Disability pensions urgently need revision and more investment should be injected into ensuring residential care is available for all who require it, according to the National Parents’ Society of People with Disability.

These were among the society’s recommendations to the Government for allocation of funds and resources in the coming Budget.

The disability pension amounted to under 60 per cent of the national minimum wage, even though disabled people had additional expenses.

“The current pension does not suffice, leaving such people below the poverty line and dependent on their family members and carers,” the society said.

Ageing parents of disabled children were concerned about the shortage of residential homes and the lack of serious planning and commitment to address this problem.

Some parents were considering setting up private residential homes. However, their construction, maintenance, staffing and management were proving too expensive.

The Government could help by contributing towards the salaries of carers and other staff.

The society said it was time to implement the Guardianship Act and that trusts, one of the best ways of managing funds, should be exempt from taxation.

More funds should be allocated to Aġenzija Sapport, which provides educational programmes to disabled people, to meet urgent demands such as recruiting specialised qualified staff, adult educators, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.