The number of irregular migrants from Somalia has been doubling every year since 2006, with Somalis now forming the biggest group of migrants in Malta, information given in Parliament shows.

A total of 1,266 Somalis arrived in Malta this year, compared to 613 in 2007, 311 in 2006 and 146 in 2005. However there were 533 arrivals in 2004.

In all, 3,221 Somalis have arrived in Malta since 2002, of whom 1,666 are still in Malta.

The second biggest group of migrants is composed of Eritreans, with 1,583 arrivals since 2002, of whom 468 are still here.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said migrant arrivals in the year ending September 30 totalled 2,559. The population in closed centres totalled 2,001 while there were another 2,432 migrants in the open centres.

Between September 2007 and August 2008, Malta repatriated 269 migrants, including persons staying in Malta illegally.

The minister explained that migrants staying in open centres are entitled to a benefit of €4.66 daily, which rises by €2.33 for each additional child. Those in closed centres do not receive financial benefits but are given clothes, bedding and items for personal hygiene and a phone card of €4.66 monthly.

The minister was replying to questions by Labour MP Silvio Parnis and Nationalist MP Jean Pierre Farrugia.