The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stated today in Horta that the 2020 Plan and Budget in the social area provides for investments aiming at the creation, redevelopment and refurbishment of social infrastructures as well as for the qualification, protection and promotion of vulnerable populations.
 
“The investments provided for in this Plan will expand the existing network of infrastructures to consolidate them in view of the strong growth achieved in the last years, also boosted by the availability of Community funds. This has contributed to a very significant progress in the minimum coverage rates set by OECD, most of which have been reached and even surpassed," said Andreia Cardoso. The government official spoke at the end of a hearing at the Committee on Social Affairs of the Legislative Assembly on the proposed 2020 Plan and Budget.
 
Besides the creation, redevelopment and refurbishment of infrastructures in various social responses, Andreia Cardoso revealed that "special attention is given to capacity building initiatives for people in vulnerable situation, namely in terms of actions to ensure their protection and promotion. This goal will be achieved through the development of measures to increase disposable income, such as the Regional Pension Supplement, COMPAMID - Support for the Purchase of Medicines, CEDO - Special Supplement for Oncology Patients or the Regional Family Allowance Supplement.
 
“It is essential to say that this Plan introduces some novelties in terms of the support to caregivers as far as it clearly reflects the Regional Government's concern to take care of those who take care. For the first time, we have stipulated a financial allocation to support informal caregivers," stressed the government official.
 
Andreia Cardoso also mentioned the “clear focus on Childhood and Youth, through preventive measures, such as the training and qualification of professionals and the people supported, in order to create conditions for greater social mobility and avoid the perpetuation of intergenerational poverty by promoting a developed, inclusive and cohesive society.”
 
"We want to ensure that social infrastructures and services better suited to the needs of families and that they be fundamental in supporting and reconciling family life with professional life," said the government official.
 
The Secretary for Social Solidarity announced changes to the Regional Pension Supplement since the definition of the intervals for determining the amount to be granted is no longer indexed to the regional minimum wage. It will be now be calculated in accordance with the social support index, allowing an automatic update.
 
At the hearing, Andreia Cardoso also highlighted safeguarding of the right to housing, either through lease and cooperation or through urban rehabilitation and renewal, as another priority for next year's social policies.