ENG-1982 — Page 178

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SOCIAL WELFARE

In another change in subsidy arrangements, steps were taken in 1982 to implement the proposals set down in the 1981 White Paper on Primary Education and Pre-primary Services. With effect from September 1982, a new fee assistance scheme to low-income families who have children attending day nurseries or kindergartens replaced the former system of direct subvention to day nurseries. The scheme, which is operated by the Social Welfare Department, works on a sliding scale principle to ensure that those with the lowest income receive the highest level of government assistance. In addition to satisfying the income eligibility criteria, families applying for assistance with the payment of day nursery fees also have to show a social need, for example that the mother is working full time, to place their children in full day care.

As at December, 1982, a total of 22 151 applications for fee assistance had been received, of which 12985 were from families with children in day nurseries. An analysis of the applications for fee assistance in day nurseries has shown that about 60 per cent of successful applicants are paying a lower fee than would have been required under the previous subvention system. The government will be carefully monitoring the impact of the scheme, particularly as it affects enrolment levels in day nurseries.

Following much public discussion and a review of existing benefits for former prisoners of war, provision was made, with effect from November, for former prisoners of war to appeal to the Governor.

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The Social Welfare Department itself faced considerable challenges during the year in the field of emergency relief, first as a result of a series of fires in squatter areas, mainly in East Kowloon, and then as a result of serious rainstorms in May and August. During the two rainstorms alone, over 7 000 victims - made homeless by landslides, flooding or hut collapses were offered temporary shelter in community centres and estate community centres. Over 47 000 hot meals were provided by the department's emergency kitchens and some 32 000 blankets and relief articles distributed. Grants totalling $15.64 million from the Emergency Relief Fund were made in the period up to December 1982.

Expansion in line with the targets set down in the 1977 White Paper on Rehabilitation and the 1979 White Paper on Social Welfare into the 1980s continued during the year. This included the opening of four community halls, three community centres and three estate community centres; also, the addition of 2 821 places in child care centres, 550 places in hostels and homes for the elderly, and 340 places in sheltered workshops and activity centres for the mentally and physically disabled.

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The additional services were reflected in considerable increases in both capital and recurrent expenditure. Total estimated expenditure on social welfare in the 1982-3 financial year is $966.8 million – an increase of $81 million in recurrent expenditure and $189,000 in capital expenditure over 1981-2. Some $300 million in capital and recurrent subventions are estimated for the 1982-3 financial year. The Community Chest also organises and co-ordinates local fund-raising activities for its member agencies, raising $26.76 million in its annual fund-raising campaign in 1981-2, compared with $21.79 million in 1980–1.

Role of the Social Welfare Department

Responsibility for carrying out government policies on social security and social welfare rests with the Director of Social Welfare, who heads the Social Welfare Department. The department is organised on a regional basis, with 13 district offices divided into four regions - Hong Kong Island, West Kowloon, East Kowloon and the New Territories. District social welfare offices are the main points of contact with the public and voluntary welfare organisations, and are responsible for co-ordinating the provision of all social