E/C.12/ISL/CO/4 insufficiently aware of the amendments to the Act on Foreigners, which states that a family reunification permit may still be extended when a marriage/cohabitation ends due to domestic violence (art. 10). The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to specifically define domestic violence as a crime, and preferably in the Penal Code. The Committee recommends that the State party continue its efforts to conduct national public information campaigns and stimulate broader public discussion with the aim to address attitudes and stereotypes leading to violence against women. It also recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to reach out to immigrant women to inform them of their rights in the context of domestic violence. 16. The Committee is concerned that, despite the State party’s efforts to combat poverty, the financial and economic crisis since 2008 has led to an increase in the rate of persons that live below the low-income threshold, in particular families with children and single parent families. The Committee is also concerned that persons with disabilities face difficulties in realizing their right to an adequate standard of living, in particular access to adequate food (art. 11). The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to combat poverty and social exclusion, in particular of families with children, single parent families, and persons with disabilities. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its statement on poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and reminds the State party of its obligation, even under severe resource constraints, to protect vulnerable groups of society, as stated in paragraph 12 of its general comment No.3 (1990) on the nature of States parties' obligations. 17. The Committee is concerned that the extensive cuts to the health sector budget since 2008 have resulted in a reduction of the quality and availability of public health-care services, including the closure of facilities and reduction in the number of personnel. The Committee is also concerned that there are financial constraints for families with children with disabilities in accessing required health-care services, such as dentists or speech therapists, as well as language barriers for immigrants in accessing health care (art. 12). The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to address the negative impact of the financial crisis on the health sector, including through increasing its public health-care budget. It also recommends that the State party take steps to ensure that required health-care services are fully accessible for all, including for immigrants and children with disabilities. In this respect, the Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comment No.14 (2000) on the right to the highest attainable standard of health. 18. The Committee is concerned that the extensive budget cuts to the educational sector since 2008 have led to a reduction in staffing, merging of class groups and cancellation of courses, particularly affecting children with special needs. It remains concerned about the high dropout rate in upper secondary education, in particular of students with an immigrant background (art. 13). The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to increase the budget for the public education system for all education levels, in particular primary and lower secondary education, and to remedy the recent staff reductions, merging of class groups and cancellation of courses. It recommends that the State party continue to take measures to improve facilities in the school system for children with special needs, in particular in the upper secondary level. The Committee also recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to address the high dropout rate in upper secondary education of students with an immigrant background. The Committee 4