Family & gender — Topics

11 Jul 2016

Need for Pram-friendly Buses

Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Transport how LTA can ensure inclusiveness for families with young children, noting that current wheelchair-accessible buses do not secure open prams and LTA recommends folding prams and holding the child.
Khaw Boon Wan agreed that public transport must be inclusive and said bus captains and station staff are trained to assist passengers with strollers, priority seats are available, and LTA is studying ways to safely secure strollers on buses.

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11 Jul 2016

Automatic PR Status for Foreign Spouses of Singapore Citizens with One Singapore Citizen Child

Tin Pei Ling proposed automatic Permanent Residence (PR) for foreign spouses of Singapore Citizens who have at least one Singapore Citizen child, to ensure family stability.
K Shanmugam explained that PR is not automatic and each application is assessed holistically, with SC children being a positive factor.
Foreign spouses who do not yet qualify for PR may be granted Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP or LTVP+), allowing them to work and stay with their families.
The Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment (PMLA) was introduced in 2015 to provide clarity on long-term stay eligibility before marriage, aiding couples in planning.

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11 Jul 2016

Review of Criteria for Working Mother's Child Relief Claims

Zainal Sapari asked whether the income declared for Working Mother's Child Relief (WMCR) could exclude National Service allowances and internship earnings, and if the $4,000 annual income ceiling for the child could be reviewed due to rising costs.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam explained that to qualify for tax reliefs like WMCR, dependants must be financially dependent with no income, but a concession allows incidental income up to $4,000 annually for all dependants, without excluding any income categories for consistency.
He noted the $4,000 threshold was last increased in 2010 and will be reviewed periodically, but no immediate changes were announced.

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11 Jul 2016

Addressing Challenges Faced by Caregivers of Children with Special Needs

Murali Pillai highlighted challenges faced by caregivers of children with special needs, including societal discomfort with inclusion, long waiting times for Day Activity Centres, and the need for better support for adult children post-education, while emphasizing community-driven attitude changes over legislation.
Tan Chuan-Jin acknowledged the feedback, outlined government efforts such as the Enabling Masterplan, campaigns like "We are Able," and initiatives to expand post-18 options, training, and employment support for persons with disabilities, while stressing community involvement for an inclusive society.
The debate underscored the importance of empathy, practical support like subsidies and transport assistance, and the role of families and the community in ensuring long-term care and inclusion for persons with special needs.

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9 May 2016

Programme on Human Anatomy and Respect for Members of the Opposite Sex for Kindergartens

Dr. Lim Wee Kiak asked if the Ministry will mandate kindergarten programmes to teach children about private body parts, inappropriate touching, and how to report such incidents.
Acting Minister Ng Chee Meng responded that some preschools already integrate body-safety lessons and the Early Childhood Development Agency is exploring further age-appropriate support.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development and ECDA have systems to guide teachers on child safety concerns and abuse reporting.
The Ministry of Education’s Nurturing Early Learners Framework includes guidelines for developing self-concept, values, and teaching children to seek help when unsafe.

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9 May 2016

Profile of Active Female Taxi Drivers

Ang Hin Kee asked about the percentage of female taxi drivers, their demographics, work challenges, and any specific support measures.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that 2.5% of active taxi drivers are female, with an age profile provided, and noted their primary concern is personal safety.
Taxi companies have installed panic buttons to alert the company, police, and nearby drivers when drivers are in distress, addressing safety concerns for both female and male drivers.

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9 May 2016

Acquittal of Female Offender of Sexual Assault Charges

Alex Yam and Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Ministry of Home Affairs whether it will amend the Penal Code to make sexual assault laws gender-neutral, including applying sexual penetration to female offenders and reviewing all relevant sections.
The debate follows a High Court judgment that acquitted a female offender of sexual assault charges, highlighting potential legal gaps in non-gender-neutral provisions.
K Shanmugam, speaking for the Ministry, stated that the Prosecution has appealed the High Court's decision and the Ministry will await the appeal's outcome before considering any amendments.

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9 May 2016

Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill

The Bill introduces an extra week of paid paternity leave, which employers can claim reimbursement for, and will be mandated from January 2017.
It extends Child Development Account benefits, including a $3,000 First Step grant, to children of unwed parents to support their development.
Unwed mothers will qualify for full 16 weeks of maternity leave from early next year, with enhanced support for vulnerable families.
The amendments aim to promote shared parental responsibility, encourage father involvement, and address structural barriers to higher birth rates.
Parliament supports the Bill as part of broader efforts to strengthen family support and inclusivity in Singapore.

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9 May 2016

Raising Annual Income Criteria for Legal Aid

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked about reviewing the annual disposable income criteria for legal aid, reasons for failing to qualify, and the case categories of those who qualify, with the Senior Minister of State responding that the means test is regularly reviewed and that 25% of Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents now qualify, up from 17%, with family cases involving children given special discretion.
The Senior Minister of State explained that applicants must meet a disposable income cap of $10,000 per year and a capital cap of $10,000, and among those who qualify, about half of the cases are matrimonial matters like divorce and child custody, while 15–20% involve property or estate issues.
On appeal options for those rejected for failing the means test, the Senior Minister of State noted that the Legal Aid Board cannot waive the means test criteria, but referred applicants to the Law Society's Pro Bono Services Office and the Community Justice Centre for potential alternative assistance on a case-by-case basis.

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9 May 2016

Special Multigenerational Rates at Major Tourist Attractions

Joan Pereira asked whether the Ministry would encourage major tourist attractions to offer special rates for multi-generational Singaporean families to promote bonding.
The Senior Minister of State responded that many attractions already offer tiered pricing for seniors and children, such as the Singapore Zoo and Science Centre, and the Ministry will continue to encourage such initiatives.
The Ministry noted that MCCY-run facilities, including museums, offer free entry to Singaporeans and organize family-friendly events like the Singapore Heritage Festival to foster intergenerational bonding.
Additional platforms for bonding include concessionary rates at ActiveSG sports facilities and free-access public spaces like Marina Barrage and parks, supported by community events organized by the Families for Life Council.

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14 Apr 2016

Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill

The Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill was introduced to amend the Child Development Co-Savings Act, presented by Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien.
The bill received its First Reading in Parliament, with a Second Reading scheduled for the next sitting, and the President's recommendation was signified.
The debate focused on procedural motions to advance the bill through parliamentary stages for legislative enactment.

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13 Apr 2016

Committee of Supply – Head U (Prime Minister's Office)

The Public Service will hire an additional 1,000 engineers this year, raise their starting salaries by about 20%, and develop competency frameworks and career paths to strengthen engineering capabilities in the public sector.
The government will legislate a second week of paternity leave and increase shared parental leave from one to four weeks to better support working parents, while studying ideas like an online directory to match parents with informal caregivers.
The government reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance against corruption, with robust anti-money laundering measures and investigations into illicit financial flows, while stressing the need for continued vigilance and a culture of mutual respect between public officers and citizens.

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13 Apr 2016

Committee of Supply – Head O (Ministry of Health)

Members raised concerns about women's health, particularly diabetes prevention and gestational diabetes, and the need for integrated health screening, education, and monitoring for women.
The debate highlighted the importance of strengthening primary care, including supporting family doctors, expanding polyclinics and Family Medicine Clinics, and enhancing subsidies through the CHAS scheme.
The Ministry outlined initiatives for an ageing population, such as community networks for seniors, home and community care services, and the National Silver Academy, while also addressing the need to grow the healthcare workforce and improve mental health support.
Members discussed challenges in eldercare, including calls to review ElderShield for better long-term care coverage, and proposed measures like a sugar tax or food labelling to combat obesity and diabetes.
The Ministry emphasized preventive health, healthy living initiatives, and transparency in healthcare costs, while committed to managing infectious diseases like Zika and dengue through vaccination, surveillance, and public education.

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12 Apr 2016

Committee of Supply – Head I (Ministry of Social and Family Development)

Multiple MPs urged stronger support for fathers and shared parenting, including extending paternity leave flexibility and promoting fathering education, while the Minister announced that unwed mothers will now receive full Government-Paid Maternity Leave and their children will be eligible for Child Development Accounts to reduce early disadvantages.
Concerns were raised about childcare affordability, fee transparency, and manpower shortages, with the Ministry responding that it is on track to meet childcare place targets, has introduced measures to attract early childhood educators, and will pilot the KidSTART programme to provide integrated early support for vulnerable children.
The debate highlighted unequal benefits for children of single or unwed parents, with MPs calling for equal access to schemes like Baby Bonus and housing support, while the Ministry confirmed it is expanding assistance through KidSTART and other targeted programmes.
MPs emphasised the need to support informal caregivers, review income criteria across schemes, and enhance the Enabling Masterplan for persons with disabilities, with the Ministry outlining ongoing investments in VWOs, social service professionals, and community-driven care initiatives.
The Minister concluded that Singapore’s social policies are guided by equal opportunities, strong families, and a united country, committing to proactive, community-based support while urging all Singaporeans to play a part in building a caring and inclusive society.

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4 Apr 2016

Maternity Leave for Single Mothers

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked if the Government will consider increasing maternity leave for single mothers to allow them more time to care for their children.
Tan Chuan-Jin noted that single unwed mothers currently receive eight weeks of paid and four weeks of unpaid maternity leave.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development is reviewing support for single unwed parents to better aid children from vulnerable families, with results to be announced soon.

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4 Apr 2016

Detentions under Section 160 of Women's Charter

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the number of women and girls detained under Section 160 of the Women's Charter in the last five years, as well as the longest and mean duration of detention each year.
Over the last five years, a total of 10 women and girls were admitted under Section 160, with three discharged within a month after investigations and seven staying longer due to protection concerns and lack of suitable caregivers.
The mean duration of stay was two years, and the longest duration was four years, with an independent Discharge Committee reviewing cases every six months to prevent unnecessary detention.

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24 Mar 2016

Breakdown of Account Balances by Gender of CPF Members

Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Manpower to provide the average CPF balances by gender and a breakdown by age groups.
In 2015, males had an average net CPF balance of $86,000 and females $76,000, with the gender gap narrowing from 21% in 2005 to 14% in 2015.
The male-to-female ratio of average CPF balances is lower for younger age groups and increases for older age groups.

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24 Mar 2016

Feedback from Public Consultation on Fresh Start Housing Scheme

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Ministry for National Development for an update on the public consultation feedback for the Fresh Start Housing Scheme, which aims to help second-timer families with young children in rental housing to own a home again.
The consultation revealed broad agreement that the scheme must include guidance and support for families, not just housing grants and flats, and that beneficiaries must commit to finding jobs and maintaining stable incomes.
There was a strong emphasis on ensuring children attend school regularly to secure a better future, with the scheme focusing on holistic support to help families solve their problems.
Based on the feedback, the Ministry is now working out the detailed parameters for the scheme and plans to announce more details soon, while welcoming continued public input.

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24 Mar 2016

Approach in Tackling Homeless Cases

The Ministry of Social and Family Development provided assistance to an average of 300 homeless cases annually from 2005 to 2015, with numbers slightly declining in recent years.
A 2014 study found that homeless families often faced issues like divorce and financial difficulties, prompting a strategy to address underlying problems through employment aid, counselling, and links to community services.
The Ministry collaborates with other government bodies and community organizations to provide housing support, transitional shelters, and long-term solutions for homeless individuals and families.

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24 Mar 2016

Number of Long-Term Visit Pass Plus Granted after Introduction of Scheme

The Long-Term Visit Pass Plus (LTVP+) scheme, introduced in 2012, granted 5,879 passes to foreign spouses between October 2014 and December 2015, alongside 12,743 standard Long-Term Visit Passes, with an overall application success rate of about 88% since the scheme's inception.
LTVP+ holders receive benefits such as three-to-five-year residency, healthcare subsidies similar to permanent residents, and employment concessions including Letters of Consent that exempt them from foreign worker quotas and levies, with no immediate plans to increase these benefits.
Applications are evaluated holistically based on factors like marriage stability, financial support, and the presence of Singaporean children, but there are no fixed criteria for what constitutes a stable marriage, and the government is considering suggestions to improve transparency in the rejection process.

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