Question NW233 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training
08 March 2018 - NW233
Tshwaku, Mr M to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
With reference to the catalytic research projects that were funded by the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences in the 2014-15 financial year, (a) did each project and spending on each project comply with the cost-cutting measures of (i) the National Treasury, (ii) her department and (iii) the Auditor-General of South Africa and (b) what has been the progress and output of each project as at 13 November 2017?
Reply:
The National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) has provided the following responses to the questions posed.
a) (i) The expenditure complied with the NIHSS’s policies. The NIHSS is neither a Department, nor a constitutional institution, nor a public entity listed in Schedule 2 or 3, and therefore the Public Finance Management Act is not applicable to the NIHSS.
(ii) Spending is managed by the NIHSS in terms of its policies.
(iii) The Auditor-General of South Africa audits the NIHSS in terms of Section 38 of the Higher Education Act and since its inception has received unqualified audit opinions.
b) All targets and outputs were met with respect to the Catalytic Research Projects as at 13 November 2017.