The number of beds in residential homes for the elderly has increased by 1,000 during this legislature.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly Mario Galea said that since 2008 the number of beds in private homes  hired by the government increased from 35 to 405. In addition works are underway to increase the number of beds in the Zejtun and Mellieha homes.

Mr Galea was accompanying Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who paid a visit to the Zammit Clapp home in St Julians, which has recently undergone a €2 million refurbishment project. At present there are 96 residents in this home which is run by Care Malta Limited. This number will increase by 33, once the refurbishment of a new ward is completed. The Zammit Clapp home caters for the long term rehabilitation of elderly patients who need additional individual attention.

The parliamentary secretary cited a recent European Commission study in which Malta placed first in the healthy life expectancy index for women and second for men.

In his address the prime minister claimed that government was in a position to sustain the welfare system, as the country had its public finances on solid ground, unlike other countries such as Greece.

Health Minister Joe Cassar said that since 2008 there was a significant increase in the uptake of courses in the vocational sector. He added that this bodes well for the future as the demand for nurses and carers is likely to increase.