SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 24th Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Minister of Social Welfare of the Government of the Canary Islands, Candelaria Delgado, delivered a presentation on Wednesday in the Canarian Parliament regarding the advancements made by her department in the initial year of administration. She emphasised the significant effort put forth during this time to establish the groundwork necessary for achieving genuine social transformation within the Canary Islands.
Delgado pointed out that the various measures implemented over the past year are starting to demonstrate positive changes amidst the migration crisis and the growing responsibility of caring for the substantial number of unaccompanied migrant children that have arrived on the shores of the islands. This situation has led to the establishment of fifty new centres to accommodate these individuals.
Furthermore, she highlighted that since the beginning of the term, an average of 2,109 dependency cases have been resolved. By the latest data from June, 23,209 dependency cases have been addressed, and there is now a reduction of nearly eight months in the time taken to process an individual’s application compared to the start of the legislative period.
In addition, the minister stated that close to 5,000 degree reviews have been managed during this timeframe, with over 1,600 individuals witnessing an increase in their aid following the regulatory review prompted by the implementation of Royal Decree 675/2023, dated July 18.
As part of the system enhancement, Candelaria Delgado highlighted the adoption of various measures, including the finalisation of the draft decree on administrative simplification, the introduction of a new application to expedite the work of the responsible staff in processing procedures, and the training of 35,012 employees to address specialised inquiries.
Moreover, a citizen information point has been established on each capital island, while the registration process for appointments without prior scheduling has been enhanced. Through the Canary Islands School of Health and Social Services (ESSSCAN), a training initiative for non-professional caregivers has been launched.
Delgado also mentioned the signing of agreements with 24 local councils across the different islands to offer specialised home assistance services, the promotion of the initial Socio-Health Strategy of the Canary Islands aimed at freeing up hospital beds currently occupied by discharged patients, and the scheduled projects under the Next Generation funds of the European Union for the creation of 700 socio-health facilities in the archipelago.
REDUCING DISABILITY WAITING LISTS
The minister also addressed the advancements made through the new General Directorate of Disability, which, through the recruitment of twenty vacant positions from the department’s job register, has resulted in resolving as many cases in the first half of 2024 as in the entire year of 2023.
In the same vein, she elaborated on the strengthening of disability assessment services on the islands and the ongoing improvements in processes for recognising and assessing the degree of disability. She also mentioned that the new digital disability degree card will soon be activated, initially benefitting 137,000 individuals and facilitating access to tax advantages, public transport support, vehicle adaptations, and various financial benefits, ranging from non-contributory pensions to economic subsidies and reductions in the retirement age or Minimum Vital Income.
Regarding Children and Families, efforts are focused on drafting a novel Organic Law for the comprehensive safeguarding of children and adolescents against violence. Delgado assured that amidst addressing the humanitarian crisis, care is still being provided to the children who were already part of the islands’ foster care system, approximately numbering 1,800. Additionally, short-term objectives include advancing the Child Prevention and Protection Program Service.
The Ministry currently supports around 13,000 families benefiting from the Canarian Citizen Income and is contemplating assuming responsibility for managing the Minimum Vital Income if delegated powers and resources are provided by the State. Among other statistics, she mentioned that to combat poverty, the Ministry allocates a total of €213.5 million in Social Services, aimed at supporting 843,000 residents of the Canary Islands.
ENHANCING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY
Under the new General Directorate for the Elderly, the Council for the Elderly has been established, the primary infrastructure plan for senior day centres has been formulated, regional meetings have taken place, and efforts are underway to introduce a Canary Islands IMSERSO.
Furthermore, the minister stressed the prioritisation of elderly protection through the development of the Protocol on Mistreatment of Individuals Over 65 in the Canary Islands, the reinforcement of the Telephone Line of Hope, and the upcoming launch of an alternative housing programme in collaboration with universities, connecting university students with elderly individuals living alone.
During her address, the minister also reflected on the initiatives undertaken to promote diversity, combat gender-based violence, and execute numerous activities aimed at young people concerning equality, mental health, sexual violence, new technologies, and diversity, across all the islands.
