Press Releases

The Welfare Subvention Reform Package is not only about how welfare services should be funded but also about how the community can assist the vulnerable and the under-privileged in the long run, Deputy Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mr Robin Gill said today (June 25).

In addition to the new funding arrangement, the Government will also introduce an enhanced Service Performance Monitoring System and a new Planning Process. Together, this will ensure the development of a long-term vision, that service quality is maintained at a high level, that greater flexibility is given to NGOs, and that resources are targeted at meeting the changing needs of the community in the most cost-effective manner, he added.

Mr Gill reiterated that the existing subvention system had long been criticized as inflexible, complex and bureaucratic and required a complete overhaul.

Under the reform package, the welfare sector as a whole, including NGO staff and service recipients, will benefit because :

* no NGO will receive less funding than at present. Over 60 per cent stand to gain immediately because they are currently below the mid-point Salary Benchmark;

* Government guarantees to provide sufficient funds to enable NGOs to fulfil their contractual commitments (salary increments and actual Provident Fund contributions) to all existing staff occupying recognized posts;

* there will be an enhanced system to monitor service quality. Service users' participation will be encouraged in both performance monitoring and the future planning process. This should lead to improved quality of service which will benefit users; and

* the sector as a whole and individual NGOs will be given additional flexibility which will facilitate the changing needs of the community to be met.

"The Administration will work closely with the sector and individual NGOs to effect the changes and will work together to resolve problems," Mr Gill said.

Since the revised reform package was announced on June 20, staff of the Health and Welfare Bureau and the Social Welfare Department had met and exchanged views with representatives of various staff associations and concerned groups. They include the Hong Kong Social Workers Association, the Hong Kong Social Workers General Union, the Fighting for Social Welfare Alliance, a group of para-medical staff, and representatives from 10 consumer groups/parents associations.

"They have put forward useful suggestions on how to ensure smooth implementation of the Lump Sum Grant, particularly on measures to ensure service quality, monitoring system for fees and charges, and mechanism for service users' participation in monitoring service performance and service planning.

"In the coming weeks, the Administration looks forward to maintaining a close dialogue with all stakeholders in the sector and has already planned to organize further briefings and workshops for NGO management and staff representatives next week with a view to explaining the package in greater detail and soliciting their views.

"We look forward to working with the sector to develop the institutional and practical mechanisms needed to make the reforms successful over the coming years. These can only be successfully developed through a close working partnership between the Administration and all interested parties in the sector," Mr Gill said.

In the meantime, members from the welfare sector and the public wishing to seek advice regarding the subvention package may either call at the Social Welfare Department at Room 3007, 30th floor, Wu Chung House, Wanchai, in person or telephone the department's Help Desk hotline 2892 0646 during office hours.

End/Sunday, June 25, 2000

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