Minister of Social Affairs Outlines 2026 Budget Allocation
The Minister of Social Affairs, Issam Lahmar, indicated on Saturday evening that 92% of his department's budget is dedicated to social interventions, during the joint plenary session of the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) and the National Council of Regions and Districts (CNRD) devoted to examining the 2026 budget of the ministry.
Budget Breakdown
According to the minister, salaries account for only 2.6% of the budget, while operating expenses do not exceed 0.6%. He emphasized that the resources allocated to managing the ministry remain low compared to other departments. The ministry's budget represents only 5.3% of the state's general budget, despite the scope of its responsibilities.
Social Promotion Program
As part of the social promotion program, the number of children aged 6 to 18 who receive scholarships has been increased, with a budget of 163 million dinars, not including allocations for children from 0 to 5 years old. "These measures help low-income families cover their children's tuition fees," the minister specified.
Social Assistance
Social assistance for needy families has also been revalued, increasing from 180 to 240 dinars, and is expected to reach 280 dinars in 2026. "The increase may seem modest, but it concerns nearly 400,000 families," Lahmar emphasized.
Revision of Beneficiary List
The minister announced a revision of the list of beneficiaries of the free healthcare card, to ensure that aid reaches the true beneficiaries, while maintaining the possibility of appeal for those excluded by error. School aid (books, notebooks, supplies) has reached 64 million dinars this year, for nearly 600,000 students.
New Measures
Among the new measures, the ministry plans to introduce a monthly allowance of 30 dinars for people with celiac disease, an allowance of 130 dinars for "children of the moon" to cover part of the cost of protective equipment, as well as the creation of a "Fund for the Promotion of People with Disabilities" aimed at supporting their economic, social, sports, and cultural inclusion.
Revision of Disability Law
Issam Lahmar specified that a revision of the disability orientation law is being considered, and 40,000 disability cards with QR codes will soon be distributed to improve monitoring and quality of care.
Reform of Social Security System
Finally, the minister mentioned a reform of the social security system and the Unemployment Insurance Fund, whose implementation is delayed, to ensure its viability in the face of changes in the labor market and the introduction of artificial intelligence.
