E/C.12/LVA/CO/1 page 4 23. The Committee, while welcoming the information that the State party is currently undertaking studies into the situation of children living and/or working on the street, is concerned about the absence of an effective strategy to address the problem. 24. The Committee is concerned that, despite the progress achieved by the State party to combat poverty through the Latvian National Action Plan for Reduction of Poverty and Social Exclusion (2004-2006), poverty persists in the State party. The Committee is also concerned that the strategies of the State party to alleviate poverty do not sufficiently address the regional disparities that affect the equal enjoyment by all of economic, social and cultural rights. 25. The Committee regrets the lack of full and adequate information concerning forced evictions, in particular, those resulting from rent arrears, and the specific conditions under which they can occur. The Committee also notes the lack of information on the extent of homelessness in the State party. 26. The Committee is concerned that, despite the fact that budget allocation on health, including public health, has increased in the State party, the overall funds available for the healthcare system remain insufficient. The Committee is also concerned about the regional disparities in health-care coverage and the increasing shortage of medical personnel due to economic migration. 27. The Committee is concerned about the high rate of tobacco use, as well as the high level of alcohol consumption. 28. The Committee is alarmed by the high suicide rate in Latvia. 29. While commending the State party for its efforts to reform the mental health-care system, including the adoption of new legislation on mental health, the Committee remains concerned that institutional care continues to be the dominant form of care for mental patients, and that community-based services are still underdeveloped. 30. The Committee remains concerned about the budget allocation for education and its impact on the quality of education, particularly with regard to State schools, as well as the level of salaries for teachers. The Committee regrets the lack of clarity in the information provided by the State party regarding the quality of education in the State party, in particular the lack of specific information provided on measures taken to address the situation of children in rural areas. 31. While welcoming the efforts made by the State party to increase educational opportunities for Roma children, including the National Programme on Roma in Latvia (2007-2009), which includes specific measures on education and integration, the Committee remains concerned that a high percentage of Roma children drop out, often at early stages of schooling. 32. The Committee regrets that it did not receive sufficient information on the progress achieved by the State party in ensuring that schools are free from aggression, drugs and alcohol.