Summarising the three years of the Ministry’s work, Minister Rafalska underlined that activities within the social policy focused on the family policy and the “Family 500+” programme implemented within its frameworks.

She indicated what almost PLN 58 billion was allocated to Polish families within the programme. She added that thus, the first social objective had been reached and “today many families cannot imagine living without 500+”. She underlined that the programme provides help to almost 54 percent of Polish children up to 18 years of age.

Another programme mentioned by Rafalska was “Good Start”. The Minister assured that it will be continued in 2019 and in the following years. The “Good Start” programme comprises school supplies that in 2018 will be used by 4.5 million of Polish students. Financing at a level of PLN 1 billion 440 million. “This is a large support provided before the school year starts to families, whose expenses always increase at that time” – she stated.

Furthermore, Minister Rafalska underlined that in three years the situation of single parent families and families with a disabled child has significantly improved. She underlined that the above is confirmed with, among others, data of the Statistics Poland and the Union assessments.

Minister Elżbieta Rafalska underlined that the Ministry started and has continued many programmes that are to create conditions for the elderly activity development, to provide them with care and to support seniors in everyday life.

Moreover, the Vice-Minister, Krzysztof Michałkiewicz indicated, among others, the support programme for persons with disabilities “For Life” and implemented the road map of developing a support system for persons with disabilities. “We are increasing benefits for persons with disabilities and their carers. These benefits have not been increased for years. Let us remind ourselves that the social benefit has increased by almost 40 percent” - he stated.

Whereas, the Vice-Minister, Stanisław Szwed assessed that the last three years have brought predominantly a decrease in the number of the unemployed and an increase in the minimum wage. “In the three years over 1,3 million of the unemployed have benefited from active forms of assistance” – he said. He announced that the challenge for 2019 constitutes passing a new act on the labour market which will improve functioning of labour offices even more”. “The act is prepared. I hope that we will be working on in at the beginning of the year” – the Minister informed.

Photos from the event.