The number of people employed by the government in a position of trust was not “excessive”, Principal Permanent Secretary Mario Cutajar said.

The Malta Independent on Sunday reported that about 700 people were employed on a trust basis or as consultants by the government.

Mr Cutajar immediately replied “no” when asked whether the figure was too high. There were other administrations before that had engaged more people on a position of trust basis, he said, adding he was not bothered by such type of recruitment.

Once the minister who engaged people on a position of trust basis left office, so would they, Mr Cutajar noted. Furthermore, the appointment of such people did not minimise the importance of the Public Service Commission.

There were other administrations before that had engaged more people on a position of trust basis

In 2013, the first thing the government did was distinguish between the political sector and the administrative sector, he added.

Mr Cutajar also insisted civil servants were not promoted when an election was approaching.

Calls to fill vacancies were filled according to requirements over time but the process would be stopped once the date of the election was announced, he added while addressing a press conference during which he gave an overview of the public service over the last five years.

Mr Cutajar also referred to results of the European Quality of Life Survey 2016.

Malta placed third overall, first in terms of childcare services and second in the education sector and in social housing, he said.