E/CN.4/2000/16/Add.1 page 29 127. Two bodies are responsible for managing the funds allocated to various projects intended to improve the economic and social situation of the Roma and to promote their culture: these are the Public Foundation for National and Ethnic Minorities and the Public Foundation for Hungarian Gypsies. The annual Budget Act contains the annual allocations for these two foundations. The board of trustees of each foundation is responsible for determining the manner in which allocated funds are used: (a) The Public Foundation for National and Ethnic Minorities supports programmes that provide for the preservation of minority identities, the development of native languages and cultures and the protection of minority interests. It also provides important financial resources for events, programmes and the publication of books and periodicals in connection with minorities’ religious traditions and arts, as well as their various holidays and celebrations. It also offers scholarships for minority students attending high school, college or university; (b) The Public Foundation for Hungarian Gypsies primarily supports the development of small enterprises and employment and health-care programmes that help to sustain the livelihood of minority families and small communities. Government representatives pointed out that the largest budget item for the minority-related activities mentioned above is devoted to educational purposes. The 1999 Budget Act provided a total of 138 million forint for Roma programmes. 128. With regard to the prohibition of racial discrimination in all spheres of social life, the Government intends to strengthen legislation and monitor racist crimes. The bill to be discussed by Parliament will make it possible to combat racial discrimination more effectively in the areas of education, employment, housing and the provision of services. It will also introduce sanctions for racist remarks made by individuals or broadcast by the media. 2. Measures in the area of education and employment 129. The measures proposed for the educational and employment sectors include positive-discrimination measures, such as the provision of educational grants for Roma children, support for especially gifted Roma children, vocational training for unemployed Roma, encouragement for private firms to hire Roma and support for small-scale commercial projects undertaken by Roma. The Government is also contemplating building dormitories for Roma children in schools. 3. Measures in the area of health 130. With a view to improving the health conditions of the Roma population and to eliminating the discriminatory practices encountered in their use of medical services, the Government plans to undertake a research programme to study health indicators for the Roma population and the latter’s relationship with the institutions providing medical services. A technical programme will be developed in connection with the health policy strategy on the basis of the results of the study.