WRITTEN QUESTION E-1551/02

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(3 June 2002)

Subject: Incentives for families and mothers

For some years now there has been an ongoing debate, in Italy and throughout Europe, on the increasingly disturbing fall in the birth-rate and its possible structural consequences for welfare policy. One of the main reasons for the declining birth-rate is the rising cost of living, which acts as a deterrent to the formation of young couples and new families. Even the social role of the family itself is at risk. Many EU Member States have adopted legislation intended to encourage the formation of new families, through tax relief or rent and house-purchase subsidies (as in the case of the measures recently introduced by the Lazio region). Similar measures have been introduced to help single mothers and less-favoured families with more than two children.

The Commission:

1. Can it state whether there exist any guidelines, programmes, studies or documents relating to pro-family policies, and whether it intends in the future to adopt any measures or initiatives aimed at encouraging people to start families?

2. Can it state whether there exist any guidelines, programmes, studies or documents on practical support measures for mothers, including working mothers?

3. Can it provide any examples of best practice in this field?

4. Can the Commission state its general position on these matters?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 2002)

The Commission shares the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member in relation to the consequences of low fertility levels with respect to demographic change. However, no legal basis confers to the Union any specific competence to develop and implement measures in the area of family policy. This is clearly a responsibility for the Member States.

Nonetheless, family issues are of interest to the Commission as they affect demographic developments and a number of European policies. Therefore, the European Commission focuses its attention on the study of family and household trends and their policy implications mainly on employment policy, social protection, social inclusion and gender.

More specifically, in relation to points raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission undertakes the following activities:

- it develops a study programme and analysis on demography and social trends including family and household trends, in the context of the annual report: The Social Situation in the European Union;

- it finances a European Observatory on the Social Situation, Demography and Family, which monitors demographic, socio-economic and policy trends across the Union with particular emphasis on family trends and their policy implications. Within this context, reports on the socio-economic situation of families and on the related policy developments in the Member States are presented each year. They are available on the website of the Observatory: (http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/family/observatory/home.html)

- the Commission promotes action for a better reconciliation of work and family life, in the context of the European Employment Strategy and of the Framework strategy on gender equality, including elements such as the strengthening of equal opportunities policies, promoting more flexible forms of work organisation and promoting affordable, accessible and high-quality services caring for children and other dependents;

- In addition, the Commission publishes, in the context of Missoc (Mutual Information System on Social Protection), comparative tables on social protection in the Member States, including maternity and family benefits. This is available on the Directorate general Employment (DG EMPL) website: (http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/missoc2001/index_en.htm);

Finally, regarding best practices in the field, examples can be found as regards the issue of reconciling work and family life on the DG EMPL website (as above) under the theme equal opportunities.