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Mater Dei’s Emergency Department To Get Bigger

Mater Dei's Emergency Department To Get Bigger
Oct 28 2024 Share

In 2025, the Maltese government will continue strengthening healthcare with additional capital and recurring investments, leveraging over €140 million in EU funds to upgrade infrastructure and medical equipment.

Upcoming initiatives include expanding the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit services, and creating an Acute Psychiatric Center. To reduce surgery wait times, €14 million will be allocated for public-private cooperation, targeting over 5,000 additional operations next year.

New services will include a Nurse Navigator, a Multisensory Room at Dar Kenn Għal Saħħtek, national communication screening for children over 18 months, centralized national screening, and therapy services for cancer patients.

Occupational Therapy will expand to community and school settings, offering skill-building for individuals aged 16+ and developmental support for children with varying needs. These measures reflect a comprehensive approach to healthcare, ensuring timely and accessible treatment for all.

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€10,000 Grant To Assist 1st Time Homebuyers Extended

€10,000 Grant To Assist 1st Time Homebuyers Extended
Oct 28 2024 Share

Minister Clyde Caruana explained during the 2025 budget that since 2017, over €52 million has been invested to assist 1,391 families in achieving this goal through various scheme

These include the Deposit Guarantee, Equity Sharing, Social Loan, New Hope, and Sir Sid Darek.

The government aims to enhance these initiatives further, focusing on inclusive and sustainable housing solutions for families.

Notably, the First Time Buyers scheme has been particularly successful, receiving 4,895 applications to date, with an additional 463 expected in the coming days.

First-time buyers will continue to benefit from the Grant on First Residence (GFR) scheme and the ongoing reduction in Stamp Duty.

Moreover, the government will extend the reduction in Stamp Duty for second-time buyers, ensuring that more families have the opportunity to secure their homes.

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€1,000 Grant For Couples Getting Married

€1,000 Grant For Couples Getting Married
Oct 28 2024 Share

In the recently announced Budget 2025, the government revealed important enhancements to the marriage grant and support measures for prospective parents.

The grant provided to couples entering marriage or a civil union will increase by nearly €170, raising the total to €500 for each spouse, or €1,000 collectively. This adjustment is anticipated to benefit around 3,000 individuals annually, assisting couples as they start their new life together.

Additionally, the government introduced measures for prospective parents undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

These parents will receive an extra 100 hours of paid leave for each IVF cycle, with the prospective mother entitled to 60 hours and her partner to 40 hours. Notably, this concession currently does not apply to self-employed individuals, but starting next year, self-employed women and their partners will be eligible for the same benefits, ensuring equitable support for families seeking fertility treatment.

Moreover, paternity leave rights will be extended to self-employed fathers. Currently, employed fathers are entitled to 10 days of paternity leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.

The budget will extend this right to self-employed fathers, allowing them 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid leave at the same rate as maternity leave for self-employed women. These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing family support and promoting equity.

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FOOTAGE: Parliament Suspended After Moviment Graffitti Budget Protest

Oct 28 2024 Share

Following a protest by Moviment Graffitti during Malta’s 2025 Budget speech, the organization released a statement highlighting their grievances over what they describe as a critical situation in the country’s planning and environmental policies. Graffitti accused the government of being under the sway of powerful developer interests, claiming this influence has led to unchecked environmental degradation and compromised quality of life for Maltese residents.

In a bold statement, Moviment Graffitti declared, “Our country is facing an emergency situation. Powerful interests have seized hold of politics and other institutions…causing a great deal of suffering, and…threatening our future and that of our children.” They cited examples of developments, such as the pools in Qala and apartment complexes in Birżebbuġa, as cases where construction has persisted despite lacking proper permits.

The protest, which led to a suspension of Parliament, has resonated with many concerned citizens, underscoring the urgency felt by activists regarding changes to planning regulations and the call for reform in enforcement practices.

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