Government promises 770 million euro family package as opposition questions funding

LRT reported that the government plans to fund a 770 million euro package of measures for families from the state and Sodra social insurance budgets, but opposition politicians say it remains unclear where the money will come from.

The package, presented last week, includes nine measures. The most criticised proposal would provide free school meals on a buffet basis for children through the tenth grade.

Opposition politicians say the free meals would be particularly expensive and could account for almost half of the package’s total cost. They also question the government’s plan to introduce the measure from 2029.

Health Minister Linas Kukuraitis said the aim was not to increase the birth rate, but to help children develop healthy eating habits that would continue into adulthood.

“Healthy food served on a buffet basis ensures that children develop habits that later carry over into adult life, and that they continue those habits in their own families and raise their children accordingly,” Kukuraitis said. He added that the measure would be an investment in public health, with every euro expected to generate two euros in returns.

The government wants schools to prepare the meals themselves and obtain products from local farmers. Agriculture Minister Kęstutis Mažeika said schools currently often use cheaper products imported from abroad or neighbouring Poland, which affects both food quality and children’s willingness to eat it.

Eugenijus Gentvilas, a member of the Liberal Movement faction in the Seimas, said the government had not clearly explained how the entire package would be financed. He criticised the plan to introduce some measures after the next election, saying future governments could be left to deal with the costs.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė and the government say the growing economy will provide sufficient funds from the state and Sodra budgets.

However, Gintarė Skaistė, a member of the Homeland Union Lithuanian Christian Democrats faction, said no specific funding sources had been identified and warned that the spending could instead be covered through borrowing or left for a future government.

Algirdas Sysas, a Social Democrat who chairs the Seimas Committee on Budget and Finance, also said it was unclear how the new plan would be funded. He said lawmakers needed to consider both expenditure and revenue and should not adopt laws that would take effect three or four years later.

Democrat Tomas Tomilinas said some costs could be taken over by other ministries. He suggested that funding for camps and increased participation in activities could be assigned to the education ministry, which is responsible for expanding the non-formal education grant.

Tomilinas also said the cost estimates could change after reforms to school catering, shorter supply chains and the buffet system. The government’s family support package currently consists of nine measures costing a total of 770 million euros.