File photo.
The Personal Assistant program for people with disabilities will become a permanent nationwide service, backed by €53 million in annual national and EU funding, the government announced Friday.
The service allows beneficiaries to choose assistants who support them at home, work, school and in daily life, promoting independent living.
The pilot program served 1,825 people and employed 3,043 personal assistants. Existing beneficiaries will remain enrolled automatically, while new applicants will be selected under a points-based system using social and income criteria.
