3.
ONEIDENTIAL
(ii) the maximum fee assistance should be granted if the
income after the deduction of rent (see (i) above) is
less than or equal to the Public Assistance level for
the family concerned, rounded up to the nearest $100;
(iii) above the income level described in (ii)
the rate of fee assistance will
be reduced by $15 for each
•
additional $100 earned.
This represents larger
income steps and a lower rate of reduction than
that proposed in the Green Paper.
These measures represent a significant improvement over the Green Paper
proposals. A sample fee assistance table for a four-member family is given in
Appendix 6.
8.6
The rates of maximum fee assistance will be revised at regular intervals
to take into account prevailing fee levels in non-profit-making pre-primary
institutions.
8.7
As proposed in the Green Paper, families purchasing their own homes
will be permitted to treat mortgage payments as equivalent to rent for the
purpose described in paragraph 8.5.
8.8
The Director of Education has powers to control fees in kindergartens.
It is intended to provide the Director of Social Welfare with similar powers in
respect of child care centres.
8.9
All assessments of family entitlements to fee assistance for both
child care centres and kindergartens will be undertaken by, the Social Welfare
Department which will then issue eligibility certificates indicating the amount
of fee assistance to be granted. The calculated fee assistance will be paid
direct to the institutions concerned by the Social Welfare Department in respect
of child care centres and the Education Department in respect of kindergartens.
The payment of fee assistance in respect of any child will be dependent upon the
institution certifying the continued attendance of that child.