The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stated in Horta that the Regional Government has always sought to "ensure transparency and fairness in the allocation of the support to all those who are in need of it" in the archipelago.
 
Speaking at the Legislative Assembly during a debate on social support for students with special education and health needs in schools, Andreia Cardoso highlighted the progress achieved, namely with "the significant investment that the Government has carried out in the reinforcement of teaching and non-teaching staff in all schools establishments of the Autonomous Region of the Azores."
 
"Only this intensive investment in human resources allows us to implement 7,950 educational measures in the current school year, ranging from personalised education support, individual curricular adaptations, adjustments in the evaluation process, specific individual curricula to classes with adapted curriculum among others," said the Regional Secretary.
 
Andreia Cardoso also stressed the Global Health Exam, noting that it "one of the pillars of child health monitoring and in this context, the School Health Teams play a key role in its implementation."
 
With regard to social support for students with special and health needs in schools, the government official assured that "the Regional Government did what was important to do," that is, "to ensure clear channels as well as timely and fair decision, as in accordance the Ombudsman's recommendations."
 
Eligible beneficiaries for this subsidy are children and young people up to 24 years of age who have proven reduced physical, motor, organic, sensory or intellectual capacity; beneficiaries are not required to attend special education. This measure only covers the provision of individual support by a specialised professional.
 
This support is paid to tutors or, at their request, to the private entity providing specialised support.
 
In regard to the issues raised about alleged irregularities by a provider of specialised services in this area, Andreia Cardoso recalled that, in 2014, the Azores Social Security moved forward with inspection process, whose results were refender to the Public Prosecutor's office, the body overseeing these matters. Currently, we are waiting for the conclusion of procedures.
 
In 2015, a joint inspection process was carried out by the Regional Health Inspectorate and the Azores Social Security Institute, following a complaint submitted to the Regional Directorate for Health.