Government is assessing the effectiveness of family allowances in combating child poverty

The government is assessing the effectiveness of family allowances in combating child poverty before considering significant increases in this social benefit. Minister Maria do Rosário da Palma Ramalho stated that the evaluation aims to understand how current benefits contribute to reducing child poverty. The National Strategy for Combating Poverty includes this assessment and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to family support measures. The minister acknowledged challenges in residential care for children and youth at risk, particularly due to previous government decisions that reduced the capacity of care facilities. Additionally, the government has amended legislation to create specialized units for children with mental health issues. Currently, there is a waiting list for residential care, but no cases involve domestic violence victims. The government is mobilizing resources to enhance care capacity in Lisbon.