Canary Islands and Lanzarote Enhance Social and Dependency Services

Overview

On December 22, 2025, the Canary Islands government and Lanzarote's Island Council formalized a cooperation agreement to enhance social and dependency services on the island. The pact aims to:

• Improve coordination
• Expand service offerings
• Increase the number of beneficiaries of the System for Autonomy and Care for Dependent Persons (SAAD)

The agreement encompasses services such as:

• Day centers
• Residential care
• Preventive measures

All services are financed jointly by the regional government and the local council.

Objectives and Measures

This initiative follows previous agreements and seeks to:

• Optimize resource management
• Extend service coverage
• Facilitate access for more residents, especially the most vulnerable including:
  • Children under six
  • The elderly
  • People with disabilities

Additional protocols include:

• Managing urgent care cases
• Ensuring the protection of personal data
• Overseeing service quality

Financial Commitment

Financial commitments for 2025-2028 amount to over 17 million euros, with increased budgets planned for subsequent years, reflecting:

• Inflation adjustments
• Emerging needs

Responsibilities and Oversight

The agreement stipulates:

• Joint responsibilities for maintaining service standards
• Conducting regular reporting
• Adapting services as necessary

Implementation oversight is managed by a tripartite committee comprising:

• Regional health and social ministries
• The island council
• Their representatives

This emphasizes:

Transparency and accountability

Significance

This pact represents a significant step toward:

• More integrated social welfare policies in Lanzarote
• Better support structures
• A more coordinated approach to dependency services for residents.