Dalli asks department to look into social benefit eligibility ceilings

Gerard Cassar

Nov 25th 2009, 10:59

Why such a set up to controle those who apply for national assistance. Why so much people are needed when the powers of the Director are so extensive that even banks have to divulge the most secret accounts to the Director of Social Services. This is done mostly trough correspondence in rare cases by personal checking. As for other income, from occupation, for exemple, there is a whole police force as the disposal of the Director of Social services.
It is not thought that there is need of departmental investigators to roam the streets. Otherwise there is something wrong in the mechanism. Statements are normally taken on oath. Very few seem to be brought to justice for taking a false oath

Dennis Zammit

Nov 25th 2009, 06:38

Foreign workers . . . are they totally irreplaceable? Surely not!!!

I recently went to a new big supermarket in Bir id-Deheb and most of the stackers and cashiers where Italian and there where also Bulgarians. Surely these jobs are not those put aside by the Maltese.

Apart from this, a factory nearby recently obtained funds from the Govt. to refurbish the factory's facade in Kordin Industrial Estate. Regretfully, the job was then given to a couple of Arabs. Can't the Govt. press that his ( OUR ) funds are use to give jobs to fellow Maltese?

Robert Scullion

Nov 25th 2009, 00:05

@Mike Farrugia

It sounds like you know specific people that are doing this .. of course you will already have gone to the police with your facts and let them investigate ... have you?

R.Mifsud

Nov 24th 2009, 23:02

@M.Mifsud.

Who said I owe a grave? I don't expect nothing for free. I have worked since the age of 16 and thank GOD I have never been unemployed. I don't think that a person or his relatives should pay for this particular subject. Its no skin of my nose because I don't have a grave. but that doesn't mean just because I do not owe one I have to share your opinion. Neither do you.

I do not know any other country that people have to pay for the upkeep of a cemetry. As far as i know things abroad are done similar to what we have. You buy the plot (grave) and that's it.
We have different opinion on the subject. I wonder what will happen if the relatives refuse to pay? The deceased will surely be at rest, whether he is burried in his own grave or the common.

M Mifsud

Nov 24th 2009, 20:35

@ R Mifsud: So you're one of those who want everything for free! You can't be more ridiculous! You don't even realise that nothing comes for free. Why should others pay for the upkeep of your grave?

R.Mifsud

Nov 24th 2009, 19:38

@M.Mifsud. You should make a standing order. How rediculious can you get to suggest such a thing. A new grave cost approx 3500 Euros, according to what I read recently. So are you saying that after a person pay all that money you are suggesting that you keep contributing to a fund? Or you are suggesting that the relatives left behind keep paying towards this fund? I am sorry but the least one expect is to pay for the upkeep of the cemetry while he is still alive and kicking or put such a burden on our relatives after we die.

V Caruana

Nov 24th 2009, 16:56

Just before he goes. Onor. Dalli has been a Long time minister, enough time to make "social benefit eligibility ceilings' more real. He must have had this dream a day ago!

Mike Farrugia

Nov 24th 2009, 16:11

@ Brian Ebejer They work illegally. They don't pay for anything. They come here with the excuse of opening a business, close down and presto - they apply for social benefits. They send their children to government schools, get free medical and dental treatment, free medicine while I, who pay for them., I am not entitled for anything!

Fenech M D

Nov 24th 2009, 16:06

In 1997 budget, the one prior to the 1998 general election, I wrote to the PM to suggest helping parents of children with a disability to cope with their expences. This is because not ALL children with a disability received the said special allowance. In fact, some children like those who are hard of hearing and use a hearing aid do not receive these allowances even though their parents have the same expences of those who are deaf (severe). The PM's action was what? He said that when one applied for these allowance there will be no means test; ie people who are well off might receive these allowances, but those who really need it may not! These are the things that the Social Security Department should look into.

M Mifsud

Nov 24th 2009, 16:04

I totally agree with Mr Dalli that part of the sum we pay for a new grave would go to a fund for the proper maintenance of Addolorata Cemetery. I also suggest that all of us who own a grave should contribute a small sum every year towards this fund.

Brian Ebejer

Nov 24th 2009, 16:03

Mike Farrugia,

If they are working full time then they pay social security contributions. If they pay social security contributions then they are entitled to social security.

Mike Farrugia

Nov 24th 2009, 15:40

Mr. Dalli should look into the number of foreigners sucking our system dry. Does he know that we have whole families of non European foreigners working full time, they obtain a pink form, and obtain full medical benefits for free? including medicines and other stuff...