SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 11th March (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Government of the Canary Islands has reviewed today that the average waiting period from application for dependency until accessing benefits has been decreased by a total of 330 days. This means that the duration has reduced from 977 days in 2022 to 647 days in 2023, which is almost a year less, as reported by the XXIV State Dependency Observatory, prepared by the State Association of Directors and Managers in Social Services and released this Monday, in relation to the year 2023.
According to the XXIV Report, the Canary Islands assisted 6,000 new dependents last year, marking a 17.29% increase compared to the previous year, a significantly higher percentage than the 7.49% achieved by other autonomous communities.
Additionally, the number of individuals in a state of ‘limbo’ decreased by 2,073, representing a 14.56% drop, while the national average reduction in this limbo was 10.49%.
Nonetheless, the ‘limbo’ rate in the Canary Islands remains at 26.15%, significantly higher than the national average of 11.44%, according to a statement from the Ministry.
“We must continue striving to conclude this term in compliance with the law, which dictates that a dependency application should be resolved within six months. This is our goal, and we are dedicated to working towards achieving this within the General Directorate of Dependency. Shortening waiting times is a priority, and concurrently, we are introducing new resources to better serve the beneficiaries of the law,” stated Candelaria Delgado, Minister of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Children, and Families.
Furthermore, the report states that in 2023, 1,300 new job positions were generated in the autonomous community as a result “of utilising highly employment-intensive resources such as residential care or day centres”, and primarily through the development of economic benefits associated with the service (PEVS), which accounts for 30.4% of the service offerings, predominantly allocated to Home Help and Residential Care.
Concerning financing, the report highlights that the direct costs of the System for Autonomy and Dependency Care (SAAD) estimated for managing benefits and services in 2023 totaled €261.59 million, with 47% covered by the autonomous community, 33.3% by the State, and 19.6% by system users.
ENHANCED BENEFITS
Discussing benefits, the Association of Directors and Managers notes that the archipelago concluded the year “with a robust increase of 7,292 new benefits”, with the majority allocated to Benefits for Care in the Family and Support in the Care Environment for non-professional caregivers (PECEF), accounting for 40% and financial benefits linked to the Service (PVS) at 27%.
The remaining percentage is divided into adjustments compared to the previous year, excluding a 10% rise in telecare.
The opinion explains that the Canary Islands system continues to primarily focus on economic benefits, in contrast to day centres, residences, telecare, or home help services, which collectively represent 30% in the Canary Islands system. In comparison, the national average for these benefits as a whole stands at 55%.
Additionally, the Canary Islands have initiated various endeavours, including meetings with all companies accredited by the Government of the Canary Islands to reduce the current waiting lists for the Home Help Service and Personal Autonomy Promotion Service.
Furthermore, agreements have been reached with 24 municipal councils across different islands for the provision of this service, enabling local authorities to offer specialised home help integrated into the dependency system of the Government of the Canary Islands. This expansion of offerings aims to standardise these services throughout the autonomous community.
