The 2024 Report by the Minister of Social Protection on the Implementation of the State's Long-Term Development Strategy "Estonia 2035"
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
Date: 2024-05-27 18:50
Total Speeches: 49
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 32m
AI Summaries: 49/49 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first item on the agenda concerned the 2024 report by the Minister of Social Protection on the implementation of the national long-term development strategy "Eesti 2035." The report focused on the key result areas of social protection—health and well-being—and was responsible for addressing the fields of children and families, the elderly, and social welfare, alongside the promotion of gender equality and equal opportunities. The goal is to reduce inequality and ensure people's well-being throughout the entire life course, with an emphasis on meeting current needs and enhancing the long-term care system.
The thematic protocol noted that needs and policy measures must be shaped comprehensively and through close cooperation between different sectors. The first block was followed by discussions on the well-being of children and families, the promotion of birth rates, and the sustainable development of the population. Emphasis was placed on updating various support mechanisms, including additional funding for the parenting program "Incredible Years," extending child benefits until the age of 19, and modernizing specialized support mechanisms. The measures adopted also included changes made to subsistence benefits and survivor's pensions, as well as an increase in care and cooperation-based services. Looking ahead, it was stressed that the sectors require a common and sustainable mechanism that would ensure better access to services for people in need and reduce systemic silo barriers.
Furthermore, sustainable subsistence for the elderly, the security of the pension system, poverty reduction goals, and the state's financial capacity to achieve these goals were addressed. Speakers highlighted that the integration and better funding of care allowances, rehabilitation services, and special welfare are critically important for improving people's quality of life and involving the workforce. In conclusion, the need for continued dialogue, cooperation, and increased coordination between the state and local governments was emphasized to ensure the sustainability of the state budget and better services for the public.
Decisions Made 1
No concrete decisions were made regarding the agenda item. The discussion focused on proposals, priorities, and structural changes that must be continued within the framework of budget processes and legislation—a decisive answer or final outcome was not declared in December.
Most Active Speaker
Riina Solman, Isamaa faction, the most active speaker; position: right (right-wing)
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The first item on the agenda concerns the 2024 report by the Minister of Social Protection on the implementation of the state's long-term development strategy, "Eesti 2035." The Riigikogu is invited to hear Signe Riisalo's presentation, which will last up to 30 minutes.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo delivered a speech before the Riigikogu, in which she stressed that Estonia’s strength derives from its people and communities. She also pledged to continue supporting the well-being of children and families, advancing the long-term care reform, and providing assistance to the elderly and people with special needs, promoting equality and reducing poverty, and ensuring, in cooperation with the state and its partners, a sustainable and accessible social welfare and healthcare system.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the minister, announces that there are many questions, and invites Aleksandr Tšaplõgin to speak.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin is accusing the coalition of failing to deliver on its promises, stating that although the coalition vowed not to tax the average pension, 130 euros per year is being taken from the elderly. Furthermore, he argues that the failure to implement a special tax on the profits of banks, which earned a billion euros last year, demonstrates their long-term strategy and complete lack of shame.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
The Riigikogu approved the state budget and budget strategy, as well as the amendment to the income tax allowance for old-age pensioners; we are not taking anything away from anyone, but this allowance will not increase, and in light of demographic obligations, we must be prudent, while at the same time, discussions are underway regarding where to direct resources and whom to help more among families with children.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Presenter Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart emphasizes that social benefits for people with disabilities were last raised in 2019, the benefit for disabled people of retirement age has remained at the same level for 18 years, the cost of living has increased significantly, and the average benefit is only 12.79 euros per month, which is why it is necessary to raise these benefits and grant a full car tax exemption for people with disabilities.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
The Riigikogu (Parliament) is currently processing amendments to the car tax, and the government must proceed based on these changes. The issue of social benefits for people with disabilities is a sensitive one, but the decisions made in 2018 increased support for children. Working-age individuals also have access to the reduced work ability allowance, and we are not talking about just one benefit, but rather combining various forms of financial aid and services; for older people, the purpose of the benefit is not maintenance, but rather to compensate for additional expenses. The law stipulates 13 mandatory services, and this year more than 60 million euros will be allocated to the care reform.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The report highlights criticism of the plan to abolish unemployment benefits next summer, direct job seekers to apply for subsistence benefits instead, and shift the funding for this onto the Unemployment Insurance Fund (Töötukassa) and local governments—a move that faces opposition from social partners and trade unions and puts the Ministry of Social Affairs in a difficult position.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo said that I support the amendment, the aim of which is to abolish the unemployment allowance and prevent the duplication of two state benefits in the same situation, increase the unemployment insurance benefit to 60%, and simultaneously expand the circle of recipients of the subsistence benefit, while ensuring the necessary state resources for local governments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar invites Lauri Laats to the stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The State Audit Office report, "The state's activities in supporting people with special needs," shows that people with special needs were left to seek help, that aid is not reaching people, the system is fragmented, the focus is on the system, not the individual, and a comprehensive overhaul of the system is needed—what conclusions do you draw from this, and what steps have you taken?
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
According to Riisalo, rehabilitation and the availability of assistive devices must be brought into a single integrated system through the Health Insurance Fund, the social and healthcare sectors must be integrated, and silos must be broken down so that information sharing occurs in a timely manner between the local government and the Social Insurance Board, and starting next year, work capacity and disability assessment should be analyzed within the framework of the same process.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman asks Kersti Sarapuu to speak.
Kersti Sarapuu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kersti Sarapuu highlighted the concern among parents of children with special needs regarding the lack of childcare services, which hinders their ability to enter the workforce. She also inquired about state oversight of needs assessments and how the ministry could assist both these parents and local municipalities.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo emphasized that the contribution of local governments to improving the availability and quality of services is significant, and although demand is strong, it is necessary to increase financial autonomy and channel funds into the revenue base so that the state does not dictate terms, allowing local governments to plan flexibly, and ensuring that the concerns of parents of children with special needs are understood.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Liina Kersna to speak.
Liina Kersna
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Liina Kersna emphasized that prevention in the social sector is cheaper than dealing with the consequences, that parenting programs are an effective preventative tool and their budget has grown, and she asked how many families have participated in these programs and whether the target group has now expanded beyond high-risk families.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
According to Riisalo, this is an evidence-based preventative program for parents, which does not necessarily have to target only at-risk families, but due to current regulations, it focuses on families with young children; with the support of external funding, they aim to expand the target group to parents of older children, and the figures regarding the participating families will be sent in writing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar addresses Riina Solman and asks her for something.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman emphasizes that the previous government’s increase in child and family benefits led to a rise in the number of births in late 2023 and December. However, the cuts introduced for large families starting in 2024 are making life more difficult for families. She questions who will actually bear the burden of these cuts and what decisions parents are currently making or planning.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo stated that the financial situation of families is very challenging, and the more children a family has, the harder it is to manage financially. Although support for large families had previously increased by 150–250 euros per month, depending on the number of children, the government decided against taking out a loan and opted instead to stabilize the budget, which translates to an uncovered expenditure of 460 million euros over four years.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman called upon Helmen Kütt to speak.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt asked the minister what the plans are for alleviating the care burden on informal caregivers and ensuring their social guarantees and well-being, citing the Finnish example and emphasizing that rapid changes cannot be expected due to the workload faced by local municipalities.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo emphasized that the issue of care is important for those needing care, their families, and society as a whole. He noted that, as minister, he has developed tax incentives and measures for taking leave, hoping that the care reform and the stabilization of general care will increase the provision of home services.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Õnne Pillak to come and speak.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak is raising the issue of the divide among pensioners and the hardships faced by seniors living alone, inquiring about any progress made and what national relief measures could be implemented going forward.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo stated that a plan is currently being developed to ease the situation of old-age pensioners who live alone, which includes the possibility of providing extra support for those aged 80 and over. However, he stressed the existing disparities in the state pension system and the ongoing concern regarding poverty.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman calls Helle-Moonika Helme to the stage.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme criticizes the government's plan to abolish the indexed pension entirely and asks what their intentions are regarding pensioners and pension increases in the context of the state's long-term development strategy.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo confirmed that indexation will not be abolished, pointing out that the income of old-age pensioners has risen from 552 euros to 774 euros, and this growth will continue through indexation. Furthermore, the Riigikogu bill maintains the income tax exemption for pensions at the same level, but it will not be increased in the future.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the Minister, announced that there were no questions, opened the debate, and invited Riina Solman to the podium on behalf of the Isamaa faction.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman thanks the esteemed Chairman of the Riigikogu, the respected Minister and colleagues, and immediately requests additional time, understanding that she has been allotted three extra minutes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar notes that this is exactly as planned, and requests an additional three minutes.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman asserted that the government has cut support for families with children and increased taxes, thereby deepening the demographic crisis. She stressed the need to offer more assistance to families and keep promises, something Isamaa is prepared to rectify.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and invites colleague Lauri Laats here to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticized the fact that materials for the minister's presentation today had not been sent out in advance, emphasized the deepening of poverty and inequality, as well as the inadequate level of support for elderly people with disabilities, cited observations made by the State Audit Office, and highlighted that the minister failed to answer the question regarding the increase of the subsistence benefit.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requested three extra minutes.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats expressed concern that the average pension will be subject to income tax starting next year, and that the Reform Party’s promise to keep it tax-exempt has been broken. He called on the government and the coalition to review and reverse this decision, stressing the rise in poverty and the necessity of strengthening the work of the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi offers his thanks and, on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, invites Irja Lutsar to speak, while also requesting three additional minutes.
Irja Lutsar
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Irja Lutsar stressed that addressing the issues of aging and low fertility in Estonia requires more than just financial support; it also necessitates positive nudging, boosting the professional and social participation of seniors, and establishing a sense of security for families.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi expresses thanks and, on behalf of the Reform Party faction, presents Õnne Pillak.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak says she'll take three minutes, just in case.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks for three additional minutes.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak stressed that while the challenges are significant, the state has increased support for families and children, raised pensions and care allowances, launched the care reform, and improved the accessibility of assistive devices and services for people with disabilities. Furthermore, solutions must continue to be sought, focusing on people's needs, mental health, and the economic sustainability of the state.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi, on behalf of the parliamentary group, submitted a request for Helmen Kütt to be granted three additional minutes.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs is currently addressing the needs of people arising throughout their entire life cycle. The objectives include reducing inequality and poverty, ensuring high-quality services, improving child protection and the well-being of children and families, lessening the care burden on the elderly, tackling the demographic/fertility issue, utilizing a cross-party roadmap that will be updated as needed, and strengthening cooperation between local governments so that services are accessible regardless of where people live.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the factions had spoken and the agenda item had been terminated from the proceedings. With the conclusion of the discussions, he closed the matter, thanking Minister Signe Riisalo and all the speakers.