Mallorca's €80 million aid plan delivers no help, PSIB says

Families on the island of Mallorca have received no help from a promised €80 million social aid package, the Socialist group PSIB says. On Tuesday, 6 October, it accused Mallorca Island Council president Llorenç Galmés of failing to put a single measure into action six months after announcing the plan. The accusation came in a party statement issued in Palma.

Where the money stands

PSIB spokeswoman Catalina Cladera said only €22 million of the announced €80 million had been set aside through budget changes. The other measures presented as new, she said, were already in the council’s regular budget.

Cladera pointed to €9 million intended for people most in need through the Mallorcan Institute of Social Affairs (IMAS). That measure has not started, she said. The institute had passed responsibility for social services to local councils, but the money meant to go with it had not reached them.

Help for children and a residency rule

Cladera said a further €3 million was meant to help sports federations pay licence fees for children facing financial hardship. Instead, she said, the councillor for environment, rural affairs and sport, Pedro Bestard, had proposed sending the money to local councils to maintain sports facilities.

She also criticised a condition negotiated by the governing People’s Party with Vox: people would have to show five years of legal residence on Mallorca to receive aid. Cladera said the Socialists had offered to support the budget changes if that condition was dropped.

Topics: Social affairs · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com