Slovakia's Social Affairs Ministry Moves to Crack Down on Truancy and Fraudulent Foster Care

Slovakia's Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has drafted new legislation aimed at tackling persistent school truancy and the fraudulent use of foster care arrangements. The proposed law would also address social benefit entitlements for foreign nationals living in Slovakia. Minister Erik Tomáš, who heads the ministry, had already signalled planned changes to how truancy is penalised back in April. The draft legislation now moves toward the formal legislative process. The measures reflect growing government concern over children missing school without justification and over cases where foster care placements may be arranged not for child welfare purposes but to unlawfully access state social payments. Slovakia's social benefits system, like those across the EU, faces pressure to prevent abuse while ensuring support reaches genuinely vulnerable families.