The Cabinet unanimously approved this morning the establishment of a public committee to investigate the growing problem children and youth at risk. The committee's mandate is to "formulate programs that will guarantee satisfactory physical and emotional conditions for children and youth in situations of social detachment and deviation." Headed by Prof. Hillel Schmid, Dean of Hebrew University School of Social Work, the committee is to submit its recommendations within six months. Prime Minister Sharon said that this issue is a "national mission of the first degree." Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev said that some 350,000 children are currently "known" to the welfare services.
Another welfare committee will begin work shortly as well, but this one will attempt to reduce welfare payments, not increase them. The Finance Ministry has allocated 50 million shekels to hire 200 investigators whose goal it will be to eliminate 2-3 billions shekels in annual payments to "frauds, swindlers and cheats" - people the Finance Ministry feels collect payments wrongfully. Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev, under whose auspices the committee will operate, feels that the committee might be a case of overkill.
Another welfare committee will begin work shortly as well, but this one will attempt to reduce welfare payments, not increase them. The Finance Ministry has allocated 50 million shekels to hire 200 investigators whose goal it will be to eliminate 2-3 billions shekels in annual payments to "frauds, swindlers and cheats" - people the Finance Ministry feels collect payments wrongfully. Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev, under whose auspices the committee will operate, feels that the committee might be a case of overkill.