Lisbon, Oct. 29, 2024 (Lusa) - The minister of labour, solidarity, and social security, Maria do Rosário Ramalho, announced on Tuesday that the number of people experiencing homelessness will rise to 13,128 by 2023, an increase of 23%.
The minister was heard in parliament at a joint hearing of the Labour, Social Security and Inclusion, and Budget, Finance, and Public Administration committees. In her opening speech, she pointed out that the ministry she oversees represents the largest expense in the 2025 State Budget programme.
Maria do Rosário Ramalho pointed out that this budget is designed to ‘reverse the country's trajectory in recent years’, particularly with regard to the at-risk-of-poverty rate.
On this specific issue, and referring to what the current government has done in the last six months, the minister said that a national survey of homeless people has been carried out.
According to Maria do Rosário Ramalho, in 2023, 13,128 people were homeless, an increase of almost 23% compared to 2022, when 10,700 people were registered in this condition.
Regarding the measures for the social area, she emphasised what had been done for the elderly and people in situations of social vulnerability, highlighting the updating of the lowest pensions, representing a ‘budgetary effort of around €500 million’.
She also pointed out that the value of the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI) has been updated and announced that the government intends to increase the value of this social benefit by €30 by 2025. She also pointed out that CSI beneficiaries now have access to reimbursed medicines.
Furthermore, he announced that the government intended to review the CSI legal regime and the national strategies for ageing and homelessness, create a single strategy for children, and review the legal regime for people with disabilities.
She also announced that the government intended to review the CSI legal regime and the national strategies for ageing and homelessness, create a single strategy for children, and review the legal regime for people with disabilities.
SV/ADB // ADB.
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