Government Decisions
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, press briefing
Date: 2024-09-18 15:55
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 24
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 40m
AI Summaries: 24/24 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu session addressed two important issues concerning government decisions: a question posed to Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo regarding the decline in the birth rate and family policy, and a question posed to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding the increase in healthcare fees and measures for balancing the budget.
Minister of Social Protection Riisalo had to respond to criticism from Kert Kingo concerning the lowest birth rate in Estonian history and the Minister's alleged disregard for the traditional family model, especially in light of the reduction in family benefits. Riisalo defended the government's actions, highlighting the increase in child benefits and the doubling of maintenance support, and explained that the decline in the birth rate is linked to demographic uncertainty. In a follow-up question, Kingo criticized the government’s plan to stop paying for the health insurance of spouses raising children at home starting in 2026. Riisalo explained that this measure only affects about 1,050 better-off individuals and that more vulnerable groups, such as caregivers of children with disabilities, are covered. Additionally, Aleksei Jevgrafov asked about raising the subsistence minimum, to which the Minister replied that the new methodology would be ready by 2027.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart posed a question to Prime Minister Michal regarding the fourfold increase in healthcare fees (specialist visit fee, hospital bed-day fee, prescription fee), criticizing that this takes money from the weakest while the government refuses to impose an excess profit tax on banks. Michal justified the fee increase by citing the deficit of the Health Insurance Fund and the need to balance the budget, emphasizing solidarity. The follow-up question criticized not only the lack of healthcare reforms but also the behavior of Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi and internal coalition disputes. Michal denied the disputes, confirming good cooperation and a sense of teamwork during the budget process. He also explained that the tax burden on banks is already increasing. Lauri Laats asked about the funding of the care reform and the implementation of the Supreme Court decision, to which Michal replied that additional funding has been planned for local governments.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
In today's five questions session, Riigikogu member Kert Kingo poses a question to Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo regarding the government's decisions.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
The report presents criticism of the Minister of Social Protection's policy: the birth rate is the lowest it has been in recent years, he/she has reduced family benefits and demonstrated disregard for the traditional family, while simultaneously increasing funding for the LGBT community. The question is also raised regarding what steps he/she plans to take to ensure the birth rate and the continuation of the Estonian people.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo stated that Estonia’s birth rate remains very low, which constitutes a long-term demographic concern. To address this, several family policy steps have been taken or are planned—including increasing child and care benefits, doubling maintenance support, converting the survivor’s pension into a survivor’s benefit, and expanding access to sickness care compensation. However, he noted that it is not possible to rapidly increase the number of births in an insecure environment, and therefore, the focus must be placed on economic growth and security.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the audience and announced that Kert Kingo would be asking a clarifying question next.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo points out that the statistics presented pertain to 2022, not 2023. She criticizes the economic environment, which she attributes to the government, and argues that the planned cessation of health insurance payments starting in 2026 for parents raising children at home is, in her view, hostile toward mothers and children. She simultaneously questions how this measure is supposed to boost the birth rate, while also citing 3.2 billion euros of taxpayer money allocated as support to various legal entities—2.4 billion of which is distributed off-budget—and demands an explanation for why, amid a budget crisis, such cuts are being imposed on stay-at-home parents.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo stated that funding for hospitals and welfare institutions will be increased via the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the support will be allocated according to procurement procedures, allowing other service providers to participate as well. Approximately 1,050 people are affected by the health insurance contributions for a dependent spouse. For parents of children with disabilities, full social tax and pension insurance are provided through the local government. Around 30,000 families receive parental benefits, and the reduction of the ceiling affects approximately 3,500 higher-earning parents. The restriction is planned to be abolished to increase their employment and allow for greater work contribution.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He proclaims that it is your time.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo spoke about the gender pay gap.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked those present, announced the next supplementary question, and called upon Aleksei Yevgrafov to speak.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov asks the minister whether and when the subsistence level is planned to be reviewed, because the threshold established in 2022 has not kept pace with the rising cost of living and the minimum wage, making it difficult for a person living alone to make ends meet.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo confirmed that the current minimum subsistence level of 338 euros (comprising 146 euros and 18 cents for housing costs and 192 euros for basic subsistence) is under discussion. Although the existing methodology is under scrutiny, a new methodology, based on analysis by legal and economic experts, will be finalized in 2027. This new framework will determine the implementation thresholds for the subsistence benefit. Concurrently, support for vulnerable target groups, such as working-age individuals with disabilities and children with disabilities, will be increased, and measures aimed at reducing poverty among children and families will continue.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the Madam Minister and announces that he is concluding the discussion of today's fifth item.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The seventh question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal concerns the government's decisions and is presented by Riigikogu member Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes the grouping of payments under the name of a "security tax," noting that rising healthcare costs—specifically for specialist visits, hospital day fees, and medicines—will hit the most vulnerable. She calls for taxing banks' excess profits, which she argues would bring the state 300–400 million euros and strengthen national security.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal states that the state budget balance will be achieved through a combination of both taxes and cuts. Furthermore, the funding of the healthcare system will be strengthened by increasing certain fees (including prescription fees, visit and hospital day fees, and specialist access fees). These changes will include exceptions, designed to ensure solidarity in helping those who need more assistance, and ultimately to make the system more sustainable.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the speaker and then invited Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to ask a clarifying question.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In her speech, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes the behavior of the coalition and the finance minister, arguing that the vulnerable must receive solidarity, but banks are not bearing enough of the burden. She points out that the reorganization of healthcare and the development of the hospital network have been postponed, while money is instead being pumped into services that duplicate the existing system. She concludes by calling for a comment on the minister's conduct and the health and cooperation of the coalition with the Social Democrats.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that there is no conflict and any disagreements are respectful, adding that the coalition partners are in sync and a shared sense of teamwork is evident during the budget negotiations. He emphasized the growing tax burden on banks and their crucial role in the economy, and added that he would support the merging of Tallinn hospitals.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that it is your time to act.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
He/She emphasizes the importance of inter-agency cooperation, not just pouring concrete.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
In the context of this question, we also have the opportunity to ask a follow-up question, and Lauri Laats will be asking it.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Speaking about the care reform and state funding, the speaker asks whether the allocations will be distributed to local governments according to the analyses conducted, whether an overview of all municipalities is available, and whether a table will be compiled to avoid lengthy litigation with the state.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Michal stated that advertising for the national broadcaster is justified, and high-quality programs, such as "Esimene stuudio" and "Aktuaalne kaamera," are worth the audience's time. He added that the Supreme Court's decision has been thoroughly reviewed by the Ministry of Social Affairs, and my colleague, the Minister of Social Protection, will present the figures detailed in the table. Additional resources have also been planned.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and announces that he is concluding the consideration of today's seventh question.