There are five proposals in total: three bills and two motions for resolutions. The aim is “to provide answers to the elderly, which, on the one hand, delays institutionalization or even does not exist. On the other hand, if there is a need for institutionalization, guarantee all the conditions for those who welcome and also for the elderly”.
Next Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., the deputy will present the measures at a press conference together with Inês Palma Ramalho (Vice President of the party). Thursday is the turn of the plenary discussion, with the debate on the theme. “We understand that the government has been inactive on this issue, but we have put the issue on the agenda, especially in the state budget. The proposals have been systematically rejected by the Socialist Party. Reality is not compatible with this delay in finding solutions”, he explains. The hope is that “all parties will meet this need, because they are aware of the need to take measures that respond to the problem of aging in Portugal,” he adds.
And the diplomas awarded are moving in that direction. For example, the first of the two motions for resolutions (which seek to ensure social responses and the financial sustainability of social institutions) reads: the proposal to increase the financing of the existing cooperation agreements. “What we came to ask, and what the associations demand, is that the cooperation agreement takes into account the real costs of the user according to the valences,” he explains. In fact, in 2021, the government revised the social pact, which at the time included a gradual increase in government contributions in this area. But for Clara Marques Mendes, more is needed: “That evaluation stated that the own contribution would be paid fairly with the institutions, but that is not happening. What we understand is that the government must ensure that the contribution must be higher. It is in this sense that we want to see the stakes essentially strengthened. And it is in a sense the recognition of the institution, because the government asks the institutions and in a sense they are the ones who give the answer that the state does not give. The State incurs no costs and cannot oblige institutions to do it alone.”
In addition, defends Clara Marques Mendes, the sustainability of social security is ensured, since “these are gradual measures that the government must create, implement and adapt”. And he says: “If the PSD were a government, this would be the priority. We can’t have an aging country and not give answers to the elderly. . The government has already received more revenue than expected by the end of the year. In this sense, therefore, the government must act.”
The minister asked questions, but no answers came
Speaking to DN, Clara Marques Mendes also accuses the government of not providing answers on the subject. “At the last regimental audition with the minister [do Trabalho, Segurança e Solidariedade Social, Ana Mendes Godinho], we questioned the number of users on the waiting list for this social support. And the government didn’t know how to react,” he accuses. This shows that “government has mismanaged situations and is managing in the aftermath of events. Government must respond”.
Another proposal from the social democrats is the revision of the status of the informal carer. In this specific case, the PSD wants to amend the law currently in force (since 2019), with the “intention to ensure justice, fairness and impartiality in the equalization of the status of informal caregiver for all those who, whether spouses or de facto partners, related or similar up to the 4th degree of the direct line or collateral line of the person being cared for”. This “regardless of the stay in the home of the cared for”. When there is no family connection, the party defends that “equivalence occurs provided they are in common accommodation”. What does this mean in practice? “Sometimes there is no family network that can take care of it. Sometimes there are neighbors or other people who want to take care of the elderly.With this change, says Clara Marques Mendes, the PSD wants to “ensure that the elderly are cared for without leaving their homes”.
Despite the absolute majority and the criticism of the cabinet, it is expected that there will be dialogue and openness for the approval and application of these measures. “It was a very dialogued process, with several phases. No one understands that there are no answers. If the PS does not follow these proposals, there will be great insensitivity to the issue and we hope that absolute majority does not mean absolute power once and for all, and that the PS will have that opening. We hope there is common sense on the part of the socialist bank,” concludes Clara Marques Mendes.
The measures proposed by the PSD
1. Ensuring social response and financial sustainability of social and solidarity sector institutions
2. Strengthening home care
3. Expanding the number of job offers reimbursed in social responses aimed at the elderly and extending this reimbursement to the private sector when the public/social network cannot respond
4. Amendment of the Informal Carers Statute
5. Creation of an Interdisciplinary Permanent Specialized Committee for the Elderly of the Social Economic Council and change of powers and composition of the Social Network
Source: DN
