Family & gender

Cai Yinzhou questioned the differentiation of roles between ComLink Family Coaches and Family Service Centre social workers in supporting low-income families and the systems in place for managing referrals and case coordination. Masagos Zulkifli clarified that Family Service Centres (FSCs) cater to individuals and families with higher needs, while family coaches from Social Service Offices (SSOs) handle lower levels of need. Families referred to FSCs for higher risks are prioritized for support, and once their conflict or emotional issues are resolved, they transition back to SSOs for ongoing goal-based support.

Lee Hong Chuang asked if the government would enhance annual LifeSG credits for children aged seven to twelve under the Large Families Scheme. Indranee Rajah explained that the scheme primarily targets financial support for children zero to six years old, providing $1,000 annually for each third and subsequent child in that age range. Beyond age six, families have access to various financial aids, including comprehensive subsidies and Education Account top-ups. The government will monitor the scheme and consider future adjustments.

Rachel Ong questioned whether the Government would collaborate with hawker associations to provide high chairs for children at NEA-run hawker centres. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that some hawker associations are already offering high chairs at these centres, tailored to meet local needs.

Low Wu Yang Andre asked about the rationale for differences in housing access and support between single-parent unwed households and married couples, and how these distinctions might affect children's outcomes. Masagos Zulkifli explained that certain benefits are designed to support marriage, which is why they are not extended to single unwed parents, while acknowledging the challenges these parents face. The Ministry provides universal benefits for all citizen children regardless of parental marital status and offers targeted support for single unwed parents, including financial assistance and flexible housing options, such as the ability to purchase HDB flats under specific conditions.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling asked about the design of public spaces in new towns like Tengah to promote outdoor activity and family bonding, as well as how their effectiveness in supporting child well-being is evaluated. Chee Hong Tat explained that HDB provides varied public spaces and facilities, such as colorful playgrounds and 3-Generation facilities, to encourage physical activity and inter-generational interactions. Tengah Town's design also includes green connectors like the Plantation and Garden Farmways to facilitate community engagement. The effectiveness of these initiatives is assessed through surveys, focus groups, and observational studies, ensuring they evolve to meet family needs and support the goals of Grow Well SG.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling asked about the inclusion of more initiatives for infants and toddlers in the Grow Well SG program, support for first-time working parents, and qualitative indicators assessing the program's long-term impact on child development. Ong Ye Kung emphasized the importance of parents in fostering healthy habits from birth and highlighted the program's focus on education for parents, including resources like the Childhood Health Behaviours checklist and various support platforms. He acknowledged the challenges posed by digital technology on children's development and stated that the program will be further enhanced to support parents in this area. Impact assessments of Grow Well SG will include indicators related to children's lifestyle habits and parental awareness through surveys.

Mariam Jaafar asked about the outcomes of the ComLink+ Progress Package after its first year and the participation rate in the employment package. Masagos Zulkifli reported that as of June 2025, approximately 2,200 preschool-aged children were enrolled in the ComLink+ Package for Preschool and around 1,600 families in the Employment Package. He noted that the packages are still in the early stages and not all families are ready to participate, as they are focusing on other priorities. The Ministry is closely monitoring the implementation and plans to analyze the program's impact, providing updates later.

Vikram Nair asked if the Ministry of Education will allow teachers to take pro-family leave to care for spouses, as it is currently allowed only for parents and children. Senior Minister of State for Education David Neo confirmed that spouses are already included in the pro-family leave category under existing Civil Service provisions. Nair sought clarification regarding the leave system, mentioning that care for spouses may be considered as no-pay leave, but Neo affirmed that the updated provisions now include this care as part of the leave benefits.

Yeo Wan Ling asked about the number of fines issued to migrant domestic workers and employers for illegal moonlighting over the past five years, and the take-up rate of the Household Services Scheme (HSS) since its formalization in 2021. Shawn Huang Wei Zhong reported that an average of 12 migrant workers and 15 employers have been fined annually for moonlighting. He also noted that the number of companies participating in the HSS increased from 80 to 240 since 2021, with a growing number of households served. Yeo highlighted a demand for affordable caregiving options and suggested expanding the HSS and improving awareness of the scheme. Huang acknowledged the need for diverse caregiving options and indicated openness to enhancing public awareness alongside potential online booking options for HSS services.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling asked the Minister for Manpower about the latest statistics on caregivers who have left the workforce, their demographics, and the long-term financial impact of caregiving-related unemployment. In 2024, approximately 87,100 residents were out of the labor force due to caregiving, with a majority being women (85.7%) and varying age groups represented. The Minister mentioned that there is no data on first-time caregivers and highlighted government interventions to support re-entering the workforce, including reskilling initiatives and income supplements for working caregivers. Support measures for senior caregivers were also mentioned, along with flexible work arrangements to help manage caregiving and career responsibilities.

Low Wu Yang Andre questioned the Minister for Social and Family Development about measures to ensure financial security for family caregivers who leave the workforce or reduce work hours, including potential direct compensation or CPF contributions. Masagos Zulkifli acknowledged the crucial role of caregivers and emphasized support for working caregivers through flexible work arrangements, employment facilitation, and reskilling programs. Caregivers may also access financial assistance programs like the Workfare Income Supplement and enhanced long-term care subsidies announced in Budget 2025. Additional support for seniors, including the Silver Support Scheme and Matched Retirement Savings Scheme, was noted to further aid caregivers. The Government aims to continually assess and enhance support for caregivers at various life stages.

The debate regarding the Motion of Thanks to the President in the Singapore Parliament highlighted several key points:

• Numerous Members expressed gratitude for the President's address, emphasizing the importance of a "we first" society built on unity, where collective welfare is prioritized over individual interests.
• Several speakers discussed the need for extensive support systems for caregivers, especially those from the "sandwiched generation" who balance caring for ageing parents and raising children, advocating for policies that better reflect modern caregiving realities.
• Concerns about rising social inequalities were voiced, with suggestions for enhancing social mobility, particularly for low-income families and marginalized communities, through initiatives like ComLink+ and education reforms.
• The challenge of fostering genuine social cohesion in a digitally connected yet often isolated society was addressed, with calls for creating safe and inclusive digital spaces and providing resources for responsible digital parenting.
• The significance of mentorship, community engagement, and nurturing cross-generational bonds was highlighted, emphasizing that societal progress hinges on collaborative efforts that include all members of the community.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the projected demand for childminding services in the three-year ECDA pilot and its comparison to current enrollment and waitlist figures, noting that only 50 infants are currently enrolled. The Minister of State for Social and Family Development, Goh Pei Ming, mentioned that the pilot, launched in December 2024, has received positive feedback and is seeing growing interest, with 160 families indicating a desire to enroll soon. Concerns regarding the low uptake, such as cost, location, and caregiver trust, were raised, and Goh highlighted that public awareness of the option needs improvement. The Ministry is open to refining the pilot based on early feedback but is committed to running it for the full duration to assess its impact.