In 2012, the Government of the Azores will reinforce the support to Azorean families, announced the Regional Secretary for Labour and Social Solidarity today.

Speaking after the hearing with the Commission on Social Affairs of the Azorean Parliament on the Regional Annual Plan and Budget proposals for the Autonomous Region of the Azores in 2012, Ana Paula Marques stressed the Social Compensation Fund which has an allocation of 11 million Euros under the 2012 Plan.

One should remind that the creation of the Social Compensation Fund in 2011, for strengthening and creating support mechanisms for Azorean families, aims to minimise some of the impacts of the austerity measures in force nationwide.

Under the development of the social solidarity system, the Government of the Azores will double the investment in this legislative period.

Despite the unfavourable economic context and the measures set by "troika", there will be also an estimated increase of 37% for investments in this area.

In the area of elderly support, the Government will reinforce the offer of nursing homes and home care services, as well as night and day centres, whose purpose is to promote active ageing with dignity.

According to Ana Paula Marques, there will also be a strong promotion of investment in the support to children and youngsters, especially in the population areas with low coverage of equipments.

While in the area of disability support, the Azorean Government will strengthen the network of occupational centres and homes for people without family support in 2012.

With regard to equality of opportunities, the Regional Government will continue to support policies to combat and prevent domestic violence and the reinforcement of the telecare service for domestic violence victims.

The investment plan estimates a global amount of 29,144,499 million Euros.