The first nursery in the country, whose remodeling and expansion works were carried out under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), was inaugurated this Wednesday, March 1st, in Albufeira, by the Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, by the Secretary of State for Inclusion and the Minister of State and Presidency, within the scope of the “Governo + Próxima” initiative in the Algarve.
This is the “Tempos de Infância” nursery, located in Guia, whose contract was awarded for 423.753,87 euros (value with VAT), supported by the PRR in the amount of 255.240 euros.
The work consisted of physically connecting the “Tempos de Infância” nursery school to the multipurpose building located to the north, which increased the capacity of the equipment from 42 to 60, 18 more than the initial project. The refurbishment and expansion of the existing rooms also served to adapt the building to current legislation, providing the necessary conditions for people with disabilities.
Patrícia Seromenho, provider of SCMA, the entity responsible for managing the Nursery following a transfer agreement signed with the municipality in 1996, stressed that «this is the true example of the proper functioning of the delegation of powers by the government to the municipalities and the approximation of municipalities to the social sector».
«It was trust, respect and mutual work that allowed us to get here, for which I thank the team from the Municipality, SCMA, the Parish Council of Guia and the Minister, for unlocking and the process for this work to be make it a reality," he continued.
The inauguration was attended by Minister Ana Mendes Godinho, Secretary of State Ana Sofia and Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva. Also present were the councilors of the Municipality, the president of the Parish Council of Guia, Dinis Nascimento, a representative of the Parish Council of Albufeira and Olhos de Água, military entities, various elements of the SCMA, the director of the District Center of Faro of Social Security, Margarida Flores and the president of the Regional Secretariat of Misericórdias of Faro, Armindo Vicente, among others.
Ana Mendes Godinho considered that crèches like the one now inaugurated constitute a «demographic challenge», as a «factor for attracting and retaining people in Portugal», due to the ease of educating children in «free crèches», which offer a start in life « equal for all, with the same opportunities» and that make it possible to free women for the labor market.
«Social resilience constitutes the great dimension for the response to the Welfare State, which is crucial for building a country with a future», said the official.
“Today is an unforgettable day for all of us. The team performed true miracles, focused on results, which shows that nothing is impossible and that barriers can be overcome to make things happen », he continued.
The mayor of Albufeira also stressed the current difficulties of the municipalities in being able to carry out their works, in the face of several factors, namely price fluctuations due to inflation, the shortage of stocks and the lack of manpower, situations which are no strangers to an «accumulation of crises, the current one having to do, namely, with the war we are going through».
José Carlos Rolo praised «the interest of government officials in their localities», challenging that there not only be meetings in identical situations, but that the Government become aware of the real problem of municipalities and people.
From Guia, the delegation headed to the parish of Ferreiras, where the Lending Contract was signed between the Municipality and the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training, with a view to inaugurating the facilities of the “Centro Qualifica” in Albufeira, on Avenida 12 de Julho , which will operate in this location until the works of the new IEFP Training Center, financed by the PRR, are completed and which will be located next to the current headquarters of the Ferreiras Parish Council.
Júlia Tomáz, vice-president of the board of directors of the IEFP, stressed that «without the City Council we would not have the quality that we want to have in terms of qualification and recognition of skills in the region. Two or three years from now, it will be easier for us to give answers to our partners”.
For her part, Ana Mendes Godinho said that «success anywhere in the world is people», which is why «the Qualifica Center is a new opportunity in life», in the sense of «guaranteeing that it is always time to bet on ourselves and in society".
Turning to a group of women who, in a situation of unemployment, are restructuring their knowledge, the minister stressed that «workers who are more valued for their knowledge must be better paid» and that in the future, wages and jobs work «will not depend on the families you are born into, but on skills, so that society responds to something that failed at a certain point in their lives».
José Carlos Rolo, not only praised the potential of the training provided at the Qualifica Centres, but also addressed businesspeople, at a time when there is a shortage of manpower in various sectors, so that «they are knowledgeable about the training that takes place here does and the quality of the workers who are here».
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