to (a) the contribution from the fiscus for the zero per cent increase in university fees, (b) the once-off historic debt relief of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and/or (c) support (i) unfunded continuing and (ii) new students under NSFAS; if not, why not, in each case; if so (aa) which expenses will be covered and (bb) when will the specified SETAs be consulted on this matter; (2) whether any of the specified expenses will be provided from any contingency funds; if not, where will they be provided from; if so, what will the effect be on the fiscus’ capacity to respond to emergency cases?
Reply:
- (a) Contributions from uncommitted SETA surplus funds to the items listed at 1 (a), (b) and (c) (i) and (ii) cannot be determined Minister of Finance as this is not within his purview. The Minister of Higher Education and Training is the Executive Authority for the SETAs.
- None of the expenses listed at 1 (a), (b) and (c) (i) and (ii) are sourced from the contingency reserve but come from the reprioritisation of budgets in the 2016 MTEF.