Alleviating Poverty
79. Poverty alleviation is a priority for the Government in the next five years. The Commission on Poverty has recently concluded its work and put forward over 50 proposals. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare will head an inter-bureau/departmental task force to oversee poverty alleviation matters. The Commission has finalised arrangements to implement some of these initiatives:
(1) A pilot Transport Support Scheme was launched in June and will be reviewed in mid-2008;
(2) Current restrictions on disregarded earnings under the Comprehensive Social Security Allowance Scheme are expected to be relaxed in December this year;
(3) Proposals to establish a Child Development Fund will be submitted later this year;
(4) The Comprehensive Child Development Service will be gradually expanded to all districts from the 2008-09 financial year; and
(5) More will be done to help the "hidden" and single elderly people integrate into the community. Additional residential care places will be provided, and community care services will be enhanced in the 2008-09 financial year.
