Coalition measures have led to decrease in poverty risk rate in the Azores, highlights Mónica Seidi - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, emphasised that the measures taken by the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition governments in the social sector, namely those for the most vulnerable people, were "decisive" and "appropriate," as evidenced by the 6.9% drop in the poverty risk rate in the Region reported by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

According to data released by this entity on Thursday, the rate of severe material deprivation also fell by about half.

Mónica Seidi recalled measures implemented by the coalition governments, such as the steady increase in the Regional Pension Supplement and the broadening of the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI).

“Furthermore, Social Integration Income (RSI) figures in the Azores have been falling consistently, while the employed population has reached record levels,” pointed out the government official.

“In any case, we remain and will always remain focused on continuing to support the most vulnerable. Evidence of this will be the implementation of measures from the Regional Plan for Social Inclusion and Citizenship (PRISC) in 2026, namely special support for children from households identified as most vulnerable,” Mónica Seidi also pointed out.

The Azorean Family Allowance Supplement (CAAF) also saw consistent increases, representing an annual investment of approximately three million Euros.

"Pioneering programmes such as 'New Elderly,' 'Birth Plus' and the upgrading of COMPAMID were also decisive measures taken by coalition governments that have significantly contributed to improving the INE indicator," concluded the Regional Secretary.