Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is a question by the Dr the Hon Ngan Man-yu and a reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (January 22):
 
Question:
 
     It has been reported that many youth with special educational needs (SEN youth) are facing employment difficulties. Regarding supporting the employment of SEN youth, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it has compiled statistics on data relating to the employment of SEN youth of various age groups in the past three years, including the employment rates, salary levels, job categories, academic backgrounds and time taken for seeking employment, and analysed the comparison between such data and the corresponding data for youth as a whole during the same period;
 
(2) of the measures in place to support the employment of SEN youth, together with a breakdown of such measures by the government department concerned and stage of life development (i.e.‍ studying, job seeking, early stage of employment and career development); whether it has assessed and reviewed the effectiveness of such measures, including the division of work among different government departments and the relevant collaborations facilitating interfaces; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(3) whether it has considered joining hands with enterprises and different sectors of the community to establish a platform supporting the employment of SEN youth, so as to encourage enterprises to create employment and internship positions suitable for SEN youth, thereby enabling them to learn and apply their skills in the actual working environment and lay a solid foundation for their smooth integration into the employment market in the future; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:
 
President,
 
     In response to the Dr the Hon Ngan Man-yu’s question, having consulted the Education Bureau (EDB) and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), our reply is as follows:

(1) The Government does not compile statistics on the numbers of youth with special educational needs (SEN) in employment of different age groups. 

     As regards the numbers of school leavers with SEN, from 2021/22 to 2023/24 school years, the numbers of Secondary Six school leavers with SEN were approximately 3 700, 4 200 and 4 200 respectively. Among them, the number of those being employed by November of the next school year was approximately 200 per year. The majority of the rest continued to study locally. 
 
     From 2021/22 to 2023/24 school years, there were 513, 548 and 572 Secondary Six graduates in special schools respectively. Among them, 14, 25 and 38 were employed in September of the next school year; 175, 152 and 164 pursued further studies (including vocational training); 148, 200 and 213 received vocational rehabilitation or day training services.
 
     Based on the information provided by students from individual post-secondary institutions, from 2021/22 to 2023/24 school years, there were approximately 2 900, 3 600 and 4 200 students with SEN enrolled in the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded and non-UGC-funded full-time locally-accredited sub-degree and undergraduate programmes respectively.
 
     As regards the numbers of employed youth with disabilities, from 2022 to 2024, the Selective Placement Division (SPD) of the Labour Department (LD) recorded 2 412, 2 406 and 2 300 placements respectively. Among them, 874, 794 and 762 placements involved youth with disabilities aged 29 or below respectively.

(2) As regards support at schools, the EDB requires ordinary secondary schools to assist students with SEN in choosing suitable pathways for further studies and careers through life planning education, and to provide students who will soon graduate and their parents with guidance in further studies and careers. A website is also set up to provide relevant information. The EDB also collaborates with different business corporations through the Business-School Partnership Programme to provide students, including those with SEN, with diversified career exploration activities. 
    
     Special schools design school-based curricula such as community training, workplace practicum and pre-vocational training for students to nurture their independent living skills, and provide additional training such as interviewing skills, vocational skills assessments, social etiquette, work attitude, etc, based on students’ individual abilities.
 
     The HYAB and the Youth Development Commission implement the Funding Scheme for Youth Life Planning Activities to subsidise non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in collaboration with secondary schools, in organising life planning projects such as thematic talks, workplace visits and job attachments. The Scheme gives priority to projects that are designed based on the needs of designated groups of students, for example students with SEN. In school years 2022-25, the HYAB has sponsored 26 NGOs in collaboration with over 400 secondary schools, including 13 special schools and five schools for social development.
 
     As regards post-secondary institutions, the UGC has provided additional funding of $67.5 million through the Special Grant for Enhancing Support for Students with SEN for universities to take forward three key objectives: (i) improving the educational experiences of students with SEN; (ii) enhancing staff training; and (iii) promoting an inclusive campus. They cover activities that help students join the community and develop their careers in the future, as well as to make early preparations for their way forward upon graduation.
 
     With respect to vocational and professional education and training, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) adopts a whole-school approach to assist students with SEN, including providing additional teaching staff to conduct academic guidance, tutorial groups, and individual coaching to enhance their learning skills more effectively.
 
     The Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) subsidises the Shine Skills Centres under the VTC to offer vocational training programmes and ancillary services to persons with disabilities (including youth with SEN) aged 15 or above who are assessed as having potential for open employment.
 
     For persons with disabilities who are not able to take up open employment (including youth with SEN), the Social Welfare Department (SWD) subvents NGOs to operate sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres, integrated vocational training centres, etc, for providing vocational rehabilitation and training services.
 
     As regards support for job-seeking, the SPD of the LD provides employment services, including employment counselling, job matching and referral, to job seekers with disabilities (including youth with SEN) who are fit for open employment. The SPD also implements the Work Orientation and Placement Scheme, under which eligible employers engaging each job seeker with disabilities is eligible for a maximum allowance of $60,000 during the nine-month subsidy period.
 
     The SWD also subvents NGOs to provide supported employment training. The relevant Funding and Service Agreement states that organisations are required to provide services such as job attachment, job training and counselling, etc.
 
     In addition, the Employees Retraining Board provides around 70 dedicated courses that assist persons with disabilities (including youth with SEN) in entering or re-entering the employment market. Trainees who complete placement-tied courses will be arranged with placement follow-up services for six months.

(3) Since 2013, the LWB has launched the Talent-Wise Employment Charter and Inclusive Organisations Recognition Scheme to encourage organisations of different sectors to adopt measures to promote internship and employment of persons with disabilities. The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address the introduction of the Caring Employer medal, commending employers who actively engage persons with disabilities. 

     In addition, the SWD implements the Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities through Small Enterprise Project (3E Project) that subsidises NGOs to set up small enterprises/businesses, thereby directly creating more employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (including youth with SEN).
 
     The LD will also continue to liaise with employers from different industries to enhance their understanding of the work capabilities of persons with disabilities and the ways to get along with them, as well as to provide suitable job vacancies for persons with disabilities (including youth with SEN). read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Lee Chun-keung and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (January 22):
 
Question:

     Following the announcement in the 2019-2020 Budget of an allocation of $20 billion for the Government to purchase private premises over some three years for the provision of welfare facilities, the Government has openly invited owners of potentially suitable non-domestic premises available for sale to submit sale proposals. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as there are views relaying that after submitting their sale proposals, owners are unable to know whether the proposals submitted are being assessed or have been rejected, whether the Government Property Agency (GPA) will, after owners have submitted their sale proposals, inform them of the process relating to the assessment of the sale proposals, and notify them in a timely manner that they have successfully proceeded to the various stages of assessment; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) as there are views relaying that the process of assessing the aforesaid sale proposals is lengthy (which usually takes 18 to 36 months), whether the GPA will undertake to set a time limit for processing each sale proposal; and

(3) given that at present, the GPA only provides email address and fax number on its website for owners to submit sale proposals, whether the GPA will provide an inquiry hotline or email address for those who have submitted proposals to enquire about the relevant matters; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     In June 2020, the Government obtained funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council to implement the Purchase of Welfare Premises initiative with the aim of purchasing premises from the private property market for the provision of welfare facilities.

     The Government Property Agency (GPA) is identifying suitable premises for purchase through various channels, including an open invitation for sale proposals from private owners or their agents (the property owners) of their premises (also known as “listings”); directly approaching property owners of target premises; identifying premises through newspaper advertisements, websites of developers/owners or estate agents; and conducting site visits in targeted districts.

     A reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Lee Chun-keung is as follows:

(1) After receiving basic listing information from property owners (i.e. property address, floor area, asking price, and contact information), the GPA will review whether the listings meet the basic requirements specified by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) for different welfare facilities in various districts. The GPA will then forward the listing information to the SWD for consideration. If the SWD determines that the listings are suitable upon preliminary assessment, the GPA will contact the relevant property owners for follow-up actions, which include making enquiries, requesting further information and arranging site inspections. The SWD will conduct a comprehensive assessment on the listed properties, taking into account factors such as the availability of suitable fire safety and barrier-free access facilities, whether the size and location meet operational needs, and the compatibility of nearby land uses with welfare purposes. The GPA will proceed with price negotiations and discuss other terms of purchase with property owners for properties assessed suitable by the SWD. The foregoing process is generally consistent with market practice and the property owners are aware of the stage of negotiation in which their properties are.

     As the Government invites property listings from property owners in its capacity as a purchaser, property owners, after submitting their sale proposals, are free to negotiate the sale of their properties with other potential purchasers simultaneously.

(2) The time required to complete the entire assessment process, negotiations and purchase varies, depending on the specific circumstances of the property listed for sale and other relevant factors. For example, the entire process will take additional time if the property requires removal/improvement works to be carried out to comply with statutory orders issued by the relevant authorities, or if planning permission or lease modifications are needed for the property to be converted for welfare use, or if clarification of the rights and responsibilities for the building’s common areas and facilities is required, etc. To ensure that the purchased property caters for the needs and achieves value for money, it is not suitable to set a processing deadline for each sale proposal.

(3) Property owners may contact the GPA regarding listings and other related matters via email on the GPA’s website at pw-add@gpa.gov.hk. Depending on the nature and complexity of the matters, the GPA will in general provide a reply within 10 calendar days and contact the property owners directly by phone or other means including meeting if needed. read more

     Following is a question by Professor the Hon Chan Wing-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, in the Legislative Council today (January 22):
 
Question:

     The Civil Service Bureau launched the Pilot Scheme on Civil Service Chinese Medicine Clinics (the Scheme) on March 2, 2020 to provide free Chinese medicine services for treatment purpose for civil service eligible persons. The Scheme was regularised in October 2021. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the respective (i) attendances of civil servants and (ii) total attendances at each of the Civil Service Chinese Medicine Clinics (CSCMCs) located in Eastern District, Tsuen Wan and North District each year since the launch of the Scheme;

(2) of the approximate daily service disc quota that can be provided to civil servants by the aforesaid three CSCMCs, as well as the respective waiting time of civil servants seeking consultations and follow-up consultations for episodic diseases;

(3) of the feedback from civil servants on the services provided by the aforesaid three CSCMCs; and

(4) whether it has plans to extend the Scheme to more Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres or launch outreach services, so as to facilitate civil servants in seeking consultation and enhance their medical benefits?

Reply:

President,

     The Government launched in March 2020 the Pilot Scheme on Civil Service Chinese Medicine Clinics (the Pilot Scheme), under which Civil Service Chinese Medicine Clinics (CSCMCs) were set up within the two Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centres (CMCTRs) in Eastern District and Tsuen Wan District to provide free Chinese medicine (CM) general consultation and acupuncture services to civil service eligible persons (CSEPs) for treatment purpose. The Pilot Scheme was regularised in October 2021, and a third CSCMC in North District also commenced services in March 2023 subsequently.

     The reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:

(1) The annual attendance at CSCMCs increased from around 60 000 in 2020-21 to around 100 000 in 2023-24, representing an increase of over 60 per cent. The annual attendance of each CSCMC and the total attendance are at Annex. We do not maintain breakdown by category of attending CSEPs (serving civil servants, retired civil servants or eligible dependents).

(2) The number of service quotas provided by the three CSCMCs on each working day is about 360 in total. CSEPs in need of CM services can make same-day or next working day appointments within office hours through telephone or mobile application on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon the recommendation of the attending CM practitioner and under the condition that there are available appointment slots, follow-up appointments could be arranged for patients within 30 days of consultation. In allocating the service quotas, the three CSCMCs do not adopt a system where patients need to queue.

(3) Civil service CM services have been well-received by CSEPs since launch, with an average utilisation rate of over 95 per cent. In addition to conducting a review and regularising the services one year after the launch of the Pilot Scheme, the Civil Service Bureau has been collecting CSEPs’ views on civil service CM services from time to time through the four central staff consultative councils and the Standing Committee on Medical and Dental Facilities for Civil Servants. In general, CSEPs have given very positive feedback towards the services of CSCMCs. In view of the high service demand, they look forward to an increase in service quotas.

(4) In response to the requests from the staff side, we have increased the annual service quotas of the CSCMCs by 2 000 from November 2024 and will increase by a further 3 000 from 2025-26, totalling an increase of 5 000. The additional service quotas are evenly allocated to the three CSCMCs on the whole.

     Medical benefits for civil servants have all along been provided through the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority (HA). The CSCMCs are currently located within three existing CMCTRs, which are operating under a tripartite collaboration model involving the HA, non-governmental organisations and local universities. We will focus resources to continue providing services via CSCMCs within CMCTRs, and have no plan to introduce outreaching services for the time being. In the longer run, we will set up more CSCMCs by reprovisioning or redeveloping some of the CMCTRs. We are also in discussion with the Health Bureau on the provision of CM services for CSEPs at The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong after its commissioning. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (January 22) announced the detailed arrangements of allocating traditional vehicle registration marks (TVRMs) upon exhausting the "ZZ" series.      Under the existing T… read more

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in Causeway Bay and Tin Hau to facilitate members of the public visiting the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair.   A. Road closure        Depen… read more