The Church in the past five years issued €1.2 million to make up for losses in the operation of five homes for the elderly which it runs, Curia officials said today.

Paul Portelli, director of homes run by the Curia, told a press conference this morning that last year alone, the homes needed a subsidy of €150,000 to cover their shortfall.

[attach id=211047 size="medium" align="left"]Casa Leone[/attach]

The homes involved are Dar Sagra Familja in Naxxar, Dar Sant' Anna in Senglea, Dar Saura in Rabat,  Casa Leone in Sliema and Dar tal-Kleru a home for elderly priests in Birkrikara. (Other homes are run independently by religious congregations)

Dar Sagra Familja is the biggest of the Curia-run homes, with 85 residents and the one in Senglea is the smallest with 32. Their expenditure last year was of €4.5m. The residents contribute part of their pensions to stay at the homes.

Mr Portelli said that despite the financial problems, the homes for the elderly remained a priority for the Church, which wanted to improve their services. It was, however, appealing for donations. "The homes are not there to make a profit, but it is important that they are sustainable," he said.  

Various measures are being taken to cut losses. At Dar Sagra Familja, for example, PV panels worth €70,000 and funded by the EU had been installed, in order to reduce electricity bills.  PV panels will also be installed at Dar Saura in Rabat shortly.

At Dar Sant' Anna in Senglea, the diocese had been unable to find a donor to help fund the replacement of roofs and the project will therefore be funded by the Curia itself.