Session Profile: Helmen Kütt
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
2025-05-21
Political Position
The speaker focuses heavily on issues within the social sector, particularly concerning the accessibility and funding of special welfare services. The political stance is critical of the government's austerity regime, which threatens vulnerable groups, and emphasizes the necessity of ensuring the reliability of systems (such as SKAIS). Although the speaker supports a specific piece of legislation, they stress that it fails to address the actual problems of funding and the shortage of service places. The focus remains primarily on system functionality and government accountability.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates deep expertise in the field of social welfare, particularly regarding the funding of social benefits and special care services for people with disabilities. Specific data is presented (e.g., 25–30 million euros for the reliability of SKAIS), and the speaker refers to systemic problems that have been known since 2016. This knowledge also encompasses the legislative process and the concerns of stakeholders (such as the Chamber of Disabled People).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is serious, factual, and critical, especially concerning government inaction and budget cuts. The speaker balances legal analysis (improvements to the draft bill) with emotional concerns regarding vulnerable groups and the burden placed on parents. Direct accusations and acknowledgments (e.g., to journalists) are used to emphasize the need for advocacy, and the tone is concerned rather than conciliatory.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively involved in the work of the Social Affairs Committee, referencing five sessions dedicated to a specific draft bill. They utilize the Parliament's (Riigikogu) information hour and the committee structure to raise the issue, mentioning that they have brought up the problem of pension payouts to the Prime Minister at least twice. During the plenary session, extra time was requested, indicating a desire to address the topic comprehensively.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary criticism is aimed at the government and specifically the actions of Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller, who has ceased holding regular meetings with the Chamber of Persons with Disabilities. The Prime Minister is also under fire for pinning the blame for the SKAIS system failures on the head of the Social Insurance Board, a matter that is fundamentally a higher-level responsibility. The criticism is intense, centering on political accountability and inadequate funding.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker stressed the importance of involving and listening to stakeholders (specifically the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People and the Estonian Association of Cities and Municipalities), noting that the draft legislation improved because their concerns were addressed. The style of cooperation is open to making compromises with these groups, but it demands active engagement and attentiveness from the Minister. Furthermore, in response to a question from colleague Lauri Laats, it is affirmed that the bill merits support.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is entirely on national systems and services (such as the availability of special care services and the reliability of SKAIS), which impact 800,000 people throughout Estonia. Regional or local issues are addressed only through the concerns raised by the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities regarding the provision of national services.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker opposes the government’s austerity policy, particularly in the social sector, stressing that significant additional investments (25–30 million euros) are required to ensure the systems' operational reliability. There is a perceived risk that these cuts will once again affect the most vulnerable, leading to a prioritization of adequate funding for social services over strict fiscal discipline.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social focus is on social benefits for people with disabilities and the availability of special welfare services, particularly regarding the issue of placing 16-year-olds on the service waiting list. Emphasis is also placed on ensuring the operational reliability of the system for paying out social benefits and pensions (SKAIS), which is crucial from a social security standpoint.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priority is the draft amendment to the Social Benefits Act for Persons with Disabilities, which the speaker supports, having actively participated in its refinement within the Social Affairs Committee. The goal was to ensure that 16-year-olds retain the opportunity to apply for specialized care services. At the same time, it is emphasized that the law does not solve the problem of the shortage of service places.
2 Speeches Analyzed