Prime Minister Robert Abela said that parents of children with severe disabilities who receive the Carer’s grant which supports such families will now also be covered by accredited social security contributions.
Abela was speaking during the Budget Measures Implementation estimates in Parliament, where he spoke about the implementation of the government’s electoral programme. He said the rate of implementation on each measure has surpassed 66%.
He said that a social measure that will soon be introduced under the Social Policy Ministry concerns the Carer’s grant, which supports parents of children aged 16 and over with severe disabilities, by providing them with a grant if they stay home to care for their child.
Abela said that the measure, introduced at the height of the pandemic four years ago, will now be strengthened.
Parents who care for their children with severe disabilities at home will now be covered by accredited social security contributions, Abela said.
He said that this will ensure that parents benefiting from the Carer’s Grant can secure a future pension.
The same principle currently applies to assistance provided to those receiving the Carer’s Allowance, including the increased allowance for those caring for relatives at home.
Abela said that this aligns with government’s policy of covering a significant portion of the wages of private carers looking after elderly persons.
Abela spoke of the situation in France and the United Kingdom, as well as all around Europe, where he said that EU Member States will be reducing a large part of their expenditures on social measures and benefits, to increase defence spending.
He said that the UK will be significantly reducing expenditure of disability benefits, which will impact millions of persons with disabilities.
“Now, they have changed their constitution to borrow and buy ammunition and weapons,” Abela said.
“Completely different to what is happening in our country. Malta is the only country not reducing such benefits. Abroad, they say their choice is to increase defence spending,” Abela said.
Abela quoted the recent Winter Eurobarometer which showed that people’s priorities in the next 10 years was the control of inflation. Abela said that people prioritised defence less than social measures.
“Our youths want social protection and access to health. If the people ask me to increase social aid, and for better health services, I will do what the public wants of me, and I will do this despite international challenges, so that what the Maltese and Gozitans want is implemented,” Abela said.
Abela said that government had promised 1,000 proposals which will translate to 1,000 achievements for the country.
“We are proud of our resilient people who managed to do away with the military and build an economy which is the envy of the world, continuing to surpass previsions,” Abela said.
He continued that Malta’s economic growth is due to the government listening and understanding people’s realities and aspirations, and it acting on what the public wants.
“This model, of 12 years, shows that the results speak for themselves,” Abela said, adding that businesses were supported, and this will remain government’s economic recipe.
Abela spoke of the country’s debt and deficit, which is even lower than what had been predicted, due to the country’s strong economic growth.
“What others speak of in terms of expenditure, we refer to as the best investment you can make towards the public and businesses,” Abela said.
He continued that now that the economy has grown six times greater than other countries’, government can now focus on the quality of life of people, and their aspirations.
Abela said that “Gonzi PN” had taxed those on minimum wage, while his government widened tax bands for everyone, increased children’s allowances and pensions.
Abela said that government has already implemented many of its promises, such as regeneration of open spaces, help for first-time property buyers, as well as improved the IVF legislation.
“We always keep our word to the public. We keep it as our word is a contract with the public,” Abela said, adding that this is what leads to the peoples’ trust.
He said that government is also at an advanced stage in its implementation of Malta’s Vision for 2050 document.
“We want our families’ incomes to be the best in Europe. But we also want their satisfaction to be the best, the way they live happily, their wellbeing, criteria which go beyond the GDP,” Abela said.
Abela said that only now can government focus on quality, and attracting only the best investments which create careers.
He mentioned the Labour Migration Policy which signals to employers the governments’ priorities for the labour market, as well as the need for renewable energy infrastructure outside Malta’s exclusive economic zone.
“This is the legacy of a Labour government. While others speak on defence, we will continue strengthening the social sector, and progressing an economy where citizens are given a chance,” Abela said.