Half a million for anti-poverty committee's 'operation' termed 'outrage' by MKs

Welfare Ministry reported it will pay outside group NIS 513,000 for 'operating' committee intended to form plan to fight poverty

Omri Efraim|Published: 11.04.13 , 22:43

The committee to fight poverty, established by Welfare Minister Meir Cohen, has come under severe criticism by MKs from both benches for its NIS 513,000 contract with the Brockdale Institue, purportedly used for the committee's "operation."

"The poverty data are known, as are the ways to solve it. Then to what purpose is this money spent?" asked MK Orly Levi-Abekasis (Likud Beiteinu).

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Discussing the "outrageous" expenditure, the MK, who heads the Knesset's Children Rights Committee, said it could have been used instead for "hundreds of hot meals for hundreds of school children," or to fund accommodations for endangered youth.

She was joined by Meretz MK Michal Rozin, who added: "It's unclear why the committee can't function on the basis of the Welfare Ministry. With this huge sum we could have taken care of and improved dozens of projects relating to children, and handle other aspects of the fight against poverty."

The committee is headed by Eli Alelof, Israel Prize laureate, and its purpose is to form a wide-scope plan to lower poverty rates. According to Minister Cohen, the plan will be based on three principles: It will be recognized as a long-term national program, it will include the cooperation of other ministries, and it will be properly funded.

"I want poverty to be on the cabinet's table just like issues of defense and education," Cohen told Ynet, and added that he aims to rescue thousands of families annually from poverty (roughly 1%-1.5% of the families living below the poverty line).

The Welfare Ministry refused to respond to Ynet's enquiries to release the committee's detailed budget. However, a statement read: "Most of the budget is intended for outside experts, subcommittees and of course documentation, including recordings, video and publication of the committee's discussions.

"Details will be released as discussions start, and the matter will be conducted with full transparency.

The ministry accused the MKs of political point scoring and said: "It's very unfortunate that MKs choose to lash out at an important social project intended to form the basis for the first ever comprehensive treatment of the poverty issue."

The Brockdale Institute said: "We accepted the government's request to aid it in developing the recommendations for the committee and the final report. Regarding the agreement's details, you may turn to the Welfare Ministry."