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The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Ms Marilena Evangelou, in statements after today's meeting of the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee for the study of the demographic problem, said that she informed the Committee on issues related to the responsibilities of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare. The discussion mostly revolved around immigration and the responsibilities of the Ministry of Social Welfare. Unaccompanied minors are the most sensitive part of the migration issue. Increased migratory flows imply increased flows of unaccompanied minors and the efforts of the Deputy Ministry, the Deputy Minister pointed out, are primarily to accommodate unaccompanied minors, ensuring safe living conditions, while continuous efforts are made in relation to their integration and inclusion in society.
Ms Evangelou informed that, in this context, there are also synergies with the Ministry of Education in relation to the learning of the Greek language. Such programmes exist in the structures where unaccompanied minors are accommodated, as well as other programmes concerning the development of skills and their training. This effort will continue. The Deputy Minister said that the Government is promoting policies, measures and actions in the context of the broader policy in relation to addressing the increasing migration flows and the effort to make Cyprus an unattractive destination for migration, always in the context of the legality and the Republic of Cyprus' compliance with its international conventions and obligations, as well as the humanitarian approach to the issue.
Of particular importance was the Deputy Minister's reference that all the relevant Ministries and the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare are making specific studies and recommendations and an inter-ministerial meeting will take place soon, so that holistically the data can be established and decisions can be taken. "In this context, with regard to the responsibilities of the State Ministry of Social Welfare in relation to migration, we are working on a specific plan to rationalise benefits, but also to link benefits with social work."
In response to journalists' questions about the number of unaccompanied minors and any problems that arise, Ms Evangelou informed that there are 1071 unaccompanied children in Cyprus, accommodated in specific semi-independent structures, state shelters, as well as a small number of them accommodated in foster families.
The aim of the Deputy Ministry, he added, is to increase the number of Accommodation Facilities by creating small structures in the communities, precisely to avoid ghettoisation and better integrate the children into society.
In conclusion, the Deputy Minister pointed out that there is close cooperation between the competent Ministries and the Deputy Ministry in relation to migration, because only holistically can the major issue of migration be effectively addressed.
(ΘΘ/ΝΓ/ΣΧ)
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