Social policy was at a standstill under Dolores Cristina – YMCA chair

Social policy was at a complete standstill for three whole years, under the tenure of education minister Dolores Cristina, the YMCA chairman Jean Paul Mifsud said in an interview with Sunday newspaper Illum.

"Effectively cooperation was inexistent for three years. Obviously operations continued, however here was no vision for the sector," Mifsud said.

He however claimed that the situation has improved since social policy was taken over by justice minister Chris Said at the beginning of the year.

Mifsud pointed out that this state of affairs was recognised by the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who removed the sector from Cristina's portfolio when he carried out a cabinet reshuffle in January.

The YMCA chairman insists that Cristina ignored the plight of the homeless and other social cases. "If you do not accept that the problem exists, you cannot seek a solution."

Read more in today's edition of Illum