Draft law amending the Social Welfare Act and the Value Added Tax Act (mental health services) – third reading (500 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-11-20 16:20
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 6
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 7m
AI Summaries: 6/6 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Within the agenda item, the third reading of the draft law amending the Social Welfare Act and the Value Added Tax Act (mental health service) initiated by the Government of the Republic took place. During the debate, Alexander Tšaplõgin, representing the Estonian Centre Party faction, expressed his opposition, emphasizing that the draft does not solve the serious problem of mental health, especially in small municipalities, where the offered funding (500 euros per month for 5000 inhabitants) is unrealistically small and inadequate. Tšaplõgin stressed that a standard approach does not work here and the document does not offer the necessary solutions.
Züleyxa Izmailova, representing the Social Democratic Party faction, conversely emphasized the importance of the draft, calling mental health the foundation of societal well-being. She noted that the draft will improve the accessibility and quality of services, helping to solve widespread problems such as youth climate anxiety and loneliness among the elderly. Izmailova pointed out that funding will be available in the future in the fund of local municipalities, which increases their autonomy and eliminates the need for an annual separate funding application. Following the conclusion of the debate, a final vote was held, as a result of which draft 500 was adopted as law.
Decisions Made 1
The draft law amending the Social Welfare Act and the Value Added Tax Act (mental health services), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was adopted as a law with 63 votes in favor, 4 against, and 3 abstentions.
Most Active Speaker
Züleyxa Izmailova, from the Social Democratic Party faction, was an active speaker, emphasizing the importance of improving access to mental health services and increasing the autonomy of local governments. (Position: Centre-left)
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
During the Riigikogu's fourth agenda item, discussions were opened on Draft Bill 500 for its third reading, which concerns amending the Social Welfare Act and the VAT Act regarding mental health services, and Aleksandr Tšaplõgin spoke on behalf of the Centre Party faction.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The presentation emphasizes that more and more people need psychological help, and the reasons — high prices, a decline in the standard of living, and a lack of hope — are many, but the government document does not solve the problem, and due to the limited funding of small municipalities, every case must be given a tailored solution, because a standard approach does not work.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova speaks on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In summary, the speech emphasizes that mental health is the foundation of the well-being of the entire society, and the draft bill will increase the accessibility and quality of mental health services and will give local governments greater autonomy in funding.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech announced the end of negotiations and urged colleagues to vote on Bill 500, which concerns amending the Social Welfare Act and the VAT Act in connection with mental health services.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
63 members of the Riigikogu voted in favor of this proposal; 4 were against and 3 abstained; Bill 500 has been enacted as law.