Casa hits back at Agius Saliba over €90 billion European Social Fund vote

Nationalist MEP David Casa has insisted that the European Union’s money should be spent where it is needed most when it comes to youth and children, in a statement reacting to claims by Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba.

The two MEPs debated their positions on the negotiations of the €90 billion European Social Fund Plus for the upcoming seven years.

Agius Saliba said he had secured strengthened funding on flagship programmes for youths and children, but flagged the negative vote from Casa as well as the EPP delegation against his critical remarks on the European Parliament for the dismissal of 60 employees working as external staff in the Parliament’s catering services.

“I am disappointed to see a Maltese MEP showing such a lack of knowledge of the European Parliament’s legislative process,” Casa said.

“The amendments Agius Saliba added his name to, are firstly misguided and secondly, insignificant. Had they had any actual impact, they would prevent money going where it is most needed. Agius Saliba is either being disingenuous or has simply not yet understood how real legislation works.”

Both the Parliament and European Council have reached a provisional agreement on the EU Social Fund+ that contributes to social inclusion, job opportunities and fighting poverty.

According to the deal, EU countries where the number of children at a high risk of poverty is above the EU average will have to spend a minimum of 5% of the ESF+ resources on actions that contribute to children’s equal access to free healthcare, free education, free childcare, decent housing and adequate nutrition. Other member states also have to allocate part of their funds to beating child poverty.

All member states will have to address youth unemployment in their spending programmes, a problem that has been aggravated by the COVID-19 crisis.

Both Parliament as a whole and Council now have to endorse the agreement.

Casa, the European Parliament’s Rapporteur on the European Social Fund Plus, said that although governments had opposing views, his vote had ensured that adequate allocations will be made to address youth unemployment and child poverty in every single member state.

“Those Member States with high levels of child poverty will be obliged to use at least 5% of the European Social Fund budget to address child poverty, whilst those Member States with low levels of child poverty would be able to invest that money in other areas where money is needed.

“On youth, the most affected member states will have to spend a minimum of 12.5% of ESF+ funds on youth initiatives. But in every single member state there must be enough for an allocation to fulfil the Child Guarantee and the Youth Guarantee.”