Chairperson and hon Minister, a chunk of your budget remains unspent due to a number of critical unfilled vacancies. With masses of qualified young people unemployed, can you give us a timeframe for when these positions will be filled, as well as when the skills audit, which is long overdue, will be completed, both issues which impact directly on your spending and future performance? Thank you.
The MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Chairperson, the hon member attends our portfolio committee meetings religiously, so she knows that we reported that the R12 million that we did not spend in the last financial year was for the remuneration of new staff members. We received the money at the end of last year. Therefore, we were able to advertise the positions. We have already filled those vacancies. Unfortunately, it takes time. However, by April this year we had already filled those vacancies.
We are also working with the Department of Public Service and Administration on the skills audit. Early next year, we will be able to present a report to the portfolio committee. I thank you.
Vote No 15 - Basic Education: