In the moment when he opened the renewal works of the “Coração de Jesus” Kindergarten – which supports more than three hundred and ten beneficiaries – the President of the Government of the Azores called for civic awareness as well as for the participation of citizens in the achievement of social rights.
Reminding that 2010 is the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, Carlos César stressed that this broad participation “individually or integrated in organisations, contributes to an active and responsible citizenship, which contrasts with the parasitic and ethically reprehensible indolence that leads people and institutions to think that the Government is always the solution for solving problems.”
The improvement of social support in the Azores was emphasised by the President of the Government, who mentioned the commitment of Private Social Solidarity Institutions in the establishment of contracts signed with the Government, Carlos César also wants to involve the companies to provide this type of support.
“Among other things, we intend that business establishments with a certain dimension assure, appropriately, surveillance and assistance to the children of their employees, whenever possible in their facilities, as well as spaces with adequate conditions for activities such as breastfeeding,” stated the President of the Government.
According to him, the Government may also, under the Programme to Support Private Initiative in the Azores, contribute to the social responses managed by private entities, through the allocation of a subsidy by user.
Stressing the development of tools and measures that indicate and consolidate a new model of social co-responsibility, the President of the Government reminded that there are fifty-six day nurseries and kindergartens, comprising almost thousand and five hundred children, which are financed by the Government through cooperation agreements for their operation in an annual twelve million Euro investment.
Moreover, four kindergartens will be built in Ponta Delgada as well as an ATL (Free Time Occupation Centre) and a home support service, representing a global investment of over six million Euros.
As Carlos César stressed, these are examples that demonstrate the Government’s commitment and the progresses achieved not only in the infrastructure network, but also in the provision of support social.
“In addition to these investments, it is important to mention that we have recently created the Regional Complement to Family Allowance, which requires an annual investment of over 2.5 million Euros, to improve the income of Azorean families.