Sigisbert Dolinschek, State Secretary for Social Security, Generations and Consumer Protection today opened the “Ageing and Disability” conference which is taking place in the Graz trade fair centre under the auspices of the Austrian Presidency of the EU. “The number of ageing people and ageing disabled people is increasing rapidly all over Europe. The purpose of the conference is to look for answers to central questions in this demographic challenge and to cast some light on the specific connection between age and disability”, said Dolinschek.
The European Commission's recent communication on social services of general interest is also related, in Dolinschek’s opinion, to the much-discussed Services Directive, whose application to social services he consistently opposed. “This exclusion is necessary in order to respond adequately to the special character of social services and their significance for the social security network and social cohesion”, declared Dolinschek.
“In the context of the streamlined social protection process at EU level, the Ministry for Social Security will take the lead in preparing the first report on national strategy for social security and social inclusion by autumn 2006. For this report, strategies will be developed in the areas of social inclusion, pensions, health, and long-term care for the years 2006-2008. As one of the priorities, we will elaborate, together with all the stakeholders, strategies for more participation by disabled persons and for improved job opportunities for groups with above-average difficulties in entering the labour market”, concluded Dolinschek.
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