XN000022-1995-02-22 — Page 47

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In formulating our social service policies, the criteria adopted for assisting those who have low incomes necessarily vary from sector to sector depending on the public service concerned. Most of our social welfare services are made available to all and are not targetted exclusively at a lower income group, although those with lower incomes are accorded priority for some services such as child care centres, home help services and care and attention homes for the elderly. If a person cannot afford the fees charged for a service there are provisions for them to be waived or for support to be given through CSSA payments or other charitable funds. In the case of child care services, for example, there is a Fee Assistance Scheme.

In the case of medical services, these are provided on the principle that no person should be denied treatment through lack of means. Again waiver systems operate for those who cannot afford to pay. CSSA recipients are granted full exemption from fees.

In the case of public housing, income criteria for assessing eligibility are calculated by reference to the cost of renting housing in the private sector and the non- housing expenditure required to maintain a reasonable standard of living for households of different sizes. In view of the costs of housing in Hong Kong it is not surprising to see that income eligibility criteria in this field are very different from those applicable to social security assistance. For those in need, the main principle of our housing policy is that no one should be made homeless. Use of transit centres and temporary housing areas ensure that this policy objective is met.

In the case of education, nobody is deprived of a place in the education system due to lack of means. In addition to nine years of free and compulsory education, Fee Remission Schemes ensure that students from low income families can also take part in kindergarten education and senior secondary schooling including sixth forms. At tertiary levels, needy students are eligible for a range of loans and grants. The households benefitting from these schemes range from the low-income to lower- middle-income families. Income eligibility criteria for these forms of support are, again, understandably different from those for social security assistance.

In answer to the second part of the question, I would therefore conclude that rather than formulating policies for a lower income group, we generally formulate our social service policies to address the social needs we see and then, having provided services to address those needs, we ensure that everyone, regardless of income, is given access to them, with priority given to those most in need.

End/Wednesday, February 22, 1995