Moldova will reform the social assistance sector, improve the quality of social services and access to them under the "Restart" reform.
In particular, this is envisaged by the relevant draft law, passed by the Parliament in the first reading. The matter concerns the implementation of the reform in the field of social assistance, aimed at ensuring uniform and fair access of vulnerable groups to quality social services. The document, generally known as the "Restart" reform, was developed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. It represents the first step in the implementation of the "Restart" reform and provides for amendments to 19 laws. In particular, territorial social assistance bodies will be created and the minimum package of social services will be changed, which at the current stage is financed in a fragmented manner and does not cover the needs of the population. The nomenclature of social services will be revised to better define their categories. The draft law also provides for assessment of the need and planning of social assistance services at the district level, development of a comprehensive information system, and development of standards for the cost of social services. It is also planned to revise the mechanism of remuneration of social assistance specialists and to develop a system of their continuous professional training. The National Agency for Social Assistance will be reorganized into the Agency for Management of Highly Specialized Social Services. It is planned that following the implementation of the relevant draft law, more people will receive social services due to the improvement of financing mechanisms and budget planning. At the same time, similar social services will have the same cost in any region of the country, and recipients will be able to access social assistance through an online platform. The bill will be considered by the Parliament in the second reading. //01.08.2023 - InfoMarket.
