There is, and most probably never was, any doubt that the Maltese as a nation are generous and full of heart. This is reflected in the way they annually and happily dig into their pockets to support charitable causes on and off the electronic media. Millions of direct aid are eagerly pumped into institutions and organisations dedicated to working among the disabled, the unfortunate and other citizens who need not only our financial help but also our understanding, our commitment to rights and responsibilities, and our awareness of the growing need for inclusion.
Where the heart is not enough, for we know the everyday needs of these hard-working institutions and organisations are enormously challenging, the State, in its benign, benefactor role, has to come in and transform its rigid political and ideological pledges into actions which make those challenges more surmountable.
The present Labour administration, as those since 2013, has certianly not shed its responsibilities in this sector. The work of these institutions and organisations offers a much-needed respite from the mounting pressures on our social welfare system which has also seen, one must add, an incredible output of taxpayer money as reflected so positively in the national and European statistics. The Welfare State is strong and able, but the privately-run entities in the sector provide a most reliable platform on which the nation can rely.
The allocation this week of €855,750, €40,750 higher than last year, to Fondazzjoni Inspire was testament to our commitment and belief that non-governmental institutions and organisations helping the disabled and other segments of the Maltese population, deserve our continued support and appreciation.
The pandemic has not helped, of course. It has complicated the work of these entities, hindering the services they provide and making it more difficult to sustain performance levels and facilities. Our support to Inspire’s Star 25, which provides a therapeutic environment and services to disabled persons, autistic children and victims of cerebral palsy, is just one example of many, an injection that will hopefully go a long way towards making ends meet and instilling further the noble motivation that led to its inception 40 years ago.
Indeed, where the heart is not enough, there is always the official provision of national funds required to help keep the wheels turning. Maltese citizens, whatever their physical, psychological and social conditions, deserve our full attention. This whole mechanism is a reflection of our deep-rooted determination in sustaining our main objectives as a government, with particular reference to inclusion and the wellbeing of our people.
At the risk of sounding boring, this on-going commitment is also echoed in the statistics. It would be unwise to think in political or partisan terms when one analyses official figures, for it is a fact that previous administrations have also been wary of their obligations and they too came in to help when the heart was not enough. But the trend for more support, more financial backing and more awareness cannot be denied. Suffice to say that while in 2012 allocation of funds under programmes and initiatives for disability was €1,028,000 and €8,120,000 for agency support, in 2021 the allocation of funds under programmes and initiatives for disability is €13,830,000 and €20,530,000 for agency support.
One would have thought that during the past year or so the inclination would be towards merely maintaining funding levels, but we chose not to go for stalement as some other governments, in other countries, have done. Our assistance to citizens, businesses and sundry services needed to include the whole spectrum of Maltese society. And that is how we intend to keep it while the world continues to search for ways and means back to normality.
Julia Farrugia Portelli – Minister for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing