Fgura residents to be served with a new Local Social Security Office

Fgura residents will no longer have the hassle of having to go to either the District Office of Paola or that of Zabbar to get assistance on Social Security matters. During the past three years, many Fgura residents including the elderly and mothers with child had complained of the difficulties, which they encountered to access social services. “We have attended to these concerns, and we are today launching a brand new area office, manned by a Manager and other officers. It is pertinent to say that during 2002, there were 3,364 claims for social security benefits emanating from Fgura residents, and this shows how important it was to invest in setting up this office which represents an investment of Lm50,000” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi when inaugurating this office this morning.

A similar situation is being faced by the Siggiewi residents and for this reason, as from next Friday, a sub-area social security office shall start operating within the premises of the Siggiewi Local Council in an initiative which saw the Siggiewi Local Council team up with the Department of Social Security to provide social services two times a week.

“This brings the total number of totally refurbished Social Security Offices to 10, half the complement for Malta. We have not stopped here though. During the past four years, though the intelligent use of technology, we have been able to provide services related to the elderly and community services through the area offices. All community services can be applied for on-line through these local offices. Registration of the unemployed has been modernised through fingerprint registration. In addition, through a training initiative established with the Westin Dragonara Resort, Social Security employees have been trained in customer care, telephone skills and communication skills. In addition, the Information Management Unit within the Ministry for Social Policy is currently providing training in various aspects of ICT to all employees and Managers of all Social Secuirty District Offices. “

“We are therefore not only investing to make our service delivery more attractive, but we have also invested to increase the efficiency and productivity of our human resources so that social services are better and quicker”, explained Minister Gonzi.

Minister Gonzi thanked all those involved including the Ministry’s maintenance and carpentry sections which were responsible for the conversion of this office within a short timespan.

Alan Camilleri
Communications Co-ordinator

9th April 2003