Family & gender

Lee Hui Ying asked if the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) would impose strict time limits on screen use in early childhood development centres. Masagos Zulkifli confirmed that the ECDA's Code of Practice prohibits screen use for infants up to 18 months and emphasizes purposeful screen use for children aged 18 months to six years for teaching rather than strict time limits. The focus is on using digital tools to enhance learning experiences and encourage interaction, rather than merely occupying children’s time. The approach aims to support families in developing a balanced relationship with technology in children's lives.

Cassandra Lee emphasized the importance of the family in addressing Singapore's challenges, including maintaining social cohesion and national identity amidst rapid global changes. She discussed the pressures young parents face while juggling careers and caregiving and advocated for policies that better support families, including flexible work arrangements and addressing childcare gaps. Multiple speakers reiterated the need for mental health awareness and addressing societal divisions, emphasizing the necessity of nurturing kindness and community cohesion. There were calls for inclusive growth and equitable policies to ensure fair opportunities for all citizens, particularly as the nation prepares for an aging population and technological advancements.

Elysa Chen asked if the Government would introduce regulations for employers to provide protected time for mothers to breastfeed during working hours to enhance workplace support for women. Tan See Leng acknowledged the importance of supporting nursing mothers but stated the Government prefers an enabling approach over regulations, collaborating with tripartite partners to foster an inclusive work culture. The Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony encourages employers to implement practices that support employees, including lactation support and flexible breaks. Additionally, the Government has mandated the provision of lactation facilities through existing building regulations.

Mariam Jaafar asked about the number of eligible children without active Child Development Accounts (CDAs) and the barriers preventing families from utilizing them. Masagos Zulkifli responded that nearly 420,000 children are eligible for CDAs, with less than 1% not having opened one. A key reason for this is that some parents live overseas and cannot access CDA funds outside of Singapore.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan raised concerns about the impact of AI on the gender employment gap, as women’s jobs may be disproportionately affected. Tan See Leng responded that the Government is implementing the National AI Strategy 2.0 to harness AI opportunities and support workforce transformation, including significant funding for upskilling and business support initiatives. While there is no current evidence that AI negatively impacts female employment in Singapore, female employment rates have improved, and the gender pay gap has narrowed. The Government promotes initiatives like the HerCareer program and flexible work arrangements to enhance women's job access and capabilities. Ongoing studies will assess AI's workforce impact and ensure inclusive growth opportunities.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat inquired about the total government grants and subsidies provided to preschool operators under the Anchor Operator and Partner Operator schemes over the past five years, as well as the per-enrolled-student amounts for each scheme. Masagos Zulkifli B M M highlighted a significant increase in government spending on early childhood education, from around $1.5 billion in FY2020 to over $2 billion in FY2024, with an increase in expenditure per preschool-aged child from $7,900 to $13,000. He noted that funding is aimed at ensuring quality improvements and adherence to lowered monthly fee caps for childcare, which will further decrease in 2026, resulting in lower costs for families after subsidies.

• Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik inquired about the demographics of applicants under the Family Scheme of the Public Rental Scheme from 2019 to 2024, specifically focusing on single unmarried parents, non-citizen single parents with Singaporean children, and divorced parents.
• Chee Hong Tat responded that the Housing and Development Board evaluates applications based on individual circumstances and family support, with input from social workers when needed.
• From 2019 to 2024, the average annual proportions of applicants were 7% single unmarried parents, 4% non-citizen single parents with Singaporean children, and 17% divorced parents, with some overlap among these groups.
• Approximately 4,000 unique applicants from these categories were successful in their applications for the Public Rental Scheme during this period.

• Mr. Lee Hong Chuang proposed that the Ministry for National Development allow singles, particularly widows and divorcees aged 50 and above, to apply for 3-room BTO HDB flats to address their housing needs.
• The Minister, Chee Hong Tat, acknowledged the concerns of widowed and divorced individuals regarding housing options due to life changes.
• First-time widowed or divorced citizens with children can buy new or resale flats of any size, while those without children can purchase 2-room Flexi flats.
• The government prioritizes divorced or widowed parents with children under 18 for 2-room Flexi or 3-room BTO flats under the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers.
• The current policy aims to balance the housing needs of singles with those of other Singaporean groups, considering land constraints.

• Mr. Gabriel Lam proposed extending the concessionary migrant domestic worker levy of $60 to first-time expectant parents two to three months before delivery.
• He inquired about the fiscal and policy implications of such an extension, including potential beneficiary numbers and impact on levy revenues.
• Minister Tan See Leng explained that the concessionary levy is currently available to households with caregiving needs and will be extended to those with a Singapore Citizen child born.
• The government will monitor the need for extending the concessionary levy or exploring alternative support options for expectant parents.

• An average of 100,000 employers annually benefited from the concessionary Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) levy for families with children under 16 years old between 2020 and 2024.
• The concession reduces the MDW levy from $300 to $60 per month for the first MDW for eligible households.
• The Ministry of Manpower does not track the number of first-time parents among those benefiting from the concessionary levy.
• Households hiring MDWs before childbirth can apply for the concessionary levy once the Singaporean child is born.
• Information on the application process and timelines for MDW work permits is available on the Ministry of Manpower's website.

• The Government has launched the Grow Well SG initiative to support parents in managing children's screen use and promoting healthy behaviors from an early age.
• Various resources, including practical parenting tips and community talks, are available to help parents guide their children's screen use and suggest alternative activities.
• The effectiveness of these parental education programs is still being monitored, and there are currently no plans to mandate them for new parents due to varying family needs.
• New parents will receive a parenting journal with resources on healthy habits, including guidelines on screen use for infants, as part of the SG60 Baby Gift Pack.
• The Government aims to engage with parents to better understand their challenges and enhance support for developing healthier screen time habits.

• David Hoe raised concerns about the need for formal cross-agency triggers to prompt Child Protection Services follow-ups on potential child abuse or neglect cases, specifically mentioning chronic absenteeism and caregiver incarceration.
• The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has established processes with schools, hospitals, and law enforcement to identify and respond to suspected child abuse or neglect cases.
• Schools utilize specific screening guides and reporting protocols, while hospitals are required to report non-accidental injuries to the police and social workers.
• MSF has existing data-sharing arrangements with various agencies and is open to assessing and implementing additional data alerts and triggers for more effective responses.

• The Parenting for Wellness Initiative was launched in September 2024 by multiple government agencies, including the Health Promotion Board and the Ministry of Education.
• The initiative has attracted 69,000 unique visitors to its portal, with over 2,700 users registering for a personalized dashboard.
• More than 76,000 copies of the Parenting for Wellness Toolbox have been distributed through various channels, including digital downloads and events.
• Feedback from parents has been positive, indicating that the resources are relevant and practical for their needs.
• The government plans to continue refining the initiative's resources to better meet the evolving needs of parents.

• Ms. Hany Soh inquired about the success rates of Assisted Conception Procedures (ACP) at public hospitals, specifically regarding cases exceeding co-funded scheme cycle limits and those within the limits over the past three years.
• She requested detailed statistics from the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung provided data on Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) cycles from 2021 to 2023.

• Ms. Hany Soh inquired about the number of IVF embryos discarded in the past five years due to couples divorcing or the death of a spouse.
• The Ministry of Health does not keep records on the number of embryos discarded for these reasons.
• Embryos are either donated or discarded based on the couple's written instructions if the Assisted Reproduction centres are informed of such circumstances.

• Dr. Hamid Razak inquired about targeted support measures under Grow Well SG for children from vulnerable families and the potential for partnerships to enhance access to healthy lifestyle interventions.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung emphasized that Grow Well SG is a universal initiative aimed at benefiting all children, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds who lack access to preventive health services.
• The program includes personalized Health Plans for Primary 1 to 3 students, with plans to expand to other age groups in the future.
• There is a collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development to provide additional health support for ComLink+ families, promoting healthy habits and access to health services for their children.

• In 2024, 64% of foreign spouses of Singapore citizens completed the Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment (PMLA) before applying for the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP).
• The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has implemented various measures to raise awareness about the PMLA, including providing advisories in multiple languages and enhancing online accessibility.
• Information about the PMLA is available on the "Our Marriage Journey" online portal for couples, and marriage registry officers encourage couples to complete the assessment.

• Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat inquired about the eligibility of personal tracking devices for subsidies under the Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) and requested data on their usage by caregivers of children with autism.
• The Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, confirmed that personal tracking devices can be subsidized under the ATF, as they assist individuals with autism in living independently.
• There have been no applications for personal tracking devices from persons with disabilities to date, and the choice to use such devices is left to the caregivers.
• The Ministry will not provide tracking devices proactively through early intervention centres, emphasizing caregiver discretion in the decision-making process.

• Pritam Singh inquired about the number of successful public rental flat applications made by individuals undergoing divorce and separation from 2020 to 2024, seeking specific breakdowns.
• Chee Hong Tat reported that approximately 6,100 requests were approved for individuals who completed divorce or separation proceedings, with an additional 186 approved on a case-by-case basis.
• The annual total of approved requests ranges from 1,200 to 1,300, but HDB does not differentiate between completed and ongoing proceedings or track applications by documentation type.

• There was a 21.2% increase in outrage of modesty cases in the first half of 2025, while voyeurism cases decreased by 2.3% compared to the previous year.
• Over half of the outrage of modesty cases involved offenders known to the victims, with public transport being a significant location for incidents involving unknown offenders.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs is implementing initiatives to prevent sexual offenses, including training for school and community counselors and collaboration with public transport operators for crime advisories.
• Public vigilance is emphasized as crucial in addressing these crimes, with initiatives like the "Riders-on-Watch" group encouraging commuters to report suspicious behavior.
• The Ministry is exploring further steps to enhance protection for women and minors against such offenses.