Nearly 800 children in Latvia growing up in institutions

RIGA - As many as 794 children in Latvia are still living in care institutions, Welfare Minister Ramona Petravica (KPV LV) said in an interview to LNT TV channel this morning.

The minister indicated, however, that the number of kids growing up in institutions is declining, which is good news.

Petravica believes that some child care institutions will remain in Latvia also in the future because it will probably not be possible to find adoptive families for children with extremely severe disabilities. Yet the ministry will work to make conditions for these children as close to the family environment as possible.

Petravica also plans to meet with Justice Minister Janis Bordans (New Conservative Party) to discuss placing custody courts under the Justice Ministry’s supervision. On May 15, the welfare minister plans to discuss the issue also with the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments and the ombudsman.

Petravica also said in the interview to LNT that the lack of security clearance for access to state secrets does not prevent her from doing her job as welfare minister and that the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) has not contacted her on the issue.