Session Profile: Irja Lutsar

The political focus is centered on reforming the social security system and strengthening budgetary discipline, supporting measures that prevent the abuse of the system and generate a positive impact on the state budget. There is strong support for maintaining social guarantees for war and political refugees, opposing proposals to revoke them. Furthermore, the issue of children's health and development is being raised, specifically requesting the Ministry of Social Affairs' stance on banning smart devices for children under five years of age. The political framework is predominantly policy- and value-based, emphasizing justice and the principles of the rule of law.

The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in social security and healthcare regulations, particularly concerning sickness benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, and voluntary health insurance. Technical terminology is employed, and specific data points are cited, such as a positive budgetary impact of 1.2 million euros and the number of individuals affected by the amendments (approximately 1,300). This expertise is further evident in the ability to reference and clarify complex legal details, including the harmonization of the calculation basis for maternity benefits and the control mechanisms utilized by the Health Fund (Tervisekassa).

The rhetorical style is highly formal, detailed, and procedural, characteristic of the rapporteur for the leading committee. The tone is neutral and objective, concentrating on accurately summarizing the debate held in the Social Affairs Committee and the explanations provided by the minister and experts. The appeals are predominantly logical and fact-based, relying on data and the provisions of the draft legislation, while avoiding emotional addresses.

The action plan focuses on legislative work within the Riigikogu Social Affairs Committee, where the speaker took part in the discussion regarding Bill 717 on September 30. The speaker is acting as the representative of the lead committee and will present a consensus proposal to the full assembly to conclude the first reading of the bill on October 8.

Direct confrontation is absent, but the speaker reports on Kalle Grünthal's proposal to withhold benefits from non-working third-country nationals who are not refugees. This proposal was rejected by the minister, who stressed that social guarantees are granted alongside refugee status and that this is a matter of the rule of law. Also addressed is Tanel Kiik's concern that standardizing maternity benefits might financially disadvantage those who do not abuse the system.

The style of cooperation is collegial and open, as the presentation provides a detailed summary of the questions and concerns raised by the members of the Social Affairs Committee (including Riisalo, Solman, Kiik, Grünthal) regarding the draft bill. The speaker is working closely with experts from the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Minister to clarify the content of the bill. Ultimately, proposals for processing the draft bill were made by consensus.

The focus is on national social security regulations and their impact on the Estonian taxpayer and the budget of the Health Insurance Fund. Internationally, the discussion addresses social guarantees for Ukrainian war refugees and the issue of benefits for third-country nationals, with reference also made to the example set by the Polish parliament. There is no specific regional or local focus within Estonia.

Economic perspectives stress the necessity of protecting the Health Insurance Fund’s budget and preventing systemic abuse, particularly concerning the payment of sickness benefits to pregnant women and the issuance of double benefits. Fiscal discipline is endorsed, which is expected to yield a positive impact of 1.2 million euros on the state budget. It is deemed unfair for an individual to receive two replacement incomes simultaneously (unemployment and sickness benefit).

The discussion covers social guarantees for war refugees and third-country nationals, stressing that aid to refugees must be provided in accordance with the principles of the rule of law and democracy. Additionally, they discussed the risk of abusing sick leave benefits for pregnant women and the possibility of reinstating health insurance coverage for non-working mothers with many children. S1 raises the issue of children's health and development, referencing studies that indicate the negative impact of smart devices on the speech development of children under the age of five.

The primary legislative priority is Social Insurance Bill 717, which amends the procedure for paying incapacity benefits to the unemployed and harmonizes the calculation basis for maternity sickness benefits. The speaker, a proponent of the bill and a representative of the leading committee, proposes concluding the first reading. The aim is to reduce the risk of system abuse and ensure the equitable distribution of benefits.