In a statement issued this evening the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono resonded to the opposition spokesperson, Dr Anton Refalo, over his comments on the budget cuts for Gozo.

The Minister said that “the Gozo Ministry budget had in fact been increased by €2.3 million on the figure for last year and that every year the Government increases its investment in Gozo.”

The statement by the Minister said that “it was not true that the only service available for the elderly in Gozo was the Home Help Care Service, in fact the elderly can benefit from far more services, such as meals on wheels, the handyman service, telecare, a day centre for which elderly from all over the island can attend throughout the year and the University of the Third Age.The Governement also has the Dar Sant’ Anna residence for elderly women and a geriatric section for men.”

The Minister went on to say “that the tourism sector in Gozo has never been given so much attention as it has in recent years.” She said that “Dr Refalo originally criticised the building project of the Gozo Institute for Tourism Studies and now criticises the fact that the budget for the school has been reduced. The Government has invested over €50,000 a year to advertise Gozo as a tourist destination. This advertising also included the cruise industry and 20 cruise liners already having confirmed that they will make Gozo a port of call, with the possibility that this number could increase.”

In the statement the Minister said that “the Government had never been afraid to say that employment is the biggest challenge for the island. However, figures from the ETC showed that in the last four years there had been 2,290 vacancies and the ETC had found employment for 699 people through direct placement. Female participation also increased by 676 women.”

“There was also the Gozo Employment Aid Scheme which was later adopted nationally as the Employment Aid Programme under which 450 workers were employed within 150 Gozo enterprises. Also 200 of the 700 companies able to benefit from the Microinvest scheme operated in Gozo.”

“Gozo benefitted from the eco-Gozo concept by investment in the economy, environment, the social sector, investment and in cultural and historical projects,” the Minister said.

The statement from the Minister concluded by saying that “the Government has a clear vision for Gozo which is enhanced by the work programme and continued investment which will benefit all Gozitan families.”

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