Minister Marlena Maląg speaks at the Sejm on assistance to children with disabilities

28.10.2020

Spending on support for persons with disabilities amounted to over 27 billion zlotys this year, deputy Minister of Family and Social Policy Marlena Maląg said in the Sejm on Tuesday. She also stressed that the government had prepared a comprehensive support program for families titled “Pro-Life,” consisting of, among others, comprehensive care for women and children during pregnancy and after childbirth. - We care about the future of Polish women We are introducing solutions to provide them with support and care – she said.

The Minister of Family provided information to the Sejm on assistance to children with disabilities, e.g. under the “Pro-Life” programme. She also referred to the ruling of the Constitutional Tribunal, which stated that abortion is unconstitutional due to embryo-pathology reasons.

She stressed that “human life is a value at every stage of development and, as a value derived from constitutional provisions, it should be protected by a fundamental law”. She added that the effects of the CT ruling “relate in particular to the increased need for all forms of support for pregnant women and their families” and these are implemented in the “Pro-Life” programme.

Minister Maląg pointed out that the expenditures on support for people with disabilities in 2015 exceeded 15 billion, and in 2020 they reached over PLN 27 billion.

“Pro-Life” – comprehensive support for families

During her speech in the Sejm, Minister Maląg stressed that the “Pro-Life” programme introduces innovative solutions and provides comprehensive support for people with disabilities and their families. It involves, among others, comprehensive care for women and their children during pregnancy and after childbirth, assistance in early child development. In addition, families and children with lethal defects are provided with psychological care and, if necessary, palliative care. - We care about the future of Polish women We are introducing solutions to provide them with support and care – stressed the Minister.

During her speech, Minister Maląg pointed out that in accordance with the financial plan of the “Pro-Life” programme, over PLN 3 billion was allocated for its implementation in 2017-2021. - In the next budget for the years 2022-2026, we are allocating PLN 3.2 billion – said the Minister of Family.

Support instruments for persons with disabilities

Minister Maląg pointed out that “it is often the case that a woman left without care with her heroism when she gives birth to a child with a serious disability.” That is why the government has introduced solutions and legal regulations that favour the execution of alimony.

At the same time, it drew attention to another instrument to support persons with disabilities, i.e. the Solidarity Fund. Minister Maląg reminded that since October 2019, the supplementary benefits for persons incapable independent living up to PLN 500 have been financed, among others. This fund also includes programmes such as assistant for persons with disabilities, care services for persons with disabilities, respite care or residential care centres.

Minister Maląg also reminded that this year an additional programme of medical services from the National Health Fund for persons with disabilities was launched to support them in their professional activity.