Central
Central government is responsible for:
- Social welfare legislation;
- Care supervision and policy development are the responsibility of the State, while local authorities are responsible for the actual provision of services .
- Programmes for Holocaust survivors and information provision measures;
- Research and evaluations;
- Central library for social workers;
- Registration of social workers;
- Advisory services;
- Financing and subsidising activities of local authorities in social welfare;
- Gender equality measures;
- Measures at specific target groups, including the elderly, minors, and the disabled.
Local
The Support Services Law sets out in detail the structure of social service provision. It stipulates that such services are the responsibility of the social services department in each local authority. These departments are closely controlled by the central government and act under its instructions and supervision.
The budgeting of welfare services provided by the local authorities follows a "matching" principle: for every service financed by the local authority, it receives 75% funding from the State. However, many local authorities are unable to fund the remaining 25%.
Responsible ministries/bodies
Ministry for Social Equality
Sources:
S. Bas-Specktor, 'Social Rights and Personal Social Services in Israel', Knesset Research and Information Center, 21.10.2010, available at: http://www.knesset.gov.il/mmm/data/pdf/m03158.pdf (HE).
E. Braver et al., 'Central Government, Local Government and Welfare Policy in Israel', Ministry of Social Affairs (November 2000), available at: http://www.molsa.gov.il/CommunityInfo/SeniorStaffTraining/Documents/a14dd0b945df45f7bcfac235f1e68f07ShiltonMirkazi.pdf (HE).
