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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, has today (January 12) in his Annual Policy Address launched a comprehensive strategy to help the needy and combat poverty.

Mr Tung said the community had expressed deep concern about the problem of poverty, noting that as a result of globalisation, jobs had relocated and unemployment had remained persistently high.

"For some low-income families, their circumstances have worsened over the past few years. They require the community's care and assistance," Mr Tung said.

"We will take steps to provide more direct assistance and support for those in need."

He said the Government's policy vision was to first promote economic growth and create employment opportunities.

Then, through education and training, individuals could be provided with an opportunity to give full play to their potential, enhance their abilities and free themselves from poverty.

The Chief Executive announced a multi-pronged approach to help the needy, including measures to reduce inter-generational poverty, strengthen family counselling, boost services for the elderly, increase assistance for people with disabilities and support social workers.

Mr Tung unveiled plans to establish a commission to alleviate poverty by studying the financial, employment, education and training needs of the poor. It will also explore practical ways to assist those who suffer from poverty through old age, disability or having a single parent.

The commission will be chaired by the Financial Secretary and comprise Government officials, Legislative Councillors, business people, non-government organisations, experts and academics.

To address inter-generational poverty, the Government would provide more assistance for the younger generation of low-income families, to provide children and young people with ample opportunities to receive education and comprehensive development.

For children under five, a 'Head Start Programme on Child Development' would be launched in the four communities of Tin Shui Wai, Tuen Mun, Sham Shui Po and Tseung Kwan O.

Five child care centres in the four communities would co-operate with nearby nurseries, kindergartens and other institutions.

"A new mode of operation will be established to provide needy parents with health and educational activities and counselling services," Mr Tung said.

"In the second year of this pilot programme, we will extend it in phases to other communities in Hong Kong."

For children aged six to 15, more resources would be allocated in the coming financial year to enable schools and youth organisations to strengthen support services and co-operation at the local level to organise suitable after-school learning and interest activities in such areas as languages, computing, music and arts.

For those from poor families aged between 15 and 24, the Government will encourage non-government organisations to enlist caring people from various sectors to serve as mentors to encourage young people to learn and advance.

The Chief Executive said he was deeply concerned about domestic violence, and stressed that such acts would absolutely not be tolerated.

He said additional resources would be provided to strengthen family counselling services, while district liaison groups would be established to enable full inter-departmental co-ordination and to work with non-government organisations to tackle family crises and problems.

On services for the elderly, Mr Tung announced would:

* Provide $180 million for conversion of some residential care places into long-term care places to provide continuum of care up to nursing level for the frail elderly

* Provide infirmary care places in a non-hospital setting for frail elderly people in stable conditions

* Progressively increase number of the Hospital Authority's Chinese medicine clinics from the current three to at least six

* Relax the eligibility period from three years to one year for those wishing to join the Portable Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme. Extend the Scheme's coverage to include Fujian Province.

* Increase from 180 days to 240 the permitted period of absence from Hong Kong under the Social Security Allowance Scheme.

Mr Tung said more support facilities and information technology equipment would be provided to help people with severe disabilities.

An additional $100 a month would be provided to those on CSSA who were completely disabled, or required constant attendance and not living in an institution.

The Chief Executive paid tribute to the many contributions that social workers had made to foster a harmonious community.

"Faced with economic restructuring and drastic changes in the social environment, the social work sector has been doing a remarkable job under enormous pressure," he said.

"For the next financial year, the total resources allocated for social welfare, including non-CSSA related expenditure, will be increased.

"The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food will strengthen communication with the social welfare sector to enhance mutual trust, and work out an appropriate arrangement to determine the size of the Government's welfare subsidy.

"We seek to consolidate our partnership with the sector to work towards social harmony and healthy development."

Ends/Wednesday, January 12, 2005

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