The most recent modernisation works at St Vincent de Paul residence was carried out nearly 20 years ago but the Opposition was now criticising the government for deciding to build a new kitchen after only being in administration for 15 years, the government said.

The government was referring to a statement issued by the Nationalist Party this morning in which it accused the government of leaving the St Vincent de Paul Residence kitchen in a state of disrepair on purpose to pass it on to the private sector.

In a statement, spokesman for the elderly Mario Galea asked why was the kitchen closed now and not a year and four months ago when the Labour Party was elected to government and it was in such a bad state.

He said that in view of this the government's action should be taken as criticism to Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana’s predecessor, who, in February, introduced a new menu with much pomp and propaganda.

The government was now giving the kitchen to the private sector with a direct order and this was when it produced 2,800 good quality meals daily, as patients and their relatives could confirm.

In its statement the government said the kitchen’s state was confirmed by a professional Institute of Tourism Studies report which referred to “decades of neglect” so much so that employees boasted how long they had been hearing that the kitchen was to be closed because of health dangers but nothing ever happened.

This government was continuously implementing its electoral promises improving services and infrastructure by embarking on several projects at the residence including the renovation of halls and other facilities.

The menu was another leap in quality and would continue to be published even during the six-month contract given to the private sector.

This process, the government said, was agreed in discussions with unions and announced in the presence of workers who were given assurance that no one would lose their job.