Underfunding leaves more than 2,000 waiting for special care places

More than 2,000 people are waiting for special care services in Estonia, while state payments cover only 60 to 65 percent of providers’ actual costs, ERR reported. The shortfall is cutting into staff pay and preventing essential investment, said Ragnar Vaiknemets, board chair of Hoolekandeteenused, a care services provider.

Speaking on ETV’s Impulss programme, Vaiknemets said additional funding was needed to address the problem. The sector needs a further 200 million euros over the next four years, he said, adding that more funding was expected to be discussed during state budget talks.

Maret Maripuu, head of the Social Insurance Board, which arranges the services, said demand was growing while resources remained insufficient. The board currently pays providers per-person funding equal to about 78 percent of what is needed, she said. There are 159 service providers, she added.

Tallinn Deputy Mayor Riina Solman said the city was ready to create 400 additional special care places if the state guaranteed funding. Social Affairs Ministry Secretary General Maarjo Mändmaa said the government had to make difficult choices among vulnerable groups, while acknowledging that special care had been left underfunded.

Maarja Krais-Leosk, head of the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, said the state must meet its legal obligations. The Supreme Court recently ruled in a case involving Tartu that the state must provide a person in need with a special care home place within a reasonable time. MP Helmen Kütt said the state could not refuse to provide the service on the grounds that it lacked money.

Kütt said lawmakers from several parties had proposed adding at least 30 million euros to the state budget for special care services.