All the dictionaries that I know define the word ‘debate’ as ‘engaging in a formal discussion during which reasons and arguments are advanced for and against some proposal to be considered for deliberation’. More so, if such a debate is held in the country’s highest institution, where we have specific standing orders that bar anyone from putting forward or stating any misconceptions – at best simple gossip, or at worse blatant lies. It so happens, however, that speakers who are lost for substantive and intelligent ideas resort to the latter with petty and unfounded allegations.
All such considerations are currently better exposed during the budget debate, when government presents its plans for the next year, and the Opposition is expected to criticise wherever necessary and propose its own alternatives.
It was my turn last Wednesday evening to expound the measures of next year’s budget that pertain to the two important sectors in my portfolio. I expected constructive criticism from the Opposition – it would have been too much to expect them to at least admit the positive outlook about Labour’s current and future initiatives in support of the elderly and people with disabilities. However, they came up with such a destructive analysis that they have shamelessly attributed their chronic non-action to an absurd spin of blaming today for yesterday’s failures.
I dealt with most of the 2016 measures related to the sectors for which I am responsible in my piece last Sunday, basing most of my article on the speech delivered by the Finance Minister. During my speech last Wednesday, however, I was able to give more details about several multi-million euro initiatives, as listed in the comprehensive estimates that embody the actual expenditure with the respective rationale and detailed provisions. I could better explain the clear vision and timeframes of this government to proceed at a steadier pace, along with our commitment to ensuring full integration and dignity for people with disability.
The innovative pilot project for financially supporting families who care for their elderly relatives in the family home has already attracted considerable interest, only two weeks after it was announced. We are fully aware of how nostalgic older people can be when it comes to remaining in their home and, conversely, the trauma they suffer when moving to a residential home, however necessary this may be. The basic idea is to help the elderly themselves and their relatives to secure a quality of life with the best care possible through the employment of full-time or part-time professional carers, for whom the State will provide 50 per cent of the minimum wage.
Not even remotely would we ever think – as has been maliciously alleged – of excluding these people from residential care whenever it is required and space is available. This is confirmed by the fact that, in the 2016 estimates, we have provisions for a further €6 million for the purchase of additional beds through the already successful public-private partnerships. This year we have already purchased 152 beds, with a further 117 to be purchased by the end of the month. This is in addition to the constant upgrading and refurbishing projects in state-run homes.
We are also at an advanced stage with our plans with local councils, the Church and other entities for more day learning centres and night shelters with new night shelter beds in Hamrun. Let it be acknowledged that we are committed to catering for the ever-increasing demand and other aspects of care for the elderly after decades of neglect or, at best, lethargy.
Another major project – proudly hailed by the Prime Minister himself during his formidable speech on Tuesday – tangibly emphasises the importance of social inclusion to people with disabilities. Far from segregation, as erroneously alleged, our plans are aimed at creating small residential homes and larger hubs that are essentially and physically within the community.
Only hours before my speech on Wednesday, I was in fact a proud Parliamentary Secretary when I accompanied my Prime Minister when he inaugurated the first of such homes in Siggiewi – with its first residents and staff to assist them around the clock. We are constantly working on the ambitious goal of having in place 10 such homes by the end of this legislature, with another one about to be completed in Gozo shortly. Others, including those in Żabbar and Pembroke, are only awaiting Mepa clearance to take off.
I need not write again today about the €30 million mega project at the Pace-Grasso area in Paola, which will also include – among many other features – a priority centre with residential facilities within the community for people with a disability. I would rather refer to the other proposed €12 million EU-funded, multi-purpose hub at Naxxar, which is the brainchild of a committee of experts – including former KNPD chairman Joe Camilleri, someone I personally hold in very high esteem. I have appointed and tasked the committee with proposals that will improve the quality of life of people with disability and promote social inclusion. The site itself we are proposing for this project – between the former trade fair grounds and the villa areas at San Pawl tat-Tarġa – is proof enough of our determination to ensure social inclusion for these people within the community, in the very heart of a prime residential area.
The whole proposed project will include purpose-built residential units, a day centre, a multi-purpose hall and a purpose-built therapeutic facility, including a gym and a swimming pool. It is also intended to include restaurants, shops and hostels to be managed by people with disability. Talks are underway with interested NGOs, including an NGO working with people suffering from diabetes, who would like to make use of the facilities. This major project is part of a wider strategy to promote social inclusion and interaction. Needless to say, all such projects are the direct fruit of intensive consultations with all stakeholders, apart from people with disabilities and their organisations. The media may not publicise such work that continues behind the scenes, but it is at the very heart of the work of my Parliamentary Secretariat and its departments.
Over and above all such accomplishments and endeavours, we are constantly securing the rights of people with a disability through the utmost observance of the newly-published Standards. These standards, formally launched only a month ago, were in fact applied for the first time when we very recently renewed Dar il-Kaptan’s contract.
It is with pride that I see our hard work giving a new impetus to changing the nation’s attitude towards people with disabilities and the elderly. We have revived both sectors that are now more vibrant than ever before. The financial provisions for 2016 further strengthen our determination to continue to tangibly secure the quality and dignity of social inclusion and interaction these people deserve.
Dr Caruana is Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing