The social welfare system in Malta : identifying gaps in the provision of benefits and services

Abstract

Social protection systems are “designed to protect people against the risks associated with unemployment, parental responsibilities, sickness/health care and invalidism, the loss of a spouse or parent, old age, housing and social exclusion” (Eurostat website, 2019). They include sets of policies that seek to protect individuals and groups against social risks (UNICEF, 2013). Even though models of social protection systems vary across different countries, each country is responsible to organise and finance its social protection systems (Eurostat, 2019). The Ministry for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity entrusted the Faculty for Social Wellbeing to conduct a gap analysis of the social welfare system in Malta, given the fact that developments and changes in social life lead to changes in social needs, which require a review and possible adaptation of social services in order to address such changing needs. The present study sought to find out what these needs are, and how to meet them effectively. The goal of the study on “The Social Welfare System in Malta – Identifying gaps in the provision of benefits and services” was to provide an overview of the systems of social protection, security and assistance in Malta. The research study covered the provision of benefits and services to different population cohorts. It also identified any gaps that exist in the provision of these benefits and services and discusses possible measures which can be used to overcome such gaps.