| Q.1: |
Funding from the "Save &
Invest Account" cannot be used on initiatives with recurrent consequences.
Then, can my department use the funding from the Account to organise a
series of seminars for promoting cultural changes to be held over a period
of three years? Will this be regarded as "recurrent" in nature? |
| A.1: |
No. As long as the purpose and duration of
the proposed seminars are well defined, we could accept the proposal as
a time-limited "project" for funding by the "Save & Invest Account".
As for accounting, depending on the amount sought, we will either allow
the creation of a separate Other Non-recurrent commitment or credit the
funding involved to Departmental Expenses Subhead 149 as advised by the
Department.
|
| Q.2: |
Can the balance in the Account
be used to employ non-civil service contract staff on a time-limited basis?
Can we use the funds in the Account to pay for overtime allowances under
PE? |
| A.2: |
We will be as flexible as possible in the nature
of the spending. The key consideration is the purpose of the project, i.e.
leading to improved productivity.
However, under no circumstances will the creation
of civil service posts be allowed under the "Save & Invest Account"
scheme.
|
| Q.3: |
If a department has a credit
balance in the Account, will it affect the department's chance of bidding
funds under the Capital non-works RAE? Will FB expect the department
to first draw funds from the Account before putting up bids? |
| A.3: |
No. The normal RAE process and the "Save
& Invest Account" scheme are two separate exercises. We will
examine the bids from a department under capital non-works RAE independent
of the credits accrued in its "Save & Invest Account". However,
when a department's bid fails in the competitive process of RAE, the Controlling
Officer is welcome to draw from his department's "Save & Invest Account"
if he considers the initiative of significance to enhancing productivity.
|
| Q.4: |
Can Bureau Secretaries make
use of the "Save & Invest Account" balances of departments under their
purview to fund projects of the bureaux? |
| A.4: |
Only with the agreement of the account-holder,
i.e. the head of department concerned.
|
| Q.5: |
Will net recurrent savings
arising from Save & Invest projects be subject to sharing between the
Centre and the initiating department? |
| A.5: |
Under normal circumstances, we will allow the initiating
departments to keep all the savings generated through the Save & Invest
projects to help departments to meet the EPP targets and to encourage departments
to achieve more savings.
|
| Q.6: |
Will the "Save & Invest
Account" facility continue to exist in future? Will the same percentage
of DE underspending be credited to our Account? |
| A.6: |
Our intention is to make the "Save & Invest
Account" a standing facility to encourage Controlling Officers to economise
and to invest in productivity. There may be some fine tuning in the future
but the spirit will remain the same. |
