The President of the Government said today that the investment in social protection will not be neglected, despite the need to award "high priority status to support business economy and employment as these sectors are currently facing several problems."

Underlining that equal attention will be given to "to some aspects of budget management that prevent the Region from falling into bankruptcy as it happened with Madeira," said Carlos César, adding that "we cannot neglect investment in social protection and in the network of social institutions that ensure the levels of social cohesion on every island and municipality."

In this context, the Government finances about 250 institutions, providing a social work, which includes the support to childhood, adolescence and seniors, the assistance to families, people without management skills, disabled people with special training and occupational needs, and even the cases of addiction.

"It is a major financial effort undertaken by our Government - over fifty million a year - which sometimes it is not acknowledged, but thanks to it we have more guarantees in the Azores than in other parts of the country," stated the President of the Government.

Carlos César spoke during the ceremony to lay the first stone for the renewal works of Casa dos Tiagos in Topo, S. Jorge Island. After the works, with an estimated budget of six hundred thousand Euros, the premises will house the Day Centre and the Free Time Occupation Centre of the "Casa do Povo" from that village.

Stressing the impact that future this infrastructure will have on Topo's social and cultural dynamics, the President of the Government reminded that other works have improved the lives of its inhabitants, such as the construction of a school, the paving of several agricultural roads and regional roads, the opening of a RIAC centre (Citizen Support Integrated Network). The government official also mentioned the social support provided to this village, such as the case of Santo Antão Parish Centre and the funds granted for the construction of Finisterra cooperative and its financial rebalancing.

All these interventions were intended to "continue to provide this village with good living conditions in order to maintain its population, following the significant population drop after 1980 earthquake, and prevent this drop from reaching irreversible levels."

But there are other improvements planned for the island of S. Jorge, mentioned Carlos César, adding that "the Calheta elderly home will open soon as well as a day nursery and kindergarten of the "Caixa de Previdência" of S. José, corresponding to a global investment over 4.5 million Euros; we are also start the renewal works of occupational activity centre and residential home for disable people of the "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Velas, which corresponds to a public effort of 800 thousand Euros."
 
Furthermore, the President of the Government also revealed that in the last 15 years, the capacity of childhood and youth support infrastructures increased almost 50%, the number of elderly support infrastructures rose one-third, while the capacity response in the area of disability and rehabilitation infrastructures for disabled people grew 87%.

"We have done our work and we know there is still work to be done. In order to achieve this goal, we need to continue to work with determination and enthusiasm. Continue. Continue to win," concluded the President of the Government.