El Cabildo destina 14,6 millones de euros para mejorar centros del IASS y servicios de discapacidad

The Cabildo de Tenerife has approved a budget of 14.6 million euros for the improvement and modernization of social and healthcare centers managed by the Institute for Social and Healthcare Assistance (IASS) and to ensure funding for entities that provide disability services on the island. This was announced on February 12 by the First Vice President, Lope Afonso, and the Second Vice President, José Miguel Ruano, after the Government Council meeting where this investment was approved.

Lope Afonso mentioned that 4.7 million euros are allocated for the renovation and equipment of centers to ensure better service for users, the adaptation of infrastructures to new accessibility and energy efficiency regulations, and the reinforcement of equipment and facilities to improve care quality in disability and elderly care centers.

On the other hand, 9.9 million euros are allocated to third-sector entities that manage disability centers in Tenerife, as well as for salary adjustments of contracted disability services and the continuity of funding until the formalization of a new dependency agreement. In this way, the Cabildo reinforces its investment in social infrastructures and disability care, ensuring the sustainability of social and healthcare services and the improvement of essential equipment.

In addition, the Government Council has approved the Tenerife for Employment 2024/2025 program, which will enhance the training and employment of over a hundred young people registered in the National Youth Guarantee System. This plan is complemented by the IASS’s Inforemiass with a total investment of 1.8 million euros.

José Miguel Ruano stated that the objective of this initiative is to enhance the employability of unemployed individuals without basic education or professional qualifications through a program that promotes job and social integration, facilitates access to education, vocational training, or professional certifications, and provides quality work experience, thereby contributing to reducing social exclusion among vulnerable groups.

Recovery of forests, Casa del Conde, and protocol with the Cabildo of La Palma

Within the area of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies, a budget of 5.1 million euros was approved for the environmental restoration of the forests of Tacoronte, La Victoria, Santa Úrsula, and La Orotava affected by the major fire of 2023. The works include the treatment of dead fuel (felling, removal, and extraction) as well as the environmental restoration of the area occupied by the affected radiata pine, which will be replanted with native species.

In the area of Historical Heritage, the Government Council authorized the free transfer of the property Casa de los Condes de La Gomera or Casa de Piedra to the Municipality of Garachico to be used as an Interpretation Center for the eruption of the volcano Arenas Negras. This is a 17th-century property of great heritage value located in the Historic Complex of Garachico declared a Cultural Interest Site.

Furthermore, in the Planning area, the assignment was approved to the public company Grafcan to strengthen and modernize the Corporate Geographic Information System (GIS). This is a key tool in territorial planning, heritage management, urban planning, and environmental conservation.

Finally, the Government Council approved the protocol between the Cabildos of Tenerife and La Palma to establish a stable framework for exchanging experiences, joint participation in project development, and achieving common objectives applicable in their respective territories. The protocol aims to define the general guidelines of cooperation between both Cabildos for the transfer of knowledge, advice, research, training, or any other joint projects or activities that benefit both islands, improving the public service provided to citizens and their quality of life.