Enhanced Transparency for Social Support Fund Sought by MPs
In a recent meeting of the House ethics committee, members of parliament emphasized the need for greater clarity regarding the social support fund overseen by First Lady Philippa Karsera. The call for transparency was initiated by Disy MPs Nikos Georgiou and Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, who proposed that the fund maintain a detailed register of its financial sources and make this information accessible on its website.
Attending the session, First Lady Karsera marked a historic moment as it was unprecedented for a First Lady to be summoned to a parliamentary committee meeting. She highlighted the fund’s inception in 2013, a period when the financial crisis had left many students unable to afford their studies. Karsera proudly noted that since 2014, the fund has assisted 3,721 students with over €4 million, ensuring they could pay for tuition and housing.
With 1,340 applications submitted this year, Karsera anticipates that between 800 and 1,000 will receive approval and funding before Easter. She described the fund as a state-supported entity, relying on donations from individuals and legal entities to provide scholarships, operating without expenses, thus ensuring all contributions directly support students.
Furthermore, Karsera revealed the introduction of a new category of beneficiaries this year, extending aid to children in particularly vulnerable circumstances, without income or property considerations. This expansion has already benefited 107 students, aligning with the fund’s commitment to social justice.
The First Lady assured that donations are under strict scrutiny by the central bank, accountant general, and auditor general, emphasizing the shared goal of protecting the fund and its beneficiaries. She also highlighted donors’ right to privacy and expressed concerns that potential legislative changes might deter future contributions.
Accountant General Andreas Antoniades, serving as the fund’s secretary, confirmed that all transactions pass through a single account at the central bank, subject to stringent ‘know your client’ and ‘anti-money laundering’ checks. He noted that while most donations are domestic, a significant portion comes from Cypriots abroad.
During discussions on transparency, Personal Data Protection Commissioner Irene Loizidou Nicolaidou and Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides weighed in. Michaelides pointed out the lack of a donation cap could lead to potential abuses and cited an instance of a substantial donation following the issuance of a Cypriot passport to a foreign national.
The session concluded with a consensus on the importance of transparency while maintaining the integrity and purpose of the social support fund.
