Thank you very much, hon member. The issue of the children from rural areas is our first priority, so much so that even now I was talking about the issue of assisting students from poor families so that they can pass at school.
R146 million has been set aside by this department for this year to assist those students. Most of this money is going to assist the universities in the rural areas because they are the ones that admit mostly students from the rural areas. Examples of these are the University of Zululand, the University of Limpopo and the University of Fort Hare. I am saying that our focus right now is on this investigation. Thank you.]
We want the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, Review Committee to come up with comprehensive proposals to deal with these problems so that children from poor families are able to access institutions of higher education with minimal fuss so that they are actually assisted in every way possible. As far as this government is concerned, we want nothing less than that. We hope that when this report comes out, with recommendations that we think are going to address all those issues, we will have the full support of the Council. Thank you.
Position regarding amendment of regulations pertaining to receipt of social grants
31. Mrs M C Dikgale (ANC) asked the Minister of Social Development:
Whether the existing regulations should be amended to make provision for spouses of employees of the state to qualify to receive social grants; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the further relevant details?