The proposal of asking single parents receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance to work 32 hours a month when their children reach the age of six instead of 15 aims to provide incentives and better preparation for single parents' eventual return to the workforce, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Agnes Allcock says.

Speaking on two radio talk shows today, Mrs Allcock said the number of single parents receiving CSSA cases has increased from about 6,000 to about 40,000 in the last 10 years.

They cost taxpayers $3 billion and is the second largest group of CSSA recipients after the elderly category.

Under the proposal, the $225 subsidy will only be granted to working single parents who fulfill the new requirement.

Noting that the proposal is not meant to save money, Mrs Allcock said the plan aims to encourage the dole recipients to help themselves and rebuild confidence before returning to the workforce.

She said the Government has not set a timetable for implementing the new measures while a pilot scheme will be introduced at the district level first.

The department will also enhance childcare and other related services to facilitate the implementation of the new plan while NGOs willd be invited to provide assistance such as job training and child care services to these parents.

She said the Government will consult the Legislative Council, the social welfare sector and the community in the next few months with a view to making a decision later this year.