There are no immediate plans to reduce the amount of funds taken from pensioners who reside in government elderly care homes, or those residing in community homes, Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia said today. However, a number of measures to help the elderly keep more money in their pocket are being discussed.
The minister called a press conference in response to some statements made by the opposition earlier this week.
According to the active-ageing website, the residence at St Vincent de Paul a Public funded entity, with the residents’ contributing 80% of retirement pension and 60% of other income. The minister also said that those residing in government homes within the community currently contribute 60% of all income, as community homes do not provide medical care for free.
The Minister said that this was introduced by the Nationalist Party.
He also mentioned that the €300 grant for pensioners over 75 years old who reside in their own homes, or with relatives, will be given tomorrow, and last year was given on February 7, rebutting allegations made by the Opposition that this grant was being spread out along twelve months instead of a single payment at the beginning of the year. The minister said that 27,095 people will receive this benefit, and costs, in total, €8.1 million
He also said that the €100 and €200 grant for those elderly who did not have enough pension payments for a full pension will be given tomorrow, or sent to their bank accounts. 11,762 people will benefit from this and will cost around €1.8 million.
As for the rise in pensions, and reports that only a rise of €1.15 was seen, the minister said that €1.17 was included with the rate of pensions, however they also received more through the Cola bonus, which adds up to a total of €1.75.
PN reacts
The PN, in response, said that while Prime Minister Muscat finds millions for those close to him, the elderly are left to fend for themselves.
"Minister Michael Farrugia tried to boast about the €300 grant for those above 75 years old and live at home. The truth is that a PN government introduced this measure".
The PN also argued, regarding the fact that pensioners receive the full COLA rise, that this has been going on since 2008, "The minister hid the fact, however, that for the third consecutive year, instead of handing out the full sum at the beginning of the year, government is staggering it out in four month intervals.