While summing up 2016 in the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, the Prime Minister mentioned the enormous work put into launching the “Family 500 plus” programme. “The programme allowed Polish families to stabilise their financial situation.They have a more dignified life.They do not have to worry about the lack of funds for the education of children.Thanks to it, some of them went on holidays for the first time,” Prime Minister Szydło said.

She also noted other actions of the Ministry, including the increase in the lowest remunerations and pension benefits, the introduction of the minimum hourly wage and the reduction of the retirement age, according to the presidential project.

The plans of the Ministry of Family for 2017 were presented by its head, Minister Elżbieta Rafalska.“Plans provide for good but not easy changes in many areas of social policy.Just like last year, we focus on the family and we will take care of it by continuing the governmental programme 'Family 500+.'In 2017, we allocated over PLN 23 billion for this objective.” The Minister added that, among others, thanks to the programme, expenditure on family policy would increase to over PLN 71 billion, which is 3.66 per cent of GDP. In 2015, it was 2.5 per cent of GDP.

The Minister also announced development of facilities caring for children under the age of three. This year, the creation of more than 12 thousand new care facilities for the youngest and over 42 thousand already existing ones will be co-funded under the Toddler+ programme.

“We are trying to make life easier for Polish families.Since 16 January, parents will be able to submit an on-line application for the newborn allowance, large family card, parental benefit, or benefits from the maintenance fund without leaving home.This is facilitation for a considerable number of about half a million people,” Minister Rafalska said. The Large Family Card will also be improved.

In the second and third quarters of this year, further applications for family benefits and a one-time allowance for the birth of a child with a disability will be ready. This means that all types of support that parents can apply for for their children will be available through the Internet.

The number of family assistants, who help families with caring and educational problems and play an important role in the implementation of the “For Life” programme, will be increased. The first package of solutions will start functioning on 1 July this year. “Families with a disabled child will be able to benefit from the respite care, sheltered housing, help of a family assistant,” Minister Rafalska emphasised.

Another area of activity of the MFLSP will be the labour market. “We fight against pathologies on the labour market.We will raise unemployment benefits.We will reform labour offices.Funds to fight unemployment must be used better and directed where they are really needed,” the Minister declared. An important element in this area will be the creation of modern individual and collective labour law.