The President of the Government announced increase of two percent in the Regional Pension Supplement and of 10 percent in the Family Allowance Supplement for Azorean children and youth.

According to Vasco Cordeiro, the reinforcement of these regional allowance supplements evidences a "very special attention to the social areas." This measure is included in the proposals for the Plan and Budget for 2016 that were approved Thursday night at the meeting of the Council of the Government held in Horta.

Speaking to journalists, the President of the Government recalled that the Regional Pension Supplement has been increasing on a yearly basis in the current legislative period: three percent in 2013, two percent in 2014, two percent in 2015 and two percent in 2016.

"This brings us closer to a growth of about 10 percent in the Regional Pension Supplement during this legislative period," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.

According to him, the Regional Government has also approved a
10-percent increase in the Regional Family Allowance Supplement for Children and Youth. "This is another sign of the concern with the creation of conditions to support the most vulnerable sectors of our society, thus fulfilling the political commitments that had been made by this Government."

In addition to the social area, the proposed Plan for 2016, which registers an eight-percent increase regarding this year, pays special attention to the qualifications and employability of Azorean citizens.

"We believe that we must continue to decisively focus on the creation of conditions in order to overcome the challenge of job creation.  The indicators, regardless of seasonal fluctuations that may occur, are encouraging, but we have this battle won," said Vasco Cordeiro.

Agriculture, especially the dairy sector, is another area that deserves special attention in the documents for next year, taking into account the challenges it faces as a result of price drops.

"The measures have been properly announced and are in the process of being implemented, following the contacts established between the Government and agricultural associations," the President of the Government added, reminding that the increase in the dairy cow premium is already in force.

The Budget proposal approved last Thursday amounts to 1,350 million Euros, representing an increase of 500 million Euros in direct investments from the Regional Administration in Azorean economy. 

"If we add up the investment made by other entities, such as public companies, public investment in our economy amounts to more than 700 million Euros," said Vasco Cordeiro.

 The Plan and Budget proposals for 2016 will now be submitted to discussion and approval by the Legislative Assembly, after the consultation period with social partners and political parties in the preparation of draft proposals, as well as by the Regional Strategic Consultation Council.