The Regional Secretary for Inclusion, Work and Youth, Paula Margarido, visited the Local Social Security Services of Santo António and Monte as part of a cycle of visits to 40 citizen service points in Madeira. Accompanied by officials from the Madeira Social Security Institute (ISSM, IP-RAM) and technical teams, the official assessed the services' operations and the needs identified in daily contact with the population. The visit also included the presidents of the Parish Councils of Santo António and Monte.
In 2025, the services in Santo António and Monte handled over 14,300 interactions in general services, social action, and home support. Staff noted a gradual decrease in counter footfall, with increased use of digital channels and the Contact Centre, allowing for greater capacity for situations requiring personal attention and tailored support.
The integrated service model, coordinating local services, digital channels, and the Contact Centre, has been operational since December 2025. The Contact Centre recorded 21,976 first-line interactions between December 2025 and September 2026, referring 13 cases for specialized follow-up. Paula Margarido emphasized that modernizing channels does not diminish the importance of local services but rather optimizes responses to citizens' diverse needs.
