Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 24 Mar. (Europa Press) –
The former Minister of Education for the Government of the Canary Islands, Manuela Armas, defended the necessity of emergency hiring during the pandemic on Monday, despite the fact that there is a “gulf” regarding a company, RR7 United, which received four million euros but failed to deliver the masks.
“If emergency hiring isn’t utilised during a pandemic, then when is it appropriate? At what moment would it be deemed necessary?” she questioned during her appearance before the Investigation Commission of the Parliament of the Canary Islands.
She emphasised the efforts made by the Government of the Canary Islands in “keeping schools open” throughout the pandemic, establishing them as a “safe haven” for families and children. She urged deputies to “nurture” the actions taken that were beneficial and expressed gratitude toward the “efforts” of education professionals.
Armas acknowledged that there were moments of “bewilderment, distress, and significant challenges,” but asserted that there was “absolute coordination” in the decision-making processes concerning public health. “Public schools must remain, please, as they are a guarantee for everything; they need to be the guarantors,” she implored the deputies.
Regarding the acquisition of health materials, she stated that this matter was “never” discussed in government councils. However, she clarified that deliberations are confidential, and indicated that her department was only involved in two contracts, worth nearly 12,000 euros and 110,000 euros for administrative staff, as educational institutions had the autonomy to make minor purchases.
She reiterated that she was “never” aware of any irregularities concerning mask contracts, as she was informed through the media, although she did refer to the Governing Council after the information became public. “The points discussed encompassed everything,” she remarked.
Overall, she noted that during the pandemic, she became “the best” that could be “and what the law permitted” and responded to criticisms from the opposition by asserting that public funds were not harmed. She mentioned that any alleged fraud concerning the Government of the Canary Islands “is in the courts,” while also acknowledging that it is “unfortunate” when matters are not conducted properly, pending judicial determination.
Unlike her colleague Yaiza Castilla, who participated in certain meetings of the Management Committee, she reiterated that discussions concerning RR7, Megalab, or management solutions were “never” held.
