media report
Basic child security: Federal agency considers start in 2025 to be unrealistic
Basic child welfare is intended to provide greater relief for families. But there are now doubts about the introduction date
© Peter Kneffel / DPA
After a tough struggle and massive criticism, basic child security should come. If the traffic light coalition has its way, as early as 2025. But the Federal Employment Agency considers this not to be feasible.
The Federal Employment Agency (BA) is considering the planned introduction of the Basic child security at the beginning of 2025 is currently not feasible. “The most recently announced goal of having basic child security come into force on January 1, 2025 is (…) now assessed by the BA as unrealistic,” the “Tagesspiegel” reported on Friday from a statement from the BA.
The Federal Agency justifies its doubts about the start date by saying that significant changes to existing IT programs and interfaces are necessary, and new IT solutions must also be created. However, there is still no “administrative contractual legitimacy” to even begin the work, and in particular there is no financing for it.
© serienlicht / Imago Images
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Federal Agency: “Lead time of at least 12 months required”
The Federal Employment Agency supports parents in applying for a variety of family benefits, such as child benefit or child allowance. It should also play a central role in the planned basic child protection.
At the request of the German Press Agency, the BA said that a “lead time for the complex legislative proposal of at least 12 months” was required in order to implement it successfully. The BA has repeatedly pointed this out. “So far, according to the schedule described by Minister Paus, a bill ready for implementation by the administration – according to the Federal Council’s decision – should not be available until February 2024. As things stand, implementation by January 1, 2025 will not be possible.”
A spokesman for the Family Ministry said that the statement from the Federal Employment Agency was available to the ministry and was being examined. “It is important for families in Germany that basic child security is provided and that they can rely on the benefits of basic child security. That is why Federal Minister Paus has repeatedly pointed out in the past that the fundamental decisions on basic child security must be made quickly due to the demanding implementation requirements .”
Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) and Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) had struggled for months about financing basic child welfare. At the beginning of last week, both finally agreed on details regarding the financing of the project. Family Minister Paus’s schedule stipulates that basic child security comes into force in 2025.