XN000022-1994-11-30 — Page 42

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1994

21

SUBSIDY TO YOUTH AND ELDERLY CENTRES

FOLLOWING IS A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING AND A WRITTEN REPLY BY THE SECRETARY. FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS KATHERINE FOK, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):

QUESTION AT PRESENT, THE OPERATING COSTS OF YOUTH CENTRES RUN BY SUBVENTED NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS ARE FULLY SUBSIDISED

BY

THE GOVERNMENT, WHEREAS SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY RUN BY THESE ORGANISATIONS ARE GRANTED SUBSIDY TO MEET 80 PER CENT OF THEIR OPERATING COSTS. IN VIEW OF THIS, WILL THE GOVERNMENT INFORM THIS COUNCIL:

(A)

(B)

(C)

OF

THE REASONS FOR THE DIFFERENCE IN THE LEVEL OF SUBSIDY GIVEN TO THESE TWO TYPES OF SERVICE CENTRES;

WHETHER THE CURRENT SUBVENTION POLICY WILL BE REVIEWED IN ORDER ΤΟ DISPEL ANY PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF THE GOVERNMENT NEGLECTING THE WELL-BEING OF ELDERLY PEOPLE; AND

OF THE RESPECTIVE UTILISATION RATES OF YOUTH CENTRES AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE PAST THREE YEARS?

REPLY:

THE REPLY IS AS FOLLOWS:

MAJOR REVIEW

1981

YOUTH

DEVELOPMENTAL

UNDER THOSE

(A) DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SUBVENTION FOR THE TWO SERVICES

WERE BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF A ON WELFARE SUBVENTIONS CONDUCTED IN CENTRES, WHICH AIM TO FOSTER THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, WERE PLACED SERVICES WHICH RECEIVE 100 PER CENT SUBVENTION. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, WHICH PROVIDE SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY, WAS FIXED AT 70 PER CENT OF THE OPERATING COSTS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY WAS RAISED TO 80 PER CENT IN 1990 IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING ROLE THE CENTRES PLAYED IN MEETING THE SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE.

(B)

THE WORKING GROUP ON THE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY HAS RECOMMENDED THAT A SEPARATE CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE OBJECTIVES AND FUNCTIONS OF SOCIAL CENTRES BE CONDUCTED. THE GOVERNMENT WILL EXAMINE THE QUESTION OF SUBVENTION FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THIS STUDY. IT SHOULD BE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PROPOSED PROVISION OF 100 PER CENT SUBVENTION TO SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY WOULD CONSTITUTE A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE TO THE SUBVENTION" POLICY AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NEED TO CONSIDER IMPLICATIONS IN DETAIL.

THE

/(C) YOUTH CENTRES