The Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved an additional €19m in benefits for low income pensioners.
In its first session since Sunday’s mini reshuffle , cabinet said that the extra money was in line with undertakings made by the government to Disy and Diko during the 2019 budget debate.
The Disy government does not have a majority in the House of Representatives and requires the votes of Diko to secure approval of its budget. New Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides is due to give the 2020 budget speech on Friday with a debate and vote expected next week.
In an official announcement, the government said that after a “constructive dialogue and consultation with Diko” the Council of Ministers had also decided the following:
- Increase in the housing scheme for the rejuvenation of the mountain and Green Line areas by 50%, bringing the total provision to €4.650.000.
- Increase in the financial assistance given to residents living in mountains communities (above 600 metres) by €2.500.000 and widening of the criteria to increase the number of beneficiaries
- Increase by €2.000.000 of the budgetary provision for the Nicosia-Anthoupolis-Kokkinotrimithia-Astromeritis-Evrychou road to cover other actions besides the studies, bringing the total provision to €2.690.000
- Increasing by €1.500.000 the medical coverage provision in Cyprus for infertile couples
Cabinet also decided to boost social services personnel to replace officials absent on long term sick leave or on maternity leave
