The main highlights for Gozo from Budget 2014, which was presented in Parliament this evening by the Finance Minister, Prof. Edward Scicluna are as follows;

The Minister said that, Government has reviewed the current work practices with a view to identify work in Government Departments and entities that may be transferred to Gozo. The necessary preparations are being carried out to transfer such work to Gozo.

The Ministry for Gozo will also be setting up a Gozo Regional Youth Council. “This council should create a new framework and give a new voice to Gozitan youths.”

A project to build a new Law Court in Gozo will be embarked upon, which is estimated to cost around €12 million. This project will address the space and accessibility problems of the present Law Court, the Minister said.

Government has entered into a contract with the Gozo Curia. Saint Joseph Home will be restructured, embellished and expanded, thus creating facilities and recreation opportunities for the elderly. The home will have 70 laid out spaciously rooms and 140 beds. This project will contribute to significantly increase the quality of life of residents.

Street lighting in Gozo is a pilot project which entails the installation of intelligent street lighting. This is only the initial stage of a nationwide project that will lead to the replacement of all street lights in Malta and Gozo. Government has allocated funds for this proposed EU co-financed project.

This project will contribute to increase national energy efficiency and will ultimately lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions. Furthermore, savings are expected on maintenance since the lifetime of LEDs is about 20 years as opposed to the lifetime of current bulbs which ranges from 3 to 4 years, the Minister said.

An Employment Aid Programme (EAP) will provide employment aid that covers up to half of the wages to Gozitan employers. The scope of the initiative is to promote the recruitment of disadvantaged and/or disabled persons.

In order to increase employability, the Government will be providing a budgetary allocation for the launching of a Gozo.Business Promotion and Incentive Framework.

Government is committed to extend NSO services to Gozo. In this context, a new NSO branch will open in Gozo, the Minister said.

The health centre in Victoria Gozo will be modernised and located near the General Hospital in Gozo. In addition, clinics are going to be devolved to Local Government.

Government is proposing a travel reimbursement scheme for Gozitan children undergoing cancer treatment at Mater Dei Hospital.

The reform will continue that is underway at Gozo General Hospital, with the upgrading the outpatients’ wards, performing the necessary infrastructural works, the opening of a new kitchen and the maintenance of the electrical system.

The Minister said that this year, Government will introduce chemotherapy treatment services in Gozo. A Day Care ward will also be opening in Gozo, and new services are to be offered such as the pain clinic, rheumatology and urology.

A support scheme is being launched to facilitate the digital transition of cinemas in Malta and Gozo. In addition, the scheme aims to increase the circulation and viewership of European audiovisual works and seeks to encourage further accessibility of audiovisual works to a wider public. To support the digital transition of cinemas in Malta and Gozo and to increase the accessibility of audiovisual works.

Permalink: Gozo highlights from Monday evening’s Budget 2014 presentation