The urban area, which includes Valle San Lorenzo, Buzanada, and La Camella, lacks public home assistance services in Arona. This situation has left many individuals who are highly dependent or bedridden in a state of helplessness, as reported by local socialists. The municipal government (PP, CC, and Vox) has not disputed these claims. Dozens of affected individuals have had their support from the city council interrupted for essential services such as personal hygiene, meals, transportation to medical appointments, and home cleaning. The PSOE stated, “What was initially presented as a temporary halt has become an indefinite suspension without a date for reinstatement.”
A High Budget
The Municipal Home Assistance Service (SAD) is part of the Social Services Board, which had a budget of €6.1 million last year, of which over €2 million went unspent. The Board concluded the year with €8 million in surplus. This year, the budget for the department increased to €8.6 million—a 40% rise—but in the first six months, only 25% has been executed.
“It is incomprehensible that with the available resources, dozens of residents are left without a vital service.”
According to the statistics provided, the socialists from Arona find it incomprehensible that with the available resources, dozens of residents are left without a vital service. They argued that, “we are facing the worst moment in the history of the municipal home assistance service in Arona,” which they attribute to “the disastrous management of the tripartite government of the Popular Party, Canarian Coalition and Vox.
Staff Shortages
Another criticism directed at the governing group led by Fátima Lemes (PP) is the failure to utilise the Social Employment Programme (PES) 2024-2025, which has been in place since March, to strengthen the home assistance service with more personnel and specific roles. The socialists contended, “This is not an unforeseen issue, but rather a lack of political planning that those most vulnerable are now suffering from.”
Warning: Possible Privatisation
In this context, the PSOE of Arona has issued a warning: “This progressive deterioration could be the precursor to a privatisation of the service, which would jeopardise care for dependent individuals, the peace of mind of their families, and the working conditions of the staff.”
The party with the largest representation within the Arona municipal corporation has assured that “we will not allow essential services for our elderly and dependent individuals to be compromised.” This service is one for which requests are increasing daily. “No one can be left behind.”
Work Overload
One consequence of the home assistance service affects the staff who deliver it. The socialists highlight the work of SAD staff, a heavily female-dominated sector, who, despite their commitment, report exhaustion and work overload. They provided examples of “situations where a single person must take on tasks that require an entire team, which directly impacts both the quality of service and the lives of users and their families.”
A Critical Situation
During the ordinary plenary session held last January, the councillor for Social Services, Ruth Guacimara Martín (CC), expressed her concern to the Assembly that, “as of today, Social Services is facing a critical situation.” She reported that with “too few staff,” the department is experiencing permanent stress because it cannot meet the social needs of the municipality. The main cause cited is the impossibility of hiring more workers due to the restrictions established by the central government.
Ruth Martín took over the area after Pura Martín (Más por Arona) managed the Municipal Social Services Board during the first 18 months of the mandate starting in June 2023, following the mayor, Fátima Lemes, expelling MxArona from the municipal government just two weeks prior to the plenary session in question.
