Luxembourg increases the budget of the National Office for Children in Luxembourg (ONE)
Mieke Campbell, Unsplash
In 2022, the budget of the National Office for Children (ONE) was around €144 million, but by 2025 it has increased to €208 million, a 44 per cent increase in four years. This massive increase has sparked debate in parliament, with MP Marc Gergen questioning Minister Claude Meisch about the reasons for such a dramatic increase.
The minister explained that the increase in the budget was due to several factors:
- Inflation: the overall price index increased by 14.66% from 2022 to 2025.
- Rising staff costs: ageing staff and annual salary increases increase costs by 1.49% annually.
- Increased requests for assistance: the number of families in need of social support has increased in recent years. In response, the government is strengthening prevention measures and expanding outpatient services to reduce the need for hospitalisation.
ONE not only runs its own programmes but also funds the services of external organisations. From 2019 to 2023, around €650 million was allocated to partner projects, 75% of which went to the 10 largest organisations, including:
- Arcus Kanner Youth a Famill ASBL,
- Solina Solidarité Jeunes,
- Luxembourg Red Cross,
- Caritas Luxembourg and other social assistance funds.
The financial service of the Directorate for Children and Family Affairs (DG AEF) monitors the accounts of the suppliers, which should ensure transparency of budget expenditure.
According to Claude Meisch, the budget increase is a response to new social challenges and reflects the state's desire to support the most vulnerable groups of the population. The expansion of preventive and outpatient services also aims to better assist families and children at an early stage.
However, critics such as Mark Gergen raise questions about whether resources are allocated rationally and whether expenditure checks are effective. Given the volume of funds allocated and the concentration of funding among large organisations, it is important that the obligations of social service providers are strictly monitored.
The growth in ONE's budget can be seen as a signal that the government is serious about improving social support. However, the debate around financial transparency emphasises the need for both more aid and stricter reporting and auditing mechanisms. Only by striking a balance can it be ensured that every euro is spent for the benefit of children and families, rather than being spent on administrative costs.
