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The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Ms Marilena Evangelou, after the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance, stated that she informed the Chairman and members of the Committee, in the context of discussing issues concerning the Ministry of Social Welfare, about the two new laws that will replace the Children's Law, which is an old Law of 1956.
The Children's Act will be replaced by the Treatment of Children under the Parental Care or Custody or Care of the Director of Social Welfare Act, the preparation of a draft Bill in conjunction with the Commissioner of Legislation has been completed and is in the process of consultation before being forwarded for legislative scrutiny, approval by the Council of Ministers and submission to Parliament, and the Infant Care and Protection Centres Act, which is in the process of preparing a draft draft Bill in collaboration with the Commissioner for Legislation.
Both Bills are expected to be tabled in Parliament within 2024.
With regard to the second issue, concerning the new Legislation for Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Evangelou informed the Committee that: "There is a strong political will from the Government to formulate a new, modern legislation, which will govern all issues concerning persons with disabilities and falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Welfare."
This, he noted, is also a demand of the disability movement.
"We have already held our first meeting in the framework of the consultation with the CPSOA and at the beginning of March this consultation will continue," Ms. Evangelou said.
Through this new legislation, she added, overall issues of social inclusion, rehabilitation and participation, as well as issues of social benefits and services will be regulated and it will be a modernisation.
"I attach enormous importance to this effort, which has my personal attention at every level, because I believe that through this legislation we can improve the quality of life of people with disabilities.
For everything we are in a consultation process, which is vibrant and meaningful. The process is ongoing. We are awaiting further detailed submissions from the CPSOA, through which the consultation will continue," the Deputy Minister said.
Asked about the issue of private kindergartens, Ms. Evangelou clarified that there are two different plans.
The Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare is running from 2022 the Tuition and Feeding Subsidy Scheme for Children up to four years old, under the European co-funded Thaleia Project, which is being implemented with excellent results and in excellent cooperation between the Deputy Ministry and private kindergartens. Through this scheme, the children's school fees are subsidised by up to 80%. The beneficiaries, following a decision by the Christodoulides Government last June, have been increased so that all those receiving Child Benefit become beneficiaries.
There are currently around 10.5 thousand children attending private and some community kindergartens subsidised through the Scheme and beneficiaries have increased by 40% compared to last year.
In this way we are meeting the European objective, which is precisely the inclusion of pre-school children in early childhood care facilities with multiple benefits for families, society and the economy.
The Plan concerning the reduction of the age for compulsory attendance of children in pre-primary education under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which the Association of Private Kindergartens complains affects private kindergartens, relates to a Plan of the Ministry of Education.
The Ministry of State for Social Welfare has indicated its willingness to provide its expertise and know-how due to the successful implementation of the Tuition and Feeding Subsidy Scheme for Children up to the age of four. In this context, it has already been decided to participate in the Ministry of Education's Scheme in a subsidiary capacity from the 2025-2026 school year, covering the cost of tuition fees in private kindergartens for children up to four years and five months of age.
"We recognize the important contribution of the private sector in the area of childcare. And it is also a requirement of society to have adequate government, community or private structures so that not only are parents facilitated, but quality services are provided in a safe environment for their children in a way that serves their needs," Ms Evangelou said.
For this reason, she added, the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare will be involved in the efforts being made. "Already with the Ministry of Education we are studying ways to support private kindergartens.
In this context, a meeting has been held with the Ministry of Education and the Office of the Deputy Minister at the highest level with the participation of technocrats. We are in the process of drafting proposals and a joint meeting of the above three with the Association of Private Kindergartens will be held in March.
(MΘ/EP/NZ)
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