The Polish government will increase carer's allowance by PLN 200 as of April 2013 and will continue to increase the benefit annually to the target level of minimum wage within five years, while simultaneously tightening eligibility criteria, PM Donald Tusk said on Tuesday.

"Already in April we assume a hike by PLN 200," Tusk said. "But it's a temporary program. By 2013 we want to work out a system that will enable us to increase the allowance as of 2014 in such a way as to reach the postulated level . . . of minimum wage in five years."

The maximum allowance will not be available to all carers, only to those "who need it the most," the PM specified.

The solution "will not be easy" on the budget and may require looking for savings elsewhere, Tusk also said.

At the same time the government will be working on making the system tighter, Tusk added.