A public social partnership was today signed with Dar il-Kaptan to extend and improve the residential and day respite centre services for disabled people.

The agreement will run for three years and 17 new beds for residents have been installed, while capacity for respite service has been increased to accommodate 15 people per day.

Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana said that through this new agreement, new standards have been introduced to give a better standard of living and more dignity to disabled people.

Dr Caruana said the move will provide peace of mind to parents of disabled people. She noted that the government promised 10 new community residences and work was in full swing on four of them, including in Siggiewi and Gozo, both of which will be completed by the year's end.