ZAGREB, 9 Feb 2022 - Social Policy Minister Josip Aladrović on Wednesday awarded 52 contracts worth HRK 29.8 million to associations that assist people with disabilities in the Zagreb area and northwestern Croatia.

Aladrović said these were the first of 135 contracts that would be signed with civil society associations across the country to finance 79 personal assistance programmes, 29 Croatian sign language interpreter/translator programmes, and 27 seeing companion programmes, "which will improve the everyday life of many of our citizens."

"We can change the perception of persons with disabilities together through concrete action, by ensuring the necessary social services, facilitating access to services and including them more equally in work and the life of the community", the minister said.

Under the new Social Welfare Act, the circle of persons entitled to caregiver status has been expanded, and allowances have been increased to HRK 4,500, adding that the hiring of persons with disabilities would also be increased through financing workshops and incentives in the labour market.

"This year alone, HRK 81 million has been invested in employment incentives and 1,109 persons with disabilities have been included, nearly 30% more than in 2020", Aladrović continued.

This year, the government will focus on two new bills, on inclusive allowance and on personal assistance, which is in Croatia's interest as a welfare state.

The minister also commented on the announcement by the Zagreb authorities that they will extend kindergarten hours to 9 pm with the help of EU funds. He said the government was already financing longer days in kindergartens via the EU Social Fund in many local communities.

"We support that decision and since kindergartens are in the remit of local authorities, we expect the City of Zagreb to do more and better", he added.

(€1 = HRK 7.5)

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ZAGREB, 30 Oct, 2021 - The association of family-run retirement homes on Friday called on members of the public to join in public consultation on amendments to the Social Welfare Act, noting that the proposal to abolish family-run retirement homes would cause uncertainty for both their users and employees.

"We are against the abolishment of family-run retirement homes which we consider a good type of the social service of providing accommodation for elderly persons," the association said, calling on members of the public to join in consultations on the amendments, to last until 3 November.

It notes that the Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Ministry had not conducted analyses of the work of family-run homes for senior citizens and the alternatives for their users and employees.

"Family-run retirement homes provide accommodation for more than 6,000 beneficiaries and employ more than 2,000 people," the association says.

Under the new social welfare bill, family-run home for senior citizens have a deadline of five years to reorganise into institutions that are part of the social welfare system, thus complying with requirements on spatial and personnel conditions.

For homes with a smaller number of users, the bill offers the possibility to change to providing foster care.

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