Housing Authority ‘deputy CEO’ appointed as position of trust

The minister for social policy has appointed a “deputy chief executive” at the Housing Authority as a position of trust, without any call for applications being issued.

Information requested by Nationalist MP Clyde Puli in parliament revealed that the new role was awarded to the person appointed by the minister, on the basis of “experience and competence” in the authority.

Puli said in the House that such positions usually must be filled by candidates who have a Masters’ degree.

The social policy minister, Michael Farrugia, did not present any validation of the deputy CEO’s education qualifications as requested by Puli.

Farrugia said the deputy CEO was formerly a coordinator in the Housing Authority, before the role was created on 15 May 2013. The new role’s salary was boosted by €9,840 according to a previous PQ.

Farrugia also said that promotions were given to two executive heads, two coordinators, three supervisors, two senior officers, two administrative officers, and three officers since March 2013.