The government will pay NIS 1.6 million a year for treatment of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, 82, the Ministry of Finance told the Knesset Finance Committee today. It will also transfer an additional NIS 1.5 million for renovating the President's Residence.
The Ministry of Finance will transfer funds to the Ministry of Health to pay for Sharon's treatment. He has been in a coma since suffering a cerebral hemorrhage in January 2006. He is due to be transferred shortly to his home at Hashikmim Farm, together with all the necessary medical equipment, after spending nearly five years at Sheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer.
The Finance Committee also approved a NIS 1 million budget supplement for President Shimon Peres' international travels. Peres' travel budget is NIS 10 million. The Ministry of Finance said that the budget supplement was necessary "in view of the invitations for state visits that the President receives."
Knesset Finance Committee chairman MK Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) said that while he appreciated Peres' work on behalf of Israel, "If possible he ought to save money." He also asked whether the money for Sharon's treatment would still go to the Ministry of Health after Sharon's transfer to Hashikmim Farm. The Ministry of Finance representative said that he would ask the Ministry of Health on this point.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 9, 2010
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