When questioned by deputies about measures taken by the Government to minimise difficulties for those living outside of Portugal and for those who intend to travel here, the secretary of State of Portuguese Communities listed many government initiatives, such as the Virtual Consulate, but also brought up the question of spot “hoarding.”

Paulo Cafôfo considers the “illegitimate claiming of spots” by intermediaries for reselling to be an “identified problem.”

According to Cafôfo, “despite the efforts taken to introduce limitations, this hoarding continues to happen.” However, he revealed that the appointment platform and its staff consider the platform to now be in a process of transformation “to minimise the impact.”

In response to deputies over the difficulties of Portuguese consulates, the secretary of State stated that until the end of the year they should have contracted over 100 new staff, with temporary solutions existing until then, as is the case with Angola.

Here, especially in Luanda, a “priority” of the Portuguese Government, there has been a “reinforcement in staff,” as well as an allocated task force resulting from intergovernmental cooperation.

“It’s a momentary reinforcement so that we can better meet deadlines, give faster answers and provide services more efficiently,” Paulo Cafôfo concluded.