Regional Government already complied with recommendations issued in report about ARRISCA
The Regional Government has already complied with the recommendations issued in the report concerning the audit of the Regional Health Inspectorate to ARRISCA under the actions to monitor transparency and supervise public resources allocated to Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS) in the Region.
The assurance was provided to the members of the Regional Assembly by the Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity, Andreia Cardoso, and by the Regional Secretary for Health, Rui Luís, during the parliamentary debate on this report, following the audit conducted by the Regional Health Inspectorate.
"The recommendations addressed to the Government were accepted by the Social Security and Health departments," Andreia Cardoso added, ensuring that the Government is diligent in monitoring the work carried out by all Private Social Solidarity Institutions in the Azores, collaborating in its technical follow-up. Nevertheless, the Government always assumes its role as the entity supervision the allocation of public resources.
Moreover, the report about the audit to ARRISCA, which follows the actions taken by the Regional Secretariat for Health, is not an isolated act insofar as the Azores Social Security Institute conducted more than 20 inspections to Private Social Solidarity Institutions and "Misericórdias" (social institutions) in 2016 and 2017.
"The task is not finished. We have 25 more inspections underway and we have begun 40 inquiries to verify the adequacy of the statutes and the election of governing bodies under the terms of the legislation in force," said the Regional Secretary.
ARRISCA provides support to citizens over 12 years of age and their families in areas such as psychiatry and mental health, alcoholism, drug addiction, homelessness, delinquency and deportation.
At the time of its inception, ARRISCA covered around 300 people and, since then, it has been increasing and diversifying a series of responses provided to the target population. As of 2017, its services covered more than 1,500 citizens.
"Since the very beginning, it has played a key role in supporting these citizens and their families. Its work is recognised by the community, which has earned the Government's trust as a funding entity for a significant set of social responses," said the government official.
The Regional Secretary for Health, Rui Luís, also participated in the debate. He emphasised that the Government complied with the recommendations issued in the report on procedures for granting support to health, while others are no longer in effect following the introduction of amendments to the contents of cooperation agreements.