ENG-1977 — Page 166

SOCIAL WELFARE

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However, the most significant development was the establishment, by the Po Leung Kuk, Mental Health Association of Hong Kong and Caritas, of three experimental centres for the severely mentally retarded. Capital and recurrent expenses for the first four years of operation of these centres are being met by the Lotteries Fund.

Probation and Corrections

The Probation and Corrections Division of the Social Welfare Department supervises offenders on probation, operates correctional institutions, and conducts social in- quiries directed by the courts to determine and review sentences. Probation officers are attached to the courts and their duties include supervising offenders, counselling probationers, and organising their participation in educational, social, recreational and community service activities.

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To promote community involvement in the rehabilitation of probationers, a volun- teer pilot scheme for probationers was officially launched in October, 1976. This scheme allows a selected number of volunteers from all walks of life to befriend probationers and to give them moral support and practical assistance, such as private tutoring and guidance in the proper use of leisure time. Public response towards the scheme has been very encouraging.

The division also operates five correctional institutions with a total capacity of 590 boys and girls of different age groups. They are the O Pui Shan and Castle Peak Boys' Homes, which are reformatory schools; the Begonia Road Boys' Home, which is a combination of a remand home, a probation home and a place of refuge; the Ma Tau Wei Girls' Home, which is being reprovisioned; and the Kwun Tong Hostel for work- ing male probationers. Aftercare is provided for boys discharged on licence from the reformatory schools.

Social Security

Social security is provided through the public assistance scheme, the welfare allowance scheme (covering the elderly aged 75 and over and those who are severely disabled), the criminal and law enforcement injuries compensation scheme, and emergency relief in both cash and material aid for victims of natural disasters.

Public assistance is a means-tested, non-contributory scheme designed to help needy individuals and families who have lived in Hong Kong for at least one year and whose income has fallen below a prescribed level. The scales of assistance are reviewed regularly and adjusted in relation to the cost of living. At present, the rates of assistance are $200 for a single person, $145 for each of the first three eligible members of a family, $120 for the succeeding three and $90 for each eligible member thereafter. Rent, school fees, special diets and other essential expenses also are covered by the scheme.

On April 1, 1977, public assistance was extended to unemployed able-bodied adults aged between 15 and 55 who, through no fault of their own, are unable to support themselves. To qualify for such assistance, applicants must have two years' continuous residence in Hong Kong and be able to prove that they are actively seeking employ- ment by registering with the Local Employment Service of the Labour Department. An applicant aged between 15 and 17 must apply as a dependent of his family.