Prime minister aims at greater support for elderly, disabled, and families

Boosting pro-family policy and paying greater attention to the care of older and severely disabled people are among the main priorities the Labour Ministry should focus on this year, stated Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) after a working visit at the ministry on Tuesday. The premier pointed out that the state will face unfavourable demographic trends in the future, meaning that the number of people in retirement age will grow, as the number of younger-aged Slovaks decreases. He emphasised the need to care for the nation's seniors, adding that it's necessary to focus on adopting the so-called 13th pension (one extra pension paid in December). He also expressed support for a Labour Ministry plan to provide to parents of every child entering primary school a sum of €100 for the purchase of basic school equipment, as well as for plans to boost support for mothers and babies and greater help for severely disabled people and their carers.