European Commission Executive Vice-President Mînzatu has recently responded to a written question from the European Parliament on how the EU is addressing the growing need for long-term care (LTC) in light of an ageing population and huge burden on informal carers. The written question focused especially on her parliamentary hearing end 2024, where she announced her plan to come forward with a ‘European care deal’, ensuring that professional as well as informal carers are paid and protected.
In the reply, EVP Mînzatu outlined the EU’s comprehensive policy framework, including the European Care Strategy and the Council Recommendation on access to affordable high-quality long-term care, which aim to improve access to care, strengthen the care workforce, and enhance working conditions in the sector. In 2027, the Commission will prepare a report on the implementation of the Council Recommendation.
The reply highlights that the Commission will continue supporting the implementation of the European Care Strategy and work on creating a more coherent framework for addressing LTC workforce challenges, including facilitating the recognition of skills and qualifications, supporting skills development and career progression, improving working conditions, and toolkit to support informal carers will be launched in 2025.
Additionally the reply states that the planned social policy initiatives, including Quality Jobs Roadmap, Pillar Action Plan and the Anti-Poverty Strategy, as well as the recently delivered ones, such as Union of Skills will contribute to this objective and strengthen LTC systems.
Read the full answer here
