XN000022-1979-04-25 — Page 4

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1979

AN ASSISTANCE SCHEME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED NEXT MONTH TO PROVIDE QUICK CASH RELIEF FOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THE IR DEPENDANTS REGARDLESS OF WHO WAS AT FAULT.

DISCUSSIONS ARE ALSO IN HAND WITH THE ACCIDENT INSURANCE ASSOCIATION ON THE SETTING UP OF A MOTOR INSURER'S BUREAU, WHICH WOULD ENABLE A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM TO OBTAIN MORE ADEQUATE COMPENSATION IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE HE IS UNABLE TO DO SO AT PRESENT.

THESE IMPROVED SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS WILL BE ADDITIONAL TO THOSE GREEN PAPER PROPOSALS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED:

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THE INTRODUCTION FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS OF A LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT, AN OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT AND A SYSTEM OF DISREGARDED INCOME=

THE EXTENSION OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE (PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS THE WELFARE ALLOWANCE) TO COVER PEOPLE UNDER INSTITUTIONAL CARE-

THE LOWERING OF THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE FROM 75 TO 70- AND

* THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT SOCIAL SECURITY

APPEAL BOARD.

ON THE GREEN PAPER PROPOSAL FOR A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTORY SICKNESS, INJURY AND DEATH BENEFIT SCHEME, CONSIDERATION IS CONTINUING SEPARATELY IN ORDER NOT TO DELAY PUBLICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER.

SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY

ON INSTITUTIONAL CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, THE GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE PRIORITY TO THE EXPANSION OF CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES PROVIDING PERSONAL AND NURSING CARE. AN EXTRA 1,400 PLACES ARE PLANNED FOR BY 1982-83, WHILE THE LONG-TERM TARGET IS TO PROVIDE FOUR PLACES FOR EVERY 1,000 POPULATION AGED 60 AND OVER.

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PLAY A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN THE PROVISION OF THESE FACILITIES AND IS NOW EXAMINING THE BEST MEANS OF DOING SO.

THE PROVISION OF HOMES FOR THE AGED WILL ALSO BE EXPANDED AND 1,600 ADDITIONAL PLACES ARE PLANNED BY 1982-83, WITH A CARE AND ATTENTION SECTION TO BE INCLUDED IN NEW HOMES WHEREVER POSSIBLE.

ON HOUSING, AN ESTIMATED 177,000 OLD PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATES, AND A FURTHER 134,000 WILL BE REHOUSED UNDER THE EXISTING CRITERIA BY 1987-88.

IN ADDITION, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ACCEPTED A COMMITMENT OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO REHOUSE 10,000 ELDERLY IN ONE OR TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR HOUSING UNDER THE EXISTING CRITERIA, OF THIS NUMBER, HALF WILL BE ACCOMMODATED IN HOSTELS.

THE HOUSING