In a reaction to the press conference held this morning by PL leader Joseph Muscat, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care issued a statement holding that people working past their retuirement age already do not forefeit their pensions.

The statement read that currently over 11,000 elderly people are currently part of the labour force and receive both a salary and their penmsion.

2000 attend the 21 day centres where elderly people are presented with computer courses, discussions related to health issues and a variety of topics. The elderly also attend courses held at Univeristy, the Department of Lifelong Learning and MCA.

The Standards Directorate regulates the standard of care at residences and is also responsable for the issuing of licences for elderly homes including private ones, whilst the Government has exempted private nursing from paying VAT and has introduced a free home help service which also delivers medicines to private residential houses, the statement held.

Labour to increase pensions

Pensions will rise to a minimum of 60% of the average national income, Labour Leader Joseph Muscat pledged this morning.

Dr Muscat described this plan as “ambitious but realistic,” explaining that the project will begin next legislature. The Labour Leader was addressing a press conference near the entrance of Saint Vincent De Paul home in Luqa, where he spoke about his party’s Manifesto, with particular emphasis on the elderly.

The PL Leader spoke on the idea of active aging, indicating that new Government will help the elderly integrate more with the community. He added that pensioners who choose to keep working after the pensionable age will receive their full pension.

Comprehensive legislation regarding the regulation of elderly homes must be introduced, Dr Muscat said, adding that this would cover the day to day workings, as well as the professionals who work within these institutions.

Joseph Muscat spoke about Day Centres, emphasising the need to further develop them as well as improve the Lifelong Learning Hubs. These hubs will be expanded with the help of the elderly themselves, he proposed, adding that a new residents board will be created in every elderly institution.