Over 18,500 people in the Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre regions are currently waiting at various stages of the dependency care system. This includes 9,032 individuals awaiting assessment and another 9,540 waiting to receive their Personal Care Programme (PIA), which determines financial aid or care services such as home assistance, day centres, or residential places.
Raúl Moreno, Secretary General for Social Rights and Inclusion, and Sílvia Subirana, Director General for Personal Autonomy and Disability, presented the CURA Plan in Tarragona on Wednesday. The plan aims to "unblock dependency care" and "transform the dependency care system," according to officials.
Moreno explained that the collaboration between the Social Rights and Health departments seeks to ensure that those opting for financial benefits receive them within two weeks. This will be followed by social monitoring and integration into the health system. He also noted changes to how basic social services tools operate.
Two-Phase Implementation for Faster Care
The plan will be rolled out in two phases. "This year, until December, we will see waiting lists reduced," Moreno stated. "Those with Grade 3 dependency, who face the most difficulties, will receive benefits more quickly." He added that individuals waiting for residential places will receive financial aid within six months to help ease their wait.
Moreno expressed confidence that these measures will allow the current waiting times, which are double the legal limit, to be cut within approximately two years. The goal is for Catalonia to become "one of the pioneering autonomous communities in dependency management."
Moreno and Subirana met with local representatives from Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre to explain the CURA Plan's four main areas and eighteen measures. They also detailed changes included in the Decree-Law on urgent measures for dependency.
Key measures include prioritising individuals on waiting lists who, based on medical information, are likely to qualify for Grade III dependency. Other actions involve speeding up financial benefit payments, creating minimum coverage aid for those awaiting care services, and ending improper payments.
