“Technical problems” have prevented the government from rolling out a new EU food aid programme for Malta’s most deprived.

The last programme, under which bags of food were distributed to those in need, came to an end in February and Malta was granted €4 million by the EU to introduce another scheme lasting until 2020.

But the new programme – described by the EU as an important source of provisions for organisations working in direct contact with the least fortunate people in society – has yet to be put into action.

A spokesman for the Social Solidarity Ministry admitted it had encountered technical problems as tender submissions and a call for partner organisations “did not fully meet the eligibility criteria when these were issued for the first time”. However, a second round of calls has now been issued and “it is anticipated that the distribution of food items in Malta will commence in September/October 2015,” the spokesman said.

There has also been a mix-up over who was supposed to be in charge of the programme. The spokesman said that at first they were told it would be administered by the President of Malta as part of “the new powers” she had been given. However, a spokesman for the President told this newspaper that this was not possible as “when this programme was delegated to this office, there was no proper structure in place to ensure this operation”.

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