Special Social Care

Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Information Hour

Date: 2025-10-08 15:58

Participating Politicians:

Total Speeches: 10

Membership: 15

Agenda Duration: 12m

AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)

Analysis: Structured Analysis

Politicians Speaking Time

Politicians

Analysis

Summary

Member of Parliament Helmen Kütt submitted an interpellation to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding special welfare services, focusing on the sector's underfunding and the availability of services. Kütt highlighted the low gross wages of special welfare workers (1150–1250 euros) and referenced a State Audit Office audit which showed that the established service prices cover only about 60% of the actual costs. She emphasized that the waiting list for receiving the service has doubled between 2018 and 2024, and nearly 1,000 people are at home under the care of family caregivers, even though the service has been allocated to them. Kütt asked what the government plans to do in a situation where local governments are forced to fulfill state obligations and have consequently turned to court.

Prime Minister Michal responded that the budget for special welfare services has grown by 154% compared to 2015, reaching 57.7 million euros by 2026. He stressed that despite the state budget deficit, special welfare is one of five priority sectors (alongside teachers, cultural workers, rescuers, and police officers) to which an additional 4.2 million euros will be allocated in the 2026 budget specifically for raising employee salaries. Michal added that the Ministry of Social Affairs continues to streamline the service waiting lists so that those with greater needs can receive services faster. Madis Kallas posed a supplementary question, asking the Prime Minister to articulate the main problem facing special welfare services. Michal reiterated that the main goal of the current additional funding is to resolve the issue of employees' economic well-being.

Decisions Made 1
Collective Decision

No decisions were made

Most Active Speaker
Helmen Kütt
Helmen Kütt

Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioon

Helmen Kütt was very active, posing detailed and critical questions regarding the underfunding of special welfare services, the findings of the National Audit Office's audit, and the burden placed on local governments.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:58:48
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the fifth item on the agenda was a question addressed to Prime Minister Kristen Michal, which Riigikogu member Helmen Kütt would present regarding special care services, and he invited Kütt to the podium.

Helmen Kütt
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioon
15:58:56
AI Summary

Helmen Kütt highlighted the low gross salaries of special welfare workers, noting that they barely keep pace with the rising cost of living. She also criticized the government for underfunding special welfare services, citing both the State Audit Office's audit and a recent protest. She then asked the Prime Minister what specific measures would be taken to resolve the situation where 1,000 people requiring services are stuck at home under the care of family members, thereby preventing those caregivers from returning to the workforce and contributing as taxpayers.

Peaminister Kristen Michal
16:01:01
AI Summary

Prime Minister Kristen Michal provided an overview of the significant growth in special welfare funding, underscoring that the budget has increased by 154% since the tenure of the former Minister of Social Protection (2014–2015), reaching 57.7 million euros by 2026. He pointed out that despite the state budget deficit, special welfare is one of the few sectors that received an additional 4.2 million euros earmarked for the agreed-upon wage increase. The goal is to retain employees and improve the quality of the service, even though this funding does not solve the shortage of service places. He also confirmed that the Ministry of Social Affairs is working on streamlining the waiting lists, and the budget strategy provides for additional funding in the coming years as well.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
16:03:40
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked them and then gave the floor to Helmen Kütt so she could ask a clarifying question.

Helmen Kütt
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioon
16:03:44
AI Summary

Helmen Kütt criticized the Prime Minister's response, citing the National Audit Office's report, which indicated that the established prices for special welfare services cover only 60% of the actual costs. This shortfall has doubled waiting lists between 2018 and 2024 and forced local municipalities to cover state obligations. She now demands a clear recommendation from the Prime Minister regarding what local governments should do in a situation where they are performing duties assigned by the state.

Peaminister Kristen Michal
16:05:44
AI Summary

Prime Minister Kristen Michal explains that despite the country's strained finances, the poor state of the economy, and the large increase in defense spending, the budget for the sector in question has grown by 30 million euros over the last ten years. She notes that this area is a priority, receiving additional funding (including for salary increases), while the Ministry of Social Affairs is actively working to streamline service queues so that those most in need can receive help faster.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
16:08:25
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker and then gave the floor to colleague Madis Kallas, who posed a follow-up question.

Madis Kallas
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmed
16:08:29
AI Summary

Madis Kallas raises the issue of the difficult situation facing special welfare services, citing overworked staff, low wages, and the unequal accessibility of services, particularly in rural areas. He asks the Prime Minister, as the head of the government, to articulate what he believes is the main problem in this sector and what the potential solution might be.

Peaminister Kristen Michal
16:09:55
AI Summary

Prime Minister Kristen Michal explained that although the initial question was too general, the additional funding allocated to the special care sector is primarily aimed at raising employees' salaries and improving their financial well-being. She emphasized that a more precise question should be posed to receive a more detailed answer, and added that even larger sums will be required in the future to expand and improve these services.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
16:11:23
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the consideration of today's fifth agenda item, expressing his thanks.