I refer to the article by Noel Grima entitled ‘Children’s Commissioner goes over budget for three years running’ (TMID, 6 March).

As written in the article, the budget for the first two years was of Lm10,000, which, when my Lm6,000 honorarium was deducted left only Lm4,000 for the office to function. In view of this the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry offered to pay the salaries of my staff plus a number of integral office expenses. To add those expenses at a later date and state that I had gone over-budget is grossly unfair.

With regard to the last year of Office when the budget was increased to Lm25,000, I have a written statement from the Director Corporate Services of MFSS which says that the ministry had decided to pay the staff’s salaries again. This was done to allow funds to be spent on the various projects undertaken by the office.

Stating that I went over budget is therefore incorrect. The minister did not use this terminology. She simply stated the amount that was spent and that the extra funds came from the MFSS.

Sonia Camilleri

Kappara