Photo: Volker Krings / BRF
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The main reason for the increase is the indexation, which has an impact on personnel costs and integration income. Price increases, which not only cause problems for the ÖSHZ, but also for its customers, said President Martine Engels.
But these are not the only challenges. Four percent of the Eupen population receive an integration income or social assistance. This means that Eupen is not only the front runner in the DG, but also way ahead in Wallonia and throughout Belgium.
Joky Ortmann from the CSP opposition was shocked by the high number of recipients under the age of 25, despite numerous efforts to integrate young people into the workplace.
Two major infrastructure projects are also pending in the near future. The renovation of the more than 50 year old mosaic houses and the conversion of the old wing “Renoir” in the residential and care center St. Joseph.
Cross-party, there was a lot of praise, respect and thanks for the ÖSHZ employees after the flood disaster in July, both for the staff and for the volunteers. It seems as if the impossible has been made possible in a very short time, says Martine Engels.
The city of Eupen will invest almost one million euros in a new cycle path network. The Eupen city council decided unanimously on Monday evening. Around 500,000 euros come from the Walloon region.
The investment plan envisages seven routes. Reserved paths, marked cycle paths, cycle roads and recommended lanes are to be created there. They are designed to protect cyclists and give them a stronger place in road traffic.
Volker Krings
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