The President of the Government of the Azores announced in Horta the creation of Family Health Units, which will reinforce the proximity and accessibility to the Regional Health Service.

"In 2015, we will move forward with the creation of Family Health Units that will include a doctor, a nurse and administrative worker. These units will cover from 1,500 to 1,900 thousand Azoreans, who will receive personalised support in their interaction with the Health system," added Vasco Cordeiro.

Vasco Cordeiro spoke at the opening of the parliamentary debate on the Investment Plan and Budget for 2015. The President of the Government stressed that, in addition to routine procedures, diagnostic tests, administration of vaccines and the monitoring of chronic patients, the Family Health Units will be in charge of scheduling open consultations at the respective Health Centre or at the services agreed with the health system, while there is still a need for general practitioners.

Vasco Cordeiro announced that the Government of the Azores will increase, next year, the discount for families with two or more children attending day nurseries and kindergartens.

In the area of Social Solidarity, the Azorean Government will implement in 2015 new responses for children and youngsters with disabilities, aged between 12 and 16, in order to support these families during leisure time and school holidays.

"These measures are intended to fill a gap that currently exists in the Network Social of Responses in the Azores since Free Time Occupation Centres are targeted at children up to the age of 12 and Occupational Activity Centres are directed to youngsters aged 16 or over," said the government official.

As for the regional economy, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that 2015 will be marked by the entry into force of the new air transport model between the Azores and Mainland Portugal, following the agreement signed between the Government of the Azores and the National Government.

After pointing out that this process will bring a wide range of positive opportunities for the tourism sector, Vasco Cordeiro defended a very serious and firm commitment to improve the internal conditions for the success in this sector.

"In this regard, we will develop the "Welcome our Visitors" programme, an initiative addressed at the public in general. Under this programme, the subject of Civic Education will address this topic at elementary schools, starting next school year," revealed the President of the Government.

With regard to the regional primary sector - Agriculture and Fisheries - the Government not only intends to strengthen traditional areas such as agriculture, animal husbandry and milk production, but also to encourage the recovery and revitalisation of other areas with potential for the Region."

"Taking into consideration the experience on the Protected Landscape of Pico Vineyard Culture, the Government will implement an incentive scheme for the maintenance of traditional vineyard culture landscapes in "currais" (plots protected by stone walls) and terraces as well as for traditional orchards located in protected landscape sites and coastal areas," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.

This new incentive scheme, which grants financial support ranging from 1,500 Euros to 2,350 Euros per hectare, is based on the based on the assumption that traditional agricultural activities, such as the case of viticulture and fruit production, are valuable environmental assets, particularly with regard to the maintenance of landscapes, natural resources and biodiversity.

As for the Fisheries sector, the Government will focus on the following areas: training of fishers, the installation of the Maritime School on the island of Faial, the conclusion of the construction works of a cold storage facility in Ponta Delgada, the construction of new fish markets in Madalena and Vila do Porto, and the installation of new ice storage silos at the Ports of Horta, Madalena, Praia da Vitória and São Mateus. These measures provide a significant contribution to raise the visibility of the sector and create the necessary conditions to boost the income of fishers.

According to the President of the Government, the new port facilities to support the fisheries sector will directly benefit 95% of the fish unloaded in the Azores.