The Estonian government has approved the draft state budget and submitted it to the Riigikogu. Up to €37 million is planned to be additionally allocated to social affairs and healthcare over the next four years, part of which parliament may direct toward specialized care.
As ERR News reports, the Ministry of Social Affairs had previously requested an additional €200 million over four years specifically for specialized care. The funds were intended to create new places in care facilities and raise employees’ salaries.
Parliament’s decision
At the same time, the sum of up to €37 million is not intended exclusively for specialized care. It is also planned to be used to expand opportunities for nurses’ clinical training, increase the number of residency places, and support various digital developments in healthcare.
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Minister of Social Affairs Carmen Joller said that the Riigikogu must determine what portion of this money to allocate to specialized care and what portion to other areas of social policy and healthcare. She also stressed the need to discuss budget priorities with other parties, as the coalition will not be able to pass the budget on its own.
Sector reaction
Prime Minister Kristen Michal explained the limited additional funding by the state budget deficit and the need to reduce the debt burden in the future. According to him, specialized care became one of the few areas to receive additional funds, while some other sectors faced cuts.
Maarja Krais-Leosk, head of the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, noted that the planned amount is lower than the sector had expected, but called the allocation of up to €37 million a positive step.
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