198
Chapter 10
Social Welfare
The Government is committed to maintaining a caring and just society. While it encourages self-reliance and active participation in economic and social life, it also provides a safety net for those least able to help themselves. Emphasis is placed on strengthening family solidarity, fostering mutual care in the community and promoting partnerships with different segments of the community.
The Social Welfare Advisory Committee, the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, the Elderly Commission and the Women's Commission advise the Government on social welfare policy. The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau is responsible for formulating welfare policies and overseeing their implementation which is executed by the Social Welfare Department (SWD).
In 2005, the total expenditure of the SWD was $32.2 billion, of which $23.4 billion (72.7 per cent) was for financial assistance payments, $6.4 billion (19.9 per cent) for recurrent subventions to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the remaining $2.4 billion (7.4 per cent) for departmental expenditure, including $500 million for hire of services.
Major Achievements
Strengthening Support for Families in Need
The SWD completed the re-engineering of family services in March 2005. Through pooling of resources, a total of 61 Integrated Family Service Centres (IFSCs) were set up over the territory to provide a wide range of services to support families. in need.
In addition, residential child care services (including foster care and children's home places) and manpower provision for the Clinical Psychology Units, Family and Child Protective Services Units and IFSCs were enhanced through service re- engineering as well as allocation of new resources. The Suicide Crisis Intervention Centre, which was a pilot project, was turned into a regular subvented service in May. The department also allocated additional funding to the Family Crisis Support Centre and the four Refuge Centres for Women to enhance their support services,
Page 240Page 241
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.