Territorial Cohesion Minister Ana Abrunosa acknowledged on Tuesday that decentralization had brought awareness that the resources allocated by ministries in some areas were insufficient and that the challenge was to maintain partnerships with local authorities.
Decentralization [de competências para as autarquias] “It was a kind of lifting of a leaf” that allowed “a different look at reality and an understanding of the shortcomings,” the minister of territorial unity said on Tuesday.
In the closing speech of the meeting “Transfer of skills, social action – municipalities”, as part of the celebration of the first year of decentralization of skills, celebrated today in Caldas da Rainha, Leiria district, Ana Abruñosa acknowledged that this reality has made it possible to “realize that the financial resources allocated in many areas in the ministries were insufficient,” so decentralization “forced us to strengthen [as verbas]when these powers were transferred to municipalities.”
At a meeting that brought together social policy makers and mayors from across the country, the minister suggested that “social action was certainly an area in which the central state was seen to invest less” and that was why funds were transferred to municipalities, an increase of 66%, from 56 million euros to 93 million euros.
A year after the implementation of the devolution of powers for social action to local authorities, the minister recalled that “problems of inflationary pressure remain,” emphasizing the importance of municipalities having “the means to help families.”
Highlighting the role of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) in the negotiations on the devolution of powers, Ana Abrunhosa recalled that “the agreement reached about a year ago allowed the establishment of values for protocols, costs of human resources, facilities and maintenance”, and guaranteed that these the values ”will be updated annually to reflect inflation and whenever warranted.”
Decentralization “requires concerted action in several areas: from housing to primary health care, education and even job search,” said Ana Abrunosa, acknowledging that “these complex measures pose challenges for municipalities.”
Convinced that the Portuguese authorities are “doing well” in this work, the minister said that “this is the path” the government intends to continue on and that the challenge ahead “lies in maintaining partnership working” between several government departments, ANMP and municipalities.” in the constant spirit of improving decentralization.”
Moreover, “decentralization does not do the obvious,” but rather “seizes the opportunity for innovation,” he concluded.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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