Muscat – Persons with a disability a top priority for government

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, this afternoon, said that it was the government's duty to make sure that those persons suffering with a disability were given the necessary resources in order to help these people live a more independent life.

He said that this was a top priority for government, highlighting the fact that allowances for such persons have now increased, whilst stressing that there were plans to increase the number of places at day centres from 400 to 600, at a cost of €900,000 for the government.

Muscat was visiting families in Marsaxlokk, discussing the budgetary measures affecting the family, which were announced last Monday.

Amongst the families, Muscat met with the Aquilina family, of which Gianluca - a teenager suffering with epilepsy - forms part of.

Muscat reassured Gianluca's parents, Jesmond and Marianne, that it was the government's aim that by the end of this legislature it would set up an extensive network of community homes for the disabled.

Marianne, clearly emotional, thanked the Prime Minister for his devotion, describing the every-day difficulties parents of children with a disability faced.

She said that the removal of tax on inheritance was particularly welcomed by the Aquilina family, saying that it was a big worry for them about what would happen to their son after they themselves passed away.

As Dr Muscat made his way to another house nearby, an elderly woman came out to greet who she referred to as "Malta's saviour", saying that ex-Labour Prime Minister, Dom Mintoff, had lifted the country from economic difficulties during his time, and that Joseph Muscat would now do the same.