Members of the Social Support Body have expressed opposition to its proposed abolition, which is being advanced through a private member’s bill by AKEL, and instead suggest transferring it to the Grants and Allowances Service of the Ministry of Finance.
The proposal was submitted in writing on Wednesday by the General Accountant of the Republic and Treasurer of the Body, Andreas Antoniades, during a session of the House Institutions Committee.
According to the written submission, the recommended course of action is not to dissolve the Body but to integrate its functions into the existing administrative structure of the Ministry of Finance, specifically under the Grants and Allowances Service.
Previous reporting
In a report published yesterday by Politis, reference was made to the restructuring under discussion. It noted that from March 2023, when First Lady Philippa Karsera assumed the presidency of the Body’s Management Committee, until the end of 2025, a total of €6.4 million was deposited into the Body’s fund, originating exclusively from private donations.
However, the identities of the donors and the amounts contributed by each will not be made public. Opinions issued by Attorney General George Savvides and Commissioner for Personal Data Protection Maria Manoli Christofidou effectively halted parliamentary scrutiny initiated by members of the Institutions Committee, citing concerns over the protection of personal data.