Family & gender — Topics

6 Feb 2023

Planning Parameters for Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Paediatric Care Services in Public Hospitals

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked what factors determine the availability of obstetrics and gynaecology (OG) or paediatric services in public hospitals, and if more such services should be placed in areas with high concentrations of younger families like Sengkang and Punggol.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) considers national and regional demographic and demand trends when planning these services.
Sengkang General Hospital offers outpatient OG and general paediatric services, including pre- and post-natal screening and basic fertility consultations, for families in the northeast region.
Public inpatient OG and paediatric services are centralised at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, National University Hospital, and Singapore General Hospital to consolidate expertise and resources for optimal patient outcomes.
This centralised arrangement is deemed practical and effective given Singapore’s compact size and relatively short travel distances.

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6 Feb 2023

Affordable and Accessible Public Housing, and Public Housing Policies

The PSP argues that current housing policies fail to balance affordability and accessibility, as BTO flats face long waiting times while resale flats are unaffordable, and proposes building more flats based on projected demand and a deferred land cost model to lower upfront prices.
MP Cheryl Chan acknowledges housing challenges but emphasizes the complexity of demand patterns and lifestyles, suggesting that addressing supply shortages requires societal adjustments like accepting less profit from flat sales and living farther from parents, rather than relying solely on subsidies.
The debate highlights concerns about retirement adequacy, as using CPF to pay for flats leaves many with insufficient savings, and questions the impact of government grants on resale price spirals and reserve growth.
Proposals include lowering the eligibility age for singles to buy HDB flats and allowing them to purchase smaller units, to support earlier family formation and address the low total fertility rate.
Overall, speakers call for a review of housing policies to ensure they meet the needs of young Singaporeans while maintaining the high home ownership rate and social fabric of the country.

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10 Jan 2023

Child Protection Investigations by Child Protective Services and Percentage of Investigations where Children are Determined as Abused or Neglected

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development for the number of child protection investigations by Child Protective Services and the percentage where children were found to have been abused or neglected by parents or caregivers over the past five years.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that the number of investigations is available on the MSF website and that about 90% of cases involved abuse or neglect by parents or caregivers.
The remaining cases involved abuse by siblings or other relatives, indicating that not all investigations identified parental or caregiver wrongdoing.
The response highlights that the data is publicly accessible but does not provide specific annual figures or breakdowns beyond the overall percentage.
The debate underscores the prevalence of abuse within family settings, with parental or caregiver involvement in the majority of investigated cases.

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10 Jan 2023

Time-limited Rental Subsidy for Applicants who Qualify for Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme and Public Rental Scheme

The government will not provide a time-limited rental subsidy for applicants under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme and Public Rental Scheme, citing concerns that such subsidies could increase demand and drive up market rents.
HDB already expedites flat allocation for applicants with urgent needs, such as medical grounds or exceptional circumstances, and offers Interim Rental Housing on a case-by-case basis for low-income households with no other options.
Supply for the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme is being increased but remains limited, and families are currently directed to the open rental market for temporary housing.

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10 Jan 2023

Cases Reported to Adult Protective Service and the Child Protective Service

The Adult Protective Service received 1,196 and 1,948 enquiries in 2020 and 2021 respectively, while the Child Protective Service received 5,223 and 6,513 enquiries in the same years, with figures higher than pre-COVID-19 levels and including general inquiries that may not involve actual abuse.
The Strengthening Families Programme @ FSCs supports couples and families facing early stress and relationship issues through various activities, though not all cases involve violence, and it refers families needing further support to specialized services.
A multi-pronged approach to prevent family violence includes public education campaigns, training for professionals and volunteers, outreach to high-risk families, age-appropriate relationship education for youth, and marriage preparation programs.
A Taskforce on Family Violence has proposed comprehensive recommendations from prevention to perpetrator accountability, with the government accepting them in principle in October 2021 and implementing them progressively.

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9 Jan 2023

Companies Offering Caregiving Leave to Employees and Plans to Encourage Such Offerings to Improve Caregiving Support

The Ministry of Manpower provided data showing that as of 2020, 19.5% of establishments offered additional paid family care leave and 27.3% offered additional paid child sick leave, with these proportions increasing since 2010.
Tripartite partners have introduced standards to encourage employers to provide unpaid leave for unexpected care needs and promote work-life harmony, setting best practices for progressive employers.
Recognizing that flexible workplaces are a more sustainable support for caregivers, tripartite partners will introduce Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements by 2024, requiring employers to fairly consider employee requests for such arrangements.

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9 Jan 2023

Assistance for Unsuccessful Applicants of Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme

Around 10% of unsuccessful Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme applicants seek further assistance or advice, with support tailored to their circumstances.
Interim Rental Housing may be offered on a case-by-case basis to lower-income households with no family support and no other housing options.
Applicants are advised to plan ahead, consider open-market rentals within their budget, or live with family, as PPHS supply remains limited.
The government is increasing PPHS supply but cannot offer flats to every applicant, requiring potential applicants to explore all options.

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9 Jan 2023

Child Protection Services Cases Reported by Victims, Family Members, Members of the Public and Community Partners

Louis Ng asked the Minister for Social and Family Development for the number of child protection investigations reported by victims, family members, members of the public, and community partners each year for the past five years.
The Ministry reported that direct reports from children, family members, and the public made up less than 0.5%, 1.5%, and 1.5% of CPS cases, respectively.
The majority of cases came from community touchpoints like preschools, schools, healthcare facilities, police, and social service agencies, which often received initial information from the child or close family members.
Public awareness and reporting have increased due to the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline launched in 2021.
CPS investigates serious abuse or neglect cases involving children and young persons.

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9 Jan 2023

Automatic Extension of Start-Up Grant for Preschoolers to Families on ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance or Long-Term-Assistance

Mr Don Wee asked if families receiving ComCare assistance should automatically get the Start-up Grant for pre-school children.
The Minister confirmed that such families already automatically qualify for the Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) start-up grant at Anchor Operator and MOE Kindergartens.
He added that ComCare families who are first-time Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) applicants also automatically qualify for the CCFA start-up grant at eligible childcare centres.

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9 Jan 2023

Extension of Rental Flats for Applicants under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme to Those who Have Not Been Successful in Booking a Flat

Hazel Poa proposed extending the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme to applicants who have applied for BTO flats but have not successfully booked one.
Desmond Lee highlighted that the government is ramping up BTO flat supply, with plans to launch up to 100,000 flats from 2021 to 2025, and noted that most first-timer families get a chance to select a flat within three tries in non-mature estates.
The PPHS is intended to provide temporary housing for families waiting for their new BTO flats to be completed, and its limited supply will be prioritized for those who have already booked a BTO flat.
Given the current priorities and supply constraints, the government has no plans to extend the scheme to applicants who have not yet secured a BTO flat booking.

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30 Nov 2022

Cost of Placing Child in Place of Safety

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the average monthly cost of placing a child in a place of safety and in the Singapore Boys' or Girls' Home over the past five years.
The Minister responded that the average monthly cost for a child in a place of safety is $3,000, excluding additional expenses for medical services, school, and security at the Boys' and Girls' Homes.
The cost covers care and protection for children and young persons requiring such arrangements.
The figure reflects expenses over the last five years and does not include extras for higher-risk cases.

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30 Nov 2022

Waiting Time for Admission to Shelter when Case is Reported at Family Service Centre

The Minister explained that the Ministry of Social and Family Development does not track the waiting time from when a case is opened at a Family Service Centre to shelter admission, as this period depends on assessments of client needs and circumstances.
Clients with urgent needs, such as those experiencing family violence, are prioritized for shelter admission, and they are typically admitted on the same or next working day.
The Ministry stated that there is sufficient shelter availability, and decisions on admission are influenced by factors like alternative accommodations and client availability for assessment.

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30 Nov 2022

Child Abuse Cases Identified through Signal for Help Programme

Louis Ng asked for the number of children identified through the Signal for Help programme over the past five years and any trends in the data.
Masagos Zulkifli clarified that Signal for Help is a hand signal, not a formal programme, and is promoted under the Break the Silence campaign.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development does not track specific cases reported using the signal, as survivors use multiple reporting methods.
The response did not provide specific numbers or trend data due to the lack of dedicated tracking for the signal.

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29 Nov 2022

Using MediSave to Pay for Monthly Renal Dialysis Treatment

Murali Pillai asked if the CPF Board can allow flexible use of MediSave for a spouse’s renal dialysis, even if the account balance is below the required threshold for the member’s age, as long as active monthly contributions are made.
Ong Ye Kung stated that individuals can appeal to use their MediSave to pay for a family member’s dialysis if the family member has insufficient balances, subject to prevailing withdrawal limits.
The Ministry of Health assesses these appeals case-by-case, considering the affordability of the bill and the impact on the CPF member’s MediSave balances.
This approach ensures support for families while maintaining the sustainability of the MediSave system.
The policy balances individual needs with the need to protect long-term healthcare savings.

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29 Nov 2022

Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment No 3) Bill

The repeal of Section 377A was supported as it decriminalizes consensual same-sex relations, removing a discriminatory law and aligning with the principle of justice and equality, while acknowledging the emotional and social stigma it imposed.
The constitutional amendment was introduced to protect the heterosexual definition of marriage from judicial challenges, ensuring that any changes to marriage laws remain a legislative decision reflective of societal consensus.
The debate highlighted the need for balance between individual rights and majoritarian values, with a call for empathy, respectful dialogue, and continued societal cohesion amid differing views on sexuality and family.

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28 Nov 2022

Basis for Treating BTO Flat Owner with Marriage Annulled and HDB Subsidy Paid Back as Second-time Applicant

Murali Pillai questioned why an individual who had purchased a subsidized HDB BTO flat, had their marriage annulled, and repaid the HDB subsidy is treated as a second-time applicant for a subsequent BTO flat.
The Minister clarified that after an annulment, the couple must return any housing grants received and may have to surrender the flat to HDB, and thereafter, each owner is considered a first-timer for their next BTO purchase without being treated as having enjoyed a prior subsidy.
The Minister advised individuals facing annulment to approach HDB for assistance and advice on their housing options following the dissolution of their marriage.

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28 Nov 2022

Flat Applications Involving Ex-spouses' Disputes over Listing Child as Essential Occupier

Ms Carrie Tan asked about the number of HDB flat applications over the past five years where ex-spouses disputed listing their child as an essential occupier, whether HDB refers such cases for dispute resolution, and the recommended course of action.
Desmond Lee explained that divorced parents with shared care have equal rights to list their child in a flat application, but both must agree since a child can only be listed in one application.
From January 2018 to October 2022, HDB received 24 such appeals and reviews each case with flexibility to ensure housing options for both parties and their child.
HDB may advise applicants to approach a Family Service Centre for assistance if they cannot reach an agreement with their ex-spouse.

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28 Nov 2022

Attendance in Mandatory Counselling Programme in Family Violence Cases

Between 2017 and 2021, approximately 4,300 counselling orders were issued under the Women's Charter for family violence cases.
About 8% of respondents did not attend any sessions of the mandatory counselling programme.
The Ministry does not track data on the percentage of Personal Protection Orders withdrawn after counselling, so no figures are available for this.

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28 Nov 2022

Community Partnerships to Strengthen Support for Victims of Sexual Crime and Family Violence

The Police collaborate with community partners like SG Her Empowerment Limited and the Victim Care Cadre Programme to provide emotional and practical support to victims during investigations.
Family Violence Community Police Officers are deployed across all Neighbourhood Police Centres to manage cases and refer high-risk victims to social service agencies for early intervention.
A joint Police-MSF training workgroup develops scenario-based training for frontline officers, leveraging expertise from various community and government agencies to improve victim management.
Family Violence Working Groups and public awareness campaigns like "Break the Silence" are used to raise awareness and ensure victims have access to help.

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28 Nov 2022

Ex-spouses Overstaying in Matrimonial Homes Ordered Sold by Court

Ms Carrie Tan asked the Minister for Home Affairs about the annual number of police requests over the past five years regarding ex-spouses overstaying in matrimonial homes ordered to be sold, and the typical actions taken in such cases.
Minister K Shanmugam responded that the Police do not track such requests and clarified that breaching such court orders by itself is not a criminal offence.
He explained that when requests are received, Police assess each case individually and investigate only if criminal offences are disclosed.

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