€3 million in social benefits will be saved after abusers have been cut off, Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia said in Parliament.
"We cannot have a Leader of the opposition say that we are attacking people on social benefits and defends those who abuse the system. This government will not stand for it, and 3/4ths of inspections conducted recently (a total of 724 abusers) found some form of abuse and thus were taken off benefits. This will save more than €3 million in benefits".
He also mentioned that three blocks of social housing in Mtarfa has seen many conflicting reports regarding structural problems. Privately hired architects say that a danger exists, while government ones did not. As such, this government hired experts who said that structural problems exist.
As such, concrete samples have been taken and will be sent for international tests on the quality of material used.
"We want people who work and we must work to tackle the social problems in society".
When creating social services, they are not there to live off them from birth to death, they were created to help people passing through rough times to stop them from falling into absolute poverty, Its scope was never to carry people for their entire lives.
Those in the benefit trap are ending up in poverty, he explained. "I look back and thank my parents for investing in me". Those at risk of being in the benefit trap, even single mothers, would work hard, have their children look back and say 'thanks mom, dad, for investing in me and working through your life to support me'."
The help we give through benefits come from tax contributions and NI contributions. This means these funds come from peoples' wages. "If they know their money is being invested well, they will be ok with it and that they are doing some good".
The Minister mentioned a number of measures, such as free childcare and the 3:16 club. He mentioned that unemployment has dropped and the reduced energy taxes.
"What we have promised in the manifesto we are doing," he said.
He mentioned a system of fostering to keep siblings together, where they will be paid at better rates. He also said that allocated funds for renovations of government housing and the project in St Paul's Bay will soon begin.
The Minister mentioned Green paper against poverty and social conclusion after a strategy is implemented. All the meetings have concluded and are is on the way to being implemented.
"The Opposition is promising that there will be more tax for workers and employers. The former Minister went on TV and said that the retirement age must rise. We will not implement the 2nd pillar pensions and the retirement age will rise in 2020 and not before. We have also come to the end of preperations for the pension plan and will soon present it".
Pensioners will also take all the COLA, he said. "We are giving the opportunity for those who do not have the required pension contributions to pay over 5 years in order to later receive their full pension".
Over a few years we plan to bring 40,000 pensioners out of poverty. The opposition say we are off-track, however I think the opposition is still affected by their electoral loss and are seeing everything off track. This government is looking forward with a vision as it believes that what it promised it will implement".
"One of the things we didn't promise but are going to implement is that persons who are already retired, aged between 61 and 75 years, if they did not pay enough National Insurance to receive a full pension we will give them some funds to help them along".
20,000 more people became at risk of poverty under the last administration, he said. "The opposition thinks poverty is a perception, we believe it is a reality".
The Minister said that "We want more poverty prevention and in this regard we are working with local councils to fight poverty, bullying and discrimination.
He mentioned that there were persons with disability who will have changes made to their homes to help them live better lives, social housing under lands be also under housing authority.
Regarding the COLA, the Minister said that if there is agreement on system of cola to change the way it works then the government will look at it, but this is the same mechanism the PN government had used.
He said that parents under 23 years old will have the chance to be part of the youth guarantee. In addition, those single parents choosing to marry or enter civil unions will not have those related benefits removed, but rather tapered.
This is a budget aimed at supporting persons with disability-Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana
This is a budget aimed at supporting persons with disability Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana said during Parliament today.
“Representation on boards for persons with disabilities is a courageous step, which will place these people in a position to have their voices heard in the highest echelons of the government, having a say in the decisions made”.
Residential homes are a commitment by this government, she said, adding that prior to the election the government met with a number of parents of disabled children. “This budget proposal is a result of these consultations. It is an ambitious project for 10 homes for these children to aid the parents and children. Work on the first house is well under-way”.
A programme of initiatives will accompany these residential homes, she said, adding that parents will undergo training to help them when the time comes to “let go” and allow the children to live independently.
At the moment a consultation regarding the equal opportunities act is ongoing, she added.
Regarding work, the government’s aim is to help disabled persons enter the world of work. “Over the past years we have spoken about integration for disabled persons at work, however we only saw spread-out initiatives. In this budget, however, we are introducing revolutionary measures. We know there are people who are upset that they were not consulted, but this is something that has been coming for quite a while”.
Disabled persons who work will keep their pension, she explained, whereas before they did not. “We introduced a tax credit for every disabled person employed within a company. On the other hand, those employers who do not employ a disabled person, they would need to pay a contribution to a fund which will benefit persons with disabilities”.
“When I first came into government, I went to Agenzija Sapport and found it in disarray. Now I have a six page report on works done on the premises considering it was in such a bad state”.
She spoke of a number of proposals, including service agreements with entities, medicines being taken to the homes of the elderly etc.
“We are conscious about the problems faced by the elderly. The national strategy for active aging will begin operation soon, she said. “In October, we announced new initiatives for the elderly and we believe their services must increase and we believe the elderly have a big role to play in society. We want them to keep working,” she added, and in this regard more initiatives will be presented to help.
“We transformed elderly centres into learning hubs, with IT technology, Zumba, etc.”
On day centres, she said that the proposed one in Zabbar has seen some relative problems and thus has been delayed.
Regarding meals on wheels, she wants to have nutritious meals and ensured that professionals wrote the tender.
"The government is working continuously to add bed space in St Vincent de Paul. The Department for the elderly has a separate budget for itself today and projects are taking place at the home to improve the lifestyle".
Regarding the kitchen at St Vincent de Paul, she said that when coming into government, she visited the kitchen and found rats and cockroaches running around the floor, she said she was also handed a health inspection report with an ‘F’ health grading. “I inherited this and thus took a decision to outsource the food to a private contractor however kept the same menu”.
She added that homes for the elderly were found in disarray, with dirt, and terrible treatment. “Those who work with the elderly must give their 100%, and we will not tolerate those who do not”.
An MOU with the Malta dementia society will be established to start a campaign on the issue. She also spoke of a number of other initiatives related to this.
Productive work could take this country forward on the road it deserves - Anthony Agius Decelis
PL MP Anthony Agius Decelis said that productive work could take this country forward and that social benefits must not be abused.
He was speaking in Parliament, adding; "We are a government for the family, one for family members in Malta and Gozo and for every individual. We believe that together we can work for a better future. We are moving this budget forward built on optimism, one built on productive work".
"It is important for our children to grow up in an environmentally friendly works, and that our elderly never be excluded. Malta is ours and we must build upon what we believe. This is why we believe that in this society, there is space for everyone. We need to have a social conscience and build upon this", he said.
"The government must be there to give courage to citizens to look forward". He said that people must know that social benefits are available if needed but people must not rely on them.
"We are in a republic built on work, as work gives dignity and satisfaction in this world. We must be productive where we choose success and to achieve results for this country to move forward. This is the road to walk to get rid of poverty and bad habits".
This help offered by government will continue to be strengthened, he said. "We are the party that always said poverty was not a perception, and used to fight for those who needed help. Our policies have always been based on helping everyone. This budget will help those who need some courage, we want a good future for our children and want them to be better prepared for the world of work".
Malta was a leader in Europe when it comes to the Youth Guarantee as "we believe our youths must be prepared for work through education and training".
"This is a budget that promotes work, productive work". Decent work will give good pay, which will allow people to marry, build a family and build a future, he said.
"If you choose a road, you must carry the responsibility of the road you take. Those going through financial difficulty we must help to give them opportunities. The youths must not waste their time, they must study and work to prepare themselves and take the road leading to a brighter future".
This budget offers opportunities and solutions, he stated. Until a few years ago, Malta used to link the elderly to healthcare, however "they have an important role in society and we want them to be proactive".
He spoke about single parents, stating that they will keep a portion of their benefits when entering the world of work. Dr Decelis also said that families with children at risk of poverty will be given extra funds, with the only requirement being that they be sent to school.