The Government is continuing to fund the development of crèches, and three thousand new crèche places will be created next year, Minister of State for Social and Family Affairs Miklós Soltész said at the new municipal crèche in Solymár, Pest County. The day care of 40 to 48 children can be provided in the institution established with an investment of HUF 190 million within the framework of the New Széchenyi Plan.

The Minister of State pointed out that over the past three years more than 3,100 crèche places have been created, nearly as many as planned for the next year. During this Government’s term, 2,270 places have been renewed and the renovation of 2,500 more is expected in the coming year. Due to the overall investment of some HUF 28 billion, over a thousand new jobs are also being created.

The financing of crèches will become more predictable as institutions are to receive 20 to 30 percent more financial resources from next year. Part of the increased funding will be used to increase the salaries of crèche workers.

As a first step of the social career model, the salaries of about 92 thousand workers in the social field, including crèche staff, will rise by between 5.4 and 11.3 percent next year. The Government is providing a total of HUF 9.2 billion in additional funding for this purpose in 2014. The Government views the improvement of children's day-care services and the promotion of the employment of mothers as important objectives.

(Ministry of Human Resources)