The Government makes the creation of a thousand new places in care homes conditional on the budget

BarcelonaReducing waiting lists for residential care and increasing resources to combat child poverty and the risk of homelessness are the main priorities outlined this Wednesday by the Minister of Social Rights, Mònica Martínez Bravo, during the presentation of the draft budget for her department. The allocation for Social Rights has increased by 28% compared to 2023, reaching €4.248 billion, and according to the Minister, its objective is to strengthen the welfare state. In this regard, if the budget is approved, the Government anticipates the creation of approximately one thousand new residential care places—primarily for the elderly, but also for people with disabilities—by that same year.

"We have become the third fastest-growing department in the Catalan Government," stated Martínez Bravo in Parliament, detailing that the bulk of the department's budget (60%) would be allocated to the area related to dependency and disability, and the benefits in this field, totaling €2.587 billion. In fact, €1.322 billion is proposed to finance existing residential care places and to create a thousand more; this figure will be added to the 2,740 places available since 2024, meaning that by the end of the year, 62% of the Catalan Government's goal of having 6,000 places by 2028 will be reached. Furthermore, 15 public residences will be built, nine of which are already under construction; three centers for people with disabilities (already planned); and a new day center for the elderly. In the same chapter, Social Rights plans to allocate €446 million for financial benefits for dependent persons and €1.23 million for the rollout of the new Integrated Social and Healthcare Agency. The budget for the Home Care Service (SAD) will also be increased by €165.8 million (€20.3 million more) to improve the hourly rate for these professionals, which will rise from €21 to €24. In addition, there will be another €5 million for local authorities that need to deploy equipment within their territories, and an additional €25 million to finance the hiring of more assessors by the Generalitat (Catalan Government) to shorten waiting times for accessing these resources. €496 million to cover benefits

In the area of ​​"fighting poverty, social inclusion, and civic action," the Catalan government has allocated €967 million. Half of this (€496 million) would be used to cover economic and social benefits, primarily the Guaranteed Citizen's Income (RGC), and €3.5 million to manage the Minimum Living Income (IMV). The government also plans to mobilize an additional €300 million for its management, which currently falls under the purview of the central government. An additional 115 professionals will be hired to handle administrative procedures, and the RGC will be reformed to make it compatible with the IMV. "It has been demonstrated that having a robust and efficient network to cover temporary increases in the cost of living is a fundamental tool that we cannot afford to overlook," the regional minister stated. The fight against poverty, especially child poverty, to which the government intends to allocate €880 million, would also include an additional €20 million to fund new programs that facilitate access to benefits in low-income neighborhoods. In parallel, €130 million has been earmarked for 984 organizations through the regular grant program. Furthermore, an investment of €30 million has been planned to combat homelessness, which should be allocated to the network of facilities and emergency shelters for 5,000 people by 2029. 300 professionals per child

Thirdly, support for families, child protection and prevention, and youth policies would receive €542 million. Specifically, €111 million is earmarked for strengthening the Directorate General for the Prevention and Protection of Children and Adolescents (DGPPIA), and €10 million for hiring 300 professionals, as well as providing more staff for Child and Adolescent Care Teams (EAIA) and open centers. "The goal is to reduce the risk of neglect by up to 31%," explained Martínez Bravo. Finally, the government is allocating €150 million to implement salary equalization, which will benefit a total of 100,000 contracted workers in the social sector.