15.Access to abortion services and post-abortion care for adolescent girls

102.The Act on Family Planning, Protection of the Human Fetus and Conditions of Admissibility of Abortion provides that persons having social insurance as well as those entitled under other provisions to free medical care have the right to an abortion free of charge. The schedule of services relating to abortion is set out in the annex to the Ministry of Health regulation of 22 November 2013 on guaranteed coverage for hospital services. Information on the conditions relating to abortion for minors appears in the annex to the present document.

103.Measures intended to facilitate access to abortion (2012-2015) include:

Preparation of an amendment to the Act of 6 November 2008 on the Rights of the Patient and the Ombudsman for Patients that would allow the patient to contest the recommended treatment or diagnosis, thereby strengthening patients’ rights (adopted by the Cabinet in January 2015);

Database on cases in which doctors have claimed a conscientious objection;

Dissemination of information on the use of conscientious objection by doctors: referral to a national consultant and province-level consultants in the fields of gynaecology and obstetrics, meetings with the national consulting team and publication on the Ministry of Health website and in the Polish Association of Gynaecologists magazine of a communiqué on the use of conscientious objection by doctors.

16.1Adequate living conditions: public policies, strategies and programmes to fight poverty

104.See also issue 12.2.

105.The family benefits scheme set out in the Act on Family Benefits provides basic support for families with children.

106.The Act of 4 February 2011 on childcare for children under the age of 3 established criteria to facilitate the development of various types of childcare for under-3 children, which has improved the quality of childcare.

107.The Act on Family Support and Foster Care created “streetworking” day support centres offering leisure and social therapy activities.

108.The “Childcare — children — work” programme (2011-2015) aims to promote the services available in day support centres that can help eliminate the risk of social exclusion. The social therapy, educational and inclusive activities in such centres is aimed at children from families with poor child-rearing skills.

109.One of the objectives of the National Programme to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion 2020 — A New Level of Active Integration, launched in 2014, is to create favourable conditions for children through:

Development of various types of childcare arrangements;

Support for families with children with disabilities;

Coordinated educational, social and professional activities: increased emphasis on social aspects and availability of specialized schools at an early age, preventive and social therapy services, job training, bridging the digital divide, securing a first job.

110.Examples of objectives:

Provide meal supplements to 1.1 million children;

Increase the number of families covered by the family assistant programme;

Increase to 33 per cent the proportion of children up to the age of 3 in some form of childcare;

Increase to 90 per cent the proportion of children between the ages of 3 and 5 in kindergarten;

Include all newborns in the demographic and diagnostic studies programme.

111.Other activities appear in the annex.

16.2Expanded coverage of family benefits and access to benefits for large families, single-parent families and children with disabilities at risk of poverty

112.Amendments to the Act of 28 November 2003 on Family Benefits are listed in the annex.

113.Between November 2011 and December 2014 persons eligible for services received a supplement in accordance with government programmes to assist persons receiving services.

114.The Act of 4 April 2014 on Calculation and Payment of Benefits to Caregivers amended the procedures for the granting of the special caregiver benefit: the benefit is provided to individuals who are not employed because they are caring for a person with a disability.

115.The family income taken into account for the calculation of the amount of the benefit was increased by 6.9 per cent on 1 November 2012 and 6.5 per cent on 1 November 2014. The family benefits for children were increased by 13.2 per cent for children under the age of 5, 16.5 per cent for children aged 6 to 18 and 17.3 per cent for children aged 19 to 24.

116.A planned amendment to the Act on Family Benefits would create a parental benefit to be paid for one year following the birth of a child (longer for multiple births) to parents not eligible for the maternal benefit (for example, the unemployed, students, and persons employed under private law contracts).

117.In 2014, 41 per cent of families entitled to social assistance had children; most of the families receiving assistance had two children. Single-parent families receiving assistance made up 13 per cent of the total.

17.Child asylum seekers and unaccompanied children entitled to legal aid

118.Any entity that accepts an unaccompanied child’s request for refugee status must petition a court to appoint a legal guardian to represent that child in refugee procedures and to place that child in an educational care establishment or with a host family.

119.In February 2015 the border police service organized a meeting of representatives of such establishments with a view to increasing capacity and organizing training on working in a multicultural environment.

120.Planned amendments to the Act on the Protection of Aliens on the Territory of the Republic of Poland and related laws will strengthen protection for children in particular. Proposed solutions are listed in the annex.

121.The Aliens Act of 12 December 2013:

Establishes alternatives to detention: the requirement to live in a designated location, the requirement to report to the authorities at specified intervals, payment of a financial guarantee, deposit of a travel document with the entity that ordered placement in a holding centre. A court, when deciding to place a foreign national who has a child in a holding centre, takes into account the child’s physical and mental development, personality, the circumstances surrounding detention, and personal factors that influenced the decision to place the alien and the child in a holding centre;

Eliminates the automatic three-month extension of the period spent in the holding centre; currently detention is extended only if the court is of the opinion that the request for asylum was made to delay or render impossible a decision to return the alien;

Shortens the holding period for persons requesting refugee status from 12 to 6 months;

Requires a medical examination to determine the real age of an alien claiming to be a minor about whom there are doubts, with the consent of the alien or his or her legal representative.

122.In order to improve childcare arrangements and meet the obligation to educate, in 2013 some holding centres were designated specifically for placement of foreign nationals who have children, including two centres for school-age children and one for children not of school age.

123.Holding centres provide schooling (primary, intermediate and secondary levels) for groups of children, taking into account their age and knowledge of Polish. Leisure and educational activities are provided. The centres have childcare facilities. The libraries have children’s books.

124.Children placed in holding centres are entitled to the same health care as Polish children. The children are entitled to regular check-ups and receive required vaccinations.

125.Additional information and statistics appear in the annex.

126.The Office for Foreigners cooperates with the following entities:

European Refugee Fund: projects “Material support for foreigners requesting refugee status. Purchase of school supplies and baby clothing”, “Educational assistance for children of foreigners who are requesting refugee status”;

European Refugee Fund and International Organization for Migration (IOM): training project “Improving the competency and effectiveness of guardians and the protection of unaccompanied minors requesting refugee status in the Central European countries”;

European Asylum Support Office: training on holding hearings for minors who are requesting international protection.

18.1Access to education for Roma children

127.Children of Roma origin are guaranteed access to education on the same basis as all Polish citizens.

128.Since Roma children may have special educational needs, schools are authorized to organize activities to maintain and strengthen their attachment to their ethnic identity and support their education (training and remedial classes and other special classes including remedial classes, speech therapy).

129.The Programme for the Roma Community in Poland 2004-2013:

Appointed teaching assistants and teacher tutors for Roma children who had been trained to work with students in a multicultural and multilingual setting;

Funded preschool classes, in-school remedial classes, textbooks, school supplies, lesson packets, vacation periods, sporting activities, Roma childcare establishments, etc.;

Established a scholarship programme for Roma children from primary school to university.

130.In 2014 some 100 teaching assistants and 100 teacher tutors worked with Roma children.

131.Responsibility for the scholarship fund for Roma university students and particularly gifted pupils was assigned in 2004 to Roma NGOs. In 2013-2014 scholarships were paid to 131 university students and 50 particularly gifted pupils. Since 2011 scholarships have also been available for secondary students; 136 were awarded in 2013-2014.

132.Measures are being implemented in the context of the Programme for the Integration of the Roma Community in Poland for the period 2014-2020 (follow-up to efforts begun in 2004); education is a priority.

18.2Kindergartens for Roma children

133.There are no kindergartens for Roma children. Under the Programme for the Roma Community in Poland the State pays the cost of kindergarten and compulsory additional classes. The cost of teaching materials and supplies is shared between the State and the parents.

134.Statistics are provided in the annex.

18.3Awareness of Roma culture

135.In accordance with the Act on National and Ethnic Minorities and on Regional Language, the State supports the protection, preservation and development of the Roma minority’s cultural identity. The amounts provided in subsidies in 2011-2014 were:

4,572,000 Zl to preserve and develop the cultural identity of the Roma minority;

2,700,000 Zl for culture, maintaining ethnic identity and increasing awareness of the Roma community (in the context of the Programme for the Roma Community in Poland).

136.Those funds were used to organize cultural days, concerts, expositions, open-air events and workshops. The organizers of those activities were generally Roma associations. The artistic and cultural activities were aimed mainly at people who rarely have contact with the Roma.

137.Preschool and school teaching programmes include recommendations on including information about national and ethnic minorities (historical, cultural and social approach) in lessons about the Polish language, history and society, history, social sciences, geography, cultural studies and art. Roma teaching assistants have the important task of transmitting knowledge about Roma culture in the schools.

19.1Implementation of the National Programme for Combating and Preventing Trafficking in Persons

138.Measures adopted in 2011-2012 include:

Materials published:

Procedures for including a minor of foreign origin in the support and protection programme for victims and witnesses of trafficking, in the context of a pilot project in Mazovia province;

Guidelines for police officers concerning identification and recommended procedures in cases of suspected human trafficking;

Analysis of the legal and family status of foreign minors who are victims of human trafficking;

There are shelters for minor victims of human trafficking in four provinces; staff have been trained to recognize and support child victims of human trafficking;

Activities to inform foreigners about the issue of forced labour.

139.The National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking for the period 2013-2015, which is being implemented, provides for:

Increasing knowledge about and awareness of human trafficking;

Offering more services to victims of trafficking and improving the standard of the services offered;

Improving the effectiveness of institutions responsible for prosecuting crimes involving human trafficking (strengthening legal provisions, implementing best practices);

Improving the qualifications of representatives of institutions and organizations, including through training for staff in the various social assistance offices;

Strengthening international cooperation.

140.Measures are described in the annex.

19.2Prosecutions and convictions of perpetrators of offences relating to trafficking in persons and child pornography

141.Polish legislation is in line with the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime and Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA of 22 December 2003 on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography.

142.In 2014, the Criminal Code and a number of other laws were amended to bring them into line with the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse and Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on combating sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children, and child pornography, replacing the Council’s Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA. The following actions are punishable:

The display of pornographic materials to persons under the age of 15 years;

Proposing or engaging in a sexual act with a person aged under the age of 15 for the purposes of personal sexual gratification or that of a third party;

Forcing pornographic materials upon other persons in public;

Displaying pornographic materials produced with the participation of a minor or depicting violence or the use of animals; displaying images created or modified to show minors participating in sexual acts.

143.Sanctions will be taken against any person who:

For the purposes of sexual gratification, takes part in the display of pornographic materials produced with the participation of a minor;

Stores, owns or accesses pornographic materials produced with the participation of a minor;

Benefits from the sexual services of a minor under the age of 18 years, regardless of who initiated sexual contact.

144.The time period specified in the statute of limitations for sexual offences committed against minors has been extended.

145.Statistical data appear in the annex.

19.3Protection of child victims of trafficking and forced prostitution

146.In the light of the 2014 and 2015 amendments to the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure:

Restraining orders have been introduced as a part of police monitoring measures;

Victim/witness data confidentiality measures have been implemented;

Directive 2011/99/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the European protection order has been implemented. Thus persons moved to another member State are protected through measures implemented at their new place of residence that are identical to those implemented in the issuing State.

147.The Act on Protecting and Assisting Victims and Witnesses of 28 November 2014 ensures that protection and assistance are provided in connection with criminal proceedings and in situations where the health or life of an individual is at risk (protection relating to procedural acts, individual protection and assistance when changing place of residence and in response to needs in terms of daily life, accommodation and health care).

148.Assistance provided by the Fund for Victim Assistance and the Fund for Former Inmates — see point 9.2.3.

149.Where interviews relating to the granting of refugee status uncover evidence that an unaccompanied child may be a victim of trafficking, an immigration official informs the border police and the child, if he or she agrees, is placed in the support and protection programme for victims and witnesses of trafficking.

150.During the period 2011-2012, no minors seeking refugee status were identified as victims of trafficking. In 2014, one unaccompanied minor applying for refugee status was identified as a victim of trafficking.

151.Training courses delivered during the period 2011-2014:

A seminar for family and juvenile court judges on “The status of foreign minors victims of trafficking in cases before the guardianship courts”;

Training for family and juvenile court judges on cases of unaccompanied foreign nationals;

“Minors before the courts. Trafficking in persons. The experiences of Polish and Ukrainian judges and European standards”;

‘‘Preventing trafficking in persons and tackling discrimination based on nationality, ethnicity, race and religion”;

“Aspects of ongoing efforts to combat child pornography and paedophilia”.

152.Since 2011, the border police service has participated in the FIGAS project “Filling the gaps in the system of combating human trafficking in Poland”, which covers:

Studies, including on the cross-border flow of children;

Studies carried out in detention facilities;

The preparation of a long-term anti-trafficking strategy.

19.4Children receiving assistance from the National Consulting and Intervention Centre for Victims of Trafficking in Persons

153.During the period 2012-2014, assistance was provided to 51 potential child victims of trafficking.

154.The Centre provides help with finding safe shelter, health care and psychological support, the regularization of legal and family status, translation and interpretation, and safe return to the country of origin.

20.1The juvenile criminal justice system

155.The 2013 law on the juvenile criminal justice system has been amended to:

Replace the previous formal procedure with a single procedure based on a model prepared in line with the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure. The procedure also retains some provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure on the collection, registration and obtaining of evidence by the Police, the presence and activities of the public defender, legal proceedings involving young persons who are not minors, and seized items;

Regulate the holding of children in police detention centres for children and cases in which minors must be released immediately and handed over to their parents or guardian;

Introduce a four-week period of psychiatric assessment of minors, extendable for a maximum of six weeks upon request by a medical establishment.

156.The courts monitor all activities.

157.Detailed information appears in the annex.

20.2The possibility of placing children aged 13 years or older in correctional centres

158.Minors may be placed in a correctional centre if they have committed a punishable act and if the nature of the act, the circumstances surrounding it and the gravity of their delinquency justify placement and if other correctional measures have proved ineffective or do not give grounds for hope of reintegration into society.

159.There are several types of correctional centre. Minors are placed in the establishment that corresponds to the gravity of their delinquency.

20.3Safeguards to ensure compliance with due process of law before the family court in the cases set out in paragraphs 174 and 176 of the report

160.The law on the juvenile criminal justice system provides for procedural safeguards. The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure apply to the collection, registration and obtaining of evidence by the police, the presence and activities of the public defender, legal proceedings involving young persons who are not minors, and seized items.

Part II

(a)New relevant laws

161.(Not mentioned elsewhere):

Act of 19 August 2011 on Sign Language and Other Means of Communication;

The regulations of the Minister of National Education:

Of 1 February 2013 on the procedures governing the operations of public centres providing psychological and pedagogical support, including specialized centres;

Of 27 August 2012 on the preschool curriculum and the general curriculum in different types of schools;

Of 8 March 2013 on the organization of training, and the conditions and types of supervision and educational activities in schools for children with special educational needs set up in health-care facilities and social assistance units;

Of 30 April 2013 on the procedures for granting and organizing psychological and pedagogical support in preschools, schools and public educational establishments;

Of 11 October 2013 on the organization of early support for child development;

The regulations of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy of 22 February 2011 on the essential services provided by specialized support centres for victims of domestic violence, the skills set of the staff in those centres, the specific guidelines on rehabilitation and education activities for perpetrators of domestic violence, and the skills set of those running the rehabilitation and education activities;

The regulations of the Minister of Sport and Tourism of 19 September 2011 on financial support for the sports activities fund for students.

(b)New institutions and their mandates; institutional reforms

162.In 2011 the Minister of Labour and Social Policy set up a team to monitor activities to combat domestic violence. Its mission is to:

Adopt and support measures to combat domestic violence;

Issue opinions in cases brought under the Act on Counteracting Domestic Violence, and initiate legislative amendments;

Prepare guidelines on assistance for victims of domestic violence and on working with perpetrators of domestic violence.

(c)Recently introduced policies, programmes and action plans, and their scope and financing

163.In the framework of the “Toddler” programme to develop childcare facilities for the under-3s, operational since 2011, educational childcare facilities operating under the Act on Care for Children under Three receive support, and their functioning has improved.

164.In accordance with the Act of 5 December 2014 on the large-family card programme, the card grants large families (with a minimum of three children) priority access to goods, services and various kinds of activities, which increases children’s development opportunities and promotes the model and image of large families. The card is proof of such families’ right to discounts offered by public bodies and private businesses. The regional programme for large families (which encompasses the regional card and the large family card) is aimed at the local community and is based on cooperation with local providers of goods and services. More detailed information appears in the annex.

165.To increase pupils’ participation in sports activities, the following programmes were implemented in 2014:

“Little champion”, “I can swim”, “Multisport”, “Physical education is cool” (to strengthen physical skills, develop healthy lifestyles, and provide teacher support);

The widespread introduction of sports activities to children by Polish sports associations (athletics, basketball, volleyball, cycling, speed skating, biathlons, skiing, rugby, figure skating).

(d)Funding for measures by various ministries and local authorities to promote the realization of children’s rights

166.See part III, issue 1.1.

(e)International agreements on the rights of the child

167.

2011 — ratifications:

Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects;

International Labour Organization Maritime Labour Convention;

2012 — ratifications:

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling,Productionand Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction;

2013:

Withdrawal of the reservations concerning articles 7 and 8 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child;

Amendment of the declaration on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict;

2014 — ratifications:

Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty;

Protocol No. 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, concerning the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances;

2015 — ratifications of Council of Europe Conventions:

On the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse;

On Cybercrime, and the Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, concerning the criminalization of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems;

On Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.

Part III

1.1Budgetary expenditure for children’s and social affairs

1.2Percentage of State budget and GDP per type of expenditure

Expenditure per budget line

(I n millions of zlotys)

	2011	2012	2013
State budget
Schools and education	1.697 per cent (0.0 per cent of GDP)	1.847 per cent (0.1 per cent of GDP)	2.350 per cent (0.1 per cent of GDP)
Educational childcare	503 (0.0 per cent of GDP)	509 (0.1 per cent of GDP)	590 (0.0 per cent of GDP)
Local administration budget
Schools and education	52.957	55.542	56.338
Educational childcare	4.372	4.579	4.754

Spending on children cannot be distinguished from the overall spending in the following areas: social assistance and measures to combat domestic violence, justice, internal affairs, culture and national heritage, sport.

National Health Insurance Fund spending on benefits for children (0 to 18 years)

(In millions of zlotys)

2011	2012	2013
7 986	8 103	8 109

Family benefits

(In millions of zlotys)

	2011	2012	2013
Family allowance	2 842.9	2 651.5	2 782.7
Supplements
Birth allowance	160.9	132.7	133.3
Childcare during parental leave	456.6	380.2	316.8
Bringing up a child in a single-parent family	272.8	252.6	234.1
Education and rehabilitation for a child with disabilities	148.9	138.9	133.2
Start of a school year	202.6	184.3	172.4
Attending a school outside the child ’ s catchment area	190.9	171.4	154.2
Bringing up a child in a large family	443.6	401.8	367.5
Lump-sum birth allowance	8 397 .0	9 373.1	272.6
Care allowance	1 648.9	1 684.7	1 702.8
Care benefits	1 030.8	1 363.2	1 072.4
Special care allowance	-	-	35.7

The implementation of the Act on Family Support and Foster Care by local governments (with funds from the State budget), 2012: 108.5 million Zl; 2013: 92.1 million Zl; 2014: 111.3 million Zl.

Benefits from the Maintenance Fund

(In millions of zlotys)

2011	2012	2013
1 330.5	1 413.4	1 475.1

2.Statistical data

2 (a)Children under the age of 5

Population census, 2011

		Number	Percentage
Total		2 057 998	100.0
Sex	Men	1 055 902	51.3
Women	1 002 096	48.7
Place	Urban area	1 190 555	57.9
Rural area	867 443	42.1

2 (b)Children belonging to ethnic, religious and language minorities

Population census, 2011, children between 0 and 17 years of age

Children belonging to national and ethnic minorities, or communities using a regional language, within the meaning of the National and Ethnic Minorities and Regional Language Act, by minority group

Total		44 510
Sex	Men	22 964
Women	21 546
Place	Urban area	18 037
Rural area	26 473
Minority group	Belarusian	3 766
Czech	431
Karaim	*
Lithuanian	1 022
Lemko	1 049
German	11 831
Armenian	359
Roma	4 822
Russian	726
Slovak	387
Tatar	216
Ukrainian	4 811
Jewish	440
Kashubian	14 639

*Not available due to the low number of minority members; an estimate is not reliable.

Religious affiliation

Total	7 202 273
Number of persons answering the question on religious affiliation	6 648 557
Persons with a religious affiliation	6 538 917
Catholic Church — Latin rite (Roman Catholic Church)	6 462 924
Orthodox Church	21 355
Jehovah ’ s Witnesses	20 098
Evangelical Lutheran Church	11 774
Catholic Church — Byzantine-Ukrainian rite (Greek Catholic Church)	4 743
Pentecostal movement	6 233
Mariavite Church	1 746
Polish Catholic Church	1 372
Christian Baptist Church	1 341
Other	7 330
Persons with no religious affiliation	109 640
Persons refusing to answer the question on religious affiliation	463 786
Undetermined	89 929

2 (c)Roma children in the education system

	Covered by compulsory schooling*	Attending school*	Covered by compulsory schooling and attending school*	Attending additional education classes
201 1/ 12	3 224	2 800	86.8 per cent	2 595
2012/ 13	3 359	2 962	88.2 per cent	2 575
2013/ 14	n/a	n/a	n/a	2 547

*Estimate.

2 (d)Percentage of children (0 to 17 years) at risk of poverty

	2011	2012	2013
Legal poverty threshold	11.2	11.9	20.3
Subsistence level	9.7	9.8	10.1

The legal poverty threshold is the threshold for receiving social assistance benefits.

The subsistence level includes less immediate needs.

2 (e)Support centres for victims of domestic violence

	2012	2013	2014
Advice units	1 014	1 071	716*
Crisis intervention centres	209	193	144
Specialized support centres	35	35	35
Interdisciplinary teams to prevent domestic violence	2 467	2 489	2 542
Working groups	48 510	57 207	71 856

*Some functions have been transferred to social assistance centres.

3.Statistics

3 (a)Children removed from their homes pursuant to the Act on Counteracting Domestic Violence

2011	474
2012	500
2013	571

3 (b)Children in foster care

	Institution s	Pre-adoption intervention centre
Socialization centres	Intervention centres	Specialized and therapeutic care centres	Family setting	Regional care and therapy centres
2012	15 967	2 217	109	2 232	49	23
2013	15 626	1 927	366	2 030	115	41
2014	15 324	1 801	429	1 963	144	36

3 (c)Children under the age of 7 placed in educational childcare facilities

	Institutions	Pre-adoption intervention centre
Socialization centres	Intervention centres	Specialized and therapeutic care centres	Family setting	Regional care and therapy centres
2012	1 840	541	4	317	41	23
2013	1 607	408	72	293	102	41
2014	1 412	436	82	302	103	36

3 (d)Children placed in foster care

	Foster families	Shelters
	Related	Non-professional	Professional
2012	33 769	16 383	6 454	1 476
2013	33 306	16 431	6 727	2 106
2014	32 405	15 890	6 773	2 583

3 (e)Children adopted

	2012	2013	2014
Total	3 486	3 537	3 492
Adopted by persons living abroad	274	312	294

4.Children with disabilities

Population census, 2011

			15 to 19 years
	0 to 19 years	0 to 14 years	Total	15 years	16 - 19 years
Total	247 716	169 121	78 595	15 727	62 868
Legal disability	190 232	129 950	60 282	12 264	48 018
Biological disability only	57 485	39 172	18 313	3 463	14 850
Men	145 777	101 094	44 683	9 023	35 660
Legal disability	112 820	78 260	34 559	7 149	27 411
Biological disability only	32 959	22 835	10 124	1 875	8 249
Women	101 939	68 027	33 912	6 704	27 208
Legal disability	77 413	51 690	25 723	5 115	20 608
Biological disability only	24 526	16 337	8 189	1 588	6 601

Children (0 to 15 years) with a legal disability

Total	142 214
Urban areas	79 195
Rural areas	55 466

4 (a)Raised in families

Not applicable.

4 (b)Placed in institutions

		Children with a declared disability
	Children with mental disabilities living in social assistance homes	living in a foster care centre	living with a foster family
2011	5 244	-	5 581
2012	5 471	220	5 700
2013	3 928	325	5 733

4.Children attending

(c)Regular primary schools

(d)Regular secondary schools

(e)Schools for children with special needs

Children attending State schools as a percentage of all children with disabilities in school, as of 30 September

2012	2013	2014
46.31	48.7	50.45

Pupils with declared special educational needs

Type of school	2012/ 13	2013/ 14	2014/ 15
Total	Girls	Total	Girls	Total	Girls
Primary	State	31 800	11 653	33 991	11 958	37 484	12 875
For children with special educational needs	22 069	7 731	22 158	7 742	22 307	7 693
Middle	Regular	19 945	7 645	20 197	7 762	20 598	7 820
For children with special educational needs	20 991	7 984	19 765	7 496	18 598	7 059
Secondary	Regular	7 123	2 903	7 585	3 059	8 617	3 527
For children with special needs	25 849	11 260	24 583	10 629	24 734	10 711

4 (f)Out of school

Not applicable.

4 (g)Abandoned by their families

Not applicable.

5.Other statistics

There is nothing to add to the information provided in other sections.

6.List of child-related issues considered to be of high priority

There is nothing to add to the information provided in other sections.

Annex

Cf. 1.2

1.Human Capital Development Strategy — measures to benefit children and examples of actions taken in 2013:

Improvements in the quality of institutional care and care outside the family setting for children up to 3 years of age: amendments have been made to the Act on Care for Children under Three and certain other laws; measures have been taken to promote the continuous development of the childcare system; two phases of the “Toddler” programme to develop childcare facilities have been implemented through the Citizens’ Initiatives Fund; and projects have been carried out to support parents of children under 5 years of age and foster families;

Improvements in access to and the quality of preschool education, especially in rural areas: the Education System Act has been amended; all children have been guaranteed a place in preschool; the amount charged by public preschools for classes over and above the standard number of hours of free childcare has been reduced (thanks to subsidies paid to municipalities from the State budget); and new admissions criteria and procedures have been established for public preschools, other forms of preschool education, schools and public institutions;

The fight against marginalization and social disintegration of the family and the establishment of a system that meets the need for foster care: programmes have been carried out to support families and develop the foster care system; funding has been provided to local authorities to pay the salaries of family assistants and foster care coordinators; standards for day-care institutions have been strengthened; and various actions have been taken with respect to foster care;

Non-financial support for families with children with disabilities and access to disability support services: arrangements for the provision of early child development support have been updated;

Higher standards of protection for mothers and children: the following programmes have been implemented: a programme to provide comprehensive diagnostic services and prenatal treatment to prevent ill effects and complications related to deformities and disorders of the fetus, so as to improve the health of fetuses and newborns (2009-2013); a screening programme for newborns (2009-2014); and the POLKARD national programme for equal access to prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (2013-2016);

A focus in general education on key skills and the fostering of know-how and creativity among students: changes have been made to the curriculum and the organization of the education system, so as to improve the quality of education and better prepare students for life in modern society (by developing their competence in key skills, diversifying the forms of general education and vocational training offered, and adapting to changes in the job market);

Support for the development of computer skills: the “Digital school” programme has been implemented to develop skills among students and teachers in the use of information and communications technology;

The modernization of the external examinations system with a view to adapting it to the new general education curriculum and focusing it on the assessment of key skills: the Minister of National Education has issued regulations on the criteria and assessment methods to be used, the classification and promotion of pupils and students as well as the administering of tests and examinations in schools, and an amendment to the Education System Act as it concerns student evaluations has been drafted;

The personalization of the learning process: the legal solutions adopted between 2007 and 2013 have been implemented; the work of educational and psychological counselling centres has been strengthened; and projects relating to education for children with disabilities, the personalization of educational and learning processes and the adaptation of exams to the needs of students with disabilities have also been implemented;

The development of a model based on working with students, especially gifted ones, which includes individualized curricula and additional courses to develop students’ talents and interests, in accordance with the legal measures adopted in 2012; also, the programme titled “The development and implementation of a comprehensive system based on working with students” (2010-2014) has been implemented;

The development of a new model of education and vocational training: the implementation of the new curriculum in vocational schools is being monitored; new teachers’ manuals have been prepared; and a training programme for counsellors and other persons who provide educational and vocational guidance in schools has been developed;

The development of a new teacher training model: new educational standards have been implemented in accordance with the regulations issued by the Minister of Scientific Research and Higher Education in 2012 on the standards for teacher training;

Strengthening the appeal of the teaching profession and improving the quality of teachers’ work: an amendment to the Teachers’ Charter has been drafted;

The establishment of a new system to support schools and further improve quality control in education: the provisions relating to monitoring in education and the organization of the work of school inspectors have been amended, and training courses are provided for employees in the education system;

The strengthening of the social role of schools and early intervention: the provisions on State aid for students have been implemented, as has a programme providing essential school supplies; benefits to cover unforeseen accidents and targeted one-time benefits are now paid to students; and educational and therapeutic trips have been organized in connection with major weather events;

The encouragement of behaviours that are more health-promoting and environmentally sound: the following have been implemented: a national anti-smoking programme, a national programme to prevent and resolve problems associated with alcoholism (2011-2015), and projects titled “Education, promotion and prevention related to oral health, targeting young children and their parents, guardians and caregivers”, “Preventing overweight, obesity and chronic diseases by raising public awareness about healthful nutrition and physical activity” and “Programme to prevent addiction to alcohol, drugs, tobacco and other psychoactive substances”.

Cf. 3.1 to 3.3

2.The monitoring of local authorities by the Government:

The Minister of Labour and Social Policy ensures monitoring of the work carried out by local authorities under the National Programme for Counteracting Domestic Violence. Oversight is the responsibility of the provincial governor, who assesses local programmes. The results of these assessments are used to improve the programmes and their implementation;

The Minister of National Education oversees the work of school inspectors. Tasks related to the administration and funding of preschools, schools and other educational establishments are the responsibility of local authorities. Provincial governors monitor legal aspects of these activities, while regional audit offices monitor financial aspects.

3.The provincial governors have the right to declare a resolution or decision issued by a municipality, district (powiat) or province null and void, in application of:

The Act of 8 March 1990 on municipal authorities;

The Act of 5 March 1998 on district authorities;

The Act of 5 March 1998 on provincial authorities.

Cf. 7.3

4.The provinces take action to combat aggression and intolerance against foreigners. For example, in 2015 the authorities of Mazovia province carried out the following activities:

Held a conference for inspectors, school principals, teachers and parents;

Conducted an educational and awareness-raising campaign to combat aggression and intolerance in preschools and primary and secondary schools;

Offered in-service training for teachers and employees of educational and psychological counselling centres: a survey was conducted on the types of training sought on working with children from racial and ethnic minorities, and combating racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance was made an integral part of the in-service training programme for teachers.

5.The Law Enforcement Officer Training Programme for Combating Hate Crimes, which is intended for police officers and border guards, aims to build officers’ capacity to deal with hate crimes and to adopt appropriate attitudes when dealing with victims. The programme also aims to raise officers’ awareness of discrimination issues through training courses offered by the provinces, the Warsaw police department and police academies. Officers who have received this training have subsequently trained their colleagues in the regional police departments, following a cascade model. A total of 77,000 persons have completed the course since 2006.

Cf. 8

6.Data have been collected on the following types of exceptional cases in shelters for young people: accidents resulting in the death of a child or another person, serious physical injury, rebellion, collective action, suicide, attempted suicide, serious disruption of order and security, rape, abuse, escape, use of a prohibited form of punishment, degrading or inhuman treatment, the application of direct corrective measures. Since 1 April 2014, at the request of the Ombudsman, data have been collected on the following types of cases: the death of the child or another person, suicide, rape, beatings resulting in serious bodily injury.

Cf. 9.1

7.Following are the results of the study on children’s perceptions of domestic violence and opportunities for them to seek assistance, conducted in 2014 as part of the “Violence-Free Polish Family” project:

Six per cent of respondents may be affected by violence (possibly an underestimation);

Physical violence was the type mentioned most often (31 per cent), followed by neglect (19 per cent) and psychological violence (11 per cent), with sexual violence mentioned the least often (4 per cent);

Eighty-nine per cent of respondents have not been affected by domestic violence;

Thirty-two per cent of respondents know at least one victim of violence, while 24 per cent are convinced that no one around them has been affected by domestic violence;

The respondents affected by violence had sought assistance from their teachers, guardians, teachers or school psychologists, doctors, nurses, friends, family members or relatives.

8.The implementation of the National Programme for Counteracting Domestic Violence for the period 2006-2016:

Raised awareness about the issue of domestic violence;

Launched a public debate on zero tolerance of domestic violence;

Raised awareness about reporting acts of domestic violence to the relevant specialized services;

Changed mindsets about the use of corporal punishment.

9.The programme “Support for local authorities to establish a system to combat domestic violence”:

Stepped up activities to improve the situation of families at risk of violence;

Increased assistance for children from families at risk of violence and affected by violence;

Improved access to benefits;

Adapted support services to meet the needs of persons affected by domestic violence.

10.The programme “Monitoring children’s life history — a standard of conduct for social workers — a tool for protecting children from domestic violence”:

Established a standard for monitoring the life history of children at risk of violence;

Included four regional meetings to develop the standard, and a final version was drafted;

Included dissemination of the standard to 3,000 institutions working to combat domestic violence.

11.Examples of police action at the local level: as part of the programme “NO to violence, YES to power” (2014, Lubusz province), police officers considered how to identify cases of domestic violence and seek assistance, as well as positive models of family life. A video spot competition was held in secondary schools.

Cf. 9.4

12.Actions to be taken under the programme “A safe and friendly school” for the period 2014-2020 include:

Strengthening security in schools;

Resolving conflicts and combating violence;

Combating addiction (to alcohol, drugs, so-called designer drugs, over-the-counter medicines, tobacco, video games or the Internet).

13.The programme includes:

Education and prevention programmes and psychological support;

The development and implementation of crisis management procedures;

The development of principles for cooperation between schools, the police and local law enforcement bodies;

Teacher training and conferences, including one on combating violence among children and young people with special education needs who attend public schools.

Cf. 10

14.Measures taken under the “Blue Card” procedure:

Launching of the procedure: The “Blue Card A” form is filled out in the presence of a parent or guardian (or, if that person is suspected of violence, in the presence of another adult who is close to the child). Any action that involves the child should be taken in the presence of a psychologist, under safe conditions in which freedom of expression and respect for dignity are guaranteed;

The victim of violence receives the “Blue Card B” form (statement). If the victim is a child, the form is sent to a parent, a guardian or the person who reported the suspected violence;

The completed “Blue Card A” form is forwarded to the chair of a multidisciplinary team, who in turn sends it to the members of a multidisciplinary team or a working group. The team or group decides on the measures to be taken in relation to the person affected by domestic violence, the person who committed the acts of violence and other members of the family. Measures are taken by representatives of social services, the education system, the health-care system, the police and communal committees to address alcohol-related problems, and by NGOs and judicial review services, prosecutors or other persons working to combat violence.

Cf. 13.1

15.Health care is provided:

With the consent:

Of a legal representative;

And additionally of the patient, if he or she is at least 16 years of age;

Without consent: when patients require immediate assistance, their health condition or age make it impossible for them to express their consent, and they have no way of communicating with their legal representative or guardian;

With the prior consent of the court:

If the legal representative is absent or communication with him or her is impossible;

If the patient is at least 16 years of age and refuses to undergo medical procedures;

If the legal representative refuses consent.

16.Surgery and high-risk procedures for treatment or diagnosis are performed:

With the consent:

Of a legal representative;

And additionally of the patient, if he or she is at least 16 years of age.

With the prior consent of the court:

If the patient does not have a legal representative or if communication with that representative is not possible;

If the legal representative refuses to consent to actions needed to eliminate the danger of death or disability;

Without the consent of the court: when any delay would put the patient at risk of death, serious physical injury or disability. The doctor immediately informs the legal representative or the court about the actions taken.

17.Patients are admitted to a psychiatric hospital:

With the consent:

Of a legal representative;

And additionally of the patient, if he or she is at least 16 years of age;

With the consent of the court, when the patient and the legal representative give contradictory statements;

Without consent: when patients’ behaviour indicates that, due to mental illness, they pose a threat to their own life or to the life or health of others. Within 72 hours of admission to the hospital, the latter notifies the court, which handles the admission procedures. The court may also hear the case:

At the request of the patient or his or her legal representative, spouse, parents or siblings or a person who has custody of the patient;

On its own initiative;

With the prior consent of the court: when patients’ behaviour indicates that, if not admitted to a hospital, their psychological health will seriously deteriorate, or they are unable to meet their own basic survival needs, and there is reason to believe that the treatment will improve their health. The court decides on the admission to the hospital at the request of the patient’s parents, siblings or legal representative or someone who effectively acts as the patient’s guardian.

18.In cases where patients are admitted to a psychiatric hospital without their consent, they must be heard by a judge no later than 48 hours after notification is given. Before issuing its decision, the court must obtain an opinion from one or more psychiatrists. If the judge deems it necessary, he or she notifies the prosecutor that the latter must participate in the proceedings. The court may hold a hearing at the hospital. If the admission to the hospital is manifestly groundless, the court orders the patient’s immediate release.

Cf. 15

19.A minor who wishes to terminate her pregnancy must obtain the consent of her legal representative.

If the minor is at least 13 years old, her consent is also required;

If the minor is under the age of 13, the consent of a child protection court is required, and the minor has the right to express her views.

Cf. 16.1

20.Food aid and supplementary feeding for children are provided by municipalities with State assistance. The programme titled “State support for supplementary feeding” is being implemented from 2014 to 2020.

21.The European Union food aid programme for the period 2014-2020 is being implemented and offers support to those in greatest need (by providing food and meals free of charge).

Cf. 16.2

22.The following amendments have been made to the Family Benefits Act:

2011: The method of calculating income to determine who is entitled to family benefits was adjusted;

2012:

A new benefit was added, which consists of a special childcare allowance for persons who give up their job or professional activity to care for a child with disabilities. Pension and health insurance contributions are paid for people who receive this allowance;

Procedures for granting care benefits were amended: the benefit is paid if the disability manifested itself before the person turned 18 or, for those enrolled in school or higher education, before they turned 25;

The amount of the care benefit was increased;

2014: Starting in 2017, the amount of the childcare allowance will be adjusted annually.

Cf. 17

23.When considering a request to place a child in a detention centre, the court, acting in the interests of the child, takes into account the child’s physical and mental development and personality, the circumstances of the arrest and any personal circumstances that might justify placement in a detention centre.

24.To ensure the best possible living conditions for children and guarantee their access to education, detention centres have been classed into categories, and it has been decided that children may be placed only in the Kętrzyn and Biała Podlaska centres (which are family centres) or, if they have no room, in the Przemyśl centre (a general centre for preschool-age children). Unaccompanied children are placed only in the Kętrzyn migrant detention centre.

25.The children’s right to education is ensured through an individual learning programme. They are taught by teachers from local schools using the general education curriculum. The principals of the designated schools conduct a placement test to ensure that the students are enrolled in classes of an appropriate level. The subjects taught include the Polish language as well as mathematics, geography and nature studies. In addition, the children can participate in academic and educational, leisure and sports activities and can take Polish, English or Russian language classes taught by employees of the detention centre. The Ministry of the Interior has approached the Ministry of National Education about taking additional measures to improve access to education and adapting educational requirements to the needs and abilities of children placed in detention centres, taking into account their specific situation, the short duration and purpose of their stay in such centres, the difficulty of placing them in an appropriate level, the lack of continuity in their education, and their linguistic and cultural diversity.

26.The draft amendment to the Act on the Protection of Aliens on the Territory of the Republic of Poland and certain other acts offers new solutions for children:

The expedited processing of applications for international protection, the submission of the application and the statement of intent to submit such an application by a foreign national on behalf of a child, including an adopted child who is not married: applications for international protection submitted by unaccompanied children may receive expedited processing if the child poses a threat to State security or public order or has previously been expelled from Poland for that reason;

Immediately upon receipt of an application for international protection from an unaccompanied child, efforts are made to find the child’s parents, and help with contacting international NGOs and beginning the search for the child’s relatives is provided;

The application for international protection may be filed on behalf of an unaccompanied child by a guardian or a representative of an international organization or NGO that assists foreigners;

If the medical examination to determine whether the applicant is an adult is inconclusive, the applicant is considered to be a minor;

Proof of identity can be issued at the request of a parent for their children who are at least 6 years old, which will enable those children to access the educational system;

The court immediately appoints a guardian to represent the unaccompanied child, no later than three days after receipt of the application;

If the application for international protection concerns a person who may require special treatment, and especially if that person is a child, the director of the Office for Foreigners considers whether such treatment is needed during the procedure for granting international protection or social assistance;

In providing social assistance to the child, the need to protect the child’s interests is to be taken into account, including the possibility of family reunification; the child’s well-being and social development; security and protection measures, especially in cases where the child might be a victim of human trafficking; and the child’s own views, depending on his or her age and stage of development.

27.Neither the Aliens Act nor the Act on the Protection of Aliens on the Territory of the Republic of Poland contains a definition of persons requiring special attention, nor do they specify methods for identifying such persons. A procedure was therefore developed to determine how border guards should deal with foreigners belonging to groups that require special attention. Persons requiring special attention are those who, because of their health condition or personal circumstances, require special treatment, and unaccompanied children belong to this group.

28.The draft support programme for foreigners awaiting return provides for support in the form of a basic needs and social assistance package (including housing, food, medical care, hygiene kits, and the appointment of a project coordinator and guardians for each individual). The programme will also cover persons from countries to which returns were suspended because of an unstable political situation, as recommended by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

29.The Office for Foreigners is working with the Nobody’s Children Foundation to establish principles for the protection of children placed in migrant detention centres who apply for international protection and to implement those principles in the detention centres in Linin and Dębak. Standards for protecting children from violence will be developed, along with response procedures, a handbook for professionals working to protect children from harm, and information packs about the phenomenon of violence. A series of briefings is planned for the staff of the migrant detention centres, as is the institution of periods of custody in the presence of a lawyer and psychologists.

30.Statistical data are provided below.

Children for whom an application for refugee status has been filed

Age	2012	2013	2014
Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males
0-13	1 835	1 995	3 310	3 615	1 495	1 490
14-17	200	265	300	340	150	210

Unaccompanied children placed in educational childcare institutions

	Girls	Boys
2012	0	8
2013	4	22
2014	1	24

Most of the persons placed in institutions are 16 to 17 years old.

Cf. 18.2

31.Kindergartens and primary schools with kindergarten classes that are attended by Roma children.

	Number of schools	Number of Roma children
2012	114	289
2013	105	286
2014	107	337

Cf. 19.1

32.Measures taken under the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking for the period 2013-2015:

2014:

The system for identifying victims of human trafficking among unaccompanied foreign minors was reviewed;

The staff of educational childcare institutions in Warsaw were trained in protecting unaccompanied foreign minors, who are vulnerable to human trafficking;

A new procedure for determining how law enforcement officials should proceed when they identify cases of human trafficking entered into force in the second quarter of 2015;

A specialized course on preventing and combating human trafficking was offered to police officers;

The police carried out an information campaign titled “Don’t look away — be aware and take action in cases of sexual exploitation of children in tourism”, and an Internet portal for reporting cases of commercial exploitation of children was created (www.stopseksturystyce.fdn.pl);

The National Police established a division to combat human trafficking. It deals with human trafficking and associated crimes, including paedophilia, child pornography and illegal adoption. The division has established two new lines of communication to help combat human trafficking (an e-mail address and a telephone hotline), which can be used to provide information (including anonymously) on cases of human trafficking, paedophilia and child pornography;

2015: Training was provided to police officers.

Cf. 19.2

	Cases identified	Child victims	Requests for indictment
Art. 202, para. 2, of the Criminal Code — presenting, disseminating or making available pornographic material to a minor under the age of 15 1
2011	377	1 316	75
2012	231	860	66
2013	152	116	91
Art. 202, para. 3, of the Criminal Code — producing, recording and disseminating or publicly presenting pornographic material to a minor under the age of 15
2012	1 309	18	1 090
2013	1 857	536	1 809
2014	2 181	1 480	40
Art. 202, paras. 4 and 4 (a), of the Criminal Code — recording, importing and storing pornographic material with the participation of a minor under the age of 15
2012	284	72	174
2013	425	139	339
2014	504	450	86
Art. 189 (a) of the Criminal Code — human trafficking
2012	61	0	59
2013	186	9	99
2014	76	1	15
Art. 211 (a) of the Criminal Code — human trafficking — illegal adoption
2012	1	0	1
2013	2	0	2
2014	9	1	2

1The provision was repealed pursuant to the amendment to the Criminal Code adopted in 2014.

Final convictions

Type of infraction	2012	2013	2014
Art. 202, para. 2, of the Criminal Code	16	14	18
Art. 202, para. 3, of the Criminal Code	50	55	35
Art. 202, para. 4, of the Criminal Code	12	12	7
Art. 202, para. 4 (a), of the Criminal Code	98	82	79
Art. 202, para. 4 (b), of the Criminal Code	1	3	1
Art. 189 (a), para. 1, of the Criminal Code	16	12	9
Art. 189 (a), para. 2, of the Criminal Code	0	0	0
Art. 211 (a) of the Criminal Code	0	3	0

Cf. 20.1

33.The procedure for extended stays in police detention centres for children is as follows:

The placement and detention of children in police detention centres for children: police officers or border guards may arrest a child and then, taking the circumstances into account, place him or her in a police detention centre for children if there is reason to suspect that the child has committed a punishable act or is likely to go into hiding or hide evidence, or if the child’s identity cannot be established. Children who are arrested during a temporary release from a children’s home, a shelter or correction centre may be placed in a detention centre for a maximum of 5 days. In addition, children may be held in such custody for a justified short period of no more than 24 hours while being escorted or when they are brought before the court. They may also be held for a maximum of 48 hours under an order from the family court while proceedings are being conducted;

Children should be released immediately and transferred to their parents or guardian if the reason for the detention no longer applies, if the court orders the release, or if the court was not notified of the child’s arrest within 24 hours. They should be immediately released and transferred to their parents or guardian if they are not informed within 48 hours from the time when the court is notified of the arrest about the decision to place them in a children’s home or, on a temporary basis, in a shelter for young people, in foster care or in a treatment centre. The 48 hours granted to the court are to be used to analyse the evidence, conduct the proceedings and determine whether the child’s placement in a children’s home or the application of some other temporary measure is justified. Upon notification of such a decision, the child may remain in the police detention centre for the period of time needed to transfer him or her to the host family or to a competent health-care institution, a home or a centre. That period must not exceed 5 days.

34.The regulation issued by the Minister of the Interior on 9 February 2015 amending the regulation on detention facilities, sobering-up cells, temporary cells, provisional temporary cells and police detention centres for children; the regulation on stays in such facilities, cells and centres; and the procedure for making sound and image recordings in those facilities, cells and centres:

Does away with solitary confinement cells in police detention centres for children;

Establishes procedures for taking decisions on the placement of children in holding cells, taking into account their safety, the effectiveness of the police operation and respect for the rights of the child.

35.In police detention centres for children:

Male and female children are separated;

Children must not be placed in a cell with an adult;

Children who are under the influence of alcohol are separated from children who are not;

Children who are under the influence of narcotic or psychotropic substances or designer drugs are separated from children who are not;

Children who pose a threat to their own life or health or that of others are not placed in cells with other children;

Children who show symptoms of communicable diseases are placed in a separate cell or in a cell where there are no other children, and a doctor is immediately informed.

Cf. Part II (e)

36.Discounts to holders of the large family card may be offered by bodies operating under the competent ministries or by private businesses:

On presentation of the card itself:

Reduced train fares for parents and their spouses;

Reduced passport fees for children, parents and the spouses of parents;

Free access to national parks;

Pursuant to agreements on granting privileges to members of large families:

By State culture and sports agencies;

By public companies with ties to the public sector that offer tourism and recreational services;

By rail companies;

By non-State actors in the food, chemical, textile and medical industries, the banking and insurance sectors, the oil industry, the publishing, telecommunications, tourism and culture sectors, and the service sector (hairdressers, legal and counselling services, the automotive industry, childcare, language courses and computer services).

37.Members of large families residing in Poland — in other words, parents and their spouses who are raising at least three children — are eligible for the large family card if those children are:

Under the age of 18;

Under the age of 25, if the child is attending school or university;

Of any age, if the child holds proof of a moderate or severe disability.

Persons who care for children in a family environment (adoptive parents or persons who run a family shelter) are also eligible for the card.

38.Entities that provide discounts have the right to use the “large family card accepted here” logo in their publicity and informational materials. Places that provide discounts display that logo. The website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (www.mpips.gov.pl) and the sites www.rodzina.gov.pl and www.empatia.mpips.gov.pl display a list of discounts available to cardholders.

39.A team for the promotion of regional large family cards is working to expand the use of such cards among local authorities. The team has developed a manual that lists good practices in the use of the large family card by local authorities.

40.A project to establish a system of discounts for large families, on the basis of a personal and secure large family card, has been implemented. The software system will enable more effective cooperation among the public administration services involved in carrying out the tasks required under the Act on the Large Family Card and will enable members of large families to obtain the card through an electronic service.