The government announced on April 28 its decision to reorganize the Ministry of Children, Family and Society Integration Affairs, dividing its functions among the Welfare ministry, the Justice Ministry and the Education and Science Ministry.
The government has ordered the Children and Family Affairs Ministry to hand in a report at the next government meeting detailing funding necessary for the ministry's functions, including information on the ministry's staff.
The ministry will also have to present a detailed timeline outlining the transfer of its functions to other ministries.
Outgoing minister Ainars Bastiks expressed disappointment at the decision, saying he feared issues around children's rights and social protection would now take a backseat.
He also expected the ministry's 100 strong staff to be trimmed in light of the planned reorganization.
"It's quite hard to say some positive words about the changes. It looks very strange when in these times of crisis we start to hit children and families [with budget cuts]," Bastiks told The Baltic Times.
"Every country and every smart politician knows the future is connected to children; with birth and demographic issues. If we do not support these sorts of issues then it's a dead end in the future," he said.
Bastiks said cohesive child and family policies remained crucial, particularly given soaring unemployment rates and the increased economic pressure on families and young people.
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