Opposition MP Warns of Failing Social Services in Slovakia

Bratislava, 6 August (TASR) – Opposition MP Martina Bajo Holeckova (Freedom and Solidarity) raised concerns on Wednesday about the collapsing state of social services in Slovakia, underlining that the funding reform should have been implemented as of January this year, not postponed until September. Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Family Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) responded by stating that the date mentioned is incorrect. Tomas explained that the ministry is still preparing the reform, which is planned to come into effect from January 2026. „Time is running out. The situation in the social services system is alarming – it is destroying institutions, employees and the quality of care. Instead of providing swift assistance and launching a major reform, Erik Tomas merely watches as the sector falls apart,” said Bajo Holeckova. She called on the minister to publish the planned budget coverage for the reform and present a strategy to stabilise the sector. „I would not expect such an incompetent statement from Freedom and Solidarity, a party that claims to be made up of experts. MP Bajo Holeckova does not even know when the funding reform is supposed to start. According to the recovery plan, it is to be effective from 1 January 2026, not 26 January this year as she falsely claimed,” Tomas stated. Tomas added that unlike “irresponsible and incompetent summer opposition outbursts”, the ministry is actively working on the reform. Consultations with the European Commission have been completed regarding the reform’s content and phases. Talks with social service providers are expected later in August. Bajo Holeckova criticised the minister for his failures in the area of social services. As proof, she cited an open letter from employees at the Brezovec Social Services Centre in Dolny Kubin. The letter describes a staffing crisis, collapse of medical personnel, departure of qualified workers, and a critical situation in maintaining services. „Social service workers operate under conditions that have become unsustainable. The sector is failing not only financially, but also in management and basic respect for those caring for the most vulnerable,” she added. Tomas concluded by saying that opposition representatives, including Bajo Holeckova, were invited to join the working group. „We are curious to see her proposals, although after revealing she does not understand even the basic parameters of the reform, our expectations are low. That said, no one has let the social services collapse. We are actively preparing the funding reform to meet the recovery plan milestone,” he concluded. mf/mcs