Labour leader Joseph Muscat has called for a national debate on what happens to persons with disabilities once their parents pass away.

Dr Muscat raised the issue when he visited Dar tal-Providenza with Mrs Muscat.

He said Labour was committed to ensuring that Dar tal-Providenza was given the resources it needed to offer the best services to its residents. He said the state should listen more to the views of people with disabilities about their real needs.

He praised Dar tal-Providenza for its services and thanked the staff for their commitment.

Dr and Mrs Muscat were shown around by the director of the Home, Fr Martin Micallef, who said he was confident that Dr Muscat would be inspired by the values of respect and dignity for persons with disabilities. He said Maltese society had made great strides forward with regard to respect and dignity for such people and as a result, their quality of life had improved.

Dar tal-Providenza is home for more than 200 persons. It has a staff of 200.