The Impact of Rising Prices on the People of Estonia
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Information Hour
Date: 2025-11-05 15:40
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 11
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 10m
AI Summaries: 11/11 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The session addressed the response of Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller to the question posed by Riigikogu member Vladimir Arhipov regarding the impact of price increases and the care reform. Arhipov criticized the care reform, claiming that it had not reduced the burden on local governments but had instead increased costs, making nursing homes more expensive and putting families under pressure. He asked why local governments must pay an increasingly larger share of the costs and how the state ensures the availability of services amid rising prices.
Minister Joller emphasized that the reform had been successful, allowing over a thousand people to move into nursing homes, which demonstrates improved accessibility. She highlighted that the state has allocated approximately 76 million euros in support to local governments and that the personal contribution of individuals to the cost of nursing home care has significantly decreased (81% covered). Joller promised to review all proposals for increasing the funding of local authorities (KOVs) by the end of next year. In a supplementary question, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart leveled sharp criticism at the minister regarding the handling of sensitive data and the expenditures of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) (advertising, consulting). Joller responded that Kovalenko-Kõlvart had exceeded the mandate of the Special Committee on Anti-Corruption by attempting to illegally demand special categories of personal data over which she has no right of supervision. The minister accused Kovalenko-Kõlvart of unethical conduct and ignorance of the law, after which the chairman of the session concluded the discussion of the topic, as it went beyond the scope of the registered question.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar announced that Riigikogu member Vladimir Arhipov would present the seventh question on the agenda to Social Minister Karmen Joller, focusing on the impact of price increases on Estonian residents.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov is raising concerns regarding the actual impact of the care reform. He points out that despite promises to reduce the burden on local authorities and improve the accessibility of care homes, the payment obligation for municipalities has actually increased due to rising prices, leaving families under significant pressure. Consequently, he is demanding clarification on how the service's genuine accessibility will be guaranteed.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller provided an overview of the positive impact of the care reform, which has enabled over a thousand people to move into care homes, thereby easing the burden on their loved ones. She also emphasized that the state has directed approximately 76 million euros in subsidies to local municipalities to mitigate the effects of rising prices. Furthermore, she pledged to review and implement all rational improvement proposals submitted by the dissatisfied local governments by the end of next year.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker or the audience and then gave the floor to Vladimir Arhipov, who wished to ask a clarifying question.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov sharply criticizes the care reform, arguing that it only benefits service providers. He demands clarification on whether the state plans to increase the funding allocated to municipalities to cover the rising costs of care, or if this burden will once again be shifted onto local governments and taxpayers.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller explained that the price increase in nursing homes did not exceed that of other sectors, and emphasized that people's personal contribution has significantly decreased, now being covered to the extent of 81%, which has, in turn, increased the demand for the service. She promised to review the issue of increasing support for local governments by the end of next year, while simultaneously acknowledging the contribution of local authorities (KOVs) in providing aid.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked her and then gave the floor to Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart so she could ask a follow-up question.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart rejects the accusations of unethical behavior leveled by the Minister of Social Affairs concerning the data of a seriously ill child. She emphasizes that her appeal focused on the lack of transparency and inconsistencies within the decision-making processes of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa), stating that the responsibility for bringing these issues into the public eye actually lies with the Minister herself, who leaked the case to the media. Furthermore, the speaker raises questions about the expediency of the nearly one million euros Tervisekassa spent over seven months on advertising and management consulting, asking what kind of business the Health Insurance Fund is conducting and why its managers require such extensive consultation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the questioner, but stressed that the query did not pertain to the registered topic, while simultaneously giving the minister the freedom to answer nevertheless, should he wish to do so.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller criticizes the special committee against corruption for exceeding its mandate and acting unlawfully, emphasizing that the committee unethically demanded sensitive personal data right before the elections—the handling of which is strictly regulated—and attempted to exercise supervision over the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa), for which they have no legal authority.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announces that he is concluding the consideration of the seventh item on the agenda because the procedure has gone outside the registered framework, and he subsequently gives the floor to Varro Vooglaid, who wished to pose a question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal.