The appropriations committee submitted a bill yesterday proposing a nearly ISK 5 billion (USD 81 million, EUR 55 million) increase of the additional national budget for 2007, among other things, to meet the operating loss of health institutions.
Nearly ISK 3 billion (USD 49 million, EUR 33 million) would go towards health institutions and ISK 1.8 billion (USD 29 million, EUR 20 million) thereof towards the National Hospital, Morgunbladid reports.
The committee also proposes that the budget for the Ministry of Social Affairs be increased by almost ISK 700 million (USD 11 million, EUR 8 million) and that most of that sum should be used for the Parental Leave Fund, since more people than expected have gone on maternity and paternity leave this year.
The Ministry of Justice would be granted almost ISK 600 million (USD 10 million, EUR 7 million) more than earlier proposed, primarily for the maintenance of vessels and aircraft.
