Tomas Agrees with SNS Proposals, Agreement with Finance Minister Needed First

Bratislava, 25 May (TASR) - Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) agrees with proposals by the junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) to increase pensions for people above 90, to introduce a levy relief for students and parents on maternity or parental leave, and to increase the level of the funeral allowance. However, SNS must agree the specific details with Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD). "There will be a Coalition Council meeting today, I think that this could go ahead. As Labour Minister, I've supported all three proposals prepared by SNS. Of course, it's once again about specific parameters," stated Tomas. He added that Voice-SD is keen to increase childbirth allowance to €1,000, while also introducing a measure by which working mothers with four or more children would be exempt from paying income tax for the rest of their lives. An SNS proposal aimed at increasing pension benefits for approximately 25,000 pensioners aged over 90 to some €824 per month is currently at its second reading. Last week, it was rejected by the coalition partners during a session of the parliamentary finance committee. jrg/df