There are 2,880 graves available at Addolorata Cemetry, and the government can now sign a promise of sale for those on the waiting list for a new grave, according to Minister for Health Chris Fearne.

The minister said this during a press conference announcing that five applications have been submitted following a call for application for the restoration and extension works on the cemetery, in a public-private partnership with the government.

From next week, Minister Fearne said that letters will be sent to those who applied for graves at the cemetery, so that next month appointments will be arranged in order for the invidivuals to sign the promise of sale.

Approximately 4,000 individuals were on the waiting list, the minister said, saying some dating back from 1995. He added that the graves will be given out in the beginning of 2018. “Unfortunately not everyone will be granted these graves,” he said.

The consortium that will be chosen will administer services for a 15-year period and will have to invest on restoration works with at least €6 million. 

The project is calculated at costing approximately €17 and €18 million. He elaborated that extensions will cost about €12 million whilst restoration will cost circa €6million.  The Minister stressed that the cemetery employees will be government employees.

The extension will be one of 26,000 square metres, the Minister explained, going into further detail. The 2,880 graves will be four-tier.

Minister Fearne said that work is expected to begin at the end of this year.