Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
First reading of the Draft Act amending Section 27 of the Law on Preschool Institutions (319 SE)
2024-09-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position centers on strong support for nationally capping kindergarten tuition fees and exempting large families (3+ children) from this charge. The draft bill is being introduced as a measure of long-term national family and population policy that should not be dependent on local political decisions. This stance is strongly value-driven, emphasizing the necessity of increasing the birth rate and boosting family security. The objective of this policy design is to resolve a long-standing problem that has been included in the election platforms of all political parties.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates strong expertise regarding the sections of the Preschool Institutions Act (KELA) and kindergarten attendance fee regulations, accurately referencing both current and amendable subsections (e.g., § 27, subsection 3). They are proficient in technical terminology (minimum wage, operating costs) and understand the law's impact on the rise of the minimum wage and the resulting automatic increase in the attendance fee. The expertise also extends to the regional policy dimension, highlighting the significant disparities in attendance fees among different municipalities.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style during the presentation is formal and introductory regarding the content of the bill, relying on the explanatory memorandum and the legal text. At the same time, emotional appeals are included, emphasizing the financial burden on families and the importance of population policy ("The future of the Estonian people, which truly rests on our children"). Criticism directed at opponents is ironic, referencing the contradiction between the Reform Party's election promises and their actual policy in Tartu.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is not enough data.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is aimed at the Reform Party, pointing out the contradiction between their election promises (abolishing the childcare fee) and their actual policy (implementing the highest childcare fee in Tartu). More generally, criticism is directed at "municipal politicians" and local governments, whose political decisions, made every four years, should not be allowed to influence long-term national family policy. The criticism is policy- and results-based, not personal.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The cooperation style is open and polite, addressing the questions and comments raised by colleagues (Urmas, Arvo) and acknowledging the significance of the regional policy dimension. The speaker notes that the issue of the site fee has been included in the platforms of all political parties, pointing to potential broad-based support for a national solution. Simultaneously, the necessity of national regulation is stressed in order to standardize local decision-making authority.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is directed at harmonizing the large differences in kindergarten fees between local governments, citing the situation in Tartu and Tallinn as examples. The draft bill is explicitly presented as a significant regional policy measure that will help mitigate the decline of peripheral areas, thereby making life outside major cities more attractive for families. The aim is to remove family policy from the sphere of influence of municipal policy.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives advocate for state intervention aimed at alleviating the financial strain on families, given that daycare fees represent a significant burden for households with multiple children. The resulting social and demographic benefits are supported, even if achieving them requires local governments to optimize their budgets or necessitates additional financial assistance from the central government. This stance prioritizes the financial well-being of families over local fiscal autonomy.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social theme is family policy and promoting the birth rate, specifically by reducing the financial burden on families with preschool-age children. The bill aims to increase families' sense of security when raising children, offering economic relief to families with one or two children, and providing a complete exemption for large families (three or more children).
7 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on Draft Bill 319 SE, which proposes amendments to the Preschool Institutions Act. The objective is to nationally cap the maximum kindergarten fee (up to 10% of the minimum wage) and establish a mandatory fee exemption for families raising three or more children up to the age of 18. The speaker is the initiator and presenter of the bill, stressing the necessity of state regulation.
7 Speeches Analyzed