The society security scheme will be reviewed, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says, adding resources and further support to the underprivileged especially the elderly, disabled and children in poverty, will be explored.

In a meeting with 100 representatives of 78 comprehensive social security assistance and poverty concern groups today, Dr Chow said the review will ensure the purchasing power of payments keeps up with the cost of living and the system meets the needs of social aspirations.

He said he knows the difficulties and feelings of social security recipients, and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to helping those who cannot support themselves financially by providing a safety net of last resort.

Since the two phases of downward adjustments in social security payments were to offset the over adjustments between 1999 and 2002, there was no reason to reset the current social security levels back to the original levels in June last year.

Price index movement under close watch

Nevertheless, Dr Chow pledged to closely monitor the movement of the price index and in case inflation picked up and offset the original purchasing power, appropriate adjustments will be initiated.

He also said social security cash payouts should not be narrowly seen as the only safety net to help the needy.

"There are other safety nets in place to help the needy in the broader sense," Dr Chow said. "The Government has developed a comprehensive social service network including public health care, public housing, nine-year free education and other forms of assistance, to meet the different needs of the disadvantaged."

The most effective way to address their problems is to provide facilities and services targeted at their special needs, he added. The Government's finite resources will target the most needy such as the severely disabled and children in poverty, while the able-bodied and non able-bodied categories under the social security system will be tackled separately.

Meanwhile, the Government will continue review the social security system in the coming year to ensure the payments were sufficient to cover recipients' basic needs.