Family & gender — Topics

15 Oct 2020

Continual Contact between Natural Parents and Children-In-Care Despite COVID-19 Safe Distancing Measures

The Minister outlined that during the circuit breaker, MSF facilitated virtual interactions between children-in-care and their natural parents via video calls and phone calls to maintain family ties and support eventual reunification.
In the post-circuit breaker period, children in foster care were granted home leave for visits, with natural parents required to declare their household’s health status and compliance with quarantine measures before visits.
Case workers maintained regular virtual check-ins with children to monitor well-being and requested periodic health updates from natural families to ensure safe contact amid distancing measures.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

15 Oct 2020

Number of Singaporeans Provided Childcare, Preschool and After-school Care Subsidies

The Ministry provides a universal Basic Subsidy for all Singaporean children in childcare, with working mothers in households earning $12,000 or less eligible for means-tested Additional Subsidies; currently, 103,400 children are in full-day childcare, with 61,500 receiving Additional Subsidies and 9,900 receiving the highest tier.
For kindergartens run by Anchor Operators and MOE, 18,800 children are enrolled, with 12,000 receiving means-tested KiFAS subsidies and 4,300 receiving the highest tier; non-working mothers can access subsidies under special circumstances, such as job-seeking or caring for young or special-needs children.
Student care subsidies under SCFA support 6,600 Singaporean children from households with incomes up to $4,500 monthly, with the highest tier provided to 1,800 children from households earning $1,500 or less; means-testing is used to target resources effectively, and recent enhancements raised income ceilings and subsidy amounts.
The Ministry aims to lower preschool fee caps over the medium term, starting with Partner Operator pre-schools in 2021, and will monitor recent enhancements before reviewing schemes to ensure affordability, especially for lower-income families.
In response to a suggestion for incentives for larger families, the Minister emphasized that subsidies are primarily to ensure access to affordable, quality preschool education, not to encourage more children, and families who do not qualify can appeal for higher subsidies.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Oct 2020

Statistics on Wife Retaining Matrimonial Flat or Allocated Rental Flat by HDB Following Divorce

From 2015 to 2019, the ex-wife retained the matrimonial flat in 70% of transfer cases (5,100 out of 7,200) and in 43% of resale of part-share cases (250 out of 580).
In cases where the flat was sold on the open market or returned to HDB, 37% (2,500 out of about 6,700) involved the ex-wife purchasing another flat or becoming an occupier.
HDB allocated about 1,600 rental flats to female divorcees with care and control of children over the same period.
HDB does not track specific numbers for ex-wives who moved in with family, bought private property, or rented elsewhere.
HDB continues to assist all divorcees who approach them for housing support.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Oct 2020

Protection Orders and Domestic Exclusion Orders Granted under Women's Charter since Start of Circuit Breaker Period

Ms He Ting Ru asked about the number of protection orders and domestic exclusion orders granted under the Women’s Charter each month since the start of the circuit breaker period.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that the Family Justice Courts grant personal protection orders and domestic exclusion orders to those experiencing family violence.
On average, about 75 personal protection orders and seven domestic exclusion orders were granted per month since the circuit breaker began.
The monthly average from April to August 2020 was similar to the average from the first three months of the year.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Oct 2020

Number of Infant and Childcare Places and Number of Citizens Born in Last Five Years

Ms He Ting Ru requested data on current infant and childcare places by URA planning areas and Singaporean citizen births over the last five years, also broken down by planning areas.
The minister responded that national childcare and infant care places have risen by nearly 50% since 2015 to 180,000, with significant increases in newer areas like Punggol and Sengkang, and that annual citizen births average 33,000, which existing capacity can accommodate.
Despite overall ample supply, some areas face waitlists due to location preferences and space constraints, and the government plans to add 20,000 new preschool places by 2023, focusing on regions with upcoming housing developments.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Oct 2020

Number of Domestic Abuse Cases Since Start of Circuit Breaker Period

Police have received an average of 415 family violence reports per month since April, with investigations initiated in more than 40% of cases.
Only about 3% of investigated cases were prosecuted in court, while 12% received warnings instead of prosecution.
Authorities emphasize that prosecution is not always the optimal solution, and other avenues like Protection Orders or social service referrals are often used to address complex family violence issues.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Oct 2020

Proposal for Extra Childcare Leave for Parents of Differently Abled Children

Louis Ng Kok Kwang proposed that the Government provide extra childcare leave for parents of differently abled children to attend medical and developmental appointments.
The Government, through Indranee Rajah, highlighted existing enhanced childcare leave provisions, flexible work arrangements, and tripartite standards to support working parents.
Additional support for parents of children with special needs includes subsidies for Special Student Care Centres, tax relief for grandparent caregivers, and training resources through EIPIC and SG Enable.
The Government emphasized balancing caregiving needs with employers’ operational requirements to protect parents’ employability while continuing to study further enhancements.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

Trend of Female Workforce Participation with Younger Children across Income Deciles over Last Five Years

Over the last five years, the overall female labour force participation rate for those with younger children has risen, with Singapore ranking among the top five OECD countries in 2018 for such participation among mothers with at least one child aged below six.
Labour force participation cannot be measured by income deciles because individuals without work do not draw an income, so trends across income deciles are not available for this group.
A detailed breakdown of the trend is provided in Table 1, though specific data points are not summarized in the debate.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

Percentage of Rejected Applications under Self-employed Person Income Relief Scheme due to Spouse's Income and Plans to Review Criterion

Melvin Yong asked for the percentage of SIRS applications rejected due to a spouse earning over $70,000 and for a review of this criterion amid the COVID-19 economic impact.
Mrs Josephine Teo explained that SIRS is means-tested, and married applicants are ineligible if their spouse's annual income exceeds $70,000 to target those with limited household wealth.
She noted that $70,000 is above the median income and aligns with other national schemes like Workfare, and the Ministry exercises flexibility on this criterion.
Approximately 10% of unsuccessful SIRS applicants were rejected because their spouse's income far exceeded the $70,000 threshold, which could not be covered by appeal guidelines.
The Ministry's response addresses the question while indicating that the criterion is part of a broader means-testing approach rather than committing to a review.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

Number of Appeals Received by MUIS Appeal Board on Judgments Issued by the Syariah Court of Singapore for Divorce Cases

From 2017 to 2019, the MUIS Appeal Board received a total of 70 appeals against Syariah Court divorce judgments, with 26 appeals in 2017, 20 in 2018, and 24 in 2019.
The main reasons for appeals were disputes over the division of matrimonial assets and monetary orders, such as the quantum of nafkah iddah and muta'ah awards to wives.
During this period, the number of male and female appellants was roughly equal.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

Number of Children Enrolled under Enhanced Pilot for Private Intervention Providers in 2017 and 2018

Mr Don Wee asked for the number of children enrolled under the Enhanced Pilot for Private Intervention Providers (Enhanced PPIP) in 2017 and 2018 and whether the quota could be increased.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) reported that 130 children were enrolled annually on average during 2017 and 2018 under the Enhanced PPIP.
MSF increased the number of PPIP providers from 6 to 10 in 2018 and worked to expand places, leading to 266 children being served in 2019.
MSF is working to maximize PPIP capacity, expand Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) places, and develop new programs like Development Support Plus and the Inclusive Preschool Workgroup to support more children with developmental needs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

Manpower Resourcing Plan for Home Visitation Programme under KidSTART

The Home Visitation Programme under KidSTART aims to improve child development, parental knowledge, and parent-child bonding through regular screenings and holistic family assessments.
Home visitors are professionals with backgrounds in early childhood, psychology, nursing, or social work, and are skilled in case management, developmental screening, and collaborative community work.
Over the next three years, the number of home visitors will increase from 19 to 45, with recruitment efforts stepped up to support KidSTART's expansion.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

Relaxing Regulations on Gatherings for Key Life Events Like Weddings

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about a timeline for relaxing gathering limits for weddings, noting recent relaxations for MICE events allowing up to 250 people.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong outlined current measures, including a 100-person cap for wedding solemnisations and receptions with zoned safe management, and announced a pilot for HDB common area receptions.
The Minister emphasized high transmission risks at weddings due to socializing and mask removal, and stated a cautious approach would be taken before any further expansion of attendee caps.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

Extending Remission of Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty to Singles Purchasing Second Property vis-a-vis Married Couples

Sitoh Yih Pin questioned why single buyers of a second property do not qualify for the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) remission that married couples receive when changing homes and asked if this could be extended to singles.
Heng Swee Keat explained that ABSD aims to moderate demand and stabilize the property market, applying to all Singaporeans’ second property purchases regardless of whether they sell their first home.
The only exception is for married couples, who can claim an ABSD refund if they sell their first property within six months, due to changing family needs like having children.
The Minister stated that this concession is not available to other groups, including singles, to maintain the policy’s objective of controlling demand for second residential properties.
Buyers seeking to avoid higher ABSD on a second property are advised to sell their first property before making the new purchase.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

Maintaining Well-being of Families Amidst Increasing Stress During COVID-19 Pandemic

The government set up the National CARE Hotline and other Carelines to provide psychological and emotional support to individuals and families affected by the pandemic, with trained volunteers handling tens of thousands of calls.
Families facing stress, tensions, or potential violence are encouraged to seek early help through Family Service Centres, online counselling, and community outreach, with increased efforts to monitor and support vulnerable households.
Financial support measures such as the Temporary Relief Fund, COVID-19 Support Grant, and extended ComCare assistance were rolled out to help middle- and lower-income individuals and families cope with economic distress.
Programmes like Families for Life’s #FFLShareTheCare video series and free Triple P parenting courses were launched to help families manage work-care balance and reduce parenting stress, with strong public uptake.
Community volunteers and partners have been proactively reaching out to low-income and vulnerable households, providing resources and referrals to support those most affected by the crisis.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

Number of Families Helped by KiFAS Grants and Proposal for Extension of the Scheme

Ms He Ting Ru asked about the number of Singaporean families eligible for and receiving Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) over the last five years and whether the scheme would be extended to all eligible families regardless of childcare provider.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli explained that KiFAS is a means-tested subsidy for families with children in half-day kindergartens run by Anchor Operators or MOE, with eligibility based on household income, and noted that the income ceiling and subsidies were raised in 2020, increasing the number of children receiving KiFAS from an average of 9,000 to 12,000 annually.
The Minister emphasized that the government prioritizes affordability in full-day childcare centres, which serve most children, and that childcare subsidies are available for all ECDA-licensed centres, with additional means-tested subsidies and plans to lower fee caps.
It was highlighted that over 85% of Singaporean children in preschool attend either childcare centres or Anchor Operator/MOE kindergartens, most receiving subsidies, and that additional support like Baby Bonus and CDA grants help offset fees.
The government is committed to doubling preschool spending to over $2 billion annually in the coming years to improve quality, affordability, and accessibility for all children.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

Extension of Social Egg Freezing to More Individuals

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked for an update on social egg freezing, whether the policy could be extended beyond medical grounds, and if the Ministry is aware of Singaporeans going overseas for preservation.
Masagos Zulkifli stated that the Government encourages early marriage and parenthood, currently only allows egg freezing for medical reasons, and is carefully reviewing whether to extend it to social grounds.
He noted potential benefits of social egg freezing for personal circumstances but highlighted concerns about delaying parenthood and increased pregnancy risks with age.
The Ministry does not track or have data on Singaporeans going overseas for egg or sperm preservation.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

IVF Success Rates with Fresh and Frozen Eggs

From 2016 to 2018, 4,673 babies were born through assisted reproduction technology in Singapore.
Success rates for fresh and frozen eggs in IVF are largely comparable according to international scientific literature.
The government has enhanced support by removing the age limit for ART treatments and the cap on the number of cycles, while also providing co-funding and MediSave usage for procedures.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Oct 2020

Number of Women Amongst Those Retrenched in 2020

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Manpower for the number of retrenchments in 2020 and how many of those retrenched were women.
Mrs Josephine Teo responded with data showing that 6,460 residents were retrenched in the first half of 2020.
The response indicated that about half of those retrenched in the first half of 2020 were women.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Sep 2020

Distribution of Balance in Special Needs Savings Scheme on Demise of Child

Christopher de Souza asked whether parents can specify who receives leftover funds in the Special Needs Savings Scheme if their child passes away.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that if the child dies before the parents, the money stays in the parents’ CPF account, who can then update their nomination.
If the child dies after the parents, unused SNSS funds become part of the child’s estate and are distributed via will or intestacy laws.
Parents can set up a trust to decide how funds are used if their child outlives them, or apply for a court order to make a will on behalf of a child lacking mental capacity.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source