Nationalist MP Robert Cutajar last night asked Family and Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia to investigate claims that social workers’ reports about children’s welfare had been disregarded to their detriment for political reasons.
Minister Farrugia asked for the withdrawal of what he termed was an allegation.
Mr Cutajar said that he was only asking the minister to investigate.
Mr Farrugia replied that he would start the investigation immediately.
The exchange took place during the debate on the ministry’s budget, which encompassed employment, social security, pensions, social welfare services, persons with disability, the elderly, social housing and children.
The government was urged to develop a long-term vision for the disability sector, based on the values of inclusion and self-determination
Mr Farrugia described the sector as a challenging one, incorporating a wide range of policy domains with a total budget of €1.32 billion. PN spokeswoman for social solidarity Paula Mifsud Bonnici stressed that although the increase in pensions was commendable, this development would only impact on 24,000 pensioners out of the existing 83,000.
The pensions regime needed to develop a certain flexibility to provide for adequate pensions within the context of ever-changing labour market dynamics and emerging social realities, she said. A case in point was the carers’ pension, where current restrictions led to a situation where there were only 283 beneficiaries.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici and Mr Cutajar called for more transparency in the management of social welfare agencies, including the Housing Authority and St Vincent the Paul residence. The government was urged to develop a long-term vision for the disability sector, based on the values of inclusion and self-determination. Pending legal instruments should be presented to Parliament without delay.
Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana described the legal instruments approved during the last months, including the guardianship and trust laws, as well as a recreational project that would be announced during this year’s disability week.
Other projects described by Dr Caruana included Sharing Lives aimed at developing and supporting family-based respite for persons with disabilities.
The importance of promoting employability and active labour market policies as an efficient means of social inclusion was highlighted by Deborah Schembri (PL) and Stephen Spiteri (PN). Franco Mercieca (PL) said the disability and elderly sectors required continuous commitment, while Etienne Grech (PL) and Anthony Agius Decelis (PL) spoke of measures to improve social mobility while avoiding benefits abuse.