167.1 MILLION KUNA FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN SOCIAL WELFARE

ZAGREB, Jan 4 (Hina) - A total of 167.1 million kuna will be invested in social welfare in 2002, which is 30 percent more than in 2001, when investments in social welfare amounted to 129 million kuna, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Davorko Vidovic told reporters Friday. A total of 118.8 million kuna will be invested in the construction of new facilities in the social care system, which is by 40 percent higher than in 2001, while 26 million kuna, or 96 percent more than last year, will be set aside for investment maintenance. Around one third of planned funds will be invested into the improvement of accommodation in social institutions and securing of minimal user standards. Despite budgetary limitations and saving in 2002, enough funds have been secured for the implementation of all plans and 30 capital investments, Vidovic said. Under the new regulations on decentralisation, local authorities, too, will have to take more care of the citizens' living standards and social security, he added. The 2002 state budget includes 103 million kuna for capital investments in social welfare. The remaining 64.1 million kuna has been secured in line with a decision on the minimum financial standards of decentralised financing. (hina) np sb