58.
14
To promote community involvement in the
rehabilitation of probationers, a volunteer scheme has been in operation since 1976, Under this scheme, selected volunteers from all walks of life provide probationers with moral support and practical assistance, such as private tuition and guidance in the proper use of leisure. Public res onse towards the scheme has been very encouraging, and there are now 100 volunteers.
59.
B
The Department also operates 5 orrectional institutions with a total capacity of 606 boys and girls of different age groups. These are the O Pui Shan Boys' Home and the Castle Peak Boys' Home which are reformatory schools catering for offenders aged 7-18; the Begonia Road Boys' Home and the Ma Tau Wei Girls Home, which are a combination of remand home, probation home and place of refuge for those under 21; and the Awun Tong Hostel for male probationers aged 16-21 who have outside employment during the day. For boys discharged on licence from the two reformatory schools, aftercare is provideḍ.
Social Security
60.
Social security is provided through the Public Assistance Scheme, the Special Needs .llowance Scheme (covering the elderly and the severely disabled), the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme, the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme, and Emergency Relief.
61.
Public Assistance is a means-tested, non-contributory scheme designed to help needy individuals and families who have lived in Hong Kong for at least one year by bringing their income up to a prescribed level of subsistence. Able- bodied unemployed applicants aged between 15 and 59 must have two years' residence in Hong Kong, and must also be registered with the Local Employment Service for employment. The scales of assistance are reviewed regularly and are adjusted in relation to the cost of living. The present monthly basic scale of assistance is $230 for a single person, $165 for each of the first three eligible members of a family, $140 for each of the succeeding three, and $105 for each eligible member thereafter. Various supplementary benefits are also payable on top of the basie scale rates. An Old Age Supplement of $115 a month is given to Public Assistance recipients aged 60 and above, provided that they are not already receiving a Special Needs Allowance. An annual Long Term Pupplement of $575 for a family and $290 for a single person is given to Public Assistance recipients who have relied on the scheme for more than 12 months, to enable them to purchase household replacements. Supplementary assistance is also available for rent, school expenses, special diets and other essential expenses. With effect from 1 April 1980, a Disability Supplement of $115 a month will be payable to Public Assistance recipients who are partially disabled and are unable fully to support themselves.