The government has appointed a new Commissioner for Children after the former commissioner decided not to renew her tenure.

The fact that Carmen Zammit, a former social worker, was appointed in a low key manner and relatively quickly is to be applauded. There is no doubt whatsoever that the commissioner acts as a voice for children in today’s day and age. Unfortunately children do not have time to enjoy their childhood today as they did in the past. They are exposed to much information and pressure as well as the vices of drugs, sex and alcohol. In the fast paced world of today, it is easy to forget to tend to our duties – and one of these duties is to ensure that children are brought up with dignity and allowed to blossom into young adults.

Fortunately, the commissioner looks out for children who are vulnerable and gives them a voice. We are sure that Mrs Zammit will be given all the necessary support that she needs to carry out her role in society. Family has come up time and time again as being at the top of the list of Maltese values, so it is only right that this post gets the attention and support that it deserves.

The more time goes by, the more the problems that families and children in Malta have to deal with come to the surface. Some may argue that our social fabric is starting to erode, but others present the thesis that it is simply a fact of more issues being brought to the fore in the media.

In simple terms, some believe the situation is getting worse, others believe that we are just hearing more about it. Perhaps the truth is that it is a bit of both. As we have already said, it is important that the commissioner gets the support she needs. To get to the point, one must quote answers given in parliament to questions put to Minister Dolores Cristina. Mrs Cristina said that in 2004 the budget allocation to the commissioner’s financial resources was Lm10,000 and this was overrun by Lm2,777. In 2005, the budget remained the same and a total of Lm22,260 was spent. In 2006 the budget was increased to Lm25,000 and Lm40,084 was spent.

To immediately eliminate speculation, no one can doubt the dedication, integrity and professionalism shown by Mrs Zammit’s predecessor, Sonia Camilleri.

Mrs Camilleri went about her job tirelessly and never ceased to promote the rights of children and never shied away from informing people of the dangers that youngsters face in this day and age.

Yet it is amply clear that the commissioner is not getting enough funding. The first year in which it was set up, the commissioner was still finding her feet, but once the sheer magnitude of the job at hand hit home, costs increased again and again. And of course they would. The matter of dealing with children is a very delicate one – from beginning to end. To permit a pun, one would have to say that any dealings with children facing problems should be done with kid gloves, though the work must be thorough.

This government, a great defender of children and family, took the step of setting this commissioner’s office up, and a good step it was too. Perhaps though, the government might look into increasing the budget vote – doing so would not only help our children, but would also send out a loud and clear message to society.