Thursday, 14th February 2008 - 14:16CET

Government to help families buy new computers

The government is to refund 16 percent of the purchase price of new computers bought by families between February 18 and May 30, IT Minister Austin Gatt announced today. The subsidy will cover the computer, keyboard, printer and mouse.

The scheme also includes assistance so that families may be able to borrow money for a computer purchase from the banks with repayment at €1 per day.

Dr Gatt said the scheme was part of the government’s programme to ensure that everyone had access to information technology.

Every family will be able to buy up to one computer package from any recognised seller and the refund will be given directly to the buyer. The subsidy will cover a maximum purchase price of €1,165 including VAT (a maximum subsidy of €186.40).

Dr Gatt said the scheme was projected to cost €1.9 million.

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Comments

joseph grech (on 13/5/08)

My situation is the same as graziella magro, can someone please respond as to if the refunds are being sent yet?

graziella magro (on 16/4/08)

we bought a computer on the 28th february and applied for the refund and sent the receipts. i would like to know if they already started giving the refunds back or if we have to wait for a longer time.thanks

Matthew Caruana Galizia (on 16/2/08)

You seem to misunderstand the function of the Maltese government.

Our government, like most others, spends money as an extension of its ideas and principles. And that expenditure is not a 'freebie' - you paid for it as part of your income tax contributions.

If you are advocating a government of village elders that talks but doesn't do, then that's another argument altogether.

Victor Laiviera (on 16/2/08)

Yes, a free market market of ideas and principles - not freebies paid out of government funds and used as propaganda for the party in power.

Matthew Caruana Galizia (on 15/2/08)

Victor, isn't 'vote-buying', as you say, the beauty of democracy? Rival parties must compete for attention in a free market of ideas.

Victor Laiviera (on 14/2/08)

Yet another vote-buying scheme from the Government which is becoming more and more desperate with every day that passes.

But what the heck - we'll be able to use our free light bulbs to set up our subsidised computers and connect to the free ADSL internet - just in time to catch the news that the MLP has won the election.