Tenerife Boosts Social Care Budget by 20.79% for 2026

The Institute of Social and Socio-health Care (IASS) will see its budget increase by 20.79% for the 2026 financial year. This boost means the IASS, which handles social services for the Department of Social Action, will have more money to improve social care across Tenerife.

Águeda Fumero, the councilor in charge of this area, explained that "Social Action is the top priority for the Tenerife Island Council during this term." She added that the budget figures prove this, as it's the area that has grown the most within the council's overall spending.

Fumero noted that improving social care is a huge challenge. While it's not a new issue, it requires a strong, coordinated, and long-term effort.

The councilor stated, "This shows our strong commitment to better social care on the island." She explained that this involves a new way of managing things: making the best use of existing resources, building new facilities, and working closely with non-profit organizations. This approach helps provide personalized and specialized care, ensuring social services truly meet people's needs.

By 2026, the IASS budget will reach 366,698,999 euros. This represents a total increase of 40.3% across the three budgets approved during the current term.

This extra funding highlights how important the island government considers protecting the most vulnerable people. Águeda Fumero stressed, "For us, managing social services is crucial for promoting fairness and equal opportunities for everyone, no matter where they live."

Having enough staff is vital for better social care. That's why the budget for personnel has been increased by 7.74% for this financial year, bringing it to 86.4 million euros.

In 2026, the IASS will hire new staff, including doctors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, social educators, physiotherapists, cooks, and administrative technicians.

Fumero believes that "staff are one of the main pillars of effective and high-quality social care, playing a crucial role in improving the lives of those who receive support." She emphasized that effective social care needs a network of services and partners, and staff are essential for coordinating these efforts, ensuring a team-based approach that provides complete and quality care.

Fumero highlighted that "our staff are dedicated to their work, which they carry out with empathy and professionalism." She added that the IASS is working to improve their working conditions, especially given that they support vulnerable individuals.

The island government is also firmly committed to tackling the long-standing shortage of social and health care facilities in Tenerife. In 2026, 24,325,363.55 euros will be allocated to building and improving these facilities.

Águeda Fumero announced that "this means we will have 10 social and health care centers under construction across the island next year." She described this as "unprecedented," marking a shift "from inaction to action, with more investment, more spaces, and real results, unlike years of neglect." The councilor insisted, "After years of stagnation, we are making a difference through our actions, guided by the non-negotiable principle that people must be cared for with complete dignity, with all their rights guaranteed, and with support for families and caregivers."

Fumero also highlighted a change in the social care model. She explained that while new facilities are important, they are also exploring new, preventative options that allow people to receive personalized care in their own communities. An example is the new home care pilot project, which has just started in five municipalities, helping 500 vulnerable people stay in their homes. This project supports the idea of moving away from institutional care towards more community-based social services.

Beyond new centers, the Island Council will spend 3,974,781.06 euros in 2026 on improvements and equipment for its existing social care facilities. The Social Action councilor stressed that this is "of paramount importance to ensure that users of these centers receive dignified care and all the elements of quality support."

Fumero noted that "for the first time during this term, we have introduced plans to equip our own centers." She emphasized that "these investments directly improve people's quality of life and boost social well-being."

The councilor highlighted the significant increase in spending, stating that "compared to the minimal investment of 90,000 euros over four years in the previous term, this government has already invested 4 million euros in improving its own centers." She believes that ensuring proper facilities and quality care helps build a fairer, more supportive, and inclusive society.

Non-profit organizations, also known as third-sector entities, play a crucial role in creating a fairer, more supportive, and inclusive society.

Águeda Fumero believes that "forming partnerships between the government and non-profit organizations is essential for better care, as these groups can reach people the administration might miss."

Following this idea, "we have expanded the Island Ring of Social Policies, now supporting 54 projects run by 49 organizations, with a budget increase to 4.7 million euros." For homelessness, the Ring includes 8 projects from 6 organizations, totaling 3.2 million euros in 2026.

The Island Ring of Social Policies has become a key strategy for providing comprehensive and localized social care. This model aims to make services more accessible across the island, ensuring everyone, no matter where they live, can get the social support they need. In Tenerife, with its mix of busy cities and remote rural areas, the Island Ring helps overcome geographical challenges to offer fair and high-quality care.

In summary, "increasing the funds for social action is a strategic investment. It not only addresses the immediate needs of the most vulnerable but also builds the foundation for a more supportive and fair future. With good management, these efforts can greatly improve the quality of life for residents and lead to stronger social unity on the island."