formulation of policies and on the criteria for the registration of (i) special education needs institutions; (ii) the teaching and non-teaching staff, and any other resource person, of special education needs institutions. 132. In the budget 2019/2020, a provision of total amount of Rs 138 million is being earmarked for NGOs running Special Education Needs Schools. Moreover, Government will provide funds for the construction of ramps, handrails and adapted toilets for disabled students of 20 State Secondary Schools. PROTECTION OF ELDERLY PERSONS 133. Government has increased the monthly grant to employees of residential care homes and institutions that are caring mostly for our elders with disabilities, from Rs 6,071 to Rs 8,500, that is by 40 percent. 134. All citizens of Mauritius are entitled to the Universal Basic Retirement Pension on reaching the age of 60 years. However, they have to satisfy the residency requirements. Though Government increased the official retirement age to 65 years, all citizens are benefiting the BRP as from the age of 60 even though they are still in employment. Between December 2014 and January 2019, the monthly Basic Retirement Pension has increased by 70 % from Rs 3,623 to Rs 6,210. As from January 2020, the old age pension will be Rs 6,710 per month, an increase of Rs 500. 135. Following the promotional visit of the Commissioner from the African Union Commission in December 2018, Government is looking into the possibility of acceding to the Protocol to The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on The Rights of Older Persons in Africa. A technical committee is looking at all the implications for an eventual signature / ratification of the Charter. 136. An Anti-Influenza Vaccination programme targeting elderly persons from the age of 60 years is carried out every year. A sum of Rs 15,825,000 has been disbursed in 2018/2019 accordingly as opposed to Rs 8,491,952 in 2017/2018, in view of the fact that the quadrivalent vaccines have been provided. 137. When the policy of domiciliary visits was introduced, only persons aged 90 and above benefitted from the scheme on a monthly basis. In 2017, this scheme was extended to persons aged 75 and if they were bedridden or severely disabled. This service has been extended to bedridden persons of 60 years and as from July 2019. 77,683 visits were made for period July 2018 to June 2019.In addition, inmates of Charitable Institutions are also entitled to such a service. 138. Elderly persons also benefit from assistance in-kind such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, and spectacles. These are mean tested. Moreover, allowances for dentures; incontinence allowance 42