Central level
The Ministry of Solidarity, Employment and Social Security is responsible for:
- Organising, coordinating and subsidising a unified and centralised social security system;
- Coordination of social policies for family support, children and youth at risk, the elderly, inclusion of persons with disabilities, to combat poverty and promote social inclusion
- Undertaking a national policy for the prevention of disability and the treatment, rehabilitation and integration of citizens with disabilities and the provision of support to their families.
- Planning and coordination of the implementation of European structural funds for investment in the areas of social inclusion and assistance to the vulnerable
- Exercising supervision and guardianship of the Civil Servants' Retirement and Survivor Pension Funds, Institute of Social Security, Institute of Financial Management of Social Security, Institute of Management of Social Security Capitalisation Funds, and the National Institute for Rehabilitation for people with disabilities
- Supervising the National Commission for the Promotion of Rights and the Protection of Children and Young People and the Commission for Equality in Labour and Employment.
The Social Security Institute administers and implements the social security system.
Responsible ministries/bodies
Regional level
The Azores:
- The management and financial system of social policy;
- The regulation of social services, social support, and social solidarity;
- Combating social exclusion and promoting equal opportunities and social inclusion;
- Providing support for citizens with disabilities.
Madeira:
- Public works and social facilities;
- Housing, and
- The development of human resources and quality of life
Responsible ministries/bodies
Regional Authorities of Azores and Madeira
Local level
Municipalities are responsible for:
- The construction and maintenance of nurseries and centres for the elderly and people with disabilities, and
- Cooperating with the social institutions and concluding partnerships with the central government in programmes and projects in the areas of fighting against poverty and social exclusion.
- Social housing.
- Support for families.
- Benefits for vulnerable people.
Intermunicipal entities are responsible for:
- Same areas, under agreement with the municipalities
Parishes are responsible for:
- Participating in programmes of social inclusion and welfare with private actors.
- Supporting other social activities of interest to the parish.
Responsible ministries/bodies
Municipalities
Sources
Commission for Equality in Labour and Employment
Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, Seventh Revision 2005.
Decree-Law No. 251-A / 2015 of December 17 Art 22
DL No. 167-c / 2013 of 31 December, Organic Law of Social Ministry, Employment and Social Security
Estatuto Político-Administrativo da Região Autónoma da Madeira (Law 130/99 of 29 August).
Estatuto Político-Administrativo da Região Autónoma dos Açores (Law 2/2009 of 12 January).
Social Security Institute
Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Portugal, 2014
