XN000022-1991-04-17 — Page 27

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991

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BIG IMPROVEMENTS IN WELFARE MADE IN RECENT YEARS

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A

HONG KONG HAS TAKEN BIG STRIDES IN RECENT YEARS IN PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY NET TO HELP THOSE IN NEED WHILST MAINTAINING ITS SIMPLE TAX STRUCTURE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

OUTLINING THE IMPROVEMENTS IN WELFARE IN RECENT YEARS

IN

THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MRS WONG SAID OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS ALONE, THE TERRITORY'S ANNUAL EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SECURITY HAD INCREASED BY 90 PER CENT TO JUST OVER $3.1 BILLION.

"MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME. A HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE HAS BEEN INTRODUCED.

"THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY LOWERED ΤΟ 65.

THE ALLOWANCE NOW BENEFITS 368,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE OF THE AGE 65 AND ABOVE AT AN ANNUAL COST OF $1.6 BILLION,

"AN ADDITIONAL CHILD SUPPLEMENT WILL BE INTRODUCED THIS YEAR TO COVER THE SPECIAL NERDS OF CHILDREN IN FAMILIES RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT NEARLY 22,000 CHILDREN WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS SUPPLEMENT," SHE SAID.

BOARD.

ON

"THE

SERVICES, MRS WONG SAID THESE TOO HAD IMPROVED ACROSS THE

NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES HAS INCREASED BY 44 PER CENT TO 416 UNITS.

17 'SUBVENTED PLACES IN CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES AND HOMES FOR THE AGED HAVE DOUBLED TO JUST OVER 8,200 PLACES. THE NUMBER OF MULTI- SERVICE CENTRES AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY HAS INCREASED FROM 10 AND 76 RESPECTIVELY TO 17 AND 121.

"ADDITIONAL AIDED DAY NURSERIES WITH 6,200 PLACES HAVE OPENED, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 178 NURSERIES WITH NEARLY 20,000 PLACES," SHE SAID.

"NEW EFFECTIVE MODES OF SERVICE ARE BEING DEVELOPED THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE ARRANGEMENTS AND EXTENDED OR FLEXIBLE NURSERY HOURS, SHE ADDED.

It

THE

MRS WONG SAID THE FOCUS ON THE FAMILY AS THE KEY ELEMENT IN SOCIETY PREDESTINED THE STEPPING UP OF SERVICES TO HELP AND REACH OUT TO FAMILIES INCLUDING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES, AS WELL AS STRENGTHENING OF SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS HOME HELP AND DAY CARE CHILDREN.

FOR

"THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE INDICATORS NOT ONLY OF THE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BUT ALSO PROVIDE A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH ORGANISATIONS, SHE SAID.

"

NON-GOVERNMENTAL

/MRS WONG