Comunicado do Conselho do Governo
Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas
Regional Government convenes FUNDOPESCA Board
Regional Government convenes FUNDOPESCA Board
Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
More than 130 unemployed people placed in INCLUIR measure under Social Employment Market
More than 130 unemployed people placed in INCLUIR measure under Social Employment Market
Secretaria Regional das Finanças, Planeamento e Administração Pública
Investment by companies applying for IFIC-Azores exceeds €252 million
Investment by companies applying for IFIC-Azores exceeds €252 million
Comunicado
February 4, 2026 Comunicado do Conselho do Governo O Conselho do Governo, reunido no dia 4 de fevereiro de 2026, em Ponta Delgada, abordou o tema referido no ponto 1 e decidiu adotar as medidas elencadas posteriormente: 1. O Governo dos Açores está a acompanhar a situação relativa ao problema de abastecimento de água no concelho de Vila Franca do Campo, na ilha de São Miguel, tendo em conta a derrocada ocorrida na Nascente do Galego. Serão disponibilizados os meios que se considerem necessários e ajustados à resolução desta situação tendo sempre em conta o interesse das populações. 2. Aprovar a Resolução que autoriza a celebração de um contrato-programa, entre a Região e a Ilhas de Valor, S.A., para o ano de 2026, no montante total de 2.100.000,00 €, destinado à concretização do Plano de Atividades e Orçamento da empresa. A sociedade Ilhas de Valor, S.A. tem desenvolvido a sua atividade no apoio a projetos que se traduzem em avultados investimentos, essenciais para a promoção do desenvolvimento económico, criando polos de atração, nomeadamente ao investimento privado. Assim sendo, importa dotar a referida sociedade dos poderes administrativos, bem como dos meios financeiros que assegurem a boa execução das diversas ações constantes do respetivo Plano de Atividades e Orçamento, incluindo o plano de investimentos, para o ano de 2026. 3. Aprovar o Decreto Regulamentar Regional que regulamenta o regime jurídico de classificação de arvoredo de interesse público na Região. 4. Aprovar a Resolução que autoriza a realização das operações urbanísticas que a sociedade Tabacaria A Gaivota Limitada se propõe realizar, tendo em vista a construção de um hotel, na categoria de quatro estrelas, na freguesia de São Sebastião, concelho de Ponta Delgada, com uma capacidade prevista de 205 novas camas.
February 4, 2026 Comunicado do Conselho do Governo O Conselho do Governo, reunido no dia 4 de fevereiro de 2026, em Ponta Delgada, abordou o tema referido no ponto 1 e decidiu adotar as medidas elencadas posteriormente: 1. O Governo dos Açores está a acompanhar a situação relativa ao problema de abastecimento de água no concelho de Vila Franca do Campo, na ilha de São Miguel, tendo em conta a derrocada ocorrida na Nascente do Galego. Serão disponibilizados os meios que se considerem necessários e ajustados à resolução desta situação tendo sempre em conta o interesse das populações. 2. Aprovar a Resolução que autoriza a celebração de um contrato-programa, entre a Região e a Ilhas de Valor, S.A., para o ano de 2026, no montante total de 2.100.000,00 €, destinado à concretização do Plano de Atividades e Orçamento da empresa. A sociedade Ilhas de Valor, S.A. tem desenvolvido a sua atividade no apoio a projetos que se traduzem em avultados investimentos, essenciais para a promoção do desenvolvimento económico, criando polos de atração, nomeadamente ao investimento privado. Assim sendo, importa dotar a referida sociedade dos poderes administrativos, bem como dos meios financeiros que assegurem a boa execução das diversas ações constantes do respetivo Plano de Atividades e Orçamento, incluindo o plano de investimentos, para o ano de 2026. 3. Aprovar o Decreto Regulamentar Regional que regulamenta o regime jurídico de classificação de arvoredo de interesse público na Região. 4. Aprovar a Resolução que autoriza a realização das operações urbanísticas que a sociedade Tabacaria A Gaivota Limitada se propõe realizar, tendo em vista a construção de um hotel, na categoria de quatro estrelas, na freguesia de São Sebastião, concelho de Ponta Delgada, com uma capacidade prevista de 205 novas camas.
Nota de Imprensa
February 4, 2026 Regional Government convenes FUNDOPESCA Board Following the bad weather that has hit the archipelago in recent weeks and considering that the weather conditions are expected to worsen in the coming days, the Regional Government has decided to convene, under the terms of the Regional Legislative Decree no. 19/2013/A of October 17, in its current wording, the Administration Board of the Azores Fishers' Salary Compensation Fund (FUNDOPESCA) for next Monday, February 9, at 2:30 p.m. This meeting will serve to analyse the evolution of fish unloadings in the auctions of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, as well as the grounds and scope of applicability, in the event of a decision to activate FUNDOPESCA, with a view to paying a salary compensation to the fishing professionals covered by this fund. Since November 2025, the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, through the Regional Directorate for Fisheries, has been monitoring fish unloading in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and, in parallel, has been verifying the grounds for the possible activation of FUNDOPESCA, according to the provisions of Article 5(1) of Regional Legislative Decree no. 38/2023/A of October 24, which introduced the second amendment to the Regional Legislative Decree no. 19/2013/A of October 17. In addition to an Administration Board, comprising various organisations from the fisheries sector, FUNDOPESCA has a set of rules defined for its activation and does not depend on its own volition or requests from politicians. Therefore, considering the defined criteria and continuous monitoring, whenever deemed necessary, the members of the board will be called upon to deliberate. The protection and safety of professionals in the fisheries sector is paramount for the Regional Government, and it is our mission to stand by vessel owners and fishers when weather conditions do not allow them to carry out their valuable work.
February 4, 2026 Regional Government convenes FUNDOPESCA Board Following the bad weather that has hit the archipelago in recent weeks and considering that the weather conditions are expected to worsen in the coming days, the Regional Government has decided to convene, under the terms of the Regional Legislative Decree no. 19/2013/A of October 17, in its current wording, the Administration Board of the Azores Fishers' Salary Compensation Fund (FUNDOPESCA) for next Monday, February 9, at 2:30 p.m. This meeting will serve to analyse the evolution of fish unloadings in the auctions of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, as well as the grounds and scope of applicability, in the event of a decision to activate FUNDOPESCA, with a view to paying a salary compensation to the fishing professionals covered by this fund. Since November 2025, the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, through the Regional Directorate for Fisheries, has been monitoring fish unloading in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and, in parallel, has been verifying the grounds for the possible activation of FUNDOPESCA, according to the provisions of Article 5(1) of Regional Legislative Decree no. 38/2023/A of October 24, which introduced the second amendment to the Regional Legislative Decree no. 19/2013/A of October 17. In addition to an Administration Board, comprising various organisations from the fisheries sector, FUNDOPESCA has a set of rules defined for its activation and does not depend on its own volition or requests from politicians. Therefore, considering the defined criteria and continuous monitoring, whenever deemed necessary, the members of the board will be called upon to deliberate. The protection and safety of professionals in the fisheries sector is paramount for the Regional Government, and it is our mission to stand by vessel owners and fishers when weather conditions do not allow them to carry out their valuable work.
Nota de Imprensa
February 4, 2026 More than 130 unemployed people placed in INCLUIR measure under Social Employment Market More than 130 unemployed people with low employability, disabilities or impairments are already integrated into traineeship projects in a real work context through the INCLUIR measure under the Social Employment Market (MSE). The measure was implemented by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment. Since 2025, the year when this public policy measure for labour inclusion was created, 124 applications from non-profit organisations have been approved for traineeship projects in other regional employers, including private companies, for a total of 163 vacancies. This indicates that, to date, more than 80% of the vacancies created for the benefit of unemployed people eligible for the MSE have been filled. The INCLUIR measure mobilises non-profit organisations, namely Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS), to promote traineeships in other regional employers, as a response to unemployment problems associated with disability, impairments and personal and/or social problems faced by the unemployed. Applications opened on February 1 and are open until December 31 this year at emprego.azores.gov.pt, where the MSE Implementation Guide can also be consulted. "The initial data on the implementation of this new measure leads us to two immediate conclusions: the INCLUIR measure is opening up companies to people who have difficulty integrating or reintegrating into the labour market; IPSS and companies are joining forces to integrate workers who can effectively bring value and productivity to companies," stated the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment. Maria João Carreiro also stressed that "the personal and social circumstances of workers should not be an obstacle to their integration into the labour market," and for this reason, she added that "this is a measure that calls on companies to fulfil their social responsibility." Traineeships last for 24 months, including a two-month rest period, and can be full-time (maximum 35 hours per week) or part-time (between 15 and 20 hours per week). Trainees are awarded a traineeship grant corresponding to 100% of the Minimum Monthly Wage (RMMG) in the Region, in the case of full-time internships. For part-time traineeships, the grant is proportional to the weekly working hours, based on the RMMG in the Region. Additionally, the trainees receive a meal allowance. The promoting entities receive monthly support equal to 23.75% of the traineeship grant awarded for each trainee during the training period. If a trainee is hired in the month following the completion of their traineeship, promoting entities will receive support amounting to 50% of the total support awarded during the training period. Employers taking part in the traineeship project can benefit from the “Contratar Social” measure when hiring trainees at the end of their training. This measure provides support of up to €26,000 over four years for each new job created. In the case of workers with disabilities or impairments, employers can benefit from hiring support for six years, ranging from 90% of the salary costs incurred by the company for the hired worker, in cases where the worker's disability is equal to or greater than 90%, and 40% in cases of disability equal to or greater than 40% and less than 60%. The MSE, whose new regulations were published in January 2025, is the main public governance instrument for promoting the labour market inclusion of unemployed people facing vulnerabilities in the labour market. It brings together the public administration, non-profit organisations and employers in promoting pathways that foster the labour inclusion of workers whose unemployment is associated with personal and/or social difficulties.
February 4, 2026 More than 130 unemployed people placed in INCLUIR measure under Social Employment Market More than 130 unemployed people with low employability, disabilities or impairments are already integrated into traineeship projects in a real work context through the INCLUIR measure under the Social Employment Market (MSE). The measure was implemented by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment. Since 2025, the year when this public policy measure for labour inclusion was created, 124 applications from non-profit organisations have been approved for traineeship projects in other regional employers, including private companies, for a total of 163 vacancies. This indicates that, to date, more than 80% of the vacancies created for the benefit of unemployed people eligible for the MSE have been filled. The INCLUIR measure mobilises non-profit organisations, namely Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS), to promote traineeships in other regional employers, as a response to unemployment problems associated with disability, impairments and personal and/or social problems faced by the unemployed. Applications opened on February 1 and are open until December 31 this year at emprego.azores.gov.pt, where the MSE Implementation Guide can also be consulted. "The initial data on the implementation of this new measure leads us to two immediate conclusions: the INCLUIR measure is opening up companies to people who have difficulty integrating or reintegrating into the labour market; IPSS and companies are joining forces to integrate workers who can effectively bring value and productivity to companies," stated the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment. Maria João Carreiro also stressed that "the personal and social circumstances of workers should not be an obstacle to their integration into the labour market," and for this reason, she added that "this is a measure that calls on companies to fulfil their social responsibility." Traineeships last for 24 months, including a two-month rest period, and can be full-time (maximum 35 hours per week) or part-time (between 15 and 20 hours per week). Trainees are awarded a traineeship grant corresponding to 100% of the Minimum Monthly Wage (RMMG) in the Region, in the case of full-time internships. For part-time traineeships, the grant is proportional to the weekly working hours, based on the RMMG in the Region. Additionally, the trainees receive a meal allowance. The promoting entities receive monthly support equal to 23.75% of the traineeship grant awarded for each trainee during the training period. If a trainee is hired in the month following the completion of their traineeship, promoting entities will receive support amounting to 50% of the total support awarded during the training period. Employers taking part in the traineeship project can benefit from the “Contratar Social” measure when hiring trainees at the end of their training. This measure provides support of up to €26,000 over four years for each new job created. In the case of workers with disabilities or impairments, employers can benefit from hiring support for six years, ranging from 90% of the salary costs incurred by the company for the hired worker, in cases where the worker's disability is equal to or greater than 90%, and 40% in cases of disability equal to or greater than 40% and less than 60%. The MSE, whose new regulations were published in January 2025, is the main public governance instrument for promoting the labour market inclusion of unemployed people facing vulnerabilities in the labour market. It brings together the public administration, non-profit organisations and employers in promoting pathways that foster the labour inclusion of workers whose unemployment is associated with personal and/or social difficulties.
Nota de Imprensa
February 4, 2026 Investment by companies applying for IFIC-Azores exceeds €252 million As of January 30, a total of 74 applications had been submitted to the IFIC – Financial Instrument for Innovation and Competitiveness, representing an overall investment of over €252 million. The Regional Secretariat for Finance, Planning and Public Administration welcomes the strong support of the regional business community for this new instrument, which is part of the RRP for the Azores. Its implementation was only possible following the latest reprogramming and the Regional Government's efforts to ensure the necessary conditions for its implementation and adaptation to the regional reality. This effort has resulted in the creation of a mechanism to support business investment aligned with the Region's goals towards modernisation, competitiveness and economic growth. The high level of participation in IFIC, both in terms of the number of applications and the amounts of investment proposed, highlights the dynamics of companies and the regional economy. It confirms that companies in the Azores are proactive and willing to implement new projects that contribute to value creation, increased competitiveness, innovation and growth. The Regional Secretariat for Finance, Planning and Public Administration also emphasises that the outreach and engagement efforts undertaken by the Regional Directorate for Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness throughout the application period contributed to building closer ties with the regional business community and facilitated companies' access to this European funding opportunity. The investments proposed through these applications will have a direct impact on the regional economy, contributing to greater wealth, increased business activity and job creation, with positive effects on cohesion and sustainable development in the Region.
February 4, 2026 Investment by companies applying for IFIC-Azores exceeds €252 million As of January 30, a total of 74 applications had been submitted to the IFIC – Financial Instrument for Innovation and Competitiveness, representing an overall investment of over €252 million. The Regional Secretariat for Finance, Planning and Public Administration welcomes the strong support of the regional business community for this new instrument, which is part of the RRP for the Azores. Its implementation was only possible following the latest reprogramming and the Regional Government's efforts to ensure the necessary conditions for its implementation and adaptation to the regional reality. This effort has resulted in the creation of a mechanism to support business investment aligned with the Region's goals towards modernisation, competitiveness and economic growth. The high level of participation in IFIC, both in terms of the number of applications and the amounts of investment proposed, highlights the dynamics of companies and the regional economy. It confirms that companies in the Azores are proactive and willing to implement new projects that contribute to value creation, increased competitiveness, innovation and growth. The Regional Secretariat for Finance, Planning and Public Administration also emphasises that the outreach and engagement efforts undertaken by the Regional Directorate for Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness throughout the application period contributed to building closer ties with the regional business community and facilitated companies' access to this European funding opportunity. The investments proposed through these applications will have a direct impact on the regional economy, contributing to greater wealth, increased business activity and job creation, with positive effects on cohesion and sustainable development in the Region.
Nota de Imprensa
February 3, 2026 Press release Following the news reported today regarding the operation of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics services at the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island (HSEIT), the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security (SRSSS) wishes to clarify that it regrets that the information was disclosed through anonymous suspicions, without reliable sources from pregnant women or health professionals. It should also be noted that the SRSSS was not even heard on this matter. This has led to an alarmist interpretation of the situation, causing unnecessary concern among users and the general public. It is important to acknowledge that the Regional Health Service faces occasional constraints in terms of human resources. This situation is reflective of a broader reality within the National Health Service, as experienced in various regions of the country, particularly in gynaecology and obstetrics. Nevertheless, these constraints do not jeopardise the clinical safety of users, nor do they mean that care is disrupted. It should also be noted that the Regional Directorate for Health has no record of recent complaints regarding the operation of these services. HSEIT has ensured the monitoring of pregnant women, the response to urgent situations, and the delivery of babies, currently employing 12 doctors in the area of gynaecology and obstetrics, under different labour arrangements. Accordingly, most users have been receiving care within the Maximum Guaranteed Response Time. The Board of Directors of HSEIT has been working closely with clinical managers and healthcare professionals to increase the human resources in this department to reorganise schedules, reduce the workload, and gradually strengthen response capacity. This evidences the recognition of the commitment and dedication of the teams providing care daily. The SRSSS reiterates that the safety of pregnant women and newborns remains an absolute priority, closely monitoring the situation at HSEIT and ensuring that all necessary measures continue to be implemented to deliver adequate, safe, and humane healthcare.
February 3, 2026 Press release Following the news reported today regarding the operation of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics services at the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island (HSEIT), the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security (SRSSS) wishes to clarify that it regrets that the information was disclosed through anonymous suspicions, without reliable sources from pregnant women or health professionals. It should also be noted that the SRSSS was not even heard on this matter. This has led to an alarmist interpretation of the situation, causing unnecessary concern among users and the general public. It is important to acknowledge that the Regional Health Service faces occasional constraints in terms of human resources. This situation is reflective of a broader reality within the National Health Service, as experienced in various regions of the country, particularly in gynaecology and obstetrics. Nevertheless, these constraints do not jeopardise the clinical safety of users, nor do they mean that care is disrupted. It should also be noted that the Regional Directorate for Health has no record of recent complaints regarding the operation of these services. HSEIT has ensured the monitoring of pregnant women, the response to urgent situations, and the delivery of babies, currently employing 12 doctors in the area of gynaecology and obstetrics, under different labour arrangements. Accordingly, most users have been receiving care within the Maximum Guaranteed Response Time. The Board of Directors of HSEIT has been working closely with clinical managers and healthcare professionals to increase the human resources in this department to reorganise schedules, reduce the workload, and gradually strengthen response capacity. This evidences the recognition of the commitment and dedication of the teams providing care daily. The SRSSS reiterates that the safety of pregnant women and newborns remains an absolute priority, closely monitoring the situation at HSEIT and ensuring that all necessary measures continue to be implemented to deliver adequate, safe, and humane healthcare.
