The House of Representatives this evening started debating a motion for the appointment of a Commissioner for Elderly People.
The motion was moved by Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana who thanked her predecessor Franco Mercieca for having done much of the spadework.
The Office of the Commissioner, Dr Caruana said, would be a focal point the elderly could refer to, and the commissioner would promote issues relating to the elderly. Similar offices, she said, existed in a number of countries.
The commissioner would ensure that government policies were implemented to the benefit of the elderly. He would work to improve practices and services for the services and discuss new legislation to benefit the elderly.
The commissioner would promote opportunities and work against discrimination against the elderly and social exclusion.
The Commissioner would be backed by a Council for the Elderly, on the same model as the Commissioner for Children.
The members of the council would include representatives of ministries and five persons chosen by the council. The idea was to have a council whose membership was as broad based as possible.
Among speakers this evening was Labour MP Godfrey Farrugia, who suggested a star grading system for homes for the elderly, while insisting that minimum standards had to be maintained by all homes, government and private. Standards, he said, should be measured on the basis of manning, privacy, dignity, contact with the community, the quality of the premises, quality assurance and cleanliness, among other things.
He was also of the view, Dr Farrugia said, that one should revisit the definition of how one considered a person as being elderly. Age 60 now appeared too low, he said.
Dr Farrugia said it was positive that the Commissioner would report to parliament rather than directly to the government, thus showing independence.
He noted that the commissioner would have administrative, regulatory and investigative powers and quasi-judicial powers. This was a lot under one hat. Care should be taken to ensure there were sufficient checks and balances.
The most important role of the commissioner, Dr Farrugia said, should be that of regulator and his office should have real teeth. However his powers should not overlap the police, the courts or the Medical Council. The commissioner should investigate cases and then refer cases to the institutions.
As for the Council of Older Persons, this appeared to be rather cosmetic and it would meet only once every three months. The autonomy of the council could be undermined as the membership could change according to requirements, Dr Farrugia said.
However the setting up of this new Office was a positive step that should be backed by all.