Analysis of the PNA Social Budget

Abstract

This study was intended to examine the public finance of social budget allocations in Palestine. In order to suggest measures for improvement concerning the social allocations in general and to the child budget in specific. To accomplish this purpose, a depth analysis of social budget matters, trends and issues have been investigated during the different political stages in Palestine, especially in the era of the Palestinian Authority. The investigation process included various issues of public finance such as administrative, policies, and fiscal aspects. In addition, structured interviews were conducted with relevant employees of public and non-profit organizations. The study found that 6% of the total current budget. The social allocated budget ratio from the Palestinians GDP is about less than 1% for the period from 1995 to 1999. The social government budget includes two major items. They are: the transfer of subsidies cost item and wages and salaries. The transfer of subsidies is the major function of Ministry of Social Affaires, to provide commodities and cash payments, for about 30,000 cases monthly, which formed about 90% of the total social budget. The beneficiaries of social services are: special and hard cases of widows, divorce women, handicapped individuals, orderly individuals, orphans, hard case children, and other social cases families. The Palestinian central budget has a commitment for free and compulsory education up to the tenth grade, and full medical insurance to children up to three years of age. However, unfortunately the Palestinian Authority budget still has no similar commitments towards social needs for hardship social cases. Nor does it have comprehensive coverage for children with disabilities and special needs.

Keywords: Social budget, Palestine, Central government budget

JEL Classification: H50, H61