Chairperson, I would like to express our appreciation for the inputs that have been made by the hon members, who also happen to come from the portfolio committee - all of them. I'm saying so because they have been engaged and they were quite helpful in getting us to the point where we are, in particular the chairperson who has led this process quite well.
I also note that all the hon members, who stood here at this podium, expressed support for the adoption of this Bill, the sections that have been referred to. Having said so, I would just like to respond to some of the issues - quite a few of them - and will be very brief.
The issues that relate to the need for the creation of jobs has been discussed in our portfolio committee on several occasions. We have all acknowledged that it is necessary that government creates jobs so that we are able to ensure that we reduce the burden on the state, in terms of giving grants. That is an issue we have long accepted. We even went to the extent of indicating what measures are in place in moving towards that.
However, it is important to recognise that whilst our people are still suffering, we do have to continue to support them in alleviating poverty; so there is really no debate. We shouldn't stand at this podium and make this issue quite a big issue. There has been this agreement and acknowledgement.
The issue of corruption is not a new thing. It is this particular department, working together with government, which has actually discovered these fraudulent activities in the department. We have been dealing with these activities within the system, so, hon Lamoela, I want to reiterate that it's not a new discovery by any member, particularly from the opposition. It's we people in the department who have found these things and we are dealing with them on a continuous basis, as we are reporting to the portfolio committee.
With regard to the issue of time frames, I want to indicate that indeed we agree that we will come back to the portfolio committee. We'll keep you in the loop, but we will come back with a plan once we note that Health has developed a plan. I did indicate that, as the two Ministers, we will go back to Cabinet to report and to develop mechanisms as to how we are going to take it further. Definitely, we are not going to wait for the time when Health is fully ready because that time will be very far. We would like to have the deferred sections also adopted at some stage.
I would like to thank all hon members and, indeed, agree also that this Bill be passed. Thank you very much. Debate concluded.
Bill read a second time.