A review of the hospital waiting lists had shown that there were duplications which, in certain cases, led to 40 per cent of the cases being struck off.

Speaking on the Budgetary Measures Amendments Bill, Social Policy Minister John Dalli acknowledged that the problem was still there and said that an action plan had been drawn up to tackle the problem.

Notwithstanding, one had to establish the reasonable amount of waiting time which had to be calculated in months and not in years. The Budget included measures in this regard and use of facilities and staff was being identified to take the necessary action.

He said that he had had enough with the hospital shift system. There was a waste of time and lack of organisation due to different break times for staff.

Although Malta was suffering the economic crunch, resources had been found to sustain the health and social sectors and to provide funds to make these services even better. The Budget was strengthening the social safety net to which all previous governments had contributed.

Earlier, Minister Dalli referred to fostering and said that the Budget provided that the allowances for those fostering children increased from €40 to €70 per week. The government wanted to attract more families to foster children to move away from the system of institutionalisation.

The Budget also allocated funds for the provision of more homes for the elderly and funds for staff to run these homes.

Francis Zammit Dimech (PN) told Parliament that the government's main trust in this year's Budget was the creation of employment.

Malta Enterprise had been allotted €5.6 million for economic development. Last year's schemes to provide integrated services to economic operators were extended through an added allocation of €37 million. Of these, €7 million were to provide for international competitiveness, innovation, research and development and e-Business.

The vote for Malta Enterprise had increased from €6.6 million to €9 million while another €2.5 million were available in a reserve fund.

Another sum of €10 million was earmarked to assist some 1,500 SMEs to have liquidity to counter the economic crisis.

The government did not introduce any new taxation in this year's Budget. It proposed an €80 million incentive package for industry and tourism and this would increase wealth. It was also investing €280 million in the infrastructure and €1.3 billion in the education and social welfare sectors.

Turning to tourism, Dr Zammit Dimech said the government had allocated €31 million to MTA to address the international crisis. He was confident 2010 would produce better results than the sector experienced in 2009.

The government also increased its support from €2 million to £5 million to low-cost airlines, to help them operate new routes to and from Malta, and to the national airline to strengthen its existent routes.

He said that many hoteliers were passing through difficult times. There was criticism from hoteliers against the introduction of the 50c per tourist night tariff although notice that it would be introduced this year had been given in 2008.

Concluding, he called for a no-condition discussion between all concerned so that such difficulties could be levelled out. The hotel sector needed every support that the government could give.

Joe Falzon (PN) said that the government had a long term vision in education creating a knowledge-based economy because that was where Malta had a competitive edge. The poor could be helped through the creation of wealth.

The government had changed challenges into opportunities to save businesses and hence jobs. A platform was set up helping everyone and generating wealth. The government had embarked on fiscal reforms and had made substantial economic investment.

He paid tribute to Social Policy Minister John Dalli for his contribution to the nation and congratulated him for his forthcoming EU post as Malta's commissioner.

The measures taken in the Budget would be fruitful in line with what past decisions.

Frederick Azzopardi (PN) said the Budget was drafted after consultations with all stakeholders. This was a time of opportunity for the creation of job as the government had aimed at creating the ideal environment in which the economy could expand.

Contrary to what the opposition had claimed, the Budget was giving a real picture of the Maltese economy. The opposition's proposed 10-point plan was not realistic: it ignored the international recession.

Thanks to the past economic measures, Malta managed to cushion the effects of the international recession. The government was nurturing those sectors which would ensure the ideal climate for local and foreign investment, not least the training of workers.

Mr Azzopardi listed the measures that a number of EU member-states - notably France, the Netherlands, and Spain - had taken to brace themselves to shield themselves from the adverse effect of the recession. Malta was spared such measures thanks to government foresight.

Admittedly, unemployment in Malta had increased but this was at a slower pace than that registered in other EU states.

Particular attention was given to education through the building of new schools and amenities. Funds to church schools would be increased well as a 15.2 per cent refund on expenditure to those introducing primary schools.

The Budget also acknowledged the environment's role and people were encouraged to invest in photo-voltaic cells through financial assistance. More jobs are being attracted to Malta and drainage would be treated before being discharged into the sea.

Importance was given to Gozo through a record allotment of funds.

Stephen Spiteri (PN) said that government strategy aimed at providing sustainable services. The government embarked on a number of reforms including rent laws, Mepa and primary health care.

The Budget seriously addressed the health sector, including the waiting lists problem which the government was to tackle over a three-year period with an investment of €4 million. It was introducing the positron emission tomography (PET) scan - an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance to look for disease in the body - and other innovations in cardiac imaging.

Another €300 million were being invested to introduce new medicines in the formulary drugs list. It also voted €11million to decrease the number of creditors and another €61million to ensure that credit days decrease to 120 days.

Medicines would continue to be provided for free and the pharmacy-of-your-choice scheme would be extended to another 50,000 patients. The government was also planning building a new blood transfusion centre and was targeting to build a cancer centre at Mater Dei Hospital while undergoing extensive refurbishment at the Boffa Hospital.

Turning to the Primary Health Care reform, Dr Spiteri said patients would have the right of the doctor of their own choice.

This would decrease pressure on services offered at the hospital, and increase efficiency through direct access by the family doctor to various hospital departments.

He said 30,000 women between 50 and 59 years of age would benefit from the breast screening programme launched last October with an investment of €1.6million. A disability training unit was being set up to help patients with mental health problems to live in the community.