Parliamentary Secretary for Persons with Disability Justyne Caruana explained the reasons for the change in procedure regarding meals on wheels.

"The reform came about as it was in breach of food-handling procedures." She said that following expert advice, the reform occurred, and the whole waiting list was addressed.

The reform of meals on wheels had to occur as we were in breach of food handling procedures. Through expert advice, we reformed everything and addressed the whole waiting list. "We brought in diabetic menus, as well as menus for those who suffer from food intolerance. Food has to arrive chilled due to risk of food poisoning and contamination. We called people beforehand to check who has a microwave and who doesn't. There were only isolated cases where a person had problems heating the food, and we are offering alternatives for these persons."

PN MP Robert Cutajar said that he is informed that a particular government home for the elderly is ordering plastic cutlery to be washed and re-used by the tenants.

He was delivering his intervention in Parliament, when he called for an independent investigation into the matter.

Turning to St Vincent de Paul, he said that there is a particular ward where allegedly two beds are being kept open by order of the executive head of the home.  He said that over the past days, two beds have been kept unoccupied, and said that he could not understand why, given that there is a bed shortage.

He also criticised the changes made to the meals on wheels initiative, saying that elderly persons now have to cook their food given that it arrives chilled.

He also spoke of a 70-year-old man with cancer at Mater Dei Hospital, and said that he was told he has to leave and if he does not, the police would be called. He said that this man has applied for a bed at respite homes, including St Vincent de Paule.

The Parliamentary Secretary, during her intervention, said, with regard to St Vincent de Paul; "Do you not know we have isolation rooms?" She went on to speak about refurbishment works which occurred at the home, new halls which were opened, new clinic etc.

Turning to the Mosta home, she admitted that the dishwasher broke-down and that a new one was being bought. "Will you not mention the refurbishment which occurred, and the fact that doctors go and visit the home now, as opposed to in the past when patients would have to call up private doctors or go to the polyclinic?"

She also spoke of live-in carers, and said 2,000 applied, are using the services and are in the final stages of finalising their applications.

She spoke of the respite service, which was originally only provided for at St Vincent de Paul when she was appointed Parliamentary Secretary, but said that now beds are now offered in a number of homes, and that this week 20 beds were allocated for respite care across four homes.