Fico: Government to Debate Social Services Funding Reform on 28 November

Bratislava/Vysny Orlik, 26 November (TASR) – The government will discuss the draft reform of social services funding this Friday (28 November), Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced after an away-from-home government session in the village of Vysny Orlik (Presov region) on Wednesday. The bill was originally scheduled for debate on Wednesday, but it was eventually agreed that the cabinet will address this important issue separately. "We agreed that we still need to fine-tune two or three things, but the government will be in Bratislava on Friday, and on Friday we want to approve this exceptionally important document, which is essentially a reform of social services that the minister has worked hard on for two years," the prime minister stated, adding that a press conference will follow. The social partners at a tripartite meeting on Monday (24 November) agreed to a reform of social services funding, as well as to the amendment to the Act on Social Economy and Social Enterprises prepared by the Labour Ministry. Changes for social enterprises were already approved by the government on Wednesday. Parliament is expected to debate both proposals later this year. mf/df