The Ministry for Economy, Investment and Small Business confirmed to The Malta Independent that Jean Marc Dalli, Minister Helena Dalli’s son, has been “employed to assist the Ministerial Private Secretariat on preparations and other work in relation to the Maltese Presidency of the European Council since November 2016”.

A spokesperson for the Ministry went on to say that as can be expected “this work has now intensified and will continue to do so as the Presidency progresses in the next six months”. However the ministry did not specify if this is only a six month job. However, the Ministry did not answer questions pertaining to whether or not there had been an open call for application for the position Minister Dalli’s son now occupies within Minister Chris Cardona’s ministry. 

“Employees making up the Private Secretariat or assisting directly the Private Secretariat have to, not only be capable and competent in the role they occupy, but also be persons of trust, reflective of the position they hold” a ministry spokesperson said when asked questions regarding the application, Mr Dalli’s tax-funded salary, and any potential conflict of interest.

Jean-Marc Dalli, who is the Minister’s youngest son, follows his brother Luke Dalli, who was appointed as the legal officer at the Malta Arts Council, and earns between €20,619 and €23,540 per annum (subject to any adjustments).

Luke Dalli’s girlfriend, Rachel Debono, has also found herself on the state payroll as a ‘person of trust’ in Minister Dalli’s secretariat.