XN000022-1995-07-19 — Page 107

Reply:

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82 -

Mr President:

My reply is as follows:

(a)

NLCDPs are carried out by non-governmental organisations with full subvention from SWD. For each NLCDP team, the notional staffing comprises 1/5 Social Work Officer, 1 Assistant Social Work Officer, 2 Social Work Assistants and 1 Clerical Assistant. The manpower and financial input for the past three years are as follows:

1992/93

1993/94

1994/95

No. of Teams

52

53

54

Actual Expenditure ($Mn)

38.094

44.344

50.225

(b)

(c)

A comprehensive range of welfare services are provided throughout the territory including old urban areas in accordance with planning standards based on target population or actual demands. Activities and services for community building are catered for under the District Administration which is fully implemented in all 18 districts. In views of the above, the Government does not, at this stage, foresee the need for another organisation to take over the two pilot NLCDP projects in Nam Cheong and Mong Kok South when they will come to an end in 3 years' time.

We have held many meetings with the Hong Kong Council of Social Services, the Social Workers' General Union, NLCDP workers, and residents' groups to explain to them the reasons for rationalising the NLCDP service. We have also attended DB meetings to discuss the issue. We have been able to hear many views on the subject. These views will be fully taken into account when the matter is considered by the Executive Council.

End/Wednesday, July 19, 1995