2025 Report by the Minister of Social Affairs on the Implementation of the National Long-Term Development Strategy "Estonia 2035"
Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-10-08 18:42
Total Speeches: 112
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 47m
AI Summaries: 112/112 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller presented a report to the Riigikogu on the implementation of the state’s long-term development strategy "Eesti 2035," focusing on the areas of health and welfare. The Minister emphasized the need for better integration of the healthcare and social systems. In the health sector, Joller highlighted the increase in women's life expectancy (83.4 years) but stressed concern over men’s lower life expectancy and health inequality, which is particularly acute regionally (there is a 12-year difference in healthy life years between Hiiumaa and Võrumaa). The biggest public health problems are increasing obesity (over half of adults), high alcohol consumption, and the spread of e-cigarettes among young people. The Minister confirmed that the Health Insurance Fund’s (Tervisekassa) budget deficit has decreased (from the planned 177.6 million to 104.9 million euros), but the system requires efficiency improvements through the reorganization of the hospital network and the expansion of e-consultations. In the welfare sector, the biggest concern is the birth rate, which fell to the lowest level of the century in 2024 (9,690 births). Joller rejected accusations of pressuring families and emphasized that family policy must be cross-sectoral. During the discussions, the opposition criticized the government for underfunding healthcare, long treatment waiting lists, and insufficient support for the social sector (e.g., special care). Sharp criticism was leveled at the squandering of the Health Insurance Fund’s administrative costs and the continued development of the SKAIS2 system.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Centre Party faction, left) was particularly active, leveling sharp criticism regarding the funding of the Health Insurance Fund's (Tervisekassa) administrative costs, management consulting, and motivational events. She cited specific monetary figures and accused the minister of causing chaos and squandering public funds.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced the conclusion of the proceedings on the first agenda item and gave the floor to Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller, who will present a report of up to 30 minutes on the implementation of the state's long-term development strategy "Eesti 2035," which will be followed by questions and faction negotiations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi opened the second item on the agenda, which is the 2025 report by Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller on the implementation of the state's long-term development strategy "Estonia 2035," noting that 30 minutes are allocated for the presentation and Riigikogu members are entitled to ask one question, after which the debate will be opened.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller, who is responsible for the health and welfare sectors, provided the Riigikogu (Parliament) with a comprehensive overview of the situation in 2024. She highlighted key concerns such as the healthcare funding crisis, the population’s increasing morbidity (obesity, alcohol use, mental health issues), and the low birth rate. At the same time, she stressed the importance of measures aimed at better integrating systems, continuing the care reform, and improving lifestyles, all necessary to ensure people live longer, healthier lives and to reduce inequality.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller provided a comprehensive overview of the situation within the Ministry of Social Affairs' health and welfare sectors. She emphasized the necessity for improved integration across systems and highlighted key areas of concern, such as the low number of healthy life years, lifestyle-related risks (overweight, alcohol consumption), and the underfunding of healthcare compared to the EU average. While significant reforms were implemented in 2024 (including the care reform and the reduction of patient co-payments), the primary priority for the coming years is mitigating the funding crisis of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa). This will be achieved through the more economical use of reserves and increased system efficiency, alongside the reorganization of the hospital network and the better integration of social and health services.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanked the audience, acknowledged their keen interest, and then gave the floor to Kalle Grünthal to ask questions.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal is criticizing the ministry’s refusal to allow hospitals to order their own medicines, arguing that this maintains a monopoly. He claims this system enables family doctors to receive kickbacks and bonuses—such as foreign trips—for the indiscriminate prescription of drugs, via contracts signed with pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers. This issue, he notes, has been known as a problem for 25 years.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal criticizes the ministry for maintaining a monopoly in the pharmaceutical market, which prevents hospitals from ordering medications themselves. He also points out that family doctors prescribe drugs indiscriminately because they receive kickbacks and bonuses, such as foreign trips, from pharmaceutical manufacturers, referencing an ethics problem that has persisted for 25 years and has also been covered by the media.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller confined himself to a brief procedural remark, granting the floor to the speaker and thereby signaling the commencement of their allotted speaking time.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Acting as moderator, Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller gave the floor to the next speaker with the short, decisive phrase, "Your time!", thereby signaling the start of their presentation or speech.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal posed a sharp question, asking whether the opposing side is finally ready to relinquish its current monopolistic position.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal poses a pointed question: Has the time come to abandon the current monopolistic status?
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller concluded his presentation with a brief word of thanks.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller categorically rejected accusations regarding illegal contracts between family doctors and pharmaceutical companies, calling such a claim ridiculous and unlawful, and explained that although the wholesale drug market in Estonia is small, it is not a monopoly. Furthermore, she promised to inform the public within a week about the next steps concerning the draft bill on hospital drug procurement, a bill which major hospitals initially showed little interest in, hinting at potentially simpler solutions than a change in legislation.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller categorically rejects the ridiculous accusations concerning illegal contracts between general practitioners and pharmaceutical companies. She stressed that prescriptions are issued based strictly on medical indications and that pharmaceutical companies have no control whatsoever over prescription data. Furthermore, she confirmed that while there are few wholesale drug distributors, the situation does not constitute a pure monopoly. She also promised to announce within the week how they plan to proceed with the draft legislation concerning hospital drug procurement, a bill that hospitals themselves are reportedly not very keen on.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller called Madis Kallas to the podium, thereby giving him the floor.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas notes that the minister's administrative area is too broad, but focuses on the worsening health problems among young people, specifically early-age vaping and mental health concerns stemming from social media and screen use, and asks what additional resources, projects, and analyses are planned to be deployed to address these two critical areas.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas, noting the complexity of the minister's portfolio, focused on the deepening health issues facing young people, specifically early vaping and mental health concerns linked to social media and artificial intelligence, asking the minister for additional resources and projects to analyze and tackle these two areas.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller, who considers the role of a minister overseeing two sectors to be extremely interesting and educational, focused on improving the mental health of young people. She detailed the creation of a stepped assistance model, which allows people to receive initial help and guidance before needing to consult a psychiatrist or family doctor. The implementation of this system involves training family nurses on mental health topics, integrating lower-level counselors into primary care centers and local governments (KOVs), and stressing that, alongside education and expanding the circle of specialists, a healthy lifestyle—including exercise, sleep, and avoiding blue screens and vaping—is critically important for maintaining mental health.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller, who considers her role as a minister overseeing two portfolios to be extremely interesting and substantive, is focusing on improving youth mental health through education and establishing a stepped care model. This model would allow individuals to first help themselves using personalized resources, and then turn to family nurses with extended competencies or lower-level counselors. She stresses that while creating such a system will take time and require training specialists, the most important factor in maintaining mental health is still a healthy lifestyle, including sufficient exercise and sleep.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invited the next speaker, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, to the podium.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin drew attention to the critically long medical waiting lists (half a year and longer) and directly asked the minister what the financial requirement is to eliminate them, and whether the government has any hope of finding that sum.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin drew the minister's attention to the medical waiting lists extending up to six months, demanding clarification on the amount of money required to eliminate them and whether it is realistic to hope that those funds can be secured.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasized that the long waiting lists in healthcare are caused both by the shortage of doctors and nurses, whose training takes years, and by people's excessively high expectations of seeing a specialist immediately, which is impossible in a solidarity-based system. Therefore, the solution lies in better organizing the system and expanding e-consultations to ensure that assistance is timely, based on the patient's actual need, rather than the length of the queue.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasizes that long treatment queues are caused by a shortage of doctors and nurses, coupled with the public's excessive demand for immediate specialist medical care. Therefore, the solution is not simply injecting more money, but rather restructuring the healthcare system and expanding e-consultations to ensure that those who need help receive it in a timely manner, even if this means a longer waiting time for non-urgent cases.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller and Reili Rand were invited to speak.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand expresses deep disappointment over the minister’s most important speech of the year, as the critical topic of the lowest birth rate in a hundred years was addressed too superficially. She also criticizes the government for its lack of concrete steps, asking when, instead of merely citing analyses and rejecting opposition bills, they will actually start taking real action to support family well-being and the birth rate.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand criticized the minister, expressing disappointment that the topic was addressed too briefly in the year's most important speech, despite the birth rate hitting its lowest level in 100 years. Furthermore, the government has failed to present any concrete action plan, based on analysis, to support the well-being of children and families and boost the birth rate, all while simultaneously rejecting the opposition's proposals.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller defended the importance of issues related to health, well-being, and the birth rate, highlighting both the economic measures promised in the coalition agreement—namely, abolishing the tax hump, raising benefits, and allowing the use of pension assets for a housing down payment—as well as future concepts stemming from a recent analysis. These concepts include initiatives concerning mental health, expanding the circle of parental benefit recipients, and moving family policy under the jurisdiction of the State Chancellery. She stressed that this is a cross-cutting theme relevant to all policy sectors.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller defended the government’s actions regarding social and natality issues, emphasizing the importance of these topics and outlining a series of concrete measures based on recent analysis. These measures include enabling the use of second-pillar pension assets for a housing down payment, abolishing the tax bulge, and raising subsistence benefits. Furthermore, she proposed considering expanding the circle of parental benefit recipients and placing family policy under the State Chancellery to ensure its integration across all policy fields.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller gave the floor to Mart Maastik.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik is raising a critical issue regarding the unacceptably long waiting lists for specialist doctors, which he argues can cost lives. He refutes the minister’s claim that the problem is not financial, pointing out that the same doctor is immediately available if the service is paid for. He therefore demands a systemic change, rather than merely adding more resources, since the necessary resources already exist but are improperly allocated.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik sharply criticized the dangerously long waiting times for medical specialists, citing a case where the extended wait resulted in a patient's death. He then questioned the minister as to why it is possible to gain immediate access to the very same doctor by paying, suggesting that the issue lies not in a shortage of resources, but in the organization of the system, which requires fundamental change.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller confirms that she plans to streamline the healthcare system to ensure the timely availability of specialized medical care, especially in urgent cases. She emphasized that while private medicine offers speed for simpler cases, complex and costly treatment cases will remain the responsibility of the state system. Finally, she promised to analyze where additional funding needs to be directed to improve the quality and availability of services.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller confirms that she plans to enhance the healthcare system, focusing on ensuring timely specialist medical care—in urgent cases, the patient must receive immediate assistance. She explains the role of private medicine, which typically offers faster service for a fee when dealing with simpler illnesses, while complex and expensive treatment cases remain the responsibility of the state system, and promises to analyze which sectors should receive investment to improve the accessibility of services.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller passed the floor to Riina Solman, inviting her to the podium.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman acknowledges the minister's competence in the field of healthcare, but she focuses on the low birth rate. She simultaneously criticizes the unfair media attack against mothers with many children and asks why the estimated 11 million euros—which is left over in healthcare and child benefits due to the declining birth rate—is not directed toward supporting families and children already in the next fiscal year, given that this money belongs to the domain of families and children anyway.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman commended the minister's competence in the field of healthcare but highlighted the decline in the birth rate. She simultaneously criticized the media's unfair attacks on mothers with many children and specifically inquired about the destination of the approximately 11 million euro surplus accumulating in the healthcare and child support budgets due to the low birth numbers. She stressed the necessity of keeping these funds within the family and children sector to ensure their support starting next year.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller explains that the so-called surplus money currently under discussion actually originates from the family benefits budget. This is because the number of children is lower, resulting in a smaller calculated expenditure. Although she supports the proposal to use this money to boost the birth rate, securing its funding is complicated and requires not only the consensus of the political parties but also the approval of finance experts.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller clarifies that the so-called surplus being discussed originates from family benefits, not healthcare, and since it constitutes a calculated expenditure in the state budget, financially reserving it is complicated. She personally supports the proposal regarding the use of these funds, but stresses that the solution requires both cross-party consensus and a positive assessment from finance experts to ensure the financial viability of the idea.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller and Helmen Kütt were called to the rostrum to begin their presentation.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt drew the minister’s attention to the critical situation in special welfare services, where waiting lists for services stretch up to 53 months, thousands of people are being cared for by their relatives, and staff wages are unreasonably low. She then asked the government for concrete steps to resolve the situation, noting that local governments winning court cases against the state is not a sustainable solution.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt highlighted the critical issues facing special welfare services, including service waiting lists stretching up to 53 months and low gross salaries averaging 1,200 euros. She then asked the minister what concrete steps would be taken to resolve the situation, stressing that the current state of affairs—where local governments are forced to sue the state—is not a sensible solution.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller confirms that the special care sector is next year's priority. As part of this, there are plans to thoroughly review the content of these services in order to create specific solutions (e.g., for autistic individuals and those suffering from dementia) and to alleviate the burden on family caregivers, who are currently dropping out of the labor market and whose health frequently suffers.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller announces that the field of special care services will be brought into sharp focus next year to establish a long-term vision and resolve the issue of service suitability (especially concerning dementia and autism). She also emphasized that supporting informal caregivers is a crucial national priority to prevent them from leaving the labor market and experiencing health deterioration.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller gave the floor to Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits reproaches the minister regarding the previous position held by his party's deputy chairman (the Minister of Finance), who argued that lowering the VAT on foodstuffs was unnecessary since Estonians are already overweight and should instead eat less. Ernits then asks ironically how this "guideline" has actually been implemented to improve public health and simultaneously avoid reducing the VAT.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits ironically questioned the minister about how the party has implemented the finance minister's previous guidance, which stated that lowering the VAT on foodstuffs is pointless because Estonians are fat anyway and should rather eat less, thereby implying that if the population lost weight, the need for a tax reduction would also disappear.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller began by clarifying a previous statement, stressing that fruits and vegetables are already affordable. However, she declined to take a stance on the issue of VAT on groceries, explaining that it is a tax topic where she lacks expertise, and she trusts the experts in the tax domain.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller corrected her previous statement, emphasizing that healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are already inexpensive, and deferred the question of lowering the VAT on foodstuffs to tax specialists, as she herself is not qualified to address tax matters.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller introduced the next speaker, Irja Lutsar, asking her to step up to the podium.
Irja Lutsar
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Irja Lutsar continued the discussion on screen time, highlighting Professor Tulviste’s study, which confirms the detrimental effect of smart devices on the language and speech development of children under five. She also asked the minister to state the Ministry of Social Affairs’ position regarding the pediatricians’ proposal to ban smart devices for children of a certain age.
Irja Lutsar
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Irja Lutsar once again raised the issue of screen time, citing a recent study that confirms that excessive use of smart devices by young children significantly hinders the development of speech and grammar. She also asked the Ministry of Social Affairs to clarify its position regarding the pediatricians' proposal to impose an age-based ban on the use of smart devices.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller notes that the ministry does not have a position regarding the restriction of smart device usage, stressing that at home this is the responsibility of parents, not a matter for state intervention, while simultaneously welcoming screen-free initiatives by schools. She believes that although children must master technology to cope in the future world, it is the parents' duty to teach them boundaries and information assessment, as excessive use of social media and AI is one of the most complex challenges of modern parenting.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller emphasizes that while she welcomes initiatives to make schools screen-free, a complete ban on screen time at home is unrealistic, and the responsibility lies with the parents. This is because children must learn the digital skills necessary for the future world. Therefore, parents should focus on teaching boundaries and developing critical information literacy, rather than completely eliminating the digital environment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invited Urmas Reinsalu to the rostrum to begin his presentation.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu is questioning the minister regarding the needs-based child benefits system planned in the state budget strategy (RES), which is projected to bring the state 100 million euros in revenue starting from 2028, but requires taking away child benefits from people earning the average wage. He is demanding a detailed explanation concerning the content of the reform, those who will lose the benefit, and the date of its legal entry into force.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu is demanding a swift explanation from the minister regarding the needs-based child benefit system planned in the state budget strategy, which is expected to generate 100 million euros in revenue starting in 2028. He points out that this essentially means taking away benefits from people earning the average wage, and he is requesting a detailed overview of the reform’s substance and implementation timeline.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller stresses that the potential saving of 100 million euros, which would result from making benefits needs-based in the future, is only a very rough estimate, and there is no plan to withdraw existing benefits from anyone.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasized that the potential saving of 100 million euros, which would result from making various benefits needs-based, is currently only a very rough estimate. She also confirmed that there are no plans to take away existing benefits from anyone.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller prohibited the dialogue, steering the conversation back to the original question and emphasizing that the present moment was not suitable for discussion.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller cut short the attempt at dialogue, stressing that the current discussion is restricted solely to asking questions and there is no time for a dialogue right now.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller stressed that the coalition has no plan to cut or eliminate benefits, but added that the SKAIS2 system, which is currently under development, will make the structuring of support payments more flexible and parameter-based starting from 2028.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller emphasized that the current coalition has no plans to reduce or abolish benefits, but the SKAIS2 system currently under development will make the structuring of benefits more flexible starting in 2028 and will allow them to be adjusted according to predefined parameters.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanked those involved for the preceding discussion and then gave the floor to Andres Metsoja, requesting that he pose the next question.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja notes that although the social sector is moving towards need-based support, physical activity remains an integral part of human physiology and mental health. He expresses concern that despite the construction of new sports facilities, young people are absent from sports events, suggesting that promoting physical activity would be a crucial and cheaper preventative measure compared to the later expensive treatment of mental health issues.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja points out that even though the trend is moving towards needs-based support, a comprehensive approach is vital in the social sphere, particularly when it comes to physical activity and mental health. He expresses concern that young people are not finding their way to sports events even when new facilities are available, and emphasizes that improving young people's physical activity habits is critically important for preventing mental health problems, despite the cost involved, recommending that a study be conducted to improve the situation.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller stressed the importance of improving children's physical activity habits, recommending the sharing of experiences from successful community initiatives, such as the "School that Invites Movement" program. However, she emphasized that while physical activity falls within her portfolio, the primary responsibility for children's movement rests with the parents, who should themselves be setting an example for their kids.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller stressed that while Estonia has successful initiatives promoting physical activity, such as the "Liikuma kutsuv kool" (School that Invites Movement) program, and sharing these experiences is crucial, the primary responsibility for shaping children's exercise habits rests first and foremost with the parents. She advised them to lead by example and engage in physical activities together with their children.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller granted the floor to Aleksei Yevgrafov, inviting him to the podium to deliver his presentation.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov acknowledges the Finance Minister’s claim concerning the reduction of the Health Insurance Fund’s budget deficit, but critically questions the means by which this improvement in the financial situation was actually achieved.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller emphasized that, in order to ensure the availability of healthcare services at least at the current level, additional funds have been secured. These funds come from improved social tax receipts and internal savings within the Health Insurance Fund (such as ending the funding for COVID personal protective equipment), which simultaneously allows for the introduction of new innovative services.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller explains that the improvement in healthcare funding stems primarily from better social tax collection and internal efficiency measures implemented by the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa), such as cutting additional expenditures from the COVID era. The objective of these measures is to ensure that the current level of availability of medical services is maintained and that new innovative services and medicines can be adopted.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller Henn Põlluaas was called to the podium to deliver his report.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas expresses indignation over the minister's claim that food prices in Estonia are cheap anyway, highlighting that food prices have risen by 57% since the start of the pandemic—the highest figure in Europe—and criticizes the government's indifferent attitude toward the difficulties faced by people who are barely making it from paycheck to paycheck.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas finds the minister’s claim regarding the low cost of groceries staggering, pointing out that prices in Estonia have skyrocketed by the largest margin in Europe (57%) since the start of the pandemic. As a result, most people can barely make ends meet. He also criticizes the government’s overly simplistic recommendations for resolving the situation, asking ironically if the only message for the public is truly just “eat carrots.”
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller sharply refuted claims that she had suggested eating carrots or asserted that food prices were low, explaining that the statement was an example taken completely out of context. She acknowledged the rising cost of living and the increase in food prices, emphasizing that the government has raised the subsistence benefit so that it covers the cost of the minimum shopping basket. Furthermore, the government has eliminated the tax hump and plans to specifically support groups at risk of poverty, such as single pensioners and single parents. By doing so, she rejected accusations of indifference and promised to direct aid measures precisely toward those who are struggling the most.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller refuted the claims attributed to her (such as the recommendation to eat carrots or the assertion that food is cheap). She emphasized that the government is aware of the rising cost of living and is directing support measures specifically towards those in the most difficult situations, such as single pensioners and low-wage earners, by raising subsistence benefits, abolishing the tax hump, and continuing the indexation of pensions. She categorically denied accusations of indifference.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller gave the floor to Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme expresses deep concern regarding the failure of the SKAIS1 and SKAIS2 information systems, into which tens of millions of euros have already been sunk, and demands clarification on how much additional funding is planned to be allocated to the non-functioning system and what guarantees exist for its eventual launch.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme expresses deep concern regarding the SKAIS1 and SKAIS2 information systems, into which tens of millions of euros have already been sunk without them becoming operational. She demands to know how much additional money is planned to be allocated to these failed IT solutions and what guarantee exists that the system will finally launch this time.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller emphasized that getting the SKAIS system operational is of critical importance, which is why external experts were hired, development plans were reviewed in detail, and crisis mechanisms were established to ensure the system’s reliability and prevent any failure in pension payouts. Approximately 17 million euros will be invested in this effort over the next four years. Meanwhile, the direction concerning need-based benefits is a political decision that will only be made by the government taking office in 2027.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller confirmed that ensuring the functionality of the SKAIS system is critically important, as failure to continue its development would pose the risk of pensions not being paid out. To secure this certainty, foreign experts were hired, plans and contracts were reviewed in detail, and crisis mechanisms were established, costing approximately 17 million euros over the next four years. However, the speaker also stressed that the shift toward needs-based benefits is a political decision that can only be made by the government taking office in 2027.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller closed the Q&A session, opened the floor for debate among the factions, and first gave the floor to Eero Merilind, the representative of the Estonian Reform Party faction.
Eero Merilind
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Eero Merilind emphasized that investing in healthcare is an investment in the country's future, not an expense, because a healthy population is the foundation for the functioning of the Estonian state. He highlighted the current health inequalities (across education and region) and the lower life expectancy compared to the EU average. He provided an overview of recent progress, such as permanent funding for mental health services, the reduction of out-of-pocket costs, and the streamlining of the hospital network. Merilind confirmed that the government's goal, in line with the "Estonia 2035" vision, is to create a sustainable healthcare system and a fair welfare state where years lived in good health increase and no one feels abandoned by the state, promising to launch a gene-based breast cancer prevention program and further reorganize the hospital network in the coming years.
Eero Merilind
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Eero Merilind emphasizes that investing in healthcare is an investment in the strength of the Estonian state, not an expense, arguing that a state without healthy people has no future. He highlighted the current health inequality (specifically across education levels and regions) and presented the government's steps aimed at system sustainability, streamlining the hospital network, and achieving the goal that by 2035, health and well-being would be a natural part of every Estonian’s life, ensuring that no one feels abandoned by the state.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Riina Solman, representing the Isamaa faction, was called to the podium by Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller to deliver her address.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller called Riina Solman to the rostrum to deliver her address as a representative of the Isamaa faction.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman praises the Minister of Social Affairs for their competence in the health sector, but criticizes the state’s inadequate strategy concerning adult mental health. She sharply emphasizes, however, that the low birth rate (1.83) threatens the survival of the Estonian nation, language, and culture, making the resolution of the population issue a constitutional imperative. She concludes by acknowledging the recently completed birth rate analysis.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman praises the Minister of Social Affairs' activities in the health sector but demands the creation of a national strategy for the often-invisible field of mental health, especially concerning young people transitioning into adulthood. Most critically, she emphasizes the severe drop in the birth rate (which is far below the replacement level), while acknowledging the recently completed birth rate analysis. Furthermore, she warns that ignoring population reproduction jeopardizes the objectives established in the preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia regarding the preservation of the Estonian language, culture, and nation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller asked for three minutes of extra time.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman sharply criticizes the government’s priorities, alleging that funding for the social sector and support for families are being sidelined, while a "monster ministry" (the Ministry of Climate) was created, which wastes money on flooding forests. The speaker particularly emphasizes that the lack of state-provided health insurance for informal caregivers is criminal and prevents them from returning to the labor market. Furthermore, she expresses concern over the Health Insurance Fund’s (Tervisekassa) massive deficit and the costly and inadequate public procurement process used to find a new director, concluding her critique with the cutting of family benefits and the aggressive methods used to collect the car tax (specifically, the seizure of bank accounts).
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman severely criticizes the government's priorities, taking issue with the shelving of recommendations aimed at solving the demographic crisis and the creation of the Ministry of Climate, which spends millions instead of supporting families. It is especially emphasized that the lack of state health insurance for informal caregivers is criminal, and that the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) faces an irresponsible multi-year deficit for which there is no plan to fix. Finally, the ruling party is criticized for abolishing family benefits, imposing a car tax, and seizing the accounts of 25,000 people, deeming this an unbelievable method for creating national prosperity.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller gave a brief and specific signal that the speaker's time had begun.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman concludes her address by wishing the minister strength in their work, while simultaneously expressing hope—and slight skepticism—that the measures and funds designated for children would actually be implemented and wouldn't simply remain a fairy tale.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman wished the minister strength for the job, while emphasizing that the financial measures promised to children must actually be implemented and not just remain a mere fairy tale.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller concluded his presentation and yielded the floor to Tanel Kiik, the representative of the Social Democratic Party, while also briefly mentioning the existence of his mandate.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller introduced the next speaker, Tanel Kiik, who represents the Social Democratic Party, and also expressed hope regarding the validity of his mandate.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik requested three minutes of extra time, just in case, to continue his speech.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller briefly announced that he required three additional minutes to continue his presentation or address.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik acknowledges the minister’s focus on healthcare, social affairs, and family policy priorities, but stresses that the budget tells a different story, as the government failed to find additional funding to shorten treatment waiting lists, provide special welfare services, or adequately raise the subsistence benefit. Instead, they simultaneously chose to hand out hundreds of millions of euros in tax revenue to the wealthier segment of society, demonstrating that the priorities set out verbally lack budgetary backing and political will.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asserts that while the minister’s stated priorities concerning healthcare, the social sector, and family policy are correct, the government’s budget reveals that the true priorities are elsewhere. Critical areas (such as reducing medical waiting lists, special welfare services, and subsistence benefits) are either left without the necessary additional funding or receive only a minimal increase, while hundreds of millions of euros are found to support the wealthier population—a move that flies in the face of common sense.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller gave the floor to Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, the representative of the Estonian Centre Party faction, who requested and was granted three minutes of additional time for her presentation.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart sharply criticizes the government's lack of priorities in tackling the healthcare crisis, pointing out that Estonia leads Europe in the number of people who are unable to access necessary medical care, even as patient fees have increased. Her speech, however, primarily focuses on the wild squandering by Tervisekassa (the Health Insurance Fund), where taxpayer money is unreasonably spent—nearly one and a half million euros annually—on advertising, expensive management consulting, training, and motivational events. Given that the salary fund has also grown and large performance bonuses are paid to board members, the speaker calls into question the necessity of Tervisekassa’s current independent structure and continues to demand accountability from the Minister of Social Affairs for the resulting chaos.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart sharply criticizes the government's inaction in resolving the deepening healthcare crisis, highlighting Estonia's poor indicators regarding the accessibility of medical care and faulting the insufficient prioritization of healthcare. The primary focus is on the Health Insurance Fund's (Tervisekassa) reckless squandering of taxpayer money, citing expenditures exceeding nearly one and a half million euros on advertising, costly business consulting, motivational events, and bonuses, even as the payroll fund increases despite recent layoffs. The speaker argues that Tervisekassa's current independent structure is questionable, that the supervisory board's oversight is inadequate, and that the Minister of Social Affairs is directly responsible for the chaos and waste prevalent in the institution—a situation that the director's resignation will not resolve.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller granted Helle-Moonika Helme, representing the parliamentary group of the Estonian Conservative People's Party, an additional three minutes of extra time for her presentation.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme takes the minister to task for grand rhetoric and a lack of concrete action in the fields of healthcare and welfare, leveling sharp criticism both at the system collapsing under the weight of bureaucracy and failed IT solutions, and at the government’s policy which, due to high VAT, prevents people from affording healthy food. Instead of the promised patient-centered approach, she sees only the withdrawal of services and patients being referred for assessment instead of treatment, which often leads to a deterioration of their condition.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme sharply criticizes the minister's inaction and bureaucratic approach to healthcare, arguing that the fine words "health and well-being" do not reflect the reality where people cannot quickly see a doctor. She points out that IT systems (such as SKAIS) needlessly consume millions and that the high VAT on foodstuffs prevents people from making healthy choices, demanding a humane and thorough overhaul of the entire system instead of mere cosmetic changes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanked [the previous speaker/group] and then gave the floor to Stig Rästa, the representative of the Eesti 200 faction.
Stig Rästa
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Stig Rästa emphasizes that a caring Estonia 2035 is not a distant future but the result of today's decisions, calling for the building of a just and compassionate state where humaneness and supporting those in need are considered more important than financial constraints, and where social sector workers and volunteers represent the country's true strength, because care is measured by attention, not by money.
Stig Rästa
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Stig Rästa emphasized that the future strategy "Eesti 2035" must focus on maintaining a caring state, one where a dignified and secure life is guaranteed for everyone. He also called for immediate action, arguing that while money is always scarce, compassion is measured not in euros, but in humanity, attention, and the wholehearted dedication of social workers—which, he stressed, is Estonia’s real strength.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller addressed Minister Karmen Joller with a question regarding her willingness to participate in the talks, but since the Minister refused, the speaker immediately terminated the negotiations and declared the second item on the agenda passed.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller closed the discussions regarding the second agenda item, noting that Minister Karmen Joller did not wish to participate in the talks, and thereby announced the completion of the agenda item.