Alternative arrangements have so far been made for 140 students who were affected by the EU decision to suspend funds for education programmes, the Prime Minister said this morning.

Speaking at a discussion meeting in Mellieha, Dr Gonzi said the issue which led to the EU suspension of funds was being tackled by the government in three ways.

Firstly, the circumstances which led to this situation had been identified and were being rectified.

Secondly, alternative arrangements were being made for the affected students and organisations (some 550 in all).

Thirdly, efforts were being made to persuade the European Commission to lift the suspension, now that its requirements were being met.

Dr Gonzi said that this case had shown the impact of the EU funds on the country. Lessons had been learnt and were being adopted in order to ensure that no further EU funding was jeopardised.

The prime minister's meeting was held at Dar Madonna tal-Mellieha, an old people's home, and concentrated mostly on issues affected the elderly.

Dr Gonzi pointed out that while other countries were cutting services as part of austerity measures, in Malta, the government was seeking new means to further improve social services and it was continuing to open and improve homes for the elderly

He thanked the Church for having led the way in the opening of homes for the elderly. He said that while a number of homes had been opened as public-private partnerships, proposals were now also being made for Public-Church and Private partnerships.

The meeting was also addressed by Health Minister Joe Cassar who spoke on improved facilities for the elderly. He also said that a number of medicines were being added to the government medicines list, including pills to counter the effects of chemotherapy.