With Philipp Achammer and Waltraud Deeg, the LH “had to” take its two biggest critics to the weekly PK.
The latest Corona-PK was symptomatic of the current mood in the state government: With Philipp Achammer and Waltraud Deeg, of all people, the two biggest critics of the LH’s corona management were invited. While the Economic and Educational Council had fought vigorously against the closure of companies and schools, the Social Councilor had relentlessly advocated keeping daycare centers, kindergartens and primary schools open. From the facial expressions and the bumpy statements of the participants you could tell that things are not right between the three at the moment. Instead of talking about the future challenges, Achammer and Co. philosophized for half an hour about aid money that has already been paid out.
The state government has provided a total of 428 million euros in the state budget for measures to cushion the pandemic-related crisis. These are offset by a shortfall in income of 543.5 million euros, which is due, among other things, to lower tax revenues. “The support measures were important in order to get our country through this crisis reasonably well. Our strategy was to proceed as equitable and balanced as possible in the interests of social justice, ”emphasized Governor Kompatscher at the weekly state media conference on Friday afternoon.
Comprehensive packages of measures were available from May
From May onwards, families and companies could apply to one of the South Tyrolean banks for loans to varying degrees. The total volume of these contributions amounts to over 362 million euros for a total of 4948 approved applicants. The country’s share was 11.6 million euros. On the other hand, the volume deferred to 18,230 beneficiaries is over 1.7 billion euros. As far as the labor market is concerned, over 170 million euros were earmarked for the wage equalization fund, 89.7 million were actually paid out. A smaller, albeit all the more important achievement for the 210 people affected was the continued payment of pocket money and internship allowances.
In order to support South Tyrol’s economy in coping with the crisis in all of its sectors, the state of South Tyrol launched a comprehensive package of measures in May. A little more than 17,400 small businesses with up to five employees and a drop in sales of at least 50 percent have received over 94 million euros in the past few months. Above all, businesses in the craft, services, trade and tourism sectors were supported. “This targeted measure was also important to ensure that as many people as possible did not lose their jobs,” emphasized Provincial Councilor Philipp Achammer.
In the tourism sector, there was also additional funding for the tourism organizations and for the state’s marketing company IDM totaling around 35 million euros. In October, sectors particularly affected by the crisis, such as event service providers, travel agencies, companies for passenger transport, as well as discos and dance halls, were able to apply for funding. 205 applicants were supported with 9.2 million euros. A further support measure was the deferral of the installment payments of the capital installments of subsidized loans or leasing financing via the rotation fund. Also cultural workers could apply for immediate measures in two sections. A total of 1.7 million euros was made available for this. If you add the amount for indemnification and the compensation for failure of the youth hostels and educational institutions to the two packages of artistic measures, a total of more than 7.2 million is allocated to immediate measures for the cultural sector.
37.3 million for the social network
The social network in South Tyrol was strengthened with direct financial support measures, but also with compensation payments for services. A total of 15.9 million euros were made available for over 13,000 applications. This includes, for example, 1254 families and citizens who were supported with 2.2 million euros by Covid-19 emergency aid, 6208 applications for Covid-19 special rent and special contribution for ancillary housing costs amounting to 9 million were approved and paid out, as well as 7890 Families who were supported with over 5 million euros in the form of Covid-19 child benefit. Some applications have not yet been fully processed, which is why the Covid 19 child benefit data has been marked as provisional. “The crisis continues, and many families are also feeling this. It was therefore important for us to resume emergency aid with adapted criteria. From December 10th, citizens affected by the crisis can turn to the social district again and apply there for immediate aid or the special contribution for rent or ancillary housing costs ”, informed Social State Councilor Waltraud Deeg.
A further 21.4 million euros were earmarked as compensatory financing or as compensation for additional costs incurred for the providers of summer or afternoon care, childcare, senior citizens’ homes and social services. This also includes the special bonuses paid to the employees of the senior citizens’ homes and social services.
Digital tools for self-help
With the NeustartApps, the state has made digital tools available for self-help in cooperation with the Bozen Chamber of Commerce, the social and business associations of South Tyrol. Entrepreneurs, employees and families were able to find out about offers of assistance and point out perspectives and strategies for action. 2815 individual users have used this instrument in the past few months. “The experiences from the spring have shown that it is necessary to act immediately and decisively. This means that we cannot avert all the symptoms of a crisis, but we can cushion them significantly, ”states Governor Kompatscher with conviction.
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