Education Minister Kristina Kallas stated that financial support plays a significant role in Estonia's family policy. However, a serious issue is the availability of support services for families with children. Kallas mentioned that parental benefits are a good system that has supported birth rates. But it could be even more flexible to help young families considering having children.
Kallas wants grandparents to be able to use parental benefits. Grandparents could take leave to care for a child if the parents return to work. Kallas mentioned that the coalition partner, the Reform Party, is initially cautious about the idea. They are concerned whether parental benefits should even be changed at this time.
The Education Minister added that Eesti 200 has made another proposal. They want to make the last six months of the 18-month parental benefit period significantly more flexible. It could be used until the child turns eight. Kallas explained that many parents need a break when their child starts school, as it is a big change for family life.
Kallas mentioned that in Sweden, parental benefits are more flexible. There, they can be used until the child turns 18. She hopes that in Estonia, parental benefits can be made more flexible to help parents balance work and family life. Kallas added that the Ministry of Social Affairs will conduct a thorough analysis of the causes of the decline in birth rates by the end of May. Based on this, new proposals will be made to address the birth rate crisis.