According to an announcement by the Presidency, the assurance ceremony of the first Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs. Anastasia Anthousis, took place today, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the Republic said that “today's reassurance ceremony of the first Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Ms. Anastasia Anthousis is another important milestone of the ambitious and daring reform effort to upgrade the structures and operation of the social services of the state.
This includes the evolution of the Social Welfare Services of the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Security – the Welfare will be deleted later – with the now political head being the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, whose responsibilities include:
- The implementation of the Social Welfare Services Restructuring Plan, which was drawn up after a diverse social dialogue and the participation of both civil society and the officials themselves and other professionals.
At this point, I must note that in the context of the modernization and upgrading of the Social Welfare Service, more than 150 employees were recruited at all levels of social services, in order to fill the gaps created due to the non-recruitment of any employee during the period 2008 -2013.
- The formation of an appropriate institutional framework for ensuring conditions of social solidarity.
- Providing social protection and combating social exclusion.
- Promoting equal opportunities for all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.
- The implementation of the national strategy to ensure a decent standard of living for all those who live legally in the Republic.
- The supervision of the smooth operation of both the “Children's Home” for the prevention and protection of the child from sexual exploitation and abuse and the “Women's Home” for the protection of women from violence.
- Ensuring the provision of quality services in the 11 autonomous dwellings of people with disabilities that were created for the first time today, with the aim of avoiding institutionalization and decent, supported living within the community.
In addition, at a later stage and with the completion of the complete restructuring of the Social Welfare Services, the Benefit Management Service will be integrated in the State Department.
During my recent speech at the reassurance ceremony for the new members of the Council of Ministers, I referred to a series of reforms and national strategies that highlighted the priorities we had set for ensuring social cohesion and solidarity.
Therefore, I will avoid repeating myself, as otherwise I would have to refer to 45 individual actions.
Such an attempt would take a significant amount of time, so immediately after the end of the ceremony, a relevant brief note will be given for more detailed information to the citizens, but also to become the property of everyone how effective was the policy we have developed regarding social protection. social welfare, the transformation of the state in general into a state that cares about its citizens.
The recorded samples from the implementation of the policies and actions I mentioned above, are revealing of the substantial improvement and modernization of the services provided to the citizens, with the aim of the effective confrontation of complex social problems.
It is for this reason, based on the rich action, that I feel the need to emphasize the catalytic contribution of the Minister of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance, Ms. Zeta Aimilianidou and her associates, who, working consistently and professionally, have achieved their full potential. objectives set in the Governance Program.
Friend Mrs. Emilianidou, I feel the need to publicly express my warm thanks, but also to congratulate you on the important work you have done so that today we can talk about a state that really cares about the citizen, shows sensitivity, solves problems and provides protection. to those who need it.
The establishment and operation of the Ministry of Social Welfare is expected to give a dynamic continuation to the progress achieved so far.
In this context, the decision to appoint Ms. Anthousis, as First Deputy Minister, was taken always taking into account academic studies, professionalism and experiences gained from her previous many years of professional career, as well as of course the ethos, diligence and integrity of character. of.
Qualifications, which best serve the effective performance of the high mission assigned to it.
My dear Ms. Anthousis, always acting in good cooperation with all the involved bodies that assist your mission, as well as in full cooperation with the Minister of Labor, but also with the parliamentary parties and the social partners, you are called to strengthen the work produced so far. relating to the areas of the portfolio you are undertaking.
I am absolutely sure that you will work towards this with full dedication, consistency and determination. The aim is always the implementation of the set program statements of both the Governance Program and the National Plan “Cyprus-tomorrow”, through which investment actions of more than 50 million euros are provided for:
- Creation of multifunctional centers for children and residential structures for children, adolescents with behavioral disorders, people with disabilities and people who need long-term care.
- Development of child care centers in Municipalities, and,
- Construction of the special school of Apostolos Loukas and the rehabilitation school of the Red Cross.
Congratulating you on your appointment, I wish you every success in the work you undertake and I am confident that together as collective workers we will achieve the goals we have set until the end of the government. “
The first words of Mrs. Anthousi:
For her part, Ms. Anthoussi said, addressing the President of the Republic that “your proposal to take office as the first Deputy Minister of Social Welfare is highly honorable and at the same time carries with it the huge responsibility of implementing a series of policies that are part of its broader strategy. Government to create a strong welfare state.
The reorganization of the Department of Social Welfare Services and its transformation into a State Department of Social Welfare falls within the large and multidimensional effort of the State to strengthen the existing policies for the welfare of citizens and to ensure social cohesion.
A policy that is a top priority of the Government through a series of reforms and actions, focusing on the people.
In this context, I will limit myself to mentioning emblematic social reforms such as the GESS, which as a technocrat I have been fortunate to be at the forefront of processes for the last six years for its implementation, the implementation of the Minimum Guaranteed Income, the new housing policy, the reforms in the field of Education, the revision of family law, but also a series of reform bills that are pending in the House of Representatives and concern, among others, the sectors of Justice, the fight against corruption, the Civil Service and Local Government.
Today, taking over the portfolio of the Ministry of Social Welfare, I feel a special debt to you, Mr. President, as well as to the citizens. Listening to the growing multidimensional needs of society and citizens, I will work hard to improve the social welfare services provided.
I am fully aware that this is a difficult task. I assure you, however, that in a spirit of cooperation and goodwill, with all the political forces and the social partners, I will work so that all my actions and actions reflect the policies you have set.
My compass is the continuation of the huge work that has been done all these years until today by the Minister of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance, who, based on your instructions, proceeded with the reform of the creation of the State Ministry of Social Welfare.
As you have already mentioned, a lot has been done based on your announcements, but there is also the need to address the new challenges that have arisen, especially due to the Pandemic. In this context, you have set the goals for the next 20 months which is the completion of the government program in terms of social welfare, but also the investment actions related to the National Plan “Cyprus-Tomorrow”.
I will continue the efforts to further modernize and strengthen social services, to create more structures for more direct and effective intervention and to provide support from state services, so that each of us can live with dignity in a state of real Social Welfare.
Finally, I would like to thank you once again for your trust, giving the promise that I will try to live up to your expectations, but also the society and to contribute to the development and operation of the services of the newly established State Department with a focus on people.
In this effort and in a spirit of consensus, I will work to achieve synergies and collaborations with all stakeholders, Departments, Services, Non-Governmental Organizations and all parliamentary parties.
After all, the prosperity of society concerns everyone and it is up to us to find the way to achieve it “.
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