The Movement in Favour of Rights for Persons with a Disability (MFRPD) refers to a letter by communications coordinator, Family and Social Solidarity Ministry, Ms Maria Schranz, entitled Funding for persons with disability (TMID, 10 March) which was a reply to our letter published two days before.

For accuracy’s sake, the editor is kindly asked to confirm that it was the newspaper that headed our letter with the words “The minister’s presence”. There was absolutely no title at the head of our letter to TMID.

The MFRPD, who was already aware of the financial situation vis-à-vis the disability sector, appreciates the detailed information published about the funding for persons with disability. In our previous letter, part of which was a coverage of what was said during the Forum “Residential Homes and Services in the Community for Persons with Disability”, the issue of lack of funding referred to was that of Agenzija Sapport as this was the issue being discussed.

As already stated in our previous letter, this situation was mentioned by the chief operations, Agenzija Sapport, Mr M. Pisani himself and it must be pointed out that he was referring to the last budget. Persons involved in the disability sector are aware that, as Mr Pisani said, “the agency needs more funding in order to be able to offer better services for more persons with disability” (TMID, 8 March). We are all aware that there is a “long waiting list of persons with disability who need such services offered by Agenzija Sapport but who are unable to access these services due to lack of funding and of personnel” (TMID, 8 March).

The MFRPD totally agrees with Ms Schranz that “the sky is the limit and no funding is ever deemed enough”. Although this is the situation, the MFRPD must continue to shoulder the responsibility to raise awareness about the needs and rights for persons with disability.

Apart from being an informative letter regarding the forum, our previous letter was also meant to highlight the actual situation being faced by some persons with disability.

Reference was also made to “the allegation that no ministry officer was present for the first part of the forum” (TMID, 10 March). It should be noted that the MFRPD’s representatives were present throughout the forum and we wish to bring to the attention of Ms Schranz that when “the absence of such (ministry’s) representatives during the first part of this forum was clearly noted and was brought to the attention of the chairperson” (TMID, 8 March), no one came forward to claim that he/she is there as the ministry’s representative.

The MFRPD is fully aware that a minister cannot always be present and at all times. In fact in our previous letter we stated that “we are of the opinion that the minister concerned, or his/her representative, should attend such forums/seminars” (TMID, 8 March).

The issue raised was not about the absence of the minister or her representatives at the forum, but their absence during the first part of this forum, which was an important part.

The MFRPD values Ms Schranz’s reply.

In our opinion, this is another means of “consultation with the stakeholders concerned” (TMID, 8 March) which the MFRPD really believes in. We expected to hear the ministry’s views regarding the fact that ‘the services offered by Agenzija Sapport are directed towards persons with disability who require extensive support.’ Persons with a disability who only need minimal help are not being catered for by the agency” (TMID 8 March).

G. Zerafa

A.M. Galea Naudi

P. Portelli

M. Mugliette

f/ MFRPD

Birkirkara

Editorial note: The headline chosen for the letter published on 8 March and the one being published today is TMID’s.