Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1482478
5 maltatoday | TUESDAY • 25 OCTOBER 2022 BUDGET2023 €1.9 billion €930 million €922 million €764 million €830 million €700 million €409 million Out €7.8 billion Total expenditure COMPILED BY KURT SANSONE Social Policy The ministry with the largest budget will fork out €754 million in retirement pensions next year, €63 million more than 2022. Children's Allowance payments will cost €49 million, €4.5 million more. Local loans will form the bulk of government's borrowing, required to balance the books Health A sure sign of the times is a reduction of the budget for COVID-19 supplies to €15 million next year from €25 million in 2022. The Pharmacy of Your Choice scheme will see an increase in budget of €7 million to €20.5 million. Government will be spending €50.4 million and €29 million on health concession agreements with Steward Healthcare for the Gozo and Karin Grech hospitals respectively. Capital Investment Capital investment will be higher than it was this year but significantly, a third of the expenditure is expected to come from EU funds. Investment in roads will continue with a budget of €90 million. As part of its electoral pledge to invest €700 million in urban greening projects over seven years, Budget 2023 starts by allocating the first €10 million. Home Affairs and equality €239 million Active ageing €223 million Other €859 million This amount includes the rest of the ministries and independent offices, such as those of the President, the Ombudsman, the NAO, the Standards Commissioner and parliament. Education The University of Malta will receive €91 million, MCAST €41 million and the Junior College €11 million. Church schools will receive a subsidy of €112 million, while the Mariam Al Batool school will get €400,000. The extension of the school transport network will cost €54 million. Malta will be hosting the Games of the Small States of Europe next year and €1 million have been earmarked for the event. Environment and energy Energy support measures will cost €580 million next year as government attempts to maintain stability in the face of international price hikes. The maintenance of public gardens will see its budget cut by €1 million to €500,000. Other payments These payments include loan repayments and interest on loans. Finance The free child care scheme will cost €36 million next year, €5 million more than 2022. The FIAU has been allocated €11.5 million, an increase of €600,000, while the MFSA will see its budgets cut by €500,000.