2016-05-03
“The city government uses the minimum amount of money to take care of the maximum number of people,” Mayor Lin Chia-lung of Taichung City expressed in the City Council today (3). In 10 evaluation of Taichung’s welfare, all of them were regarded as “distinctive,” topping the list in Taiwan. Moreover, the exclusion of the wealthy is just a means for the goal of redistribution of income and narrowing down the gap between the rich and poor. The launching of the “childcare through-train” program not only provides more working opportunities; it also increases the family income as well the tax revenue. As to the false teeth grant, it is also successful in promoting balanced regional development.
Director Lue Jen-Der of Social Affairs Bureau, Taichung City Government presented a case report on the social welfare policies implemented by Taichung City Government in the City Council today (3). He pointed out that whether it is necessary to uphold the measure of excluding the wealthy or not in the welfare policies, the councilors, such as Chang Chin-fen, Yang Cheng-chung, Su Po-hsin, Chen Chen-hsian, Lai Yi-huang, Li Li-hua, Hsieh Ming-yuan, Liu Shih-chou, Li Chung, Fan Song-yu, Lai Chia-wei, Ho Min-cheng, Lin Pi-hsiu, Yan Li-min, Chiu Su-cheng, and more, hold contrary views.
“The city government uses the minimum amount of money to take care of the maximum number of people!.” Mayor Lin Chia-lung of Taichung City expressed that the welfare policies of Taichung City Government are endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Central government. They are not only ranked as “distinctive” in 10 evaluation items, awarded to Taichung only; they also won the first in Taiwan. Moreover, the exclusion of the wealthy is just a mean for the goal of redistribution of income and narrowing down the gap between the rich and poor.
He added the launching of “childcare through-train” policy does not only provide more working opportunities but also increase the family income as well the tax revenue. It further creates a win-win-win situation among the infants and young children, parents, and nurseries, forming a positive cycle. From the terms and passing rates of the application of false teeth grant, it indicates that lower- and mid-income citizens really need this subsidy.
City councilor Fan Song-yu said that when they reviewed the budget, the councilors were very clear about the amount of money allocated to social welfare. The City Government also promotes the welfare policies within the budget without over-spending. The issue of low birth rate has already become a national crisis. The “childcare through-train” program has earned about 90% of satisfactory rate so it should not exclude the wealthy. As to the false teeth grant, if an applicant has only 10 teeth left in his mouth, he or she is eligible for applying for the subsidy. It has already achieved the effects of excluding the wealthy.
Councilors Chang Chin-fen, Yang Cheng-chung, Su Po-hsin, Chen Chen-hsian, Lai Yi-huang, Li Li-hua, Liu Shih-chou, Li Chung, Lin Pi-hsiu, Yan Li-min, and more worry that the welfare policies may create the resource exclusion effect. They hope the City Government to work within it capabilities. They also worry if people invite the seniors in their families to help them with the postpartum care, would they be eligible for the post-natal home service grant.
Director Lue of the Social Affairs Bureau expressed that the City Government promotes the childcare through-train program with the ideal of “social investment” in order to give people “actual” welfare. It is not necessary to exclude the wealthy in order to accomplish the effect of supporting people.
Director Lue added, after the launching of childcare through-train program for year, the number of students at the kindergarten rose from 34345 in 2014 to 43848 in 2015, with the increase of 9503 young children at the growth rate of 27.7%. Since 2013, the number of contracted collaborative nurseries has increased from 74 to 98, at the growth rate of 32.43%. The number of collaborative child-caregivers has increased from 2,187 to 3,101, at the high growth rate of 41.79%. It does not only increase job opportunities but also tax revenue.
He furthered the number of false teeth grants applicant has reached 15903 people. After implanting the false teeth, more than 80% of them show to have high satisfaction rate. Moreover, the folks living along the mountain line and coastline have a higher percentage of passing the false teeth grant application than those living in the urban areas. It indicates that the false teeth grant can help balanced regional development in the matters of health.
As to the issue of home post-natal care service concerned by many councilors, Director Lue explained that according to the regulations the Social Welfare Bureau would only grant the parents with 1 child at the amount of NT$10,000 and twins, NT$30,000 with “childbirth benefit.” But people can choose the option of 80 hours of home post-natal service at the value of NT$20,000. It is an alternative given to the people. If people choose to have their parents help them with the home post-natal service, they can still choose to claim the one-off childbirth benefit.
In addition, Councilor Li Chung also hopes the City Government can restore the budget of NT$600 thousand to provide the poverty funds for veterans. Director Lue replied that, due to the suggestions of the Audit Office and the concern of unified administration, the funds have been included in the budget of Taichung emergency allowance. If the Veteran Affairs Department finds that there are emergency cases or individuals that need help, they can report to the district offices to request assistance.
unit:綜合企劃科
