This week an old lady remarked to me that working for the elderly seems to be a never-ending story. I replied that there are people who are normally comfortable with what they have achieved and rest on their laurels, but I prefer to earn them every day.
This is basically the kind of attitude the Labour Government has adopted since day one, all along the four years that have elapsed. Notwithstanding the myriad of positive certifications we receive, both locally and internationally, we strive to achieve more results. And with the constant and destructive criticism coming from the Opposition, we frequently have to waste our energies combating a whole list of hurdles they employ through populist jibes fabricated for the sake of opposing anything that the government proposes.
Despite their ways of distracting people from real facts we are, however, fully geared up to accomplish what Maltese and Gozitans expect from a responsible and hard-working government. The past week was, in fact, another typical mix of useful initiatives and projects that we have concluded and others that will be finalised in the coming months.
Peace of mind
The week began with a very useful and well-organised seminar by the National Commission for the Rights of People with Disabilities about new amendments to trusts legislation that enable the establishment of social trusts by the parents of disabled people. A very technical presentation was delivered by Dr Paul Debattista from the Finance Ministry and the numerous families attending, along with professionals and stakeholders in the sector, were given invaluable details about new ways in which they can secure and use their assets for the benefit of family members with disabilities.
In my introduction I highlighted the fact that we had ensured that the Trusts & Trustees Act is given a social purpose in that it safeguards family inheritance through the MFSA regulations for people with a disability. We have, in fact, created fiscal incentives by way of waiving initial registration taxes and those of subsequent transactions within the same family. The government wanted to give peace of mind to parents who would otherwise be concerned about what would happen to their assets and how these could be beneficial to their children with disabilities.
Apart from these legal and fiscal structures and many other financial measures, the government has been fully committed to providing peace of mind to these families through its ‘Fair Society’ project. Consisting of homes for independent living within the community, this programme is developing at a fast pace, with four such homes already in place out of the 10 we intend having by the end of Labour’s first legislature. Plans are at an advanced stage for similar homes in Pembroke and Żabbar and there are new plans for another two in Naxxar and Kalkara. A ninth home will be provided for people with ALS, as widely known over the past weeks.
St Vincent de Paul – our flagship
In my remit for the elderly and disability sectors there is a unique satisfaction in seeing things being done on time, within budgetary targets and to levels of the highest quality. One such opportunity was when I had the pleasure of inaugurating a new digitalised inventory system at St Vincent de Paul’s warehouse for the provision of food supplies, medicinals, disposable utensils, consumables and maintenance items.
The premises, refurbished to a very high standard, will be managed by a specially trained distribution team who will now ensure the more efficient distribution of supplies. The new system permits the continuous monitoring of supply and demand and in-time observation of consumption, which enable more efficient purchasing. The expenses of this long-term care facility run into €2 million for essential items and a further €1 million in medicines.
The new system will reduce bureaucracy and lead to greater efficiency and accountability. With an investment of just under €100,000, the new project will render the old manual system, which made it difficult to efficiently monitor storage reserves and purchasing, a thing of the past. Undoubtedly, this new project complements our rebranding programme for the country’s flagship for residential elderly care, in which for the past four years we have been investing heavily in infrastructural and refurbishment projects. I cannot hide my pride that, together with the management and staff, we are transforming an otherwise derelict place into a self-sustained residence with high-level medical services and professionally trained staff.
Joint health and social effort
Services provided by the government in the elderly and disability sectors frequently entail close cooperation between various ministries. A memorandum of understanding signed during the past week between the Health Ministry, Aġenzija Sapport and the Down Syndrome Association is a case in point. Together with my colleague, Minister Chris Fearne, I witnessed the signing of an agreement through which people with Down Syndrome will be given all the necessary screening by the primary health directorate though a holistic support programme.
Once again, I was proud that the Labour Government will mark World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March with a tangible project that unites the health and social sectors for the benefit of the Downs community. As a matter of fact, Aġenzija Sapport will be providing a wide range of services with a view to creating further awareness about the support these families need and deserve.
The Gozo dimension
As far back as May 2011 I tabled a motion in Parliament to elevate the status of the Gozo court so that all cases, including civil ones, will be heard by a sitting judge and not by a magistrate. My motion was supported by a vast majority of practicing Gozitan lawyers, but we had to wait six years before the Labour Government, through my colleague Minister Owen Bonnici, presented the specific bill for Parliament’s approval. The House unanimously approved the second reading of a bill that will extend the jurisdiction of the First Hall of the Civil Court to our court in Gozo. Six years ago I started the ball rolling for an important measure that should provide Gozitans rightful access to a fairer and more comprehensive administration of justice. Perseverance is paying dividends in that my individual effort is now being implemented by the Labour Government according to an electoral commitment I insisted should be included.
Another night shelter and an active ageing centre will soon be in place in Xagħra, through an agreement we signed this week with the local church representatives. It has been proved time and time again that the collaboration between my Parliamentary Secretariat and the Church in Gozo is reaping excellent benefits in both the elderly and disability sectors. Such projects stem from the real need felt within Gozitan communities for better care for the elderly, with specific programmes for active ageing, thus encouraging them to enjoy their later years within their own community. My Secretariat will ensure the professional running of both projects through specially trained personnel.
For the second time during the past week I was part of the Gvern li jisma' (a government that listens) sessions when I took the floor during the session dedicated to Labour’s achievements in Gozo during our first four years in office. A packed hall in Xewkija could appreciate the many projects that have been positively changing the island in many ways, not least within the elderly and disability sectors. While reiterating all our firsts in extending all services in both fields to deserving Gozitans, I was proud to announce our plans through which older people in Gozo will have 500 beds available in private or church homes, supported through public funds.
These and more initiatives prove Labour’s commitment to Gozo’s deserving people, putting them at the very heart of all social and infrastructural projects. The kind of cooperation we attract from all well-meaning entities speaks volumes – and facts speak louder than words!