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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1984
THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT F EARLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN UNDER TWO YEARS OF AGE AND IMPROVED STAFFING STANDARDS FOR SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES.
+THESE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AS RESOURCES PERMIT.
EARLIER IN
THE YEAR A NEW CODE OF AID FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS WAS INTRODUCED, + HE SAID.
ON THE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, THE GOVERNMENT WAS SEEK ING TO MEET THE IR SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION NEEDS THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF FLATS, WITH FUNDS FROM THE SPECIAL COIN SUSPENSE ACCOUNT, AND THROUGH THE PROVISION OF MORE SELF-CARE AND CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES AND MORE INFIRMARY BEDS, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT BOTH THE SUBVENTED SECTOR AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD IMPORTANT ROLES IN EXPANDING GROUP ACCOMMODATION FOR THE ELDERLY.
+NEVERTHELESS IT IS IMPORTANT TO VIEW THE HOUSING NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE IR WELFARE AS A WHOLE, HE ADDED.
SIR EDWARD SAID THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, WHO WILL PREPARE A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR MEETING SHORTFALLS IN ALL TYPES OF GROUP ACCOMMODATION FOR THE ELDERLY, HAD BEEN MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING THE VARIOUS TYPES OF GROUP ACCOMMODATION FOR THEM, AND FOR ENSURING THAT A PROPER INTEGRATION OF FACILITIES IS ACHIEVED.
ON INFIRMARY BEDS, A FIRM DECISION HAD BEEN MADE TO FUND THE SHA TIN INFIRMARY WHICH SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY 1990, AT AN ESTIMTATED COST OF ABOUT $200 MILLION FROM THE SPECIAL COIN SUSPENSE ACCOUNT, SIR EDWARD SAID.
REGARDING THE NON-CONTRIBUTORY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, WHICH IS THE BASIS OF HONG KONG'S SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WAS REQUIRED, HE SAID.
+THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE IS NOW EXAMINING THE SCHEME AND, IN PARTICULAR, WHETHER THERE IS SCOPE FOR CONSOLIDATING THE VARIOUS PAYMENTS AVAILABLE, AND FOR INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF DISREGARDED INCOME FOR THOSE ABLE TO SUPPLEMENT THE IR ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS WITH MINOR EARNINGS, HE SAID.
HE ALSO REPORTED THAT SOME IMPORTANT LABOUR LEGISLATION WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE COMING YEAR.
+PRIORITY IS BEING GIVEN TO LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING THE FUND FOR THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY, HE SAID.
ALSO BEING PREPARED ARE AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO ENSURE THAT THE ASSETS OF A PROVIDENT FUND ARE PROTECTED AND AVAILABLE FOR THE IR PROPER PURPOSE, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF THREATENED INSOLVENCY.
/+OTHER MATTERS