‘Another Joke In This Country’: Public Figures Slam PA’s Irrestawra Darek Scheme After It Crashes Within Minutes
A number of politicians and public figures have slammed the Planning Authority’s (PA) Irrestawra Darek scheme after it crashed within minutes.
The Irrestawra Darek grant scheme 2023, aimed at homeowners who want to renovate their old houses, opened yesterday – before closing again almost immediately, buckling under the pressure of an “overwhelming” influx of applications.
Public backlash ensued, with public figures such as Adrian Delia, Arnold Cassola, Albert Buttigieg, and even influencer Taryn Mamo Cefai, speaking out against the scheme.
“It opened at noon and crashed at 12.01. It opened again a few minutes later but all the funds had been finished. 4 Million allocated within 40 seconds. Absolute record. Zero transparency,” PN MP Adrian Delia said.
“Restore your house? More like, restore your website,” Independent candidate Arnold Cassola said.
“What’s happening with this scheme? Today at noon, this scheme opened, and many people contacted me, saying that their architects attempted to submit their applications even at 12:01, but the system rejected them,” PN MP Rebekah Borg said.
“Not because the funds had run out, but because the system failed. Now those who did not get their applications accepted are being told that the funds have already been exhausted.”
“I can’t believe that just a minute after the system crashed, the minister said that 300 people had applied! How is that possible when the system was already down?” PN MP Albert Buttigieg said.
Meanwhile, social media personality and radio host Taryn Mamo Cefai also took to her Instagram stories to criticize the ordeal, even saying that this was her second time trying to apply for the grant.
“Just another joke in this country. Just as long as we encourage young people to invest and renovate houses located within the Urban Conservation Area,” she said.
“What a complete waste of time and money for both architects and applicants alike! Clearly not the only one frustrated,” she said, uploading a screenshot with tons of messages reaching out to her to lament the scheme.
The Kamra tal-Periti also called out the PA after the launch failed spectacularly: “The launch of the Irrestawra Darek scheme earlier today signalled the epitome of the Planning Authority’s disregard for the profession.”
Meanwhile, the PA published a statement yesterday afternoon shortly after it closed, saying that it received an overwhelming response from applicants within minutes.
“The Irrestawra Darek grant scheme received an overwhelming response from applicants within minutes of its launch. As a result, the category for private owners of residences located within an Urban Conservation Area (UCA) has been closed due to high demand and over-subscription,” the Planning Authority said yesterday.
“This category was allotted €4 million of the scheme’s €5 million budget. The evaluation process will be commencing shortly.”
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