Dimas Sarmiento: “We strengthen our capacity to respond to social needs, and reaffirm our commitment to the entities that work on the front line for the well-being of our neighbors”
Alejandro Marichal: “Our main objective is to guarantee social and labour integration, thereby reducing dependence on benefits and promoting their full integration into society”
The Department of Social Services of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Town Council has taken a decisive step in the consolidation of its social policy and this Thursday, January 30, will submit to the vote of the Plenary Council the approval of the Strategic Plan for Subsidies, which will allow for the optimization of both administrative management and social impact. This new approach allows the Administration to have access to the money, avoiding annual budget modifications, thereby streamlining the procedures. Significantly, the beneficiary associations and non-profit organizations will be able to receive, after checking the documentation, the corresponding income in the months of June or July, instead of having to wait until the end of the year. This improvement not only strengthens the institutional support for these entities, but also ensures the continuity of their projects for the benefit of the community.
The aim of the council is to give continuity to the projects of non-profit organisations by allocating subsidies worth 230.000 euros and thus “support social projects that assist people in situations of economic vulnerability, social exclusion and serious illnesses”, as explained by the Councillor for Social Services, Dimas Sarmiento. Among the associations benefiting are UP2U Project, which will receive 35.000 euros to help young people at risk of social exclusion; the Karuna Maspalomas Charity Association, with 30.000 euros to support vulnerable families; as well as the Spanish Red Cross and the Spanish Association Against Cancer, which will receive 25.000 euros each to continue their assistance work in the municipality, among other entities. “This investment in social action programmes reflects the City Council’s commitment to strengthening the social fabric and ensuring that services reach those who need them most”, stressed Sarmiento.
The Councillor for Social Services highlighted the importance of this strategic planning: “The Strategic Plan for Subsidies not only strengthens our capacity to respond to social needs, but also reaffirms our commitment to the entities that work on the front line for the well-being of our neighbours. This measure is a firm step towards more efficient and effective management.”
For his part, the first deputy mayor, Alejandro Marichal, highlights the work carried out by the council, given that, in addition to working on the subsidies granted as essential support for the most disadvantaged sectors, it is betting on job insertion as another major strategic axis. “Our main objective is to guarantee that people can recover their autonomy through social and job insertion, thus reducing dependence on benefits and promoting their full integration into society. To do this, we have activated training and employment programs in collaboration with entities such as the Red Cross, Inserta and the Local Development Agency, so that people can begin the job search process and can access stable employment. In addition, we are promoting agreements with NGOs and specialized organizations to reinforce training and generate opportunities, especially for those facing critical situations, such as homeless people. With these measures, we reaffirm our commitment to offer sustainable solutions that allow our neighbors to get ahead and build a better future.”
Social emergency aid 2023 - 2024
The Department of Social Services has made a significant effort in the management of emergency social aid, increasing both the amount and coverage of these benefits between 2023 and 2024. In 2023, 762 applications were processed, while in 2024 the number of families benefiting exceeded 1.000, all of them approved, which represents an increase of more than 30% in the management of aid. This increase reflects a more challenging social context, to which the City Council has been able to respond with a budget allocation that went from 486.332 euros in 2023 to 601.363 euros in 2024, an increase of 23,5%.
The focus on meeting basic needs such as food, housing and essential supplies has been a common theme in both periods. However, in 2024 support was reinforced with specific items such as 231.950 euros for food and 278.112,93 euros for rent, which shows a greater investment in guaranteeing the economic stability of families. Likewise, aid to cover expenses related to glasses, dental prostheses and medical treatments was expanded, addressing increasingly diverse and specific needs.
In terms of execution, the 2023 and 2024 management stood out for its efficiency by approving 100% of the applications submitted, and last year a further step was taken by streamlining procedures such as the delivery of toys to 92 families in just one week. This progress not only optimizes the impact of public resources, but also reinforces the Department's commitment to adapt to growing social demands and continue promoting equal opportunities and the well-being of the most vulnerable groups.
