Filenews 12 July 2024
With criticism of the Government, the Plenary of the Parliament approved on Thursday the supplementary state budget, amounting to €351.4 million. 28 MPs voted in favour, while independent MP Kostis Efstathiou abstained.
This is the first supplementary budget of 2024 and will cover the following expenses:
◗ Purchase of medicines and vaccines: €103.6 million
◗ Increased state contributions as third party insurance schemes: €60 million
◗ Purchase of water from desalination operations: €58.1 million
◗ Defence Armour: €31.5 million
◗ Subsidy for the increased charge price for electricity consumption: €13.5 million
◗ Damages and Lawsuit Expenses of the Department of Public Works: €12.2 million
◗ Recruitment of temporary teaching staff at all levels of education: €11.1 million
◗ Compensation for the reopening of the Mia Milia Wastewater Plant: €10 million
◗ Increased government grant to the University of Cyprus: €10 million
◗ Amalthea Plan: €8 million
◗ Support measures for agricultural and livestock products: €2.2 million
◗ Grant for the maintenance of occupied churches and monuments: €1.5 million
◗ Employment of additional assistants/escorts for children with special needs: €1.1 million
Speeches by Members
DISY MP Haris Georgiades noted that there should be increased attention to spending on public universities. "We are pleased that the state of the economy remains good, but I would like to warn that it is in such times that spending is derailed," he said.
Georgiadis expressed his concern about the swelling of the state wage bill.
AKEL MP Christos Christofides said that out of the €351 million, of the additional appropriations in the supplementary budget, only 3% of expenditure leaves support for society. He also said that the government should submit a comprehensive package of measures for society.
DIKO MP Christiana Erotokritou said that a budget of €13.5 million was correctly included to continue subsidising the cost of electricity. He said he welcomed the continuation of the subsidy until October and, if necessary, extend the measure for longer. According to Erotokritou, at a time when so much money is being disbursed for education, students' results should be better
