Question NW2369 to the Minister of Finance
17 July 2023 - NW2369
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)With reference to the Fourth Quarter Report for the 2022-23 financial year of the Department of Social Development which indicates that primarily the National Treasury and the Department of Employment and Labour need to provide comments and inputs before Cabinet is requested for approval to regazette the Green Paper for public comments (details furnished), (a) what are the reasons that the National Treasury has not provided comments and input on the presentation as it appears to be delaying the development of the green paper on Comprehensive Social Security and Retirement Reforms and (b) on what date does the National Treasury envisage to provide their comments and input on the green paper; (2) what is the National Treasury’s position on (a) the green paper and (b) the National Social Security Fund within the green paper; (3) what are the full and relevant details of the comments and input that the National Treasury intends to provide on the green paper?
Reply:
National Treasury has been part of the process to develop the policy paper on Comprehensive Social Security and Retirement Reform from its inception in 2007 and throughout the NEDLAC process, where it was tabled for discussion in 2016. The issues are complex, including the fiscal implications, and National Treasury continues to engage with the Department of Social Development. Such process is not merely one of submitting comments, as the fiscal framework is the responsibility of the National Treasury. The policy framework involves fiscal, economic and expenditure trade-offs, and requires the concurrence of all three departments. Ultimately, the policy paper will reflect the Government’s position, and not that of any one department, and will be made public as soon as governmental processes have been completed and approved by Cabinet.