XN000022-1995-07-26 — Page 44

· 32 -

Reply:-

Mr President,

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

We do not intend to adjust the recommended pay scale following the recent salary revision for the civil service. Unlike subvented child care centres, kindergartens are operated by the private sector, and pay adjustments are matters within the discretion of the operators themselves.

The total subsidy payable under the Kindergarten Subsidy Scheme is estimated to be $45 million for the 1995/96 school year. This figure is based on the information submitted by kindergartens which have applied to join the Scheme in the 1995/96 school year. The estimate is subject to revision in September 1995 when the actual enrolment is known.

The Government will review the Kindergarten Subsidy Scheme in early 1996, taking account of the operational experience gained after the implementation of the Scheme in September 1995. In the review, the Government will consider, among other things, whether the cut-off point should be revised.

At this stage, we are not able to provide information on the effect of raising entry qualifications for child care workers on the fees charged by child care centres. This is because the annual fee assessment exercise for individual child care centres will not be completed until next month. The approved fee for aided child care centres is set at the break-even fee as assessed by the Social Welfare Department. The impact will therefore depend on the financial position of individual child care centres. A Fee Assistance Scheme is in place to provide financial assistance to needy families to meet the child care centre fees.

End/Wednesday, July 26, 1995