What awaits the child’s money: the plan for 2021 is clear

“The children’s money is as planned, the decisions that have been planned by the Government, will have continuity,” said M. Navickienė.

However, as Agnė Širinskienė, representative of the opposition Lithuanian Union of Peasants and Greens, pointed out, the draft new government program presented to the Seimas on Tuesday speaks of a single sentence: “We will link children’s money with kindergarten attendance. for families at social risk “.

“Basically, the children’s money is not mentioned in the show, except in one context. It is not clear if they will increase or decrease, it is impossible to understand if that benefit will remain universal. ” Delphi said A. Širinskienė.

According to A. Širinskienė, the decision to link the child’s money with kindergarten attendance would be untimely.

“Let’s say the finance minister says there will be a universal benefit. Liberal coalition partners, meanwhile, are talking about the fact that it might not be necessary for some families and would only be administered to certain families. From what I can see , Lithuanian economists are criticizing this.

The only place where children’s money is discussed in the Government’s draft program is the connection with disadvantaged families. We have made decisions to help families who lack social skills use that money. They can receive support both with services and some goods for school and food. But punishing parents whose child does not attend kindergarten is not a timely decision, ”detailed A. Širinskienė.

The problem of the shortage of kindergartens.

The farmer emphasized that there is the problem of the lack of kindergartens in big cities, and that the regions do not allow access to kindergartens due to underdeveloped infrastructure.

“One thing, the lack of kindergartens is a very big problem in the big cities: Vilnius and Kaunas. As a result, premiums are paid for private kindergartens. Some people in Vilnius or Kaunas will not be able to do this due to the lack of of places in state kindergartens.

Another thing, in the regions, on campus there are not many kindergartens. In districts, kindergartens are often far from the place of residence. This raises logistical problems. In this case, it is necessary to provide logistics to families at social risk before kindergarten, but this is not discussed, ”explained A. Širinskienė.

According to her, the Government’s draft program introduces a terrifying measure, which immediately speaks about the punishment: the possible deprivation of money from a child, but at the same time does not tell families how many kindergartens will be established, how to run the child to kindergarten. Until that is the case, according to the parliamentarian, it is unethical to speak of such a measure.

“Economists say that if there were no universal and only focused lessons, livestock could emerge. Some families may hide their income to find themselves in a financial situation where they can get money for their children. It is indirect, but it can intensify the situation in the shadows, “he said.

Drastic changes are not planned

Mykolas Majauskas, representative of the ruling conservatives and chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, emphasized that no major changes were planned in terms of children’s money. It also aims to make and fulfill commitments to society in the near future.

“The position of the new government is clear: to guarantee that the commitments made to society are honored, including the child’s money. Abrupt changes or even further reductions are not considered. All commitments made will be fulfilled.

I understand that this requires additional funds, I understand that recalculating and revising certain rules that will ensure that more parents receive it will require an additional 10 million euros. in next year’s budget. But we will definitely provide and provide those resources in next year’s budget, “he said.

It also had the support of Mindaugas Lingė, chairman of the Labor and Social Affairs Committee. The politician stressed that we should first talk about meeting the commitments that are set for 2021. However, it is difficult to talk about the future and the future period, he said, at this time.

“Increasing the standard profit from 10 euros to 70 euros – this provision will be met. We certainly have a united political view that there should be no confusion on this issue at this time.

As for the future, it is difficult to say in what reality we will live in a year, what the economic situation will be, to what extent we will be limited by the regulation of the European Union’s debt. That reality can be very different, so it would be difficult to promise or project further growth, “he said.

Doesn’t rule out a focus on specific assistance

When asked to comment on the statement in the Government’s draft program that “the child’s money will be tied to kindergarten attendance for families at social risk,” Lingė said the program is characterized by an orientation towards determining attendance.

“It is a general principle that any social assistance to people should be targeted, with more support measures or more support for the services that are provided to those who need it most. But this is predominant in the personalized social services program, personalized attention ”, commented the president of the Committee on Labor and Social Affairs.

According to him, it is difficult to speak for the Government, but this measure is aimed at getting children to attend educational institutions. Within three months after the adoption of the action plan after the approval of the Government program, it will already be possible to see the deadlines in which the implementation of the measures can be expected.

“In my opinion, we should not make abrupt changes that could cause difficulties for families and violate people’s legitimate expectations. The child’s money must continue to be paid. Undoubtedly, both the Minister of Social Security and the Chairman of the Social Affairs Committee will have to discuss how perhaps the child’s money could be used more precisely, even for families at social risk. Apart from that, I hope that we do not see sudden changes in this area, the more so that they affect families ”, said M. Majauskas.