Supporting Poverty Alleviation

115.    The Community Care Fund was established by the Government in early 2011.  With the Government's $5 billion injection into the Fund and donations from the business sector, the Fund has launched a total of 18 programmes to offer appropriate time-limited assistance to over 100 000 people in need, including those not covered by the Government's safety net.

116.    I propose to inject an additional $15 billion into the Fund.  This, together with the original $5 billion government injection, is expected to generate an annual investment return of over $1 billion.  I believe that the Commission on Poverty (CoP) will make effective use of this injection to renew its efforts to alleviate poverty by plugging the gaps in the existing system, and continue to implement and enhance those programmes that have proved to be effective but have yet to be incorporated into the Government's regular assistance and service programmes.  It will also introduce new assistance programmes or pioneer projects.