Inquiry Regarding the Pihlakodu Case and the Safety of Care Homes (no. 750)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session
Date: 2025-06-03 00:10
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 49
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 49m
AI Summaries: 49/49 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the inquiry presented on April 14th regarding the Pihlakodu case and the safety of care homes. The inquiry was submitted by 12 members of the Social Democratic Party, and its aim was to clarify what steps the government has taken in recent years and what is planned for the future to increase oversight of care homes, prevent similar crimes, and ensure the safety and dignified treatment of residents. The discussion covered the responsibility of care home owners and managers, improving background checks for employees, and cooperation between the state and local governments, as well as planned measures to strengthen the protection of human dignity and rights and to improve oversight mechanisms.
Central to the discussion was the need to increase transparency, improve prevention, and ensure the provision of quality and safe care home services. The discussion also touched on the context of the coalition agreement's care reform, which includes reducing the administrative burden on local governments and balancing funding and staffing needs to ensure affordable and dignified services. Finally, the need for a sustainable management model and stricter oversight of the chain of command was emphasized to more effectively prevent similar violations in the future and hold perpetrators accountable.
Decisions Made 1
In the attendance discussion, no specific decisions or votes were made. However, it was noted that monitoring will continue in the future, work will be coordinated between the two ministries, and, if necessary, workshops or working groups (e.g., a working group on dementia) will be formed to develop a more thorough solution. Legislative changes and improvements to the monitoring system are a potential direction, but specific steps and deadlines are within the context of the coalition agreement and future government decisions.
Most Active Speaker
Helmen Kütt – a left-wing politician (Social Democratic Party). He was the representative of the questioners and the main instigator, the questioner and the discussion leader within the then-ongoing conversation. Therefore, he is the most active speaker on this agenda, and his role is central from the perspective of guiding the coalition movement and the discussion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu will continue with the items on the agenda and address the interpellation submitted on April 14th concerning the Pihlakodu case and the security of care homes, which will be presented by Riigikogu member Helmen Kütt.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt said that 12 Social Democrats submitted an inquiry in April concerning the Pihlakodu case and the safety of nursing homes, and in light of the revealed events, where the statements from the Prosecutor's Office caused outrage, they have submitted five questions and are awaiting the minister's answers, and perhaps additional questions over time.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the house and asked Social Minister Karmen Joller to come to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer the interpellation.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
In her presentation, Social Minister Karmen Joller emphasized that in recent years, the oversight of care homes has been strengthened, guidelines have been established and updated, and cooperation has been increased to improve the quality of service and prevent crimes. Furthermore, the accountability of owners and employers was increased, alongside stricter background checks, better staffing provisions, and enhanced protection of human dignity and physical integrity. She also stated that the Prosecutor's Office's claim regarding the harmfulness of rape is unacceptable.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks the honorable Minister, notes that there are also questions directed to him, and invites Helmen Kütt to take the floor.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt posed a question regarding whether action has been taken or is planned to be taken with the Ministry of Justice concerning the deficiencies discovered by the Social Insurance Board and the problems associated with Pihlakodu, and how a joint discussion could help restore confidence in the social welfare field.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller stressed that the crime committed in care homes is unacceptable and is not merely a question of service quality, emphasizing that the SKA's supervision will continue and that people should report crimes instead of remaining passive bystanders.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman addresses his colleague Lauri Läänemets and asks him.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They express deep concern over the commercialization of care services and the sharp rise in prices, and call on the state to conduct an analysis and draw up a plan for how the service can be accessible to people and not merely a business venture.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
In her presentation, Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller described the cost model for providing nursing home services, explaining how it helps local authorities negotiate prices. She also discussed sources of revenue and financing models, emphasizing that nursing home placement must be affordable—as a result of the reform, the personal contribution has dropped from over 80% to over 50%, and this trend must continue.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Andre Hanimägi to the stage.
Andre Hanimägi
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Andre Hanimägi asks more broadly about the ideas of the working group promised in April and the near-term plans for the long-term care of people with dementia, as well as where the discussions are heading regarding solving the problem of high-risk dementia patients and repeated placement changes for social workers and families.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller stated that the working group is still in its initial stages, and it is currently too early to discuss specific ideas. She noted that they must check the coalition agreement to determine when the proposals were promised to be submitted, and those will be finalized by that time.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and invites Riina Solman.
Riina Solman
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Riina Solman is asking when the working group will resume its work and who is responsible for the supervision and chain of command. This is necessary to clarify who has the authority to impose sanctions and who is actually overseeing the Pihlakodu incident.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Speaking of responsibility, the minister emphasizes that quality requirements ensure a minimum standard of care quality and provide guidelines for those acting in good faith, but crimes committed in care homes are the responsibility of the criminals and law enforcement, not the quality guidelines, and the Pihlakodu case was specifically a crime, not a quality issue.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman asked Züleyxa Izmailova to speak.
Züleyxa Izmailova
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Züleyxa Izmailova emphasizes that the institution's operator bears direct responsibility, and in this particular case, the institution failed to respond to the complaints promptly, with the information only reaching the proper channels after several days. Therefore, it is necessary to improve procedures and ensure swift action.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
I emphasize that the deficiencies must be rectified, and the reasons for the delay will be clarified by law enforcement agencies and the evaluation of the legal system. Furthermore, if necessary, laws must be amended to more effectively prevent similar situations in the future — there was a crime involved, and perhaps institutional shock.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman addresses Madis Kallas with a request.
Madis Kallas
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Madis Kallas is asking the minister responsible whether they are considering calling for a further investigation or initiative to alleviate the public frustration that has arisen due to those comments and delayed decisions.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller stated that while public sentiment is understandable, everything must be done strictly within the bounds of the law. Furthermore, the Prosecutor's Office will decide on charges in accordance with the law, and if necessary, proposals for amendments will be submitted to the Minister of Justice.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman invites Riina Sikkut to speak.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut emphasized that the constitution obligates the state to ensure care related to aging and long-term care, and that the provision of this service can only be delegated if economically justified. However, the state remains responsible for its quality. She further questioned whether delegating this responsibility to the private sector guarantees service that is equivalent to or better than that provided by municipal homes.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller stresses that the private sector needs to be engaged, as it provides quick, flexible, and often innovative care services, thereby expanding people's options.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked Riina Sikkut whether she wished to ask a procedural question.
Riina Sikkut
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Riina Sikkut emphasized that the adoption of laws cannot be delegated to the private sector, but the provision of general long-term care services can be entirely procured from the private sector, provided the state ensures a reasonable and economically sound transaction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that this is not a procedural matter.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller says that she will answer after all.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut apologizes.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller said the service is at least equivalent because minimum requirements have been established that everyone must meet.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stressed that questions presented regarding the procedure for conducting the sitting must genuinely pertain only to the procedure itself, and not be clarifying questions accompanied by answers. He promised to interrupt such questions and answers going forward, as they are unfair to other colleagues, and subsequently asked Reili Rand to continue.
Reili Rand
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Reili Rand speaks about a regrettable incident in which several vulnerable people have already suffered, and she asks what steps the Ministry of Social Affairs plans to take to improve the quality of welfare services, regardless of the service provider—be it the private sector, local governments, or the state.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
I pointed out that the revised caregiver-to-care-recipient ratio has reduced the number of care recipients per caregiver, which already improves quality. Furthermore, increased funding and salary raises have made it possible to hire more staff and consider releasing the minimum quality requirements. More detailed information can be found on the website of the Social Insurance Board, where details such as the quality of the premises, the quality of food, and the availability of the service are listed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman asks Jaak Aab to come to the podium.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab emphasizes that people need various services, not just the general care service offered in a nursing home, and municipalities should develop home care and other related services in cooperation with the private sector or their own employees, because the goal of the care reform was to direct resources toward developing these services, rather than just paying nursing home bills, and he asks whether these other services are being analyzed and their quality is being improved.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
That within the framework of local government social services, the services related to dementia and the special welfare service model—which is a large and complex undertaking—will be reviewed, and that when implementing these changes, consideration will also be given to who currently receives the service and who should transition out of it upon reaching retirement age.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar addresses Anti Allas and asks.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas acknowledged that it is impossible to completely eliminate malicious and pathological behavior, and that unfortunately, it still happens. He then asked what three steps could be taken within the social sphere to mitigate its likelihood.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
During the presentation, Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller stated that the social sphere does not directly target crime reduction; rather, the effect is achieved through individuals' ability to cope, and three steps have been taken within the social system, not the justice system, and now the justice system needs to specify what changes should be made.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the Minister, announces that there are no questions, declares the debate open, and invites Helmen Kütt, the representative of the interpellators, back to the rostrum.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt emphasizes that the abuse and underfunding occurring in care homes demand greater transparency, accountability, and closer cooperation between ministries, along with fair, and if necessary, harsher punishment for those who cause harm. At the same time, she is requesting clarification on the specific point in the coalition agreement concerning the reduction of the administrative burden on local governments during the implementation of the care reform.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests three minutes of extra time.
Helmen Kütt
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Helmen Kütt stresses that cutting bureaucracy cannot happen without clear explanations regarding how local charges and prices will affect municipalities and families. She is calling for an open debate, and we are awaiting the 2026 analysis and the observations from the National Audit Office, all aimed at preventing the maximization of private care home profits from negatively impacting vulnerable relatives.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks the previous speaker, and colleague Riina Solman is invited to take the floor next.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman emphasizes that the Pihlakodu incident is a matter of national dignity, requiring better prevention in care homes, high-quality training, and robust supervision. This must be coupled with close cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the establishment of a system that would enable the private sector to offer high-standard, affordable, and safe services.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests three minutes of extra time.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman emphasizes that the nursing home system established in 2022 primarily serves the profits of management companies, and the state funding model requires a thorough review to ensure affordable, safe care in an aging Estonia and to prevent abuse and excessive costs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the discussion of this agenda item, as there were no requests to speak and the Madam Minister did not wish to take the floor.