Following a briefing by National Treasury, the Committee held public hearings on 22 and 23 March 2011 in line with section 9(5)(b) of the Money Bills Act. The Committee received written and/or oral submissions from the following departments, stakeholders and interested parties: the Department of Health, the Department of Human Settlements, the Department of Public Works, the South African Local Government Association, the Financial and Fiscal Commission, the Cape Bar Council, the uMtshezi Local Municipality and Mr Paul Theron.