In 2023 resources were also allocated to ensure that permanent and fixed-term staff can access the University welfare programme. Benefits included reimbursement of expenses associated with raising children such as nursery school and summer centres, school fees, school meals, the purchase of books as well as the reduction and/or payment of tuition fees, and the reimbursement of significant personal and family expenses, be they health-related or not. The budget dedicated to UniTS staff subsidies is in line with that of previous years. It is based on specific company agreements and complies with the limits set by the National Collective Labour Agreement in force. According to the relevant UniTS regulation and the new trade union agreement on welfare, signed in October 2021, the University also provides part of the staff with financial assistance. The beneficiaries and the sums they’ll receive are partly selected by a special evaluation committee and partly identified automatically through criteria defined in the supplementary University Collective Labour Agreement. All allowances are paid at the request of those entitled to them and until the exhaustion of funds. Where allowances were not fully paid within the reference year, funds were nevertheless set aside in order to ensure payment during 2024.