This Government is failing to provide the most essential and necessary service for the elderly - the Home Help service, the Nationalist Party said Tuesday.
It was a Nationalist Government that created this service, recognising from the very beginning its importance in ensuring that the elderly in the country could truly live a quality life in their own homes, the party said.
Unfortunately, many elderly people are now complaining that Robert Abela's Government has abruptly stopped this service for them, the PN, through its spokesperson Paula Mifsud Bonnici, said.
"Others have seen their allocated weekly hours reduced, despite these hours having been established by a dedicated board following an assessment of their needs. This board determines the number of weekly Home Help hours based on these requirements."
"In Parliament, the Government had to admit that it had stopped this service for more than 70 elderly individuals. It also had to admit that some elderly people had their allocated hours reduced, even though they had not requested any reductions. Meanwhile, other elderly individuals who applied for this service for the first time have been waiting months to receive it."
Prime Minister Robert Abela has enough funds to distribute among his inner circle but not enough to invest further in this indispensable service for our elderly, the PN statement read.
"Robert Abela is stingy with the elderly but generous with those he wants to keep happy and silent."
"Our elderly are paying the price for this Government's corruption. You are paying the price," the PN said.
In a statement, the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing categorically denied the PN's "unfounded accusations," which claimed that government has reduced or discontinued the Home Help service.
"The service has continued to be provided consistently, and any cases on a waiting list are undergoing professional evaluation to ensure that resources are allocated to those entitled," the Ministry said.
It said that the figures mentioned by the Opposition refer to pending cases before the Appeals Board, not cases where the service has been stopped.
The Ministry said that in instances requiring review, decisions are made professionally to ensure that resources are allocated fairly and transparently according to the actual needs of applicants.
Furthermore, the Ministry said that this list of appeals is expected to be completely cleared in the coming weeks.
"Government has not only maintained these services but has significantly strengthened them, reflecting a clear commitment to improving the quality of life of the elderly in our country," the ministry's statement read.
It continued that this year's record budget of over €300 million for Active Ageing, including an increase of €3.5 million for Home Help, is "clear evidence" of government's dedication to delivering high-level services.
The statement read that recently, substantial investments have also been made to enhance services for the elderly, which include the reopening of the Mosta Active Ageing Centre following radical refurbishment, as well as the opening of new centres in Marsa, Fgura, Valletta, and Isla.
The Ministry said that government launched new initiatives, such as increased funding for the Carer at Home scheme and the extension of the CommCare service, which will now cover more hours to meet the growing demand.
"These investments are not just numbers; they clearly demonstrate government's commitment of placing elderly's well-being at the heart of its policies," the statement read.