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The following is issued on behalf of the Lump Sum Grant Independent Review Committee:
The Lump Sum Grant Independent Review Committee conducted frank and sincere dialogue with over 200 participants from the welfare sector on the Lump Sum Grant Subvention System today (April 29).
Speaking at the committee's seminar, the chairman of the committee, Mr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, said that the committee believed that open communication and consultation with all stakeholders were crucial for a comprehensive review of the subvention system.
"My committee members and I recognise the pivotal role played by the social welfare sector in helping the needy in our community. The Lump Sum Grant mode of subvention for social welfare has been in operation for seven years, and a total of 164 non-governmental organisations have so far adopted the subvention mode.
"Since how funding is allocated to the organisations is crucial to the operation of the welfare sector, we appreciate the importance attached to this review. We will do our very best to ensure that our work is impartial, transparent and thorough," Mr Wong said.
By the end of April, the committee would have met with 60 welfare organisations and unions since the start of its consultation in March. The committee chairman and members have also attended two public seminars held by a Legislative Council member, Dr Fernando Cheung, and the Fight for Social Welfare Alliance.
"The seminar today provided another platform for stakeholders to express their views on the subvention system. The views that we have collected at the seminar and the consultation meetings play an important role in shaping our recommendations to the government on the subvention system," Mr Wong said.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, delivered an opening speech as the guest of honour for the seminar. The committee also invited the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Ms Christine Fang, the Chair Professor of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong, Professor Nelson Chow, an expert in human resource management, Mr Yeung Ka-sing, and a member of the Fight for Social Welfare Alliance, Mr Ng Man-sui, to share their views on the subvention system.
The committee will continue to meet with stakeholders and will visit service units in the next two months.
"We hope to complete the review in six to nine months and will report our findings and recommendations to the Secretary for Labour and Welfare," Mr Wong said.
The committee was set up by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in mid-January this year to review the Lump Sum Grant Subvention System, assess its overall effectiveness and identify room for improvement.
All subvented non-governmental organisations, welfare unions/associations and the public are welcome to submit their views on the subvention system to the secretariat before June 16. For details of the review, please visit the committee's website (www.lsgir.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:09
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