Draft law amending the Family Benefits Act and other laws (547 SE) - second reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session
Date: 2025-03-12 16:22
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 3
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 7m
AI Summaries: 3/3 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
As the second item on the Riigikogu’s agenda, the draft law amending the Parental Benefit Act and other laws was considered in its second reading (bill No. 547). The main objectives of the draft law are to expand the target group for parental benefits and to adjust some forms of benefits to better enable parents to cope and care for children. The need arises from previous shortcomings, where both pregnant women and parents of children under three years of age have not received benefits sufficiently well to ensure their livelihood. The review noted that the current law, in the event of the father's death, enabled the widow to receive a survivor's pension, but the new system is considering broader coverage and potential extension of the period. In addition, discussions were held on how the parental benefit system interacts with issues related to working capacity, income, and attending kindergarten. Guests present included representatives of the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities, who were unable to attend due to notes; the Chancellor of Justice, who emphasized the need for clarification; and representatives of the ministry, who supported the assessment of various options. A key focus of the discussion was how the various drafted options impact the equal treatment of non-working and working parents, and how much needs to be clarified in the explanatory note regarding the possibility of applying for assistance in the event of the death of a spouse. Regarding the impact of kindergarten places and income, it was pointed out that Estonia's parental benefit system is one of the most generous and flexible in Europe, and it was emphasized that the current system allows participants to continue working and to replace part of their income with parental benefits. Amendments were presented in four points, and all submitted corrections were approved by the committee. In conclusion, it was decided to proceed with the draft law in the plenary session, and the completion of the second reading was carried out unanimously, after which the draft law was scheduled for a third reading in the Riigikogu plenary session on March 19th of this year.
Decisions Made 3
The draft will be sent to the plenary session's agenda on March 12th.
The second reading was concluded by consensus (6 in favor, 1 against).
Once the second reading is completed, the draft will be added to the Riigikogu plenary agenda for a third reading on March 19th of this year.
Most Active Speaker
The speaker is a representative of the social committee, whose work was the most influential and at the center of the discussion topics. His role as a facilitator between speakers and discussions reinforced the social committee’s positions and cooperation with the ministry and guests. As a position, he should be described in the context of promoting quality and clarification as “other” (neither left-wing nor right-wing).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu moves to the second item on the agenda, where the Government-initiated draft bill to amend the Family Benefits Act and other laws, No. 547, is being discussed for its second reading, and the chairman of the Social Committee, Madis Timpsoni, is invited to present.
Madis Timpson
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Social Committee gave an overview of what happened between the two readings: the bill's impact on non-working pregnant women and parents was discussed, they heard the Chancellor of Justice and the ministry, amendments were adopted, and it was decided to put the bill on the plenary agenda on March 12 and to close the second reading with 6 in favor and 1 against, sending the bill to the third reading at the Riigikogu plenary on March 19.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked for the presentation, announced the opening and closing of negotiations, and proceeded to review proposed amendments, noting that amendment number 1 was submitted by the social committee and the leading committee wishes to fully consider it. We have reviewed all other proposed amendments, and the second reading of the draft has been completed, and consideration of this agenda item is closed.