WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3312/97 by Helena TORRES MARQUES to the Commission. Financial aid for the victims of torture
16. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 117/173 4. Are there recommendations for offering part-time contracts to such groups of mental patients, since these enable them to develop their skills and so prevent a further increase in their anxiety? 5. Is the Commission aware that when people sign an employment contract they lose the non-contributory pension in many instances, which means that, in view of the uncertainty of finding stable employment, their wish to return to work is undermined by the fear of losing this pension? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (6 November 1997) In 1996 a budget of MECU 5 was allocated for transnational activities geared to improving the quality of life of people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, more particularly Alzheimer type (DAT) and related disorders, and their carers. Following a call for proposals, 26 projects on Alzheimerís disease were selected for funding covering a variety of themes. There is no Community public health programme for the prevention of mental illness. However in the programme of Community action on health promotion, information, education and training within the framework for action in the field of public health (1), mental health promotion has been given priority. It is one of eight health issues on which this programme focuses. In the communication from the Commission (2) proposing a Community action programme on injury prevention in the context of the framework for action in the field of public health, suicide is foreseen as one of five main topics. There are no Community provisions or recommendations on the industrial rehabilitation of psychologically impaired people. However, in a forthcoming communication on employment of people with disabilities, the issue of the transition to employment, including the question of the effect of receiving a non-contributory pension and stable employment in the open labour market, will be analysed. A budget of MECU 11. 8 has been allocated in 1997 for preparatory measures for cooperation to foster equal opportunities for people with disabilities, in particular to support activities of non governmental organisations and associations formed by people with disabilities. A call for proposals was launched in April 1997. 128 proposals have now been pre-selected for funding, including 13 projects devoted to psychologically impaired people. (1) Decision No 645/96/EC, OJ L 95, 16. 4. 1996. (2) COM(97) 178 final. (98/C 117/236) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3312/97 by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission (15 October 1997) Subject: Financial aid for the victims of torture The Commission has approved the funding of 27 projects and programmes intended to help rehabilitate the victims of torture throughout the world, as part of a Community strategy aimed at promoting human rights and democracy. Will the Commission say whether any of these programmes is intended to help the victims of torture in East Timor? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (31 October 1997) The Commission wishes to inform the Honourable Member that there are no projects for East Timor among the 27 approved by the Commission on 11 June as part of support for rehabilitation centres for torture victims (budget heading B7-7070)