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Thank you very much to the President and the members of the Board of Directors of the Pancyprian Multiple Sclerosis Association for the invitation to attend and welcome today's press conference.
The series of events, which has been established to take place in the context of World Multiple Sclerosis Day, makes a great contribution to raising awareness and informing society about the issue. In this context, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the volunteers who contribute with zeal and selflessness to this work, while contributing to our own work, which is the social inclusion of people with multiple sclerosis.
Congratulations to Mr. We warmly congratulate Savvas Christodoulou, President of the Association, and the members of the Board of Directors for the rich social and humanitarian work they perform, offering invaluable services to society as a whole and especially to those of our fellow citizens who face problems related to multiple sclerosis.
The role of the Pancyprian Multiple Sclerosis Association is particularly important, because with the support services it provides to individuals and their families, it contributes substantially to mitigating the problems they face, addresses their marginalization and enhances their active participation.
The Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare supports the excellent and selfless action of the Pancyprian Multiple Sclerosis Association, which aims to inform and support its members, covering a wide range of activities of social offer and solidarity.
In this context, we implement a series of actions and measures with financial benefits and care services, as well as special plans aimed at ensuring a dignified and independent living. For example, the Disability Allowance for recipients of Minimum Guaranteed Income, the Severe Mobility Disability Allowance, the Care Allowances for paraplegics or quadriplegics, the Mobility Allowance, financial assistance for the purchase of wheelchairs, financial assistance for the purchase of a wheelchair and technical equipment for the home, the Holiday Grant, the Parking Voucher, etc.etc.
We are also implementing plans to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities, as well as the Law on the recruitment of people with disabilities to positions in the wider public sector on a quota basis. In addition, we provide grants through various projects to organizations to provide such programs and services. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which the Republic of Cyprus has ratified, is a strong and binding roadmap for ensuring the rights of all persons with disabilities.
Among the Government's objectives is the creation of a new National Disability Strategy, which will include holistic actions with measurable targets in cooperation with civil society organisations, as well as the amendment of the Law on Persons with Disabilities to bring it in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Already with the incorporation, since the beginning of the year, of the Department of Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities into the Ministry of Social Welfare, we aim to further strengthen our actions and activities towards the full integration of persons with multiple sclerosis into society and to modernize social protection policies with new services, such as those of the Personal Assistant and the Counsellor.
I am aware of the difficulties and challenges that people with multiple sclerosis face in their daily lives. I have been in contact with several of you and we are in constant consultation internally and with the Department for the Social Integration of People with Disabilities so that we can meet, as far as possible, your expectations and requests.
In conclusion, I would like to thank you once again and assure you that the Ministry of State will continue to work and always stand by people with multiple sclerosis in order to achieve the goal and compensate for the limitations and barriers, achieving their social inclusion and protection.
Thank you.
(TTH/EP/EXP)
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