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MALTATODAY 9 October 2022

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8 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 OCTOBER 2022 KARL AZZOPARDI GOVERNMENT forked out €1.7 billion in financial support during the last three years to combat the COVID-19 pandem- ic and its effect on various sec- tors and society. Figures tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Clyde Caru- ana in response to a question by Nationalist MP Ivan Castil- lo show that government spent €663 million in 2020, €706 mil- lion in 2021 and €297 million in the first quarter of this year. National funds contributed €1.5 billion with the rest being European Union assistance. The health ministry was among the largest recipients of funding over and above its nor- mal budget with €74.1 million in 2020, €75.1 million in 2021 and a projected €40 million in 2022. The wage supplement that was paid to workers in sectors where businesses came to a complete halt or were impacted negative- ly because of pandemic restric- tions, was government's largest outlay. The wage supplement cost €380 million in 2020, €353 million in 2021 and a projected €109 million in 2022. The €100 vouchers for people aged 16 and over totalled €43.8 million in 2020 and €44.7 mil- lion in 2021. These vouchers provided a targeted stimulus when restrictions were lifted. Quarantine leave cost govern- ment €3.6 million in 2020 and €5.5 million in 2021. Repatriation and cargo costs saw government fork out €50 million in 2020 when the onset of travel restrictions created havoc with residents of Malta caught up abroad and foreign- ers in Malta unable to fly out through normal channels. Gov- ernment support was necessary to enable specialised flights to help people travel back to their homes. Pandemic: where the €1.7 billion for COVID-19 went COVID government spend in 2020 Sector Wage Supplement Quarantine Leave 50% Utility Bills (Businesses) Rent Subsidy (Businesses) Social Measures (Parent Benefit) Interest Subsidy Scheme 7% fuel price reductions (Jun-2020) Stamp duty reduction, from 5% to 1.5% Capital Gains reduction, from 8% to 5% Port charges, container discharge fee refunds €100 Vouchers Tax Deferrals (5% non-collectable) Postponed Wedding Ceremonies Assistance to NGOs Reimbursement tourism licences fees Tourism Support Schemes Ministry for Health Church/Independent schoools Heritage Malta lost ticket sales Land/Livestock Support Scheme for farmers Fisheries assistance RESTART Cultural Events support Elderly Homes assistance TOTAL

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