CONFIDENTIAL
機密
It is
Resources
to charge fees because their perceived and traditional role is to
serve less well-off families. However, social security benefits have
como a long way since the days of dry rations and cooked meals.
not mreasonable for those who receive social security benefits to be
asked to make some contribution to the cost of services which they
enjoy. In particular the Special Needs Allowances are intended to
enable specific client groups to purchase services, where appropriate.
Expenditure on social security benefits is an increasing and open-ended commitment. There is a growing demand for new and better social welfare
services and because overseas aid is no longer forthcoming, the Government
has perforce to make available most of the funds required for these
services. At the same time, needs in other areas such as housing,
education and health are also increasing and have to be met.
available for social welfare services cannot therefore be unlimited.
All these factors point to a need for a reappraisal of the present practice on fee charging to reconcile the Government's social security benefits to needy individuals and the financial subsidies given to voluntary agencies in providing services, and to ensure that the Government's objectives in each area of service are not frustrated by making a service free. For example, an elderly person who receives both Public Assistance and an Old Age Allowance, but who pays nothing or very little towards his care and maintenance in an old people's home,
would obviously be better off than an elderly person who has to be looked after by his family. This would be unjust and would conflict with the Government's objective of promoting carc of the elderly in
the community.
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
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