Support Services

NATURE AND COMPOSITION

The Civil House provides the President of the Republic with consultancy, analysis, information and technical support services.

It comprises the Head of the Civil House and various advisers, assistants and secretaries.

The Civil House also has a body of specialist consultants.

There is also an administrative support nucleus.

ORGANISATION AND WORKING

The Civil House is organised on the basis of a number of specific areas providing support to the activities of the President of the Republic. In accordance with the established criteria and with its duties and responsibilities, the organisation of the Civil House is currently as follows:

Head of the Civil House

The Head of the Civil House is responsible for its management and ensures the administrative and financial co-ordination of the various bodies and services of the Presidency of the Republic.

The administrative and financial duties that are legally entrusted to the Presidency of the Republic and are not the responsibility of any other of its bodies are exercised by the Head of the Civil House.

The Head of the Civil House represents the President of the Republic as and when the President so determines.

NATURE AND COMPOSITION

• The Military House provides support services for the President of the Republic in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
• The Military House comprises the Head of the Military House, advisers and aides-de-camp, all of whom are officers of the Armed Forces. Support is provided by the secretariat and by administrative personnel.

DUTIES, ORGANISATION AND WORKING

The Military House is organised on the basis of the three branches of the Armed Forces. Each branch has its own advisory service headed by an adviser from the branch in question. The aides-de-camp are officers from the three branches of the Armed Forces.

In keeping with this criterion and in the light of its duties and composition, the organisation of the Military House is currently as follows:

Head of the Military House

The Head of the Military House is in charge and represents the President of the Republic whenever the President so determines. He also provides the link between the President of the Republic and the military authorities.

The Security Service is a body providing direct support to the President of the Republic charged with the protection and safety of the President, and with the prevention, control, surveillance, protection and defence of the premises, property and services of the Presidency of the Republic.

Besides the Head and Assistant Head of the Security Service, the Service includes the Presidential Squad of the National Republican Guard (GNR), a Squad of the Internal Security of the Public Security Police (PSP) and a Personal Security Detachment of the PSP.

The Medical Support Service provides medical assistance and nursing for the President of the Republic in articulation with other public and/or private health facilities.

The working of the Medical Support Service is ensured by duly-qualified medical and nursing staff.

The General Secretariat provides the administrative support services for the Presidency of the Republic. It is charged with:

• ensuring the proper working of the administrative services, including services connected with the Chancellery of the Portuguese Honorific Orders;
• putting into practice the deliberations of the Administrative Board and, in general, ensuring the proper working of the administration and financial and property management services;
• carrying out all personnel administration and management services; and
• drawing up the budget and the management report and accounts of the Presidency of the Republic.

The General Secretariat is under the management and co-ordination of the secretary-general who is the ex officio secretary-general of the Portuguese Honorific Orders.