The President of the Government announced today that the investments over seven million planned for 2016 will end this legislative period with an increase of 600 new vacancies in several child support services throughout the Region.

"With the investment planned held in 2016, amounting to more than seven million in child support infrastructures, and the ongoing works on several islands such as Faial, Corvo, Terceira and São Miguel, we expect to increase the number of vacancies by 300 next year," said Vasco Cordeiro.

The President of the Government spoke at the opening renewal works of the nursery and kindergarten of Angra do Heroísmo Childhood Centre. He stressed that, since this Government entered into office in late 2012, a total of three hundred vacancies have already been provided to Azorean children.

In this context, Vasco Cordeiro emphasised that the work opened today, included in the Regional Public Works Charter, is an example of the investments that are being carried out throughout the Region, such as the case of the nursery of "Patronato de São Miguel" (social solidarity institution), the nursery of "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Nordeste (social solidarity institution), the Free Time Occupation Centre of Cáritas - São Miguel, and the Free Time Occupation Centre and nursery of "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of São Roque do Pico.

According to the President of the Government, these investments are based on the fundamental goals of strengthening social and territorial cohesion in the Region, through the creation of the conditions so that "those will be responsible for the management of the Region and Autonomy in the future may have the best possible conditions for their education at an early age."

"This is an important factor for future generations, but it is also important for their parents to the extent that the creation of conditions like these provides tranquillity and security to families," said Vasco Cordeiro.

In his speech, the President of the Government also assured that the Government has made an effort to ensure a better future for Azorean children and youth, through policies and measures, including the increase in the discounts on day care and kindergarten fees in the cases of large families.

Families who have two children attending day care in the Region benefit from a 30 percent discount on fees, while families with three or more children benefit from a 50 percent discount on fees.

"In 2016, we plan to move forward with the discounts on nanny care and the revision of the amount of support in this area," the President of the Government announced, pointing out the Family Allowance Regional Supplement for Children and Youth that will increase 15 percent in 2016.
 
"These measures are decided by the Region. They are the result of our Autonomy and ability to, not being dependent on anyone, we can follow our path towards a better region within the limits of our powers and resources," said Vasco Cordeiro.