€750 million more spent on social benefits

The government was introducing a number of initiatives to assist all sections of society. While other EU countries were taking austerity measures, Malta had increased its investment to more than €1billion, of which €750 million were being allocated towards social benefits.

Reports show that the risk of poverty would stand at 36 per cent without social benefits

Winding up the debate on the Budget estimates of the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family, she said reports showed that the risk of poverty would stand at 36 per cent without social benefits, a rate which was reduced to 15 per cent after receiving social benefits.

The number of children to benefit from the increased children’s allowance, from €250 to €350, was 33,000. Foster carers received €70 per week and some 35,000 families had benefitted from the special energy allowance.

The sum of €11 million was being allocated to services for persons with a disability. Persons with a disability would now be able to work and earn a minimum wage and still receive a full allowance. In the case of persons earning more than the minimum wage, the allowance would be reduced according to the sum earned. Married persons with disabilities could continue to receive their allowances.

All possible steps were being taken to give children in difficulties the support they needed. A Children’s Policy would shortly be launched that would bring together the separate efforts of an apposite working group, the Children’s Commissioner and the EU. The strategy to accompany the policy would be issued after the consultation period.

The ministry would also shortly be working on a Bill about children and youth under care orders, besides the several social issues that were already before Parliament. Following the recent enforcement of the minimum drinking age there was also a draft policy on alcohol.

Minister Cristina said the government supported a new residential service for disabled youngsters with behavioural disorders as well as serving other sectors of children. Efforts would be ongoing to see that out-of-home children would be kept as close to a family atmosphere as possible, whether natural or foster.

Work was continuing on the pensions reform. After voting against the first phase of the report the PL was now working more closely with the government on the second phase. The working group would soon be making its recommendations for the next phase.

The Housing Authority was continuing to work on personalising its services.

Mrs Cristina said the unemployed were frequently at risk of poverty, and capital projects meant job creation. It was irresponsible to say the government should not spend on such projects. As to the allegation that many were unemployed after the failure of Smart City to create jobs, she said there were not enough workers for the IT sector. This was why the government was continuing to invest in Mcast and the university to quench the thirst for training.

When medical boards decided that people could no longer work, it was not right to keep them on the employment registers. As part of the active labour market policies the government and ETC were working on installing a culture of contribution rather than dependency.

The rate of women’s participation in employment had climbed from 32 per cent in 2001 to over 40 per cent in 2011.

Minister Cristina said that the restructuring programme at PBS was nearing completion. It was undergoing changes in its internal organisation at a managerial level for better efficiency. The station had made a profit of nearly €1 million annually over the last few years. She said that she would leave issues on impartiality in the hands of the Broadcasting Authority.

Ms Cristina claimed that National Curriculum framework (NCF) was held with wide consultation. The draft was made through collaboration from officials in the education sector, church and independent schools and the University. The government was to take special measures in schools where vulnerable students needed support. The 0-3 years age groups formed part of the NCF for the first time. In inclusive education Malta was more advanced than the Scandinavian countries as acknowledged by professionals.

She said that contrary to what the opposition was claiming, the number of students discontinuing education after the age of 16 had dropped to 32.5 per cent. The ministry was looking into changes that were needed in Matsec exams. There were 2800 new graduands with 18 doctorates this year.

The Institute for Tourism Studies (ITS) had a record number of students this year including those part-time. The government was searching for the site of a new campus. She said that there were people who had hidden political and personal agendas at ITS because the changes did not serve them well.

The formal union between the Malta Qualifications Council and the National Commission for Higher Education would soon become a reality through new legislation. The new agency would be responsible for qualifications, and accreditation.