Free daycare in 2023, announces Artur Lima
Angra do Heroísmo
Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, announced yesterday that daycare will be completely free of charge in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, from January 2023, thus honouring a commitment made at the beginning of this legislative period.
According to the government official, the XIII Regional Government of the Azores had planned that full access to free daycare would begin in 2024, but the current social situation has prompted the Government to anticipate the implementation of this measure.
"The Government had planned to extend the measure up to the 16th income bracket by the end of the legislative period. However, given the current living conditions of families," it was decided that, as early as 2023, "daycare will be completely free for everyone in the Region."
"This is yet another social measure that the Government is implementing to support families. It is of paramount importance in this context of rising inflation and cost of living," he stressed.
For the Vice-President of the Government, "free daycare for all is a policy that will benefit all families without distinction."
According to Artur Lima, this is an "anticipated promise," which evidences the Government's responsibility and social commitment to mitigate the consequences of the current inflationary period.
The measure, set out in the 2023 Plan and Budget, will "clarify" this family support policy. According to Artur Lima, it will be effective in the fight against poverty as well as in the protection of household income. It is also expected to stimulate birth rates.
The full exemption of Azorean families from the payment of monthly childcare fees will cover nearly 2,900 children, representing an annual financial impact of about 4 million Euros.
In addition to this measure, Artur Lima recalled package of proposals aimed at tackling inflation in the Azores, namely the 15% increases in the family allowance supplement, COMPAMID, regional pension supplement and CEDO (Special Supplement for Cancer Patients). He also pointed out the upcoming revision of standard value for social areas, which will be carried out before the end of the year.
"Contrary to what the regional opposition claims, the XIII Regional Government of the Azores has adopted a responsible stance in supporting the most vulnerable people and the middle class," he said.
