Draft law amending the Act on Social Support for People with Disabilities and amending other acts in connection therewith (561 SE) – Second Reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-05-14 22:57
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 16
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 29m
AI Summaries: 16/16 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Following this, the Riigikogu session addressed the second reading of bill 561, concerning the amendment of the law on social support for people with disabilities, initiated by the Republic's Government, and the amendment of other laws associated with it. The bill’s purpose was to amend and organize special care services more flexibly, and to improve the functionality of related laws. The Riigikogu designated the social affairs committee as the lead committee, and the first reading took place on January 29, 2025. Discussions primarily focused on age limits for children and the order of special care services, as well as how the changes would impact local municipalities and the accessibility of services in different regions, including rural areas. Efforts were made to find a balance between the concerns of parents and the accessibility of services, and stakeholder groups and government agencies – the Association of Cities and Municipalities of Estonia, the Chamber of People with Disabilities of Estonia, and the Association of Estonian Physicians – were included in the discussions to find a path toward consensus-based solutions.
Decisions Made 3
The proposal was removed from the agenda on April 16th; the vote resulted in 4 in favor, 3 against.
It is mutually agreed that the second reading of the draft will be concluded, and following that, the draft will be placed on the plenary session agenda and a final vote will be held on May 21st; furthermore, the proposals of the Ministry of Social Affairs will be taken into consideration and amendments will be drawn up.
At the May 12th meeting, the procedural documents for the second reading were confirmed unanimously.
Most Active Speaker
In terms of the number of speaking voices, Helmen Kütt (pid P8tEHy2zY2A) was the most active, delivering his presentations twice. His position is noted as "approval of amendment proposals by consensus and resolving agenda items" – described as "other" (not directly on the left or right bloc). Riina Solman and Signe Riisalo also gave rich comments twice, but Helmen Kütt has been designated the most active speaker.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Next, the ninth item on the agenda will be considered—the Government-initiated draft amendments to the Act on Social Benefits for People with Disabilities and to related laws, draft bill No. 561, in the second reading, the rapporteur for which is Helmen Kütt, a member of the Riigikogu's Social Committee.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt presented a brief overview of the preparation of the draft law on social benefits for people with disabilities and related laws for the second reading, reflected the opinions of organizations and concerns about the queue for special care services and the readiness of local authorities, and, by consensus, stated that the draft would be withdrawn from the agenda for the next steps — to complete the second reading and to hold the final vote on May 21.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks you and invites Lauri Laats to pose one question.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
All in all, the bottleneck in the waiting list for specialized care services for 16-year-olds has been resolved, and the Riigikogu could pass the bill in its amended form, since all parties are satisfied that their positions have been included in the draft bill.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt said that removing the item from the agenda was carried out with a 4:3 vote, emphasized that sometimes issues must be discussed and listened to by stakeholder groups without voting, and confirmed that the Ministry of Social Affairs' proposals regarding flexible and deferred retirement received support both from stakeholder groups and in the committee; at the third debate and at the Social Committee's meeting a very good result was achieved, and the procedural documents for the fourth were also approved.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks, announces that there are no questions, opens negotiations and invites Riina Solman.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman explains that the amendments to the draft bill will allow 16–18 year olds to enter the queue for special welfare services. Furthermore, she highlights the critical shortfall in funding for care services and the difficult situation faced by families, especially parents of children with profound disabilities, emphasizing their need for additional support from the state and local governments.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asked for three additional minutes.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman says that caring for people with disabilities is not a state priority, which is why there are not enough services and capacity in local authorities; families have to fight all the time, and funding for support persons and social guarantees are lacking, but the solution lies in involving the private sector and better legislation that would provide security for both people with disabilities and society as a whole.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chair Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman thanks the audience and concludes her speech, wishing everyone all the best.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He expressed his sincere thanks and turned to Helmen Kütt with a request.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt stated that the bill currently undergoing its second reading is not intended to either create or reduce the number of special welfare service places. She noted that the primary concerns remain the shortage of available places and insufficient funding. She urged the government and the Ministry of Social Affairs to take active steps regarding the budget and involve stakeholders to guarantee the system's operational reliability and secure the necessary 25 million euros in funding, which is used to pay benefits, compensations, and pensions to 800,000 people.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
In the address, gratitude was expressed, and Signe Riisalo was invited to speak.
Signe Riisalo
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riisalo stressed that funding the needs of special welfare services and young people with disabilities, as well as ensuring a smooth transition to adulthood, presents a growing challenge. This challenge must be addressed through flexible, needs-based service delivery, the involvement of the private sector, and improved coordination of support services provided by local municipalities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
All four amendments submitted by the leading committee are fully adopted, and the second reading of Bill 561 has been concluded.