Ceaseless disability support

My recent visit to the Aġenzija Sapport day centre at Mtarfa was a great opportunity for me, as the minister concerned, to explain the Budget 2026 measures for the disability and voluntary sectors. An overwhelmingly popular budget that dedicates no less than €69 million (an increase of €9.3 million) to the two sectors sees the launching of three new projects in the new year.

A major project for 2026 will be the construction of a new respite centre in Dingli specifically designed and aimed at welcoming young men and women with disabilities. It is scheduled to be completed by the last quarter of the new year.

It is well established that raising children and teenagers with disabilities requires strong commitment from parents and caregivers. While parents and caregivers are dedicated to meeting their children’s needs, they may still experience periods of burnout. The new Dingli centre will offer much-needed mental and physical respite for both parents and caregivers, ultimately benefiting the children as well.

Another project is the creation of the first inclusive hub in Rabat, developed through a partnership between Aġenzija Sapport and the local council. The hub will be open to persons with disabilities as well as the wider Rabat community, from the young and senior citizens to local voluntary organisations. Together, they will have ample opportunities for shared activities and community gatherings.

The third project is a pilot project for the provision of more accessible transport services to persons with disabilities. This will entail the bolstering of the Empowerment Scheme, which provides for the allocation of financial support to persons with disabilities seeking to purchase specialised equipment required for them to lead an independent life within their own homes, their locality and their community.

The service will now be extended to all wheelchair-bound persons in Malta and Gozo, among them persons with disabilities and senior citizens, who cannot make use of public transport.

A major project for 2026 is the construction of a new respite centre in Dingli- Julia Farrugia

However, it doesn’t stop there. A fourth level of eligibility to the Disability Benefit at the rate of 70% of the Disability Assistance allowance will be introduced. This will cater for those persons whose non-functionality grading is not low but insignificantly lower than the medium requirement. This measure will now make them eligible for a Disability Benefit.

The Carer’s Grant will also benefit from a budget boost of €179.24 to an annual total of €5,368.89, which is now also being provided to parents who stop working to enable them to see to the needs of their under-16 children with severe disabilities.

Yet another Budget 2026 increase – €250 up to a annual total of €1,000 per child – goes to the existing refunding scheme that helps cover expenses on therapy sessions for under-16 children. Another important change to this scheme concerns the eligibility factor, with age 23 now being the established threshold.

One other highlight of the 2026 Budget concerning the disability sector is an investment of €1 million in Special Olympics Malta, a voluntary organisation that offers sporting services and opportunities for the development of athletes with intellectual disabilities. It is, no doubt, a timely financial injection to Special Olympics Malta as it prepares for a major international swimming event next year for persons with intellectual disabilities from 50 different countries around the world.

Our work toward greater inclusivity, justice and equality has been continuous and Budget 2026 once again reinforces the Maltese state’s unwavering commitment to this mission.

Julia Farrugia is Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector.