Czech Republic struggles to secure 4 billion crowns from recovery plan

In the Czech Republic, the government has yet to secure around four billion crowns from its National Recovery Plan, aimed at bolstering long-term care for the elderly and disabled. Labor Minister Marian Jurečka announced this delay and attributed it to the unfinished necessary reforms that must be in place before funds can be released. Jurečka expressed optimism that the Czech Republic could meet the milestones outlined in the recovery plan by the end of the first quarter of next year. The government's inability to finalize a negotiated and effective law pertaining to the social-health interface is a significant hurdle. As a result, the substantial amount allocated for the development and modernization of care remains withheld. According to Jurečka, the ministry has identified over 8.58 billion crowns potentially available from the National Recovery Plan for improvements in long-term care, with the current situation preventing access to four billion crowns due to unmet criteria. Recent discussions with representatives from the European Commission indicated progress in negotiations, as various ministers, including finance and industry representatives, met ten days ago to outline the steps being taken toward reform. The second reading of the necessary law has been completed, and the current focus is on demonstrating to the Commission that the required milestones will be fulfilled once the law is implemented. Jurečka remains hopeful that these reforms will be established soon enough to allow for the release of the previously withheld funds. The overall timeline for the long-term care reform included a deadline set for the end of the previous year, which has now lapsed. Jurečka criticizes some aspects of the National Recovery Plan as having been set out too generally by the preceding government, leading to ongoing challenges in negotiations with the Commission. As Customs may vary in assessments regarding fulfillment of milestones, the labor minister acknowledges uncertainties about whether the Czech Republic will receive the complete allocated amount.