One of main pillars of this year's budget was the disability sector, in conformity with the main pledges of the Labour Party's election manifesto at the last general election. In fact, a major election pledge was the provision of residential services for people with disability - something that will offer peace of mind for their families.

The government has already started working on a residence in Siggiewi, which will be operational within the next few weeks. Apart from this, the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing has issued two calls for expressions of interest for the provision of residential services in Malta and Gozo. As the Finance Minister stated during his speech, we are committed to building 10 residential homes in the community for people with disability, which will also enhance their inclusion and participation at community level.

Another main concern of those with disability is employment. As things stand, it is very challenging for people with disability to find a job. We are therefore enforcing the 1969 law which states that every company employing more than 20 people must ensure that at least two per cent of its workforce is comprised of people with disability. Companies not adhering to this law must pay a contribution for every person with disability that is supposed to be employed. This contribution will go to the Inclusion of People with Disability Fund, so that it will be used to create more opportunities for them to fully participate in the employment sector. At the same time we want to encourage employers and recognise the social responsibility exercised by model employers over the years by introducing a tax credit for every person with disability they employ, capped at a maximum of €4,500 per annum per person.

On the other hand, we have also removed the income capping for people with disability themselves so that, irrespective of the amount they earn through employment, they will retain their full disability pension rights.

Gozo will also benefit directly from a particular and specific allocation to employ 80 people with disability. This is the first time ever that people with disability in Gozo have featured so prominently in a government initiative and half-a-million euros will be directed towards a new back-office initiative to create these 80 jobs.

We believe in the abilities of those with disability as well as their need to be represented. Therefore, as from next year people with disability will fully participate in several government boards and authorities to ensure that their voices are heard more than ever before.

Wednesday, 3 December, is International Day for People with Disability and will be the launch of Disability Week. KNPD will launch this week at their annual conference. As a Parliamentary Secretariat on Wednesday we will be officially launching the national policy for the rights of those with disability. This Policy has been finalised after months of consultation and will be a stepping-stone towards establishing the disability agenda in our country with a clear plan for the government's work towards the Disability Sector in the coming years.

On Saturday we will also be presenting the A+ Accessibility Scheme award. The A+ scheme is an initiative launched by the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Local Government. Twenty-six local councils participated in this initiative.

On Sunday, a different event will be organised by the Parliamentary Secretariat. This is the new initiative of Premju Soċjetà Ġusta. More than 20 nominations were submitted and the awards will be presented during next Sunday's event, which will be held under the distinct patronage of the Her Excellency President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, and will take the form of a concert we are organising entitled Winter Moods and Friends. It will be held at the Aurora Theatre in Gozo at 8 pm and those who wish to attend must book by calling 2590 3175. The concert will be held in aid of the Marigold Foundation and thus a donation of €5 will be collected at the door. For VIP areas, a donation of €10 is required. This is a special event and without revealing too much, I will only say that it will be a celebration of different abilities that we have never witnessed before.