Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca yesterday criticised administrative errors which made people eligible for supplementary allowances to apply twice for the grant.

According to the Malta Labour Party spokeswoman, people eligible for the allowances were asked to send an application form as was the norm, since people enjoying the service were scrutinised in order to prevent abuse.

However, after most of them had already sent their application, they were requested to send another because of an administrative error.

Due to this error, people flocked to the District Social Security Department offices in order to present their second application. The influx of people was so strong, said Ms Coleiro Preca that employees had to stop their normal work in order to accommodate them.