Debated in Parliament on 8 Jul 2014.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for National Development in helping families to stay closer together (a) what measures will be put in place to ensure that the absolute priority schemes will not be abused; and (b) how does the Government ensure that a balance is achieved such that those who are not able to leverage on these priority schemes will not be left out.
The Ministry of National Defence (MND) is organising a series of Housing Conversations to engage Singaporeans on what more we can do to help extended families live close by. One question we asked participants was whether we should give absolute priority to those who wish to live closer to their parents. Although most participants wanted to live near their parents, responses to the idea of absolute priority were mixed. Some participants supported it, while some felt that this would give rise to the "alumni effect", which is unfair to those who do not have parents already living in their preferred estates.
To strike a balance between encouraging extended families to live close by and keeping opportunities open to those who do not have parents already living in their preferred estates, one suggestion raised at the Housing Conversations was to set a quota, rather than give absolute priority. This is similar in concept to what we do under the Parenthood Priority Scheme. It is a balanced approach, which MND is studying.
Page: 123
PAPERCUTS