First Reading of the Draft Act Amending the Social Welfare Act and Other Acts (Special Welfare Services and Changing the Address of Residence) (421 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-05-15 23:37
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 33
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 30m
AI Summaries: 33/33 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item presented is the first reading of Draft Act 421, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Social Welfare Act and other acts. The draft act addresses special welfare services and the regulations governing the day and week care services provided within the special welfare framework. Its objective is to clarify the conditions for providing the service, the corresponding obligations, and the funding mechanisms. Furthermore, amendments are stipulated in the Population Register Act concerning the guardianship responsibility of local governments and the residence register, along with additions related to taxation and the functioning of health and public health acts. It was acknowledged that the service has thus far operated as a pilot project, and the purpose of the draft act is to formally and consistently integrate it into the regulated system of services, thereby reducing the burden on caregivers and enabling working-age family members to continue employment.
Decisions Made 1
It was decided to include the draft bill on the plenary session agenda for May 15th and conclude the first reading; to assign Andre Hanimägi as the lead committee member; the deadline for submitting amendments, pursuant to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, is May 29th at 5:15 PM; the implementation objective and timeline for the bill are targeted for January 1, 2025, which is related to service providers applying for operating licenses.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Helmen Kütt (pid P8tEHy2zY2A), a member of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) and the Social Affairs Committee. Her presentations focused on the practical implications and accessibility issues of the draft bill, and she primarily represented the views of the committee and her political party in this discussion. Regarding her position, she is viewed as embodying a political stance that, in terms of voter base and accountability, falls within the right-wing or left-wing spectrum; in the given context, she could be considered "other" (not distinctly left- or right-wing) if she cannot be definitively placed in the official left/right category.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Next, we move on to the tenth item on the agenda, which is the first reading of Draft Act 421, initiated by the Government, concerning the amendment of the Social Welfare Act and other acts (special welfare services and change of residence address). For the presentation, the honourable Minister of Social Protection, Signe Riisalo, is invited to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo announced that the draft bill regulates day and weekly care services within the framework of special welfare services. It sets a limit of 10 to 23 days per month, increases requirements (such as a personal bed and activity instructors), specifies the responsibilities of the client and the local government, and, through an amendment to the population register, allows guardianship to be regulated according to the actual place of residence. This is intended to reduce the burden on relatives and enable working-age family members to work. The bill will enter into force on January 1, 2025, incorporating amendments concerning taxes, health protection, and state fees. The only provision that enters into force immediately under the general procedure is the simplification of the re-registration of residence.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks and asks Pipi-Liis Siemann for answers to the questions.
Pipi-Liis Siemann
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Pipi-Liis Siemann stated that these changes are highly relevant and will improve the lives of many people. She simultaneously raised a clarifying question regarding the actual location of the general care service, asking whether the guardianship authority transfers its duties to another local government, whether this is done on their own initiative, whether an agreement is required, whether the local government where the person resides has the option to refuse, and exactly how the process unfolds.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo stated that the discussion focuses solely on specialized welfare services for individuals with mental disorders and intellectual disabilities, rather than general care. He added that under the new law, residency will be registered in the population register, and the corresponding obligations will transfer to the local authority governing that place of residence. If required, the guardianship order will be adjusted, and in many instances, the local municipality will fulfill these statutory obligations. Disputes, if necessary, will be resolved in court.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas will inquire in the future whether measures are planned for developing the infrastructure and improving the conditions of weekly and daily care services, and when those measures might be implemented.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks that the floor be given to Anti Haugas.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
The reorganization of institutions in special care, which took place during the previous European Social Funds period, was successfully completed. Almost all state-owned institutions, such as Hoolekandeteenused Aktsiaselts (Welfare Services Stock Company), were reorganized. Additional resources from European funds are now available, and the terms and conditions document for the grant is currently being drafted. It is once again possible to receive funding for the creation of new service places, provided that large institutions vacate their unsuitable, old, and costly buildings.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
I thank the esteemed Chairman and the Minister, and I assert that the reorganization of the Sõmera special welfare institution, located in Saaremaa municipality, generally went very well. I would like to ask if you have further examples of how similar restructurings have proceeded in other institutions, and whether all guardianship takeovers have been successful.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Madis Kallas to speak.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
According to Signe Riisalo, the assumption of guardianship is problematic. Although the transition from large institutions toward community-based services has proceeded smoothly, living in the community at the individual level can cause isolation. Service providers are attempting to mitigate this by ensuring maximum independent functioning and providing meaningful daily activities.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas inquired about how the residency registration mechanism would actually function—whether the client specifies the address themselves or if the registration is done based on a formal application—and emphasized that in his home municipality, residents should be allowed to live precisely where the relevant institution is situated.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He approached Anti Allas with a request.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo noted that clients with intellectual disabilities or mental disorders often have a guardian, whose task is to protect their interests and ensure the best possible care. This care can be best implemented by local governments within the social welfare system, as they know exactly which solution suits each individual—a group totaling 445 people in this case.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Maris Lauri to the stage.
Maris Lauri
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Maris Lauri asks the minister why the report appears to generate an additional need for operational staff (specifically, not for caregivers) and why these workers are difficult to find, requesting clarification on the contradiction.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
According to Riisalo, finding care workers and activity supervisors remains challenging because wages have been very low, with gross pay falling below 1,000 euros. Although recent news suggests the social and health sector has progressed, with salaries and job opportunities increasing, and training shifting to an online format, the work itself is extremely difficult and turnover is high. Consequently, finding staff is a continuous process, and training must be ongoing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Paging Anti Hauga.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas raised a question regarding the planned measures and asked whether institutions under the jurisdiction of local authorities that provide services to people with intellectual disabilities would be eligible under these measures for the adaptation or improvement of their premises.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo stated that the description of the measure is still being finalized, and it will be submitted for coordination with other partners and updated as necessary. He added that he intends to keep the Riigikogu informed and is willing to cooperate outside of this chamber should there be specific interest.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Urve Tiidus to speak.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
A comprehensive harmonization table has been prepared for this draft bill, and the Minister is being asked whether all proposals have been taken into account or if there are still any lingering concerns.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo stresses that every piece of legislation is the result of compromise, and although the ten-day minimum waiting period for accessing the service is unpopular, we must take the state's resources into account and make decisions that protect the public interest and reduce the care burden for those who need it most because they are working.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Helmen Kütt.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt emphasized that the waiting lists for specialized care services are long and people are waiting to access them, and it is reasonable to set a limit so as not to infringe upon the sense of fairness felt by others who are desperately waiting for those services.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo emphasized that various care and accommodation services have been consolidated under a central waiting list, which depends on the client’s readiness and desire to access the service. Although efforts are being made to shorten these waiting periods, the wait time can be several years, and in some cases, even eight years.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
No further questions. Andre Hanimägi, a member of the Social Affairs Committee, presents the lead committee's positions, discussion, and decisions.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Riigikogu Social Affairs Committee discussed the draft bill, acknowledged the insufficient availability of special welfare services, and increased resources and organizational changes. Furthermore, the Committee decided to place the draft bill on the plenary session agenda for May 15th, conclude the first reading, and set the deadline for amendments (ten working days after the conclusion of the first reading).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks and grants one exception, asking whether the pace of the proceedings is too fast, and requests that Tanel Kiik raise a very urgent procedural question.
Tanel Kiik
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Tanel Kiik expresses concern that the members of the Centre Party faction are not present in the chamber, even though agenda item 12 is coming up for them, and inquires whether they will return for the discussion or if their plans have changed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks his colleague for their concern regarding former colleagues, stresses that work isn't confined solely to the chamber and the session can be monitored from the office as well. He believes that they are following the plenary session and will be present in the chamber once that specific item is reached. He also mentions that the procedural motion helped eliminate two questions, and concludes by offering great thanks to the rapporteur, stating that he has no further questions.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi thanks the audience and concludes his speech with words of thanks.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the negotiations were opened and subsequently closed, and the proposal of the steering committee is the conclusion of the first reading of Draft Bill 421. The first reading has been concluded, the deadline for submitting amendments is May 29th at 5:15 PM, and the consideration of the tenth agenda item has been concluded.