Press release - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

As regards the news reports concerning the opening of the new Training Centre for Inclusion (CACI) and the Residential Care Home run by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Santo António da Lagoa, the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security wishes to clarify the following:

Firstly, the building’s energy certification process is yet to be completed, which is a mandatory requirement for the subsequent stages of the procedure. This procedure depends on the involvement of a qualified expert appointed for this purpose and, therefore, does not fall within the remit of the Government of the Azores or its departments.

Consequently, the claim that the facility has not opened due to a lack of a cooperation agreement or staff recruitment is untrue. Until all the necessary legal and technical requirements have been met, it is not possible to proceed to the next stages of the process.

It is also important to note that the Regional Directorate for Social Solidarity and the Institute for Social Security of the Azores have been closely and continuously monitoring this process, in coordination with the institution, providing the necessary support to ensure that all procedures are completed as quickly as possible.

The works have now been completed. However, the operation of these social services requires full compliance with the applicable legal obligations, with a view to safeguarding safety, service quality and the interests of future users.

Accordingly, the claim that the facility remains closed solely due to a lack of a cooperation agreement does not reflect the facts. At present, there is a prior legal impediment preventing the facility from becoming operational.

The Regional Government of the Azores remains committed to monitoring this process, ensuring that the new CACI and Residential Care Home of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Santo António da Lagoa become operational as soon as all the necessary legal and technical conditions have been met.