According to Eustat data expenditure on social services in the A.C. of Euskadi reached 1,073 million euros in 2003, 17% more than the previous year, representing 2.3% of the Basque GDP. The average expenditure per inhabitant was 511 euros, of which 353 came from public funds.

The provincial breakdown reveals that the increase in expenditure was 18% in Alava and Bizkaia and 16% in Gipuzkoa. In per capita terms, Alava’s expenditure is the highest, with expenditure per inhabitant standing at 649 euros, compared to 500 in Gipuzkoa 482 in Bizkaia.

Public spending effort by the various administrations in this area reached 742 million euros, 69% of total expenditure, with the private sector contributing the remaining 31%. An important feature of the spending is the 136 million euros contributed by users in exchange for services, representing 17% of current expenditure.

In 2003 the A.C of Euskadi had a network of 2,388 social service centres directly employing 18,855 people (2.1% of employed persons)

Among the different types of centres, the largest group (27%) was made up of centres of residence (residences, sheltered housing, hostels for people of no fixed abode, etc.), 666 in total, providing 18,750 beds. These centres employed 8,610 workers and spent 373 million euros accounting for 46% and 35% of total social services employment and expenditure respectively.

Examination of the population groups which benefit from social services reveals that the most significant areas of care with regard to expenditure were homes for the elderly and financial subsidies for families, which together accounted for more than half of expenditure.

Expenditure on care for the elderly rose by 25.1% in 2003

Three kinds of care, homes for the elderly, day centre care and domestic care, formed the nucleus of social services action for the elderly, a population group which is increasing in number and consequently with ever increasing problems and disabilities with which to confront daily life independently. These services reached 9% of the over 65’s.

With 14,123 places available in residences and community housing, a level of cover of 3.7 places per 100 elderly people was reached. In the last five years the number of places available has increased by 4% annually (+2,535) and by 11% in expenditure (+114 million euros). Also worth mentioning is the increase in services supplied by the private sector with the help of agreements and the ever-increasing contribution of the end-users.

As the majority of elderly people live at home, there are alternatives aimed at enabling them to continue living at home, such as the 427 places in temporary residences and sheltered apartments. The daycentres, with 2,313 places, increased in number over the last 5 years by 83% (13% inter-annual).

The domestic care service assisted 17,000 elderly in their own home. In the last five years this service, 90% financed by the administration, increased in the number of users by an annual average of 8%.

Aimed at the more independent elderly people, on the other hand, are the associations and retired persons clubs, which although they account for lower employment and expenditure figures, have a great social significance with more than half of the over 65’s being member of a club of this kind.

In 2003, 336 million euros were spent on centres for the elderly, accounting for 31% of total expenditure. If resources directed at the elderly from other programmes, such as the Social Welfare Fund, domestic help, and tele-alarm are taken into account, expenditure on the elderly reaches around 40% of the total.