It is up to the Government to intervene to prevent the many Maltese who were, according to European reports, living at serious risk of poverty, from falling into this cycle, Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said yesterday.

We really need to see that those who need it are receiving the empowerment they need

Winding up the debate in Parliament on the Bill proposing amendments to the Social Security Act, Ms Coleiro Preca said the EU reports also found that Maltese people fell into poverty quickly but it took them long to emerge, if they ever did.

The proposed amendments reflected the Government’s policy, and she expressed the hope that such discussions would be broadened so that Parliament could share more ideas about developing the social sector and further empowering people.

When someone would have been relying on benefits for years, it was not easy to inspire change, especially for their children, she said, which was why discussing how these people could be empowered was so important.

When comparing the millions of euros invested in social benefits with the results, these were not quite what one would have hoped, she said, adding that it was very important, as legislators and policy makers, to evaluate the results being reaped.

This was a results-oriented Government committed to seeing where one stood and how better strategies could be developed.

“We really need to see that those who need it receive the empowerment they need, before they find themselves at the edge,” she said.

Ms Coleiro Preca said her ministry was also looking into the means testing system, how it was carried out and whether it reflected today’s needs. It was working at developing a single means test, more transparent and efficient.

She said a report by the Auditor General presented to the Public Accounts Committee found around €14 million in bad debts with the Social Security Department. This was very worrying. This government immediately started working on an integrated ICT system.

Concluding, Ms Coleiro Preca said it was important to give realistic support to families in difficult times, and the ministry was working to avoid families reaching the brink.

The Bill was unanimously approved.