Four interventions implemented by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance in close cooperation with the leadership of the Ministry of Interior to strengthen Local Self-Government were pointed out by the Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis speaking earlier today at the Annual General Assembly of the Regional Union of Attica Municipalities (PEDA).

In addition, he made a special reference to the continuation of the Subsidy program for the Employment of Unemployed aged 55 to 67 in public sector bodies and in 2025 which, as he emphasized, despite the rumors the “it has neither been discontinued, nor has it been curtailed».

As he noted, “the DYPA program, which started in 2017, by 2019 had covered 1,200 unemployed people over the age of 55.

With us “unemployed” he has covered a total of 26,500 unemployed. We currently have 17,000 active cases currently serving in various public sectors,” said K. Hatzidakis.

“The Prime Minister spoke highly of this program. We presented it and we are proud, it is the most useful program promoted by DYPA” he noted adding that both as Minister of Labor in the past and as Minister of National Economy and Finance now he has signed the extension of the program by a total of 11,000 unemployed.

“I came up with numbers because at some point in our country we have to come to an agreement – ​​we can disagree because it is the essence of our Republic – but if we cannot come to an agreement whether we are in Athens or Helsinki there can be no dialogue. We obviously support the program within the framework of the country’s fiscal capacity and the budget’s fiscal ceilings so that the country does not return to the process of excessive deficits and new crises. But anyway we have given so far an amount that reaches 700 million euros to support the program” underlined Mr. Hatzidakis.

Mr. Hatzidakis also referred to the following four interventions to support the Local Self-Government:

36% increase in the Central Autonomous Resources allocated to the Municipalities in relation to 2019. As the Minister noted, from the 1.8 billion euros allocated to the Municipalities in 2019, the resources now reach 2.5 billion euros, being one of the most significant increases in budget funds compared to 2019. In addition, he emphasized that:
the newest regular grant for 2024 to the Municipalities of the whole country was 145 million euros, of which, an amount of approximately 36.5 million specifically concerned the Municipalities of Attica, the Municipalities will receive 90 million euros to cover their overdue debts after consultation with the Ministry of the Interior, an amount of approximately 25 million euros was recently granted to the Municipalities, for the payment of obligations from court decisions.

Allocation of emergency aid of around 500 million euros from 2019 to the Municipalities of Attica. With an additional 23 million for recent natural disasters, and about 5.7 million in 2024 alone for fire protection.

Increase the budget of the Public Investment Program by 27%. “In addition to the projections originally made in the 2024 budget, we recently brought a supplementary budget for the national Public Investment Program of 900 million euros which leads to an increase of 27% to pay for, among other things, integrated projects and the municipalities of the country.

I’m not proud of it. I want to make you communicants because some breaths will be given and since the year is not over yet there may be other initiatives” said Mr. Hatzidakis. “We know your concerns and we are trying, thanks to the outperformance of the budget and the economy, thanks to the growth and the positive results we have from the fight against tax evasion, to use the above resources, among others, to cover yours as well needs” he underlined.

Ability to settle debts to Municipalities and their legal entities, with repayment up to 60 installments and special care for vulnerable debtors.

“We are not miracle workers. Others may do miracles better than us and certainly better than me. We claim, however, that we try to do our job properly. We are trying to implement a policy that combines fiscal prudence with a pro-investment approach in order for the country to move forward” he noted and concluded by saying “what I want you to know is that without having any frivolous approaches we are trying to be serious and not be ashamed of them that we will say today when we see you, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow in a month or a year. We want to have an honest relationship, we want to help in substance and not with air words. Anyone looking for words of the wind, we are not the right address».