XN000022-1996-10-16 — Page 49

-

· 41 ·

Reply:

(a)

(b)

Many voluntary agencies or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are used by Government to provide services designed to address problems faced by new arrivals. In addition, new arrivals are, of course, entitled to use the full range of social services for example, education, employment services, medical and health services and social welfare services, available to all other members of the public in Hong Kong. As regards specialised services, the Education Department subvents NGOs to provide special induction and extension programmes for the children of new arrivals. The Home Affairs Department has sought assistance from local organisations in organising orientation and language programmes at District level. The Social Welfare Department subvents the International Social Service (ISS) to provide a range of post- migration services. These include enquiry and information services, orientation programmes, social groups, short-term counselling and casework services, referral services for those in need of further assistance, and language courses.

In view of the increasing influx of new arrivals, it is clear that these specialised services will need to be expanded as necessary to cope with demand. For example, the subvention to the ISS has been doubled this year to provide for a major expansion of their services for new arrivals. Subject to the availability of resources, the Government departments concerned will enhance their efforts in assisting new arrivals next year. Their plans in this regard can be announced only once funding for them has been secured in the budget estimates for 1997-98.

NGOs should face no particular difficulties in the long term planning of their services simply because funding for them is allocated annually. Once Government has agreed to subvent an NGO service, it is highly unlikely to withdraw such support at short notice and thus long term planning for its development should be possible. It should be noted that the recurrent funding for Government services is also allocated annually but this does not prevent long term planning for such services.

End