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Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, in the Legislative Council today (November 1):
Question:
Persons born in or before 1927 (i.e. those at or over the age of 79) are required to apply for replacement of their identity (ID) cards by smart ID cards within the period from September 4 to November 11 this year. Elderly persons who cannot turn up at a Smart Identity Card Centre on account of age (70 years old or over) or infirmity may apply for a Certificate of Exemption (either personally or through a representative). Nevertheless, the applicant is required to return his/her old ID card to the Immigration Department, whilst the Certificate of Exemption cannot be used as a travel document for immigration clearance. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the measures to assist the singleton elderly people suffering from ill health or being bedridden to have their ID cards replaced or apply for a Certificate of Exemption; and
(b) whether it has considered providing, for the elderly people, a free shuttle bus service operating once daily during the above call-up period between designated locations in various districts and Smart Identity Card Centres?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) People born in or before 1942 are ordered to apply for smart identity (ID) cards at a Smart ID Card Centre from September 4, 2006 to March 31, 2007 in phases under the territory-wide ID Card Replacement Exercise. As many of the applicants who are required to replace their ID cards in the above period are elderly, the Immigration Department (ImmD) has coordinated efforts with various departments and elderly services units to enhance publicity and rally their support in helping the elderly in need to replace their ID cards.
With the assistance of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), the ImmD wrote to over 1,000 elderly services units in August explaining in detail the phased ID Card replacement arrangement for the elderly, enclosing publicity posters and relevant leaflets on the Replacement Exercise and providing detailed information of the nine Smart ID Card Centres. Besides, the ImmD has asked the services units concerned to assist in the dissemination of such information to their members/residents/visitors. In particular, the ImmD has also urged the relatives of the elderly or the management of the elderly centres and residential care homes to help make appointments in advance for the elderly and called upon the elderly to authorise representatives to collect the new ID cards on their behalf.
A number of elderly centres, residential care homes, Legislative Council Members' offices, District Council Members' ward offices and community organisations have contacted the ImmD to arrange for group ID card replacement service for the elderly. Under this arrangement, ImmD will collaborate with organisers concerned so that sufficient quota and necessary manpower will be allocated to facilitate the elderly to visit the Smart ID Card Centres and replace their ID card in groups, and the organisers concerned do not need to accompany the elderly to replace their ID card individually. To save the waiting time, the ImmD has advised the organisers help the elderly to fill in the application forms or the authorisation forms required in advance.
The SWD has noted that elderly centres and residential care homes are willing to provide appropriate assistance to the elderly in this matter. They will, according to individual needs, deploy staff or arrange for escort service provided by other organisations to accompany the elderly to the Smart ID Card Centres to ensure safety of the elderly, especially those who are infirm. Besides, the elderly, in particular the singletons and the vulnerables, who are in need of assistance to replace their ID cards, may seek assistance from the services units run by the SWD and other non-governmental organisations. They will provide suitable referral and assistance depending on individual circumstances of the elderly concerned.
Apart from residential care homes and elderly centres, the Housing Department (HD) also assists in publicising the ID Card Replacement Exercise for the elderly. Apart from displaying relevant publicity materials in public housing estate management offices, staff of the HD would also remind the elderly of the replacement arrangements when they come to their offices to pay rent or participate in recreational activities organised by the HD. Moreover, District Offices will help keep members of the public and the elderly informed of ID Card Replacement Exercise when they visit such offices or participate in district activities.
If the aged, the blind or the infirm consider that they are unable, for health consideration, to apply for a smart ID card under the Smart ID Card Replacement Exercise, they may apply in writing or authorise other persons to apply to the Commissioner of Registration for exemption from registration.
Those who have been granted exemption from registration for an ID card by the Commissioner do not have to apply for a smart ID card under the Replacement Exercise. They are however required to return their old ID cards for cancellation when they collect their Certificates of Exemption. For those persons who have returned their old ID cards, their freedom of leaving and entering Hong Kong will not be affected. They may use their valid travel documents such as Re-entry Permits or passports for immigration clearance. When the health conditions of the elderly issued with Certificates of Exemption so permit, they may at any time apply for a smart ID card, free of charge, at any Registration of Persons Office of the ImmD.
(b) With the above arrangements and the support from the relevant departments and elderly services units, the ID Card Replacement Exercise for the elderly is progressing well. The ImmD will continue to collaborate with concerned parties to ensure the smooth running of the replacement programme. We have no intention to provide shuttle bus service in this relation.
Ends/Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:32
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