10
福社
Social Welfare
D
DURING the year, further improvements were made in the provision of social welfare services, in line with the policy objectives stated in the three White Papers - Integrating the Disabled into the Community: A United Effort; Social Welfare into the 1980s; and Primary Education and Pre-Primary Services, which were published in 1979, 1980 and 1981 respectively.
The government's housing scheme to provide self-contained accommodation for elderly people who are able to live independently in the community has continued. A further 23 flats were made available in a private housing development. Including the 80 flats purchased in 1983, the scheme has now provided accommodation for 595 elderly people. To focus efforts more effectively on the provision of self-care and care-and-attention homes, the Director of Social Welfare assumed responsibility for the strategic planning of group accommodation for the elderly.
The non-contributory Public Assistance Scheme, which is intended to help needy families and individuals, remains the most important element of the social security system. The level of cash benefits made available under the scheme was increased by about 13 per cent in February. The administration of this and other social security schemes has been enhanced by the introduction of a computerised system.
In the field of family welfare services, reviews of the family casework and home help services were initiated, following recommendations made by the 1984 Five Year Plan Review Committee. The number of foster care places available for children increased from 40 to 120 during the year and close liaison between the Social Welfare Department's Central Foster Unit and the welfare agencies supervising placement of children has continued. The Working Group on Child Abuse completed in late 1983 a general review of the handling of child abuse cases. The Working Group was reconvened in 1984 and reviewed the implementation of the recommendations and considered further improve- ments, which are being put into effect.
Direct welfare services continue to expand. The year saw the opening of one self-care home for the elderly, with a capacity of 85 places, and four social centres for the elderly. Twelve child care centres were opened to provide 1 070 places for children aged between two and six years and the number of foster places available for children increased from 40 to 120. Increased provision of community services for the disabled included 335 additional places in sheltered workshops for the disabled and 40 places in day work activity centres for the severely disabled. Four community halls were built to provide venues for a wide range of community activities.
For the 1984-5 financial year, the total estimated expenditure on social welfare is $1,677.2 million, with $1,385.5 million being spent on public assistance and the related special needs allowances. In addition, subventions total about $400.9 million. A working