The Curia paid €1.2 million over the past five years to cover losses incurred by its five homes for the elderly.

Last year, expenditure of the homes in Senglea, Santa Venera, Rabat, Naxxar and Birkirkara amounted to €4.5 million and the Curia forked out €150,000 to make up the shortfall.

Paul Portelli, director of the homes, said each one operated at a loss and the Church was constantly looking for ways to cut costs without affecting their 240 residents.

“Ultimately, we don’t want to make a profit but we want to run the homes sustainably,” Mr Portelli said yesterday at a press conference at Dar Sagra Familja in Naxxar. The Naxxar home is the largest with 85 residents – 50 are women – while Dar St Anna in Senglea is the smallest with 32 residents.

Mr Portelli explained that the Naxxar home recently installed €70,000 worth of solar panels, which were EU funded, and more were expected to be installed in the Senglea home soon.“We want to try and increase the occupancy of the beds. We give a service to the elderly,” he said.

The Church was constantly trying to upgrade the services and management of the homes.

Fr Anton Portelli, the Curia’s administrative secretary, said that despite the financial challenges, the Church was committed to keep the homes open and continue its mission in favour of those who needed care.