Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Wednesday spelt out a number of measures that had been taken by the Commissioner for the Reduction of Bureaucracy.

He said action in the health, local council and social services sectors had led to “useful” decisions, including that people reaching retirement age need no longer apply for their pensions.

A preliminary process was under way with local councils to simplify various procedures, including the payment of dues to councils for applications submitted. Meetings were being held with parties involved in the health sector to gain a clearer picture of how bureaucracy could be reduced in this sensitive area.

A General Coordinating Council had been set up to bring together the heads of government departments and ministries as well as government companies and entities and local council representatives.

The aim was to enhance communications and coordination with a view to identifying new possibilities of cutting red tape.

The Prime Minister was answering a parliamentary question by opposition MP Ryan Callus.