MINISTER of Education, Youth and Information Senator Ruel Reid yesterday reasserted the Government’s commitment to the safety and security of the nation.

He said that contrary to what has been stated by the Opposition, the Government has provided $2.4 billion in additional resources this year to increase the funding for national security.

“This is the second largest share of the non-debt budget, after the allocation to the education portfolio,” Senator Reid said as he opened the debate on the Appropriation Bill in the Senate.

He explained that a “discrepancy” in the sum allocated to the police department, which may have misled the Opposition, has since been addressed by a Standing Finance Committee amendment.

Reid pointed out that the overall resources for national security portfolio has been increased in the 2016/17 appropriations from $56.8 billion to $59.2 billion.

The Appropriation Bill, which gives the Government authority to spend the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, was passed by the Senate following the debate. It was passed in the House of Representatives on May 25.