Session Profile: Helmen Kütt
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
2025-05-14
Political Position
The most important topic is improving the accessibility of social benefits and specialized welfare services for people with disabilities, especially for youth aged 16 to 18. The speaker criticizes the government's austerity regime, which threatens the social sector and vulnerable groups, emphasizing the need for sufficient funding. The political focus is outcome-based, concentrating on closing specific legal loopholes and guaranteeing the system's operational reliability. The issue of chronic problems within the social insurance information system is also being brought up.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker is an expert in social sector legislation and procedural processes, highlighting the specifics of the draft bill's amendments and compromises. This expertise is based on the opinions of interest groups (the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, ELVL) as well as specific data requested from the ministry, such as the current length of the special care waiting list. Changes to the regulations governing flexible and deferred old-age pensions are also addressed.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal and detailed in describing the legislative process, emphasizing the thoroughness of committee meetings and the precision of the minutes. The tone shifts to concerned and critical when addressing service deficiencies, government cuts, and the uncertainty of the social security system. Both logical argumentation (explaining procedural steps) and emotional emphasis (the burden of worry carried by parents) are employed.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is very active in the work of the Social Affairs Committee, participating in and reporting on four recent meetings, and steering the bill's proceedings in the plenary session. This pattern of activity includes active intervention in the procedural processes, proposing the removal of the bill from the agenda to ensure stakeholder engagement and a better solution.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is directed at the inaction of the Minister of Social Affairs and the government, particularly regarding the shortage of places in special welfare services, inadequate funding, and the looming threat of budget cuts. The chronic operational problems plaguing the social insurance information system are also under fire, requiring a substantial investment of 25 million euros. This critique is grounded in policy and performance, underscoring the vital need to champion this sector.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasized the successful cooperation with stakeholders (the Chamber of Disabled People, ELVL) and officials from the Ministry of Social Affairs, resulting in a consensus solution regarding the special welfare queue. The committee demonstrated a willingness to compromise by halting the bill's proceedings in favor of further negotiations. Specific thanks were extended to colleagues (Irja, Riina, Aleksandr) for their support during the procedural vote.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is national, but the large regional disparities in the availability of social services across Estonia are emphasized. The problems faced by rural areas are highlighted separately, referencing the example of a mother whose child, who has an autism spectrum disorder, is unable to access the necessary services.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is critical of the government’s austerity policy, which threatens funding for the social sector and could worsen the situation for the most vulnerable. Adequate state funding is advocated for, citing the need for 25 million euros to ensure the reliability of the social security system.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social focus is on the rights and social benefits of people with disabilities, emphasizing the need to ensure equal treatment for children with disabilities and reduce the burden on family caregivers. Concerns are being raised about the scarcity and accessibility of places in specialized care services, which constitutes a national issue.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative priority is the draft amendment to the Social Benefits for Disabled Persons Act, which was aimed at raising the upper age limit for a disabled child. The speaker actively directed the proceedings, supporting the amendment proposal that ensures 16-year-olds retain the option to join the special care waiting list. Changes to the regulation of the flexible old-age pension were also addressed.
4 Speeches Analyzed