Minister Goktas fulfilled children’s requests for a high-speed train

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated that they will initiate an important field study regarding the decrease in fertility rate, saying, ‘We are forming a working group consisting of officials from our Ministry, Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Finance.’ Minister Göktaş, who had never ridden a high-speed train before and fulfilled the requests of children under state protection who wanted to do so, traveled to Konya with the children by high-speed train, chatting and interacting closely with them throughout the journey. Göktaş, in his statement to journalists during the trip, emphasized the value of children for them. Minister Göktaş mentioned that children under state protection participated in many activities during the summer, took part in various events, and said, ‘The children we traveled with had never ridden a high-speed train before or been to Konya.’ Expressing that the children whose requests to ride the high-speed train were fulfilled will visit cultural and touristic places in Konya and participate in various activities, Göktaş used the words, ‘Our children have a beautiful day ahead. We also share their excitement.’
Minister Göktaş, responding to questions from journalists about the studies to be carried out regarding the decrease in fertility rate reflected in the data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), stated that they are aware of the importance of this issue for Turkey’s future and that they are conducting comprehensive studies on it. Pointing out that the decrease in fertility rate and aging of the population is not only Turkey’s but also a global issue, Göktaş said, ‘We are aware of the seriousness of this issue. Turkey still has a young and dynamic population, but the decrease in fertility rate poses a great risk for our country in the future. As the Ministry, we are intensively working on this issue. We are carrying out our policies in a multifaceted manner under the newly established Directorate of Family and Population Policies. Many countries around the world are sounding alarm bells on this issue. Under this Directorate, we are studying foreign models and researching the reasons for the decrease in fertility rates and conducting studies on this.’
Emphasizing that they are trying to create policies in a multi-layered manner, Minister Göktaş said, ‘This is not just a matter concerning working women. We do not look at the issue solely from a women-centered perspective, but we take a much broader approach. We continue our work by identifying the finest sensitivities that will encompass all segments of society. We will initiate an important field study on this matter.’ Göktaş highlighted that they are conducting multidimensional studies, stating, ‘We are forming a working group consisting of officials from our Ministry, Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Finance. We will feed this group with field studies and address the issue in a multidimensional way.’
A total of 11,011 couples benefited from the Family and Youth Fund. Responding to a question about the current situation in the Family and Youth Fund pilot application in earthquake-stricken areas, Göktaş said, ‘With the project implemented in line with the vision of our President, we aim to support and strengthen the family institution and protect young people from social risks.’ Göktaş emphasized the intense interest of young people in the project, saying, ‘As of today, 11,011 couples have applied to benefit from the fund. We have started to provide marriage and counseling services to more than 3,500 young people.’ Göktaş stated that within the scope of the project, they provide interest-free credit support of 150,000 Turkish Lira with a repayment period of 48 months and a grace period of 2 years to approved couples, adding, ‘This month, we made payments to 733 couples. So far, the money of a total of 2,385 couples whose applications were approved and who participated in the pre-marriage training program has been deposited into their accounts. This number will increase in the coming months.’
Regarding the payments within the social assistance models following the new regulation on July civil servant salary coefficients, Minister Göktaş stated that they continue their efforts to improve the capacity and services of social services and aids targeting the whole society. Göktaş stated that they continue to develop new service models and areas, produce solutions to emerging challenges and risks, saying, ‘With the increases in social assistance payments, the elderly pension increased from 3,504 TL to 4,181 TL. In addition, the monthly pension of citizens with disabilities ranging from 40-69% increased from 2,797 TL to 3,338 TL, and for citizens with a disability report of 70% and above, the pension increased from 4,196 TL to 5,007 TL. Home Care Aid increased from 7,608 TL to 9,077 TL, the monthly average payment per child to foster families increased from 8,515 TL to 10,159 TL, and the economic support amount per child in Socio-Economic Support service increased from an average of 5,330 TL to 6,360 TL. In addition, the pension for severe silicosis increased from 7,698 TL to 9,185 TL. The new payment amounts will be reflected in the August period as the July payment.’