The government signed a €2.9 million investment agreement with the Inspire Foundation, to further assist persons with disabilities, Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said.

The investment saw a €1.1 million increase from the preceding agreement, she added.

The measures in place will improve the lives of 33 persons with disabilities, an increase from the current 29 people benefiting from the service at Inspire. The services will be given based on individual needs, Farrugia Portelli added.

The gradual increase to 33 individuals will be limited to people who have profound and complex disabilities, to further increase their and their family’s quality of life, the minister said.

Each person with a disability will be assessed by a team from Aġenzija Sapport to ensure that the plan for each person will be tailored according to their needs, which will be discussed also with the person’s caregiver, family as well as the individual, Farrugia Portelli said. The physical conditions of the person as well as their wellbeing will be considered, she added.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing Matthew Vella said that the ministry has a strong vision for seeing voluntary organisations progress in their work. He added that the individuals who attend the foundation should receive the best service as they possess potential and have much to offer to society.

“The national strategy for persons with disability includes aims we intend to reach so that persons with disabilities have a better quality of life,” said Vella, adding that the strategy will help them participate more in society.

Chief Executive Officer at Aġenzija Sapport Ruth Sciberras said that this agreement with the Inspire Foundation, a centre whose services is quite sought after, will proceed with the necessary standards of bettering the lives of 33 individuals.

Inspire’s CEO Antonello Gauci said that the foundation always looks to what can be improved. “This investment will help us in bettering our services,” he added.