Subsidies for Early Intervention Programmes at Preschool Level

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many special needs children are receiving subsidies for early intervention programmes at preschool level under the Enhanced Pilot for Private Intervention Providers (PPIP) scheme; and (b) whether there are plans for increasing the number and geographic distribution of Enhanced PPIP centres.

The Enhanced Pilot for Private Intervention Providers (PPIP) scheme complements the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC). It provides developmental and therapy services for children aged zero-six who are at risk of moderate to severe developmental delays. Parents whose children are referred to EIPIC can also enrol their child in an approved PPIP Early Intervention programme. Children will receive the same Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) subsidies, whether they enrol in the PPIP or EIPIC programme.

There are currently 21 EIPIC centres serving 3,000 children with developmental delays. MSF has recently increased the number of PPIP providers from six to 10. From 2015 to 2017, an average of 115 children were enrolled in PPIP each year.

To ensure that these centres are accessible to parents and children, we have expanded the geographic spread of the centres. Earlier, the six PPIP centres were located in the Central, West and East regions. The current 10 centres operating are geographically spread across the North, North-East, Central, West and East regions.