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First, we recommend that the Government renews the funding First, the target applicants lack the technical know-how to
for the $1 billion I&T Fund after its completion in the 2023/24 make judgements on whether the product for trial consideration
fiscal year. Second, we believe that the renewed funding is currently in the research and development (R&D) or market
scheme of the $1 billion I&T Fund should cover all elderly stage. Such a distinction is critical because the $1 billion I&T
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care homes. Specific measures can be put in place to ensure Fund’s trial scheme application only invites products that are
that the service quality of 100% privately funded organisations well-tested in the market stage (SWD I&T Fund Manual, 2021).
is comparable to that of subsidised elderly care homes. For Applicants wanting to do R&D may incorrectly apply for the
example, an evaluation of staff’s training and qualifications at $1 billion I&T Fund’s trial scheme, resulting in inefficiencies and
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private care homes should meet basic competence levels. We increases the time spent on processing and vetting applications.
also recommend that the Government increase the funding
amount of the $1 billion I&T fund in the next proposed funding We recommend that the Social Welfare Department empower
cycle to match the corresponding increase in coverage of applicants by providing more information for the trial use
eligible service providers. scheme. For example, a detailed handbook can be made
available to help applicants identify and select appropriate
gerontech products for trial. This can reduce overall time
required to process applications. Also, the GT Platform offers
Recommendation 2.1B: Enhance
consultation support to help both supply and demand-side
trial use of newly developed organisations apply for the most relevant gerontech funding

technology products under scheme (HKCSS, 2021). When SWD receives incorrect
applications, they can consider collaborating with the GT
$1 billion I&T Fund Platform to refer applicants to more relevant schemes, such as
the ITB’s Fund for Better Living.
As for the $1 billion I&T Fund trial use scheme, our stakeholders
revealed that interested applicants face roadblocks and lack Second, the $1 billion I&T Fund trial scheme only distributes
incentive to apply. In particular, the scheme has received little grants in instalments, pending completion of progress reports
reception. As of April 2021, only four applications have ever been and milestones/deliverables (SWD I&T Fund Manual, 2021).
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submitted (LegCo, 2021, May 27). Therefore, to improve the More problematically, it requires successful applicants to submit
$1 billion I&T Fund trial use scheme, specific support measures a copy of the contract or service agreement with the working
must be in place to encourage applications. partner, which results in service providers needing to make

27 Aside from extension to private elderly homes, the Government can consider further extension to other non-subvented service providers such as rehabilitation homes, community care,
and home-based service units.
28 The I&T Fund requires service providers to have qualified professionals such as an OT or PT. Basic competence level means that the OT or PT should hold a relevant tertiary degree
and register with the Supplementary Medical Professionals Council in Hong Kong (SMP-Council OT Therapists Board, 2021; PT Board, 2021).
29 The SWD will retain 5% of the total approved grants for each trial use project of which will be released after completion of the trial use project (SWD I&T Fund Manual, 2021).
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