Family & gender

• Ms. Nadia Ahmad Samdin proposed that the Ministry for National Development include an expected child past 24 weeks in gestational age in the per capita income calculation for rental rates under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme.
• She emphasized the need to recognize the financial responsibilities that come with childbirth and caring for an infant.
• The Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme provides subsidized housing for eligible families, including expectant parents, while they await their new Housing and Development Board flat.
• A monthly household income ceiling of $7,000 was set in August 2021 to assist families who struggle to afford market rental rates.
• Rental rates under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme are not based on per capita income.

• The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) aims to nurture resilient individuals and strong families through family-centered and proactive approaches, ensuring support at every life stage.
• MSF plans to enhance access to affordable early childhood services, expand family counseling, and support caregivers while reviewing the Mental Capacity Act for better protection of vulnerable adults.
• The ministry will focus on improving employment support for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and promoting gender equality in family and workplace settings.
• MSF is committed to supporting lower-income families through initiatives like ComLink+ and Progress Packages, while also enhancing the delivery of social services and addressing domestic violence.
• Collaboration with communities, businesses, and individuals is emphasized to build a caring society, alongside investments in technology and partnerships for social innovation.

• Mr. Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the support provided to kindergarten children with potential developmental needs when parents refuse assessment for early intervention.
• Minister Masagos Zulkifli emphasized the importance of formal assessment by a paediatrician to determine the necessary early intervention support for children.
• The decision to allow assessment and enrollment in early intervention programs lies with the parents, who are encouraged to participate for the benefit of their child and family.

• Ms. Hazel Poa inquired about the statistics of single-parent families in Singapore for the years 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024, specifically asking for both absolute numbers and percentages of all families.
• Minister Masagos Zulkifli responded that the information is collected at the household level, which includes data on single-parent households.
• The relevant statistics can be accessed on the Department of Statistics' website.

• Ms. Hazel Poa questioned why the preschool staff did not report visible bruises on a four-year-old child who later died from abuse, instead informing the child's mother and her boyfriend.
• The Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, acknowledged that the preschool submitted an incident report that inadequately described the child's injuries, leading to insufficient intervention.
• In response to the incident, the Ministry has enhanced protocols for child protection, including mandatory use of a standardized assessment tool and improved reporting timelines for suspected abuse.
• Preschools are now required to document visible injuries with diagrams and consult relevant helplines for serious concerns, aiming to improve the accuracy of assessments and interventions.
• The Ministry has committed to reviewing child death cases to identify lessons learned and systematically improve child protection measures.

• Ms. Carrie Tan raised questions about whether foster parents can use their foster children's Child Development Accounts (CDA) for childcare fees and suggested adjusting fees to align with the birth parents' income tier.
• Minister Masagos Zulkifli explained that foster parents receive a monthly allowance designed to cover childcare and related expenses, and they are charged a flat rate for childcare services.
• The Minister emphasized that CDA funds should remain with birth parents to assist with child-raising costs if the child is returned to them.

• Ms. Sylvia Lim inquired about the number of Singapore citizens born to foreign mothers with various immigration statuses over the past two years.
• Minister K Shanmugam provided data indicating that in 2023 and 2024, 72% of foreign mothers were Permanent Residents, 15% held a Long-Term Visit Pass Plus, 8% held a Long-Term Visit Pass, and 5% had other immigration statuses.
• The total number of Singapore citizens born to foreign mothers in that period averaged 4,909 annually.

• Ms. Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about the relocation plans for The Schoolhouse preschool and whether the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) was consulted.
• Minister Masagos Zulkifli confirmed that The Schoolhouse complied with the ECDA Code of Practice by providing the required notice to parents regarding the relocation.
• The Schoolhouse plans to cease operations on December 31, 2025, and has engaged parents regarding alternative arrangements for their children.
• ECDA is monitoring the situation to ensure a smooth transition for affected children, teachers, and parents.
• The Schoolhouse is managing staffing and continuity of care during the transition period.

• Ms. He Ting Ru questioned the Minister for National Development about the automatic imposition of a new five-year minimum occupation period (MOP) for HDB leaseholders purchasing their ex-spouse's share of the flat.
• Minister Desmond Lee explained that there are two methods for divorcees to take over their ex-spouse's share: a transfer of flat ownership or a resale of part-share, with the latter treated like any typical resale transaction.
• The Housing and Development Board (HDB) generally requires a fresh MOP for all resale transactions, but waives this requirement for most divorce-related cases.
• From 2020 to 2024, HDB approved about 30 waivers for the MOP in divorce cases, although they do not track the total number of waiver requests received.

• The debate focused on the need for clear procedures in preschools regarding the withdrawal of children suspected to be victims of abuse by parents or guardians.
• Questions were raised about the adequacy of current monitoring and reporting mechanisms for suspected child abuse in preschools, emphasizing the importance of direct reporting to authorities.
• The Minister for Social and Family Development highlighted existing regulations that require preschool staff to report suspected abuse and outlined updated guidelines for handling such cases.
• New protocols were introduced in 2021 to address concerns about children frequently absent or withdrawn from preschool, mandating reporting to social services when abuse is suspected.
• The discussion included the importance of training for educators to recognize signs of abuse and their legal obligations to report, as well as the role of the public in reporting suspected cases.

• Ms. Ng Ling Ling inquired about the government's plans to reimagine the "Let's Have One" campaign to increase the birth rate, drawing comparisons to the historical "Stop at Two" campaign.
• Indranee Rajah, representing the Prime Minister, highlighted the significant societal changes since the 1970s, indicating that past strategies may not be effective in the current context.
• The government recognizes declining fertility as a national priority and aims to understand young couples' perspectives on marriage and parenthood while addressing their concerns.
• Initiatives such as the Baby Bonus Scheme, Shared Parental Leave, and the Made For Families movement have been introduced to create a supportive environment for families.
• The government is committed to fostering a culture that encourages family growth and aims to partner with various sectors to support this initiative.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the number of appeals from divorced parents with shared care seeking to list their child in public housing applications over the past five years.
• Desmond Lee reported that from 2020 to 2024, there was only one appeal received, which was denied due to lack of extenuating circumstances.
• The parents involved in the denied appeal subsequently reached an agreement to have one parent list the child in their application.

• The debate focused on intimate partner violence (IPV) in Singapore, highlighting its prevalence and the need for comprehensive research and data collection on the issue.
• Assoc Prof Razwana Begum emphasized the severe impacts of IPV on women, children, and families, advocating for immediate legislative and systemic changes to better support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
• The Minister of State for Social and Family Development, Ms Sun Xueling, outlined existing legislative frameworks and community efforts to combat domestic violence, stressing the importance of a whole-of-society approach to address the issue effectively.
• Recommendations included enhancing support services for survivors, improving legal protections, and integrating technology to assist in prevention and response efforts.
• Both speakers acknowledged the need for ongoing public education and community engagement to foster awareness and intervention in cases of domestic violence.

• The Second Minister for National Development clarified HDB's policy regarding rental housing applications for individuals undergoing divorce, confirming that applications can be made before divorce finalization under certain conditions.
• HDB requires legally binding documentation on ancillary matters, such as asset division and child custody, to assess eligibility for public rental housing.
• Applications can be considered before an interim judgment if a deed of separation is provided or if there is an urgent need assessed by a social worker.
• A specific case highlighted by the Leader of the Opposition involved a misunderstanding regarding the requirements for applying for rental housing, which was clarified by the Minister.
• HDB is open to reviewing its procedures to be more facilitative for applicants in urgent need of housing during divorce proceedings.

• Ms. Yeo Wan Ling inquired about the support available for incarcerated Singaporeans to assist their dependants in need of community or legal help.
• The Minister of State for Home Affairs outlined that inmates can communicate their family needs through regular interviews, and Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are available to assist both inmates and their families.
• Inmates with children or elderly dependants are proactively identified for support, and trained social workers assess their families' needs to connect them with community resources.
• Yeo expressed concerns about inmates' anxiety regarding their dependants' well-being and the lack of trust in external support systems.
• The Minister assured that the ecosystem of care has been strengthened, with multiple avenues for families to seek help and report concerns about their loved ones.

• The debate focused on the issue of subsidies for maternity fees and medical bills for foreign mothers or relatives of Singapore citizens, with questions raised about the extent of support available.
• Concerns were expressed regarding the financial burden on Singaporeans when foreign relatives or spouses incur medical costs, and whether mandatory health insurance for long-term visitors should be considered.
• The Minister of State for Health clarified that most foreign spouses of Singapore citizens are Permanent Residents or holders of Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus, who receive the same subsidies as citizens for maternity care.
• There was acknowledgment of a small percentage of foreign mothers giving birth to Singaporean children who do not hold PR or LTVP+, prompting calls for a review of support for this group.
• The Ministry will continue to assess the situation and explore ways to provide assistance to foreign mothers facing high delivery costs, while emphasizing the importance of existing policies.

• The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) emphasizes the importance of strong families as the foundation of society and outlines initiatives to support families, including increased access to affordable preschool education and enhanced financial assistance for caregivers.
• Significant progress has been made in preschool enrollment, with a target to provide government-supported places for 80% of preschoolers by 2025, alongside reductions in childcare fees to make them comparable to primary school costs.
• The MSF is committed to empowering lower-income families through programs like ComLink+, which offers tailored support and financial incentives for education and employment, while also addressing the needs of families with members who have disabilities.
• The government is enhancing support for caregivers through increased grants and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of care and financial security for families with special needs, including the introduction of new trust and savings schemes.
• The debate concluded with a call for collective action from all sectors of society to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for families, emphasizing the need for collaboration among government, community, and private sectors.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang raised questions regarding the provision of child car seats in taxis, referencing a pilot program by SMRT Taxis. Chee Hong Tat explained that taxis are exempt from requiring child seats for passengers under 1.35 meters, as they offer street-hail services where prior notification is not possible. Ride-hail services, however, must allow passengers to request child seats during booking. Families can also use their own child seats in taxis and private hire vehicles.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked about the average waiting time for children to secure a spot in Special Student Care Centres (SSCCs) and updates on plans for more centres. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that there are currently eight SSCCs, with an average waiting time of about eight months for enrollment. Priority admission is granted to urgent cases, and SG Enable assists families with alternative options and resources. The Ministry of Social and Family Development is working with stakeholders to identify demand areas and plans to establish more SSCCs alongside the construction of additional Special Education schools.