Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ18: Statistics on CSSA Scheme
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yuen-han and a written reply by the
Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council
today (May 4):
Question:
Regarding the statistics on the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA)
Scheme, will the Government inform this Council of the following figures over
the past ten years :
(a) the number of CSSA cases at the end of each year, together with a breakdown
by their categories (old age, permanent disability, temporary disability/ill
health, single parent family, low earnings, unemployment and others), and, in
respect of each category :
(i) the number of recipients;
(ii) the annual CSSA expenditure and its growth rate; and
(iii) the percentage of the CSSA expenditure in the overall CSSA expenditure of
that year; and
(b) the number of CSSA recipients at the end of each year, together with a
breakdown by their sex, ethnicity, the age group (below 15, 15 to 24, 25 to 34,
35 to 44, 45 to 59 and 60 or above) to which they belonged and the local
administration district in which they lived, and, in respect of each group of
recipients:
(i) the annual CSSA expenditure and its growth rate; and
(ii) the percentage of the annual CSSA expenditure in the overall CSSA
expenditure of that year?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) In respect of the statistics on the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance
(CSSA) Scheme in the past ten years, we have observed a generally increasing
trend in both the CSSA caseloads and recipients in all categories. The annual
CSSA expenditure also rose by about 260 per cent during the same period.
Fortunately with the improvement in the economy, and our efforts in helping
able-bodied recipients to find work and achieve self-reliance, we have observed
a decrease in unemployment caseloads in the past year. But we have also observed
an increase in low-earnings caseloads in recent years.
Detailed breakdown of the CSSA statistics according to case categories, and in
respect of each case category, the number of recipients, the annual CSSA
expenditure and year-on-year rate of change, and the estimated percentage of
CSSA expenditure for each case category in the overall CSSA expenditure is at
Annex I.
(b) Regarding a breakdown of the CSSA recipients in the past ten years according
to sex, ethnicity, age groups, and location by geographical district, breakdowns
according to available statistics are at
Annex II. In respect of the request to obtain the annual CSSA expenditure
estimates of these recipients according to the requested breakdowns, since CSSA
is paid on a household basis, we do not have the requested estimates.
Ends/Wednesday, May 4, 2005
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