-
.
- Ελληνικά
The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Ms Marilena Evangelou presented today before the Parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee the budget of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare for the year 2024.
In her statements after the meeting, she noted that the total budget of the Deputy Ministry shows an increase of 2.87% compared to the 2023 budget. The largest expenditure relates to social benefits which in 2024 shows an increase of 2.9% compared to 2023.
The Deputy Minister added that the largest expenditure in relation to social benefits relates to the Minimum Guaranteed Income (MGA).
"The modernisation and upgrading of the MGA is one of the first objectives I set when I took office so that the MGA becomes faster, more efficient and fairer. The first results are already visible and we will soon be pleased to announce the completion of this process."
The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare also referred to the total expenditure related to persons with disabilities for 2024 which shows an increase of 6%. With regard to the last five years and comparing the statistics from 2018 to 2022, there is an increase in annual expenditure of 33%.
Ms Evangelou referred to the Neighbourhood Social Worker Programme, noting: "During the session, I was given the opportunity to elaborate on other of my priorities, such as the Neighbourhood Social Worker Programme, which has already started operating through a grant to the first eight local authorities with the aim of expanding it nationwide."
He also referred to the emphasis on strengthening policies for the elderly, noting that the Government decided to draw up a National Strategy and National Action Plan for the Third Age and Active Ageing, recognising the challenges and opportunities created by the ageing of the population and the increase in life expectancy.
Among other things, he added: "I also briefed on our priorities in relation to the formulation of the first National Autism Strategy and Action Plan recognising the increasing trend of autism diagnoses in Cyprus. The coordinator of the Strategy is the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare with the participation of all relevant Ministries but also the direct stakeholders, i.e. Parents' Associations of children with autism, organisations etc."
Asked about the Government's social policy under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare replied that these are small homes, integrated into the community, which relate to a wide range of social policies and mainly concern children under the legal care of the State.
"Today is the International Day for the Rights of the Child. We are talking about the obligation of the state in general, but also of the state, to give that support and rights to all children and especially to children who, for whatever reason, no longer have the support of their parents and have to have the assistance and care of the state for a period of time. Also, the residences concern support for teenagers and pregnant girls as well as Day Centres, such as for example that of the "Children's Home" operating in Nicosia. Recently, just last Friday, the President of the Republic congratulated the operators of both the "Voice" and the "Children's Home", which provide specialised, multidisciplinary services to children who suffer sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. It has been announced by the President of the Republic that we are proceeding with the creation of a second 'Children's Home' in Limassol. It is in this context, through the Recovery and Resilience Plan, that this will also be created, while the services will be extended beyond sexual exploitation and abuse to all forms of child abuse," Ms Evangellou concluded.
(ΘΘ/ΑΦ/ΜΣ)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
