On September 9, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. The network of social service institutions for the population in Belarus will be expanded. This was announced today to journalists by the Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Marianna Shchetkina, during a visit to the Vitebsk boarding house for the elderly and disabled while monitoring the work of social service institutions in the Vitebsk region, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. Currently, there are 74 boarding houses and over 55 round-the-clock stay departments at territorial centres for social services for the population operating in Belarus. Their services are in demand. In addition, over 130 thousand people who are lonely or may at any moment face a situation of inability to live at home due to age or illness receive social services at home. "Thus, this system will only develop. At the same time, the task has been set to diversify it," the minister emphasized, explaining that this means creating housing with different levels of comfort. "The opportunity for paid accommodation should also be provided, as there are people who are willing to pay for a high level of comfort for their parents or other relatives," said Marianna Shchetkina, expressing interest in attracting private investors to create them. "We are ready to provide them with the necessary support," she added. Marianna Shchetkina also touched upon the issue of financing the comprehensive programme for the development of social services for 2011-2015. "The Br90 billion planned for the five-year period is the guaranteed level that will be allocated. However, taking into account the development of the situation, adjustments are possible," the minister said.-0-

BELTA