Family & gender — Topics

27 Jul 2021

Making Mental Health Screening and Support for New and Expectant Mothers Mandatory

The Minister confirmed that public and private obstetricians already provide mental health screening and support for expectant mothers, identifying conditions like antenatal and post-natal depression, and the MOH is formulating a Child and Maternal Health and Well-being Strategy to further support mental well-being for new and expectant parents.
Since 2007, hospitals like KKH and NUH have screened over 165,000 women for perinatal mental health with early intervention, including post-partum depression screening during outpatient reviews, and SGH has a psychiatry clinic for antenatal and post-natal depression with a multidisciplinary team.
Hospitals assess spouses for distress or paternal post-natal depression and offer referrals, while community initiatives like KidSTART screen fathers during home visits for depression and direct them to polyclinics for assessment.
The MOH will continue to review the need for further mental health screening at existing service touchpoints in both public and private sectors to better support parents.

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27 Jul 2021

Proposal for BTO Ballot System to Automatically Flag Out Applicants' Eligibility for Relevant Priority Schemes

The BTO ballot system automatically flags applicants for the Parenthood Priority Scheme without requiring a separate application, but other schemes like the Married Child Priority Scheme and Third Child Priority Scheme require applicants to apply themselves due to compliance conditions.
Applicants must submit a new application for each BTO exercise, but can use MyInfo to pre-fill details from previous applications and only submit documents during the flat booking appointment.
Eligible parties can expect to receive balloting outcomes within three weeks after the application period closes.

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27 Jul 2021

Increasing Proportion of BTO Flats within Mature Estates for Married Child Priority Scheme to Facilitate Inter-generational Familial Support

Tin Pei Ling asked if the proportion of BTO flats under the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) in mature estates could be increased to support inter-generational living, highlighting young couples' desire for proximity to parents.
The Minister for National Development replied that 30% of new flat supply in mature estates is already set aside for MCPS, but increasing this is not feasible now due to competing housing needs for other groups like first-timer families and those with multiple children.
The Minister noted HDB has increased BTO launches in mature estates from 44% in 2017 to 55% last year and suggested resale flat buyers use the Proximity Housing Grant up to $30,000 to live near family.
Tin Pei Ling followed up with supplementary questions on the average excess demand for MCPS flats and the potential impact on housing estate composition if the proportion were increased, but the Minister deferred the data request to a written question and reiterated the existing stance.

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26 Jul 2021

Demand and Availability of Rental Flats under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme

Leong Mun Wai asked about the total supply, yearly demand over the last five years, and the percentage of demand met for rental flats under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS).
Desmond Lee explained that PPHS supply is limited to about 840 flats as of June 2021, with demand rising since 2020 due to construction delays and increased competition for rentals.
About half of PPHS applicants since 2020 did not select a flat when offered, indicating that not all have urgent housing needs or may have alternative options.
The government is considering refining allocation to prioritize families in greater need and exploring ways to increase PPHS supply to better support flat buyers requiring temporary housing.
HDB may offer interim rental housing on a case-by-case basis to low-income households with no other housing options while longer-term measures are developed.

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26 Jul 2021

Number of Single Unwed Parents Helped Via HDB's Website Dedicated to Addressing Their Common Housing Queries

From September 2019 to June 2021, HDB approved requests from about 190 single unwed parents to apply for a new flat, with about two-thirds successful in their applications.
Of the successful new flat applicants, half have booked a flat, a quarter did not book when invited, and the remainder are awaiting their booking appointment.
HDB also approved requests from about 55 single unwed parents below age 35 to buy a resale flat, with half completing their purchase.
During the same period, HDB approved about 380 applications from single unwed parents to rent a flat under the Public Rental Scheme.
HDB will continue to review each request holistically and provide housing assistance in the best interest of the children.

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26 Jul 2021

Referral of Vulnerable Pregnant Women by Medical Personnel to Avenues for Support and Assistance During and Post-pregnancy

Medical personnel are legally required to report suspected offences like abuse or sexual assault, and are ethically bound to refer patients to appropriate support services they cannot address.
Pregnant women with identified needs receive psychosocial support and are routinely referred to medical social workers, care coordinators, and community services as part of obstetric care.
Several programmes and initiatives, such as ProPEL, KidSTART, Safe Place, and Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support, provide tailored assistance including home visits, therapy, temporary shelter, and counselling for vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers.

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26 Jul 2021

Number of Cases of Women and Their Children Seeking Help and Receiving Shelter from Family Service Centres and Family Violence Specialist Centres in Past Three Years

Over the past three years, an average of 180 family violence cases involving women and children were admitted to crisis shelters annually, with the majority referred by Family Service Centres or Family Violence Specialist Centres.
The average duration of stay in crisis shelters varies yearly, with residents discharged once safe alternative accommodation is secured, such as staying with family or returning to their own flats.
A small proportion of residents move to public rental housing or transitional shelters upon discharge, though specific yearly breakdowns of these transitions are not tracked by the shelters.

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26 Jul 2021

Steps Taken by Ministry to Continue Programme to Celebrate Couples' Golden Jubilee Wedding Anniversaries in Midst of COVID-19 Pandemic

The Ministry of Social and Family Development continued the Golden Jubilee Wedding Celebrations for couples married 50 years or more despite COVID-19 restrictions, shifting to a non-physical approach in 2020.
In 2020, 152 couples received special commemorative packages including certificates, notes, medallions, and photo mementos, with their stories featured in local media and congratulatory messages posted online.
The virtual celebration was well-received, generating positive public engagement with nearly 2,500 likes and 250 positive comments on social media posts and videos.
The Ministry plans to continue commemorating Golden Jubilee marriages safely in 2021, highlighting these enduring unions as inspiration during the pandemic.
The initiative, first suggested by Mr Murali Pillai in 2017, aims to honor long-lasting marriages and reinforce family values in Singapore.

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26 Jul 2021

Families Benefiting from Extension of Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Concession and Home Caregiving Grant for Care of Adult Family Members with Cognitive Impairments

Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the number of families benefiting from the extended FDW levy concession and Home Caregiving Grant for adult family members with cognitive impairments and steps to increase awareness of these schemes.
The Government reported that as of 31 March 2021, over 3,000 families benefited from the FDW levy concession and more than 31,000 beneficiaries received the Home Caregiving Grant, with eligibility based on functional impairment rather than specific cognitive conditions.
Information on both schemes is available on government websites and through social service agencies, and families can apply via the Agency for Integrated Care, with no separate data collected on cognitive impairments as a qualifying criterion.

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26 Jul 2021

Rationale for National Service-component in Starting Salaries of Public Service Employees

Carrie Tan questioned whether National Service completion is factored into Public Service starting salaries and the rationale for doing so, as well as efforts to equalize salaries between genders over time.
Chan Chun Sing responded that the Civil Service acknowledges National Service by providing salary increments for male Singaporeans at their first appointment to align them with peers of the same age who did not serve.
He emphasized that after entry, salary and career progression in the Civil Service are based solely on individual merit and performance, not gender differentiation.
The response did not specify the number of positions affected but confirmed the practice applies to male officers entering the Civil Service following National Service.
Efforts to address gender salary equality were implied to be ongoing through merit-based progression, though no detailed measures were outlined.

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26 Jul 2021

Proposal for CPF Contributions to be Paid when Foreign Spouses of Singaporeans Work

Gan Thiam Poh proposed allowing foreign spouses of Singaporeans on Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus with Singaporean children to contribute to the CPF for housing loans.
The Ministry for Manpower explained that CPF is for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, and foreign spouses on such passes are supported through other measures, including housing flexibility.
The Ministry stated that foreign spouses can already support housing loans with cash, and HDB considers case-by-case appeals to include their income for loan computations.
Permanent Residency would require CPF contributions, but current measures provide sufficient support without extending CPF to Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus holders.

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26 Jul 2021

Single Unwed Parents Who Apply for Interim Housing while Awaiting Completion of New Flats

Louis Ng queried the Minister on the number of single unwed parents applying for interim housing under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme over the past five years, including successful applications and follow-up for rejections.
Minister Desmond Lee responded that only two single unwed parents applied since 2016, both were invited to select a flat, one was allocated a flat while the other did not select one when invited.
The debate highlighted limited data on single unwed parents seeking interim housing and the HDB's response to such applications.

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26 Jul 2021

Strengthening the Singaporean Core

Patrick Tay highlighted that Singaporean PMEs, especially mature workers, face unfair competition and discriminatory hiring practices, proposing stronger enforcement, stiffer penalties, and an enhanced Employment Pass application process with a point system to prioritize local hiring and knowledge transfer.
Saktiandi Supaat and Louis Ng called for legislating the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to address discrimination based on race, age, nationality, gender, and marital status, with Ng specifically emphasizing the need to stop discriminatory questions about marital status and children in job applications.
The Minister for Manpower acknowledged concerns about workplace discrimination and Singaporean job security, outlining existing efforts like SkillsFuture and Jobs Growth Incentive, while announcing a Tripartite Committee to study whether legislation is the best approach to strengthen fair employment practices.

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6 Jul 2021

Data on Flat Rental Application by Single Unwed Parents in Past Five Years

Louis Ng asked for annual data on rental flat applications, rejections, and reasons for rejections from single unwed parents over the past five years, or if not collected, whether it would be.
Desmond Lee responded that HDB reviewed each application individually and received 1,218 requests from single unwed parents from 2016 to 2020, with 55% successful and a fourfold increase in approvals from 48 in 2016 to 214 in 2020.
Rejections occurred mainly when applicants could afford to buy a flat, had family housing options, or failed to provide complete information, and HDB pledged to continue holistic reviews and assist in the children's best interests.

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6 Jul 2021

Proposal to Subsidise Hospitalisation Costs for Birth Deliveries up to C-class Ward Rates in Public Hospitals for First Two Children of Each Singaporean Family

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim proposed subsidising hospitalisation costs for birth deliveries up to C-class ward rates in public hospitals for the first two children of each Singaporean family, regardless of delivery location.
Ong Ye Kung explained that while government subsidies of up to 80% are available for inpatient treatment in B2 or C wards of public hospitals, subsidies are means-tested and not extended to A or B1 wards or private hospitals, including for maternity services.
All Singaporeans can use the MediSave Maternity Package to offset delivery costs, with daily hospital charge limits and procedure-based withdrawal limits for normal or complicated deliveries.
Additional support for children includes a $4,000 MediSave Grant for newborns, free childhood vaccinations and screenings, and Baby Bonus Cash Gift plus Government contributions to Child Development Account savings as part of the Marriage and Parenthood Package.

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6 Jul 2021

Data on Claims for Serious Pregnancy and Delivery-related Complications Covered by MediShield Life in Past Three Years

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked for the number and median age of patients with serious pregnancy and delivery complications covered by MediShield Life over the past three years.
Ong Ye Kung stated that MediShield Life began covering inpatient treatment for these complications from 1 April 2019.
Between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020, about 3,300 claims were covered, with a median patient age of 33 years old.

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6 Jul 2021

Measures to Prevent Clusters of COVID-19 Infection of Pre-schoolers Arising from Households Served with Leave of Absence, Stay-home Notice or Quarantine Order and School Fee Relief for Parents

The Ministry has enhanced safe management measures in preschools, including restricting entry for those on Leave of Absence (LOA), Stay-Home Notice (SHN), or Quarantine Order (QO), and requiring children and staff with symptoms to leave immediately and seek medical attention.
For households under quarantine, children and staff are issued LOA and can only return after the household member completes quarantine and, in some cases, tests negative for COVID-19, with classmates also encouraged to stay home during exposure periods.
Parents who keep children home due to LOA, SHN, or QO can appeal for flexibility on preschool subsidy attendance requirements and Child Care Financial Assistance on a case-by-case basis.

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6 Jul 2021

Funding System for Family Service Centres and Average Number of Cases Per Social Worker

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for the average 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile numbers of cases per non-supervisory social worker at Family Service Centres over the past five years, but the Ministry of Social and Family Development does not have readily available data on individual social worker caseloads, though it tracks overall FSC caseloads and manpower situations.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang also asked about the rationale for changing the FSC funding system from tiered to one based on exact cases handled, and the Minister explained that since FY2018, funding is tailored to actual cases with higher weights for risk and complexity to better meet resourcing needs.
Over FY2016 to FY2020, FSCs served an average of 350 clients and 22 cases per social worker annually, with caseloads varying by community and manpower, and the Ministry works with FSCs to address high caseloads and turnover.

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6 Jul 2021

Key Drivers for Rise or Decline in Number of Married Couples in Resident Households Aged 65 and above

Senior employment rates rose significantly from 2010 to 2020, with more married couples aged 65 and above both working due to better health and longer life expectancy.
Government policies, including increased retirement and re-employment ages and financial incentives, have made it easier for seniors to remain employed.
The decline in households where both spouses are not employed is linked to the overall increase in senior employment and longer working lives.

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6 Jul 2021

Percentage of Civil Servants who Use Parent-care Leave and also Eligible for Flexible Work Arrangements

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Prime Minister for the percentage of civil servants who use parent-care leave and are also eligible for flexible work arrangements over the past five years, and whether the Ministry would start collecting this data if it is not already available.
The Prime Minister's office responded that flexible work arrangements in the Civil Service include staggered work hours, telecommuting, and part-time options, and all civil servants are eligible if their job role allows, so eligibility is not specifically tracked.
It was also noted that civil servants with childcare or eldercare needs can discuss arrangements with supervisors and HR, including using leave provisions or flexible work options tailored to their job and operational context.
The response did not provide the requested percentage data, indicating that such specific statistics are not currently collected.
The Ministry's stance is that flexibility is broadly available, and discussions are encouraged to balance personal needs with professional responsibilities.

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