Tasks and Services
Finland has an extensive welfare state, and municipalities are responsible for much of the services to that end. Tasks of the municipalities are as follows:
- Healthcare
- Preventative, basic and specialized healthcare
- Dental healthcare
- Social services
- Children's daycare
- Elderly care
- Disabled care
- Social welfare service
- Subsistency security
- Child protection
- Education (see Education in Finland) and culture
- Peruskoulu (primary education, grades 1-9)
- Lukio (gymnasiums)
- Ammattioppilaitos (secondary vocational schools)
- Ammattikorkeakoulu (tertiary vocational schools)
- Kansanopisto (folk high school)
- Public libraries
- Youth centres
- Public exercise facilities (public tracks, etc.)
- Infrastructure and land use
- Zoning
- Public transport
- Maintenance of local streets
- Water
- Energy
- Waste collection
- Environment
- Economic development
- Promotion of the local economy and employment
Although municipalities are responsible for their own finances, there is much highly specific legistlation and regulation that requires the services to be provided up to a standard. Thus, although municipalities have the power to voluntarily spend tax-generated income, they are required to first allocate funds to legally prescribed services.
Municipalities may provide some of these services through corporations that they own or from private companies that they regulate. For example, Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) provides public transport services in the capital area.
Read more about this topic: Municipalities Of Finland
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