RIGA, Oct 7 (LETA) - Social care in Riga is in critical state at the moment as social care services in the city are underfunded, according to a report presented to members of Riga City Council's Social Affairs Committee on Monday.

The municipality's Welfare Department points to a critical situation that has arisen in the provision of home care services and at long-term social care and social rehabilitation institutions for adults due to the rising demand for these services in Riga.

Additional funding is needed to address the situation. The total amount of additional financing needed this year is EUR 581,278, while additional funding in 2025 is estimated at EUR 3.7 million.

The Welfare Department explains that in the first eight months of 2024, 7,308 residents of Riga were provided home care services, including 6,492 adults and 816 children, an increase of 702 persons or 11 percent from the first eight months of 2023.

The number of adults with very low self-care capacity has increased significantly. These are persons who require more than 12 hours of care per week. The number of such persons increased from 3,716 in the first eight months of last year to 4,238 in the first eight months of 2024. The increase is 522 persons or 14 percent.

The number of children receiving home care services has also increased, by 187 persons or 30 percent.

Riga City Council's Social Affairs Committee will discuss these matters at a meeting on Wednesday, October 9.