Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne said that a discussion in Parliament over the disability benefits fraud racket must be done as soon as the inquiry board investigating it completes its report, which will be published and tabled in Parliament immediately.

In a letter penned to Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia, Fearne followed suit after PN Leader Bernard Grech also wrote a letter to the Speaker earlier on Sunday. Grech called for Parliament to convene to urgently discuss the benefits fraud scheme.

In his letter, Fearne said that Grech had called for a parliamentary meeting, in a letter filled with unsubstantiated allegations and ignores basic facts.

Fearne said that it is imperative that Parliament remains a tool to discuss these matters in ensuring the strengthening of the country's laws and systems.

"As previously announced, the Government has established an independent board comprising three members to evaluate the process by which Severe Disability Benefits are granted. This board is tasked with examining the seriousness of the case in question," Fearne said.

He said that Government is committed to a robust parliamentary discussion on this issue, allowing the Parliament to play an active role in strengthening this process.

"This discussion will take place once the board's report is ready for publication and presentation in Parliament," Fearne said.

He continued that even the PN spokesperson for social policy, in a recent public statement, emphasized the importance of parliamentary involvement in this process, which contrasts starkly with the stance taken by his parliamentary colleague and Opposition Leader, Grech.

"Furthermore, contrary to what the Leader of the Opposition has stated, the facts reveal that it was the Office of the Prime Minister itself that, when faced with allegations of serious misconduct, reported the matter to the police in 2021," Fearne said.

He continued that there is no stronger evidence than this, of the Office of the Prime Minister's commitment to upholding the law and countering the frivolous allegations Grech has made.

"It is also worth noting contrary to how Grech has reacted when it became known that police investigations were already developing, the Prime Minister also took political decisions without dragging his feet," Fearne said.

Referring to media reports, Fearne said that while police investigations are underway, government called on anyone with pertinent evidence against those abusing the system and individuals to report their concerns to the police, as this is the only way justice can be served, both to those affected by abuse and to society as a whole.

"Over the past years, the Government has worked diligently to reduce dependency on social benefits by promoting employment and tackling benefit abuse. Today, the number of individuals dependent on social benefits is nearly 60% lower than when the Nationalist Government took office," Fearne said.

Government Whip Andy Ellul as well as PN Whip Robert Cutajar were copied in the letter.