Accelerating and Improving
The cabinet aims to complete the financial recovery for all over 41,000 affected parents by 2027. Recently, various measures have been taken that have addressed several bottlenecks in the recovery operation. For many parents, the first part of the recovery operation has now been completed. However, in some areas, the recovery operation is still not going well enough. Parents still often have to wait too long for the handling of their objections and their requests for additional damage. The submission of files is still not going well either. Therefore, the cabinet has asked the Van Dam Commission to come up with recommendations that will accelerate and improve the recovery operation in specific areas. Based on these recommendations, the cabinet has proposed several measures to ensure that those affected can move on with their lives.
Additional Damage
For a group of parents, the compensation they have received is not enough to cover all the damage they have suffered due to the childcare benefits affair. They have lost their jobs or homes due to all the problems. Currently, there are five routes for parents with additional damage. To better assist this group of parents, the cabinet wants to redesign the system for compensating this additional damage. Parents will soon be able to receive their additional damage compensation in two ways: through the existing SGH route and a self-employed route, where parents and their lawyers can independently substantiate their damage. Both routes will operate with a uniform damage framework with fixed compensations. Both damage routes will conclude with a settlement agreement (VSO). For parents with complex damage items, a Commission for Complex Damage Items will be established. The expectation is that the development of the uniform damage framework, the elaboration of the two routes, and the route for complex damage will be completed around the May recess.
Objections and Files
One of the main bottlenecks where a breakthrough is needed is the blockage in compiling files and handling objections. Parents have to wait too long for their files, and the waiting lists for objection handling are too long. The cabinet wants to make targeted interventions to solve these blockages. By minimizing file redaction where possible, the provision of files will be accelerated. Since the first part of the recovery operation is nearly complete, staff can be retrained where possible. This will allow additional staff to be deployed in the coming months to further accelerate the provision of files and the handling of objections. A responsive approach to objections should ensure that there is better listening to the needs of the parent and that objections can be prioritized more effectively.
Broad Support
In addition to financial problems, parents often face issues in other areas, such as work and care. To help them, they can turn to their municipality for broad support. The cabinet wants to make the frameworks for broad support fairer and clearer. This should ensure that the support for parents and their children better aligns with the progress of financial recovery. The cabinet is also expanding the approach for families who have lost control.
Status of the Recovery Operation
Currently, 92% of affected parents have undergone the comprehensive assessment. It is expected that all comprehensive assessments will be completed by 2025. For almost all affected individuals, public debts have been forgiven, and payment arrears on private debts have been virtually resolved. Additionally, nearly all affected children have now received a compensation payment. Important steps have been taken to help affected families move beyond the injustice.