Debated in Parliament on 7 Oct 2019.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many current care-givers have been given Special Approval for higher subsidy support for infant care and childcare because they are not working or they are non-parent care-givers; and (b) what is the average higher subsidy support they receive.
Under Special Approval, eligible applicants who are not working or who are non-parent care-givers may receive the higher subsidy support that working mothers receive. This includes the working mother Basic Subsidy, as well as the means-tested Additional Subsidy for household incomes that are $7,500 per month and below.
Currently, 2,100 applicants receive higher subsidy support under Special Approval. On average, these applicants receive $520 and $950 per month in total subsidies for childcare and infant care respectively.
Low-income families who face difficulties paying for childcare even after subsidies may apply for financial assistance.
PAPERCUTS