Government issues full list of ministerial responsibilities under Abela’s new Cabinet

The government has published the full list of responsibilities assigned to each ministry and parliamentary secretariat on Friday. The detailed breakdown, issued by the Department of Information, outlines the entities, sectors and responsibilities falling under each minister and parliamentary secretary, including a number of functions that have shifted between ministries since the previous legislature. At the centre of government, Prime Minister Robert Abela, under the Office of the Prime Minister, retained responsibility for the public administration, Cabinet Office, Electoral Commission, people and standards, internal audit and investigations, information services, the Government Printing Press and the Public Service Commission. Health, now under Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, will encompass health services, health services regulation and standards, as well as parliamentary affairs. Active ageing, meanwhile, has been separated into a parliamentary secretariat led by Deo Debattista, who will be responsible for elderly services, community care and homes for the elderly. One of the ministries that has undergone significant restructuring is the Ministry for Accommodation and Lands, headed by Owen Bonnici. The ministry combines responsibilities for social and affordable housing, rent, the management and embellishment of housing areas, government lands and the Lands Registry. Michael Falzon's Ministry for Social Policy and the Family will continue to oversee social policy, family policy, child policy, social security, pensions and solidarity services. Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo's portfolio now formally includes food supply alongside agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture. The ministry will also oversee rural development, horticulture, plant protection, veterinary services and food-related matters. The Ministry for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects, led by Silvio Schembri, has one of the broadest remits in government. It includes artificial intelligence, the business registry, communications, cooperatives, crafts, the digital economy, enterprise support schemes, the Freeport, government investments, industrial parks and hubs, industry, investment promotion, privatisation, small businesses and strategic projects....