The President of the Government announced that the Regional Charter Public Works provides for this year another 12 investments, including nurseries, kindergartens, Free Time Occupation Centres and intergenerational centres, which will reinforce the support policies for Azorean children and families pursued in the current legislative period.

"In 2016, we will continue to develop these policies. This set of investments will substantially strengthen the support network for Azorean children and families that we have been building in our Region," said Vasco Cordeiro.

The President of the Government spoke at the ceremony to lay the first stone of "A Joaninha" nursery, a project developed by the "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Ponta Delgada. The investment will be subsidised by the Regional Government in the amount of 800 thousand Euros and will have a capacity for 40 children.

Vasco Cordeiro stressed that this new investment is another example of the work that has been developed during this first term in particularly demanding circumstances, being directed at meeting the needs of families.

This work has resulted in an investment of about 10 million Euros in social support infrastructures for the areas of childhood and youth since 2012. This is also an important measure to support families by facilitating the reconciliation between their professional and family life, Vasco Cordeiro stressed, recalling that the construction of four new kindergartens and a new Free Time Occupation Centre is currently underway.

"The way we regard this policy is not only limited to partnerships with institutions for the construction of infrastructures," the President of the Government said, highlighting the creation of several specific regional measures.

In this regard, the government official pointed out the example of the Regional Family Allowance Supplement for children and youth, which has registered an increase of 15 percent, as well as the discounts for families with children attending nurseries and kindergartens in the archipelago.

"These measures aim to serve the strategic goal of creating a Region with family friendly policies that also takes care of their future," Vasco Cordeiro said, stressing that these investments and measures strengthen social and territorial cohesion.

In his speech, the President of the Government considered that the "A Joaninha" nursery will give a new use to already existing infrastructures, such as the kitchen and laundry room, which are used by another nursery in the vicinity. This is a "particularly important path" as for the investment in public resources.
 
Vasco Cordeiro also highlighted the fruitful relation between the Government of the Azores and the "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Ponta Delgada, which has resulted in the benefit of all who use the various services provided by the institution.