“Therefore, we do not propose to change its basic principles.”

On 20 June, Minister Elżbieta Rafalska presented proposals for changes to the 'Family 500+' programme in the Sejm. They are to prevent rare but still undesirable behaviour of some beneficiaries. This includes, among others, adjusting income to the income criterion which entitle parents to the child benefit for the first child, declaring single parenting contrary to the reality and collecting the child benefit by people not living in Poland.

The project also provides for the transfer of family benefits, benefits from the maintenance fund and child benefits, provided in relation to the coordination of social security schemes, from provincial self-governments to the powers of province governors from 1 January 2018.

“This year, from 1 August, we are launching a modernised tool for submitting applications on-line for all types of family benefits, benefits from the maintenance fund and child benefit on the Ministry's website – Emp@tia,” Minister Rafalska said.

Providing for more childcare solutions is also intended as incentive for parents to make decisions about having children. “We are proposing an increase in the state budget expenditure to support development of day nurseries, children's clubs and day carers from the current PLN 151 million to PLN 500 million from next year. PLN 250 million of this amount will come from the state budget and PLN 250 million from the Labour Fund,” Minister Rafalska said.

The MFLSP also wants to make the Large Family Card more attractive and adapt it to the latest digital technology solutions. In practice, this will mean the introduction of the Large Family Card document in the form of an application for mobile devices.

“Family is a great value, and I am glad that actions are taken to improve the family support system. Prime Minister Beata Szydło emphasises that family policy is an investment. If we invest in people, we build a strong state,” Minister Elżbieta Rafalska said to deputies.