XN000022-1997-02-26 — Page 23

Publicity on CSSA stepped up

Following is a question by the Hon David Chu and a reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

The findings of the surveys conducted by community organisations indicate that many of the 500,000 people living in abject poverty in the territory are unaware of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) scheme. Will the Government inform this Council of the measures being taken to facilitate those least able to help themselves to come forward to apply for assistance under the CSSA scheme?

Reply:

Mr President,

The Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme seeks to provide assistance to those financially vulnerable members of our community, to enable recipients to meet their basic and special needs.

While we do not accept the methodologies of the surveys referred to in the Question and the conclusion that there are 500,000 people living in abject poverty, we acknowledge that there is a continuing need to publicize the CSSA Scheme and to make it more readily accessible. We have over the years adopted a four-pronged approach to facilitate the needy, to come forward to apply for assistance under the CSSA Scheme.

Firstly, we have stepped up publicity to help the general public, in particular applicants, to acquire a better understanding of the assistance available:

(a)

(b)

Since November 1996, SWD staff have regularly gone on phone-in programmes on the CSSA Scheme on Radio Hong Kong. The most recent occasion was "The Hong Kong Spirit" on 9 and 10 January 1997 when questions from some 20 dial-in callers were answered;

Starting on 25 February this year, an Announcement of Public Interest (API) will be broadcast regularly on every radio channel. SWD will also be producing an API to be broadcast shortly on the television network;