Santa Cruz de Tenerife 28 Feb. (Europa Press) –
Concepción Ramírez, the General Director of Unit for the Canary Islands Government, asserted this Friday that the Executive is heading in the “right direction” regarding the management of the agency and requested an additional contribution of 110 million Euros annually from the State to achieve a 50% funding level and thereby enhance the system.
This positioning comes in response to the latest report from the Association of Social Services Managers, which ranks the Canary Islands as the second-last autonomous community, only ahead of Murcia, and highlights the issue of the ‘Limbo of Dependency’, where nearly 30% of dependents with recognised rights are not receiving benefits.
Ramírez emphasised the reduced processing time for dependency files in the Canary Islands, now taking approximately 556 days, which signifies “eight months less” than at the beginning of the current legislative term.
Additionally, the report indicates that in the past year, the Canary Islands catered to 4,328 new dependents, a 10.63% increase compared to the previous year, surpassing the average rise of 7.55% seen across other communities.
Regarding the ‘agency limbo’, the general director explained the statistics by stating that “previously, applications were not being processed at an adequate rate, but now they are,” stressing that the crucial issue is not merely having individuals requesting help, but rather being able to assist them “in a timely manner”.
She also announced that 72 million Euros have been earmarked to develop around 700 additional socio-sanitary places through European funding and raised concerns about the State providing only 28% of the necessary resources, while failing to recognise the role of local councils.
Furthermore, she highlighted that an advanced telecare system aimed at enhancing this service is being sought for 22 million Euros.
In terms of positive trends, the general director noted that the Canary Islands are leading the way in the increase of benefits; according to Imserso data, there has been a 40.7% rise over the last 12 months, reaching 65,078 benefits, which is 18,835 more than in January 2024.
Ramírez acknowledged the expansion of the waiting list but attributed this to the fact that new applications are being processed, “a practice that was overlooked in the previous legislative period.”
Indeed, she pointed out that 12,641 new applications were recorded in 2024, in contrast to the 8,216 accumulated during the prior legislature.
“We do not conceal requests in drawers. The key point is not about having no waiting list, for there will always be one, as we will all become dependent at some stage in our lives; the essential task is to continue reducing file processing times to resolve requests within six months,” she stated.
The Government is optimistic that the new decree recognising the dependency situation will further assist in “unlocking” any challenges present in the development of individual care plans (PIA).
