The Ministry for Social Policy and Children's Rights has announced the "largest investment ever" made in children's residences.

The Children's Rights Ministry stated on Monday morning that a social agreement with Fondazzjoni Sebħ worth €7 million has been signed. This agreement guarantees for all services managing children's residences in Malta to be provided by the church-run NGO.

This funding will allow Fondazzjoni Sebħ to provide social services around the clock, 24 hours a day, from four of its children's residences over the next three years.

This agreement is one of dozens of other agreements signed with NGOs working with vulnerable persons, the Ministry said.

Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon said that this is "the largest social agreement of all time in the field of care for minors in alternative care." Falzon mentioned the importance of providing dignity, love, protection, nice environments, and equal access to opportunities to all children during his intervention.

The Ministry observed that this investment will not only provide a dignified roof over the heads of several children, but it also invests in their education, healthcare, hobbies, and "everything that they may need throughout their childhood and adolescence."