The latest Jobsplus data shows that 5,393 persons with disabilities are currently employed, marking an increase of 1,730 individuals in six years, Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector Julia Farrugia said.

Farrugia was rebutting claims that businesses with over 20 employees prefer paying a fine, rather than hiring individuals with disabilities.

Despite various schemes, persons with disabilities still struggle to find employment, and since 2015, Jobsplus has enforced a 2% quota, requiring businesses with over 20 employees to ensure at least 2% of their workforce consists of individuals with disabilities.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, Farrugia was asked about efforts to promote genuine workplace inclusion rather than just legal compliance, to which she said that if the focus was only on numbers, they would have failed.

"I do not believe most businesses see it that way," Farrugia said. She acknowledged that fears and misconceptions exist but said that there is increasing awareness about inclusive workplaces.

Farrugia cited the latest Jobsplus data which she acquired before the interview, showing that 5,393 persons with disabilities are currently employed, an increase of 1,730 in six years.

"This demonstrates that most employers see the added value of diverse experiences in the workplace, where everyone learns from each other," Farrugia said.

She referenced a University of Malta research that found that workplaces are enriched when individuals from different backgrounds collaborate.

"Some disabilities are visible, others are not, but small adjustments can make a workplace more inclusive," Farrugia said.

She said that many employers are unaware of the specialised unit within the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), which provides guidance on accessibility beyond just installing an accessible toilet.

Changes in lighting and wall colours, for instance, can create a more accommodating environment for individuals on the autism spectrum, Farrugia said.

Farrugia said that her advisor, who has a disability, plays a key role in policy and projects, adding that his insights, combined with research, significantly influence how more inclusive workplaces can be created.

Minister Farrugia was asked whether Malta's current social welfare system is sufficient, or if benefits need to be revised in response to inflation, as many vulnerable people struggle with the rising cost of living.

"Life is vivid and continuous. The minute we say we have done enough; we would have failed. Unlike other countries, Malta continues to invest in the disability sector," she said, adding that her foreign counterparts have acknowledged Malta's strong social safety net.

She said that individuals with disabilities receive an allowance that remains even if they are employed, providing additional support as they face unique challenges.

Furthermore, Malta offers a scheme that refunds up to 40% of the cost of specialised equipment, home modifications or accessibility enhancements, Farrugia said.

"The government has extended these schemes to various types of disabilities," she said, highlighting initiatives like the Sensibility scheme for sensory-friendly homes and stair-lift funding for people with mobility issues.

She spoke of the importance of vigilance in ensuring continued support for persons with disabilities.

Farrugia noted that recent budgets have reinforced financial aid for parents and guardians seeking various therapies for their children.

The benefit has increased to €750, issued as a cash refund three times a year rather than a tax credit, to avoid delays. "Vulnerable people need immediate financial support," Farrugia added.

There has been a shift in attitudes towards persons with disabilities, minister says

In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday last year, Agenzija Sapport CEO Oliver Scicluna had rated the quality of life for persons with disabilities in Malta at 5/10, citing barriers in employment, accessibility and social integration.

Asked if she agreed with this assessment, Farrugia responded that, "had the rating been 10/10, we would have to question the need for a Ministry for Inclusion".

"We can see the glass as half empty or half full, but I will never say we have reached our goal. The moment you believe that, you stop working," Farrugia said.

She said that ongoing efforts aim to reduce complaints to the Commissioner for Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

"Through dialogue, the CRPD resolves many issues, but a broader mentality shift is needed. Unfortunately, if someone has no personal connection to a disability, it is difficult for them to understand the challenges," Farrugia said.

She said that Malta will soon introduce a law for personal assistants to support persons with disabilities.

Over the past seven years, she said she has indeed observed a shift in attitudes.

Previously, families often placed children with disabilities in homes once they became adults due to concerns about their future care, Farrugia said.

"Now, such requests are rare. While we are not shutting down residential homes, we are investing in helping individuals to remain in their own homes," Farrugia said.

She continued that while some prefer communal living, others, including paraplegics, can maintain independence at home with personal assistance.

"Our goal is to realign perspectives on disability; people with disabilities deserve to make their own life choices," Farrugia said.

She acknowledged concerns about institutionalisation, whether in group homes or even private residences with restrictive caregivers.

"The risk is greater in larger settings, but we must ensure individuals retain autonomy," Farrugia said.

Farrugia mentioned the Holqa project in Qrendi, which started in June of last year, as Malta's first transitional housing initiative preparing individuals with disabilities for independent living.

"Carers teach them essential skills like cooking, cleaning and laundry. We also collaborate with the Housing Authority to secure social housing for those transitioning from institutions to independent living," Farrugia said.

The minister also spoke about the New Hope scheme, which was intended to provide an effective remedy to individuals or couples with disabilities to overcome barriers to home-ownership.

These individuals were aspiring first-time homebuyers, employed, financially stable and capable of affording the property, yet did not satisfy the life insurance policy as required by local banks for Home Loans due to having a history of disabilities or medical conditions.

Through the scheme this obstacle was addressed, allowing them to purchase a residential property, with the government acting as a guarantor, Farrugia said.

She said that while this did not apply for each disability, as that is decided by the competent Board, it made an "enormous" difference.

"This scheme unlocked a major barrier to home ownership," she said.

Concerns have been raised about inadequate training for personal assistants and support workers dealing with complex disabilities.

Farrugia said that Malta sought guidance from the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) when drafting its personal assistant reform.

"Empowerment starts with allowing individuals to choose their own carers," she said, though she acknowledged challenges in recruiting enough social sector workers.

Discussions are ongoing with Agenzija Sapport and MCAST to introduce specialised training modules for those working in the field, Farrugia said.

"Checks and balances are also essential. We cannot allow individuals with a history of violence against persons with disabilities to work in this field," Farrugia said, adding that she had mentioned the need for a Registry in the past months.

She said that the groundwork for a registry preventing those with past abuse records from working with vulnerable individuals has long started, and in the coming weeks, Farrugia said she will be going to Cabinet with the law, and then Parliament.

"If your name is on this registry, you will be prohibited from working in this sector," she said. Farrugia said that the bill will go to Parliament this year and will ensure the protection of both persons with disabilities and other vulnerable people, such as the elderly.

Pool of doctors reviewing disability benefit cases has been widened after racket

Farrugia was asked about the disability benefits' scandal, which saw hundreds of ineligible beneficiaries who unjustly received monthly social benefits after being falsely certified as suffering from severe disabilities.

Farrugia said that while her Ministry does not issue these social benefits, when the case came to light, the Inclusion Ministry proposed and created a new "transparency structure".

"Interested medical professionals applied to review cases. This way, the pool of doctors on the Board has widened, which increases oversight and reduces the risk of abuse," Farrugia said, adding that all doctors who applied had the chance to be selected, and will work on a rotation system.

Farrugia said that as a politician, she cannot interfere on which cases are accepted or rejected, but everyone has the right to contest that decision on appeal, where an independent Appeals Board can hear the individual.

"Same as with the Blue Badges. The politician does not decide who gets it or who does not. God forbid we move toward that system," Farrugia said.

Farrugia said that in such situations, there will be people who get hurt, when a genuine person with a disability, who may have had their social benefits application refused may have been overshadowed by someone who received benefits they were not eligible for.

"I also understand people who were unaware that they would find themselves in troubled territory because of this case, creating a situation of justified displeasure and hurt," Farrugia said.

'Government's priority is to protect vulnerable residents,' minister says

Recent reports have highlighted "shocking" living conditions in Fondazzjoni Wens homes for persons with disabilities, leading to intervention by the authorities.

Farrugia was asked how these facilities operated under such conditions without earlier detection by regulatory bodies.

Farrugia said that investigations were ongoing before the issue became public, adding that the Social Care Standards Authority does inspections on residential homes, and not her Ministry.

However, the Ministry does flag certain issues it may have observed or noticed, Farrugia said, adding that she had given clear instructions to the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations to escalate the investigations with the relevant bodies.

She stated that the work had to be carried out discreetly, and some details have yet to reach the media. Further investigation uncovered additional suspicions that required police intervention.

Farrugia said that there is an ongoing parallel investigation on another separate case.

"Our priority was to protect vulnerable residents, no compromise whatsoever, while ensuring a smooth transition for the people with disabilities, as well as safeguarding employees' jobs. Care Malta has now taken over operations," Farrugia said.

Asked if there has been an exercise to carry out further inspections in all residential homes for persons with disabilities, Farrugia said that the Ministry has a number of Public Social Partnership (PSP) agreements, which regulates and obliges an NGO to honour a contract.

"If there are five people registered as living in that one particular home, we must ensure that there are truly five, who are living, eating, sleeping there, according to their plan," Farrugia said.

She continued that for the Ministry to renew this contract, it must receive the go-ahead of the competent authority, otherwise it cannot renew it.

Farrugia said that there have been cases, such as at Dar Arka in Gozo, where serious allegations surfaced regarding two carers abusing a resident, prompting involvement from the police and the SCSA.

Farrugia said that the authority must remain independent from the government due to potential conflicts of interest, and maximum priority must be given to those working with persons with disabilities, who were entrusted in their care.