XN000022-1983-02-23 — Page 24

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983.

ABOUT $70M INCREASE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURE

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THE GOVERNMENT IS TO SPEND AN ESTIMATED $1 711.3 MILLION ON SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES IN 1983-84, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $1 642.1 MILLION IN 1982-83.

THE ESTIMATE INCLUDES PROVISION OF $403 MILLION FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, COMPARED WITH $309 MILLION IN 1982-83, AND $658.8 MILLION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES ($468 MILLION IN 1982-83), THE LATTER INCLUDING $8.8 MILLION FOR A NON-MEANS-TESTED DEATH GRANT WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED IN 1983-84.

DEATH GRANTS WILL BE PAYABLE TO THE DEPENDENT SURVIVORS OF PERSONS WHO DIE IN EMPLOYMENT IF THE DECEASED ARE NOT COVERED BY THE TERMS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE OR IF THE SURVIVORS ARE NOT IN RECEIPT OF ANY OTHER FORM OF COMPENSATION OR EX-GRATIA ASSISTANCE.

THE ESTIMATE ALSO PROVIDES $352 MILLION FOR RECURRENT SUBVENTIONS OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, COMPARED WITH $312 MILLION IN 1982-83. THE MONEY WILL BE CHANNELLED TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES UNDER THE REVISED SUBVENTION SYSTEM APPROVED IN OCTOBER 1981.

ON REHABILITATION SERVICES, A TOTAL OF $622.91 MILLION WILL BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS.

AMONG THE SERVICES IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENTS ARE :

* PROGRAMME TO PREVENT SERIOUS DISABILITY BY DETECTION OF

ABNORMALITIES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD -- FUNDS ARE PROVIDED FOR 22 FULL-TIME AND 20 PART-TIME CENTRES FOR SUCH TESTS:

* ADDITIONAL PLACES IN AIDED SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMME

TO BUILD NEW SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND TO CONVERT ORDINARY SCHOOL BUILDINGS FOR USE AS SPECIAL SCHOOLS!

* IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL, PROVISION OF MORE HOSPITAL BEDS FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED AND THE SETTING UP OF MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE IN-PATIENT SERVICES - THE FIRST OF THREE GOVERNMENT MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRES WILL BE LOCATED IN THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, AND IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A $26 MILLION CENTRE AT SANDY BAY BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION;

* PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL PLACES IN DAY CHILD CARE CENTRES FOR MODERATELY DISABLED CHILDREN, ONE ADDITIONAL SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRE FOR 60 DISABLED CHILDREN AND FOUR

ADDITIONAL SOCIAL/RECREATIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DISABLED IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR; AND

* PROVISION OF 120 ADDITIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING PLACE

FOR THE DISABLED IN BOTH GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED SECTORS IN 1983-84 TO BRING THE TOTAL TO 600.

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