All institutions of higher education were fully aware that the spending block ordered in May in relation to the EU's excessive deficit procedure would be implemented at the end of this year.

It was precisely in consideration of the financial difficulties experienced by institutions at the time that the execution of this decision within the higher education sector was postponed to a period in which the final settlement of accounts for 2012 will certainly have been completed and other revenues will have likewise been received.

The aim of this measure was that the decision required by the EU should have the least possible negative effect on institutions of higher education. The residual amounts still due from the 2012 accounts, and which provide due coverage for the current payments, were all transferred to the institutions during the summer and early autumn.

Today's article in Index also makes it clear that all institutions were fully aware of the obligation to implement the May decision by the end of the year and they accrued reserves accordingly. The funds already transferred to the institutions and their reserves covered the payment obligations fully, as the Ministry determined beyond any doubt when planning its liabilities.

Based on the above, it is the responsibility of the university if it has failed to set aside reserves from the funds made available in accordance with the preliminary information it received.

(Ministry of Human Resources)