Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono has said that workers in Gozo increased by more than seven percentage points, from 38.3 per cent of the total workforce to 45.4 per cent. In real terms, the workforce increased by more than 1,600, with the biggest hike of 925 being in the private sector. At the other end of the stick, the public sector shed 326 employees.

The government had built five kilometres of rubble wall, stopping soil erosion

Winding up the debate on the financial estimates of her ministry, Mrs Debono said 200 companies that operated in Gozo benefitted from the Micro Investment scheme. Employees also benefitted through the Employment Aid scheme: 676 women returned to employment enjoying a tax reduction of €735,000.

Earlier, the minister said Gozo never was a burden – and never would be. The opposition had tried to belittle the work that was carried out. Such criticism was for political gain and did not benefit Gozo.

How could the opposition still criticise the ministry for Gozo when in actual fact all the projects promised had taken off? Numerous others had been concluded, including the Xlendi road project.

It was also not true that the indoor pool project, which was to cost €6.2 million, was not going to be implemented. Mepa permits have now been issued, she said.

Families and students also benefitted from this budget since family-friendly projects were also put into place. A child care centre in Għarb was started while the application for that of Xewkija had already been submitted. Moreover, an additional €150,000 over the amount allotted last year was to be allocated to the Gozitan student scheme. Apart from that, 411 families were making use of the solar panel scheme and another 200 were also benefitting from the solar heaters plan.

Mrs Debono said healthcare was also at the forefront of her ministry. Gozitan women were now participating in the national breast screening initiative and new equipment in the dentistry section was also brought but the necessary technical expertise was needed before it is used. Improvements were being made at the ophthalmic department while 1,100 CT scans were done in the Gozo hospital. With regard to tourism, the minister said the promotion of Gozo as a diving destination helped to increase its competitiveness. Divers were now also diving during the spring and autumn seasons.

Gozo was also being promoted as an island hosting international conferences: around 17 conferences were held in Gozo, which hosted 30 to 100 delegates. Many cruising companies were also considering Gozo as a port of call in their itineraries.

Speaking on sustainable development, Mrs Debono said that the government was conducting an energy audit report to consider installing solar energy on government buildings. The increase of water harvesting would also benefit Gozitan ecology. The government had also built five kilometres of rubble wall, thus stopping soil erosion. It would also distribute apparatus in households to reduce water consumption.

Mrs Debono said that 10 per cent of EU funds would be invested in Gozo. This ensured the improvement of Gozo.

On education, she said that there were 1,035 students pursuing studies at the University of Malta and Mcast. Students attending at Mcast Gozo had increased to 181 while there were only five in 2001. More than 200 Gozitan students would graduate from the university.