Family & gender — Topics

10 Mar 2015

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

The debate centered on maintaining public trust through effective governance, with discussions on anti-corruption measures, such as strengthening the CPIB and reviewing the Anti-Corruption Act, to address a decline in trust levels.
Speakers addressed the need for a Singaporean core in the workforce and population, emphasizing policies to support marriage, parenthood, immigration, and the integration of overseas Singaporeans and foreign spouses.
The government outlined initiatives to improve career progression for non-graduates and lower-wage civil servants, including a unified management scheme and regular salary adjustments, while also discussing the Smart Nation initiative and financial literacy programs.

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3 Mar 2015

Provision of Caregiver Allowance

Christopher de Souza proposed a caregiver allowance framework for those caring for elderly relatives, children with special needs, or disabled family members, highlighting the need for financial support.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong outlined existing support measures, including reduced foreign domestic worker levies, tax reliefs, financial schemes like the FDW Grant and ElderShield, and services such as caregiver training and respite care.
Gan Kim Yong expressed reservations about introducing a direct caregiver allowance, fearing it could monetise family values, but committed to continuing research on enhanced caregiver support.

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12 Feb 2015

Full Childcare and Kindergarten Subsidies for Stay-at-home Mothers

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar asked if the Ministry will extend full childcare and kindergarten subsidies to children of mothers not working full-time.
Chan Chun Sing stated that all parents of Singaporean children are eligible for basic subsidies, with additional support based on household income, and that working mothers receive extra childcare subsidies.
The Ministry recognizes the needs of non-working mothers in certain circumstances and assesses cases individually for higher subsidies, with 190 such mothers granted assistance in 2014.

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12 Feb 2015

Number of Cases at Tribunal for Maintenance of Parents

Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Social and Family Development for the number of cases handled by the Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents in 2014 compared to 2011–2013, and the number mediated by the Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents during the same period.
Chan Chun Sing explained that the Maintenance of Parents Act prioritizes conciliation, with the Commissioner mediating disputes since 2011; the Commissioner handled an average of 264 cases yearly from 2011 to 2014, with an 80% resolution rate.
Due to effective conciliation, Tribunal applications dropped from 110 in 2011 to 55 in 2014, with annual figures of 84 in 2012 and 63 in 2013.

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12 Feb 2015

Extending More Government Benefits to Single Parents and Single Male Parents

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked for statistics on the gender ratio of single parents with custody, details on which tax benefits and assistance schemes are available to single male parents, and whether more support schemes can be extended to single parents.
Minister Chan Chun Sing noted that in 2013, 47% of civil divorces and 63% of Muslim divorces involved dependent children, but the Ministry lacks detailed custody data; joint custody is commonly awarded to prioritize children’s interests.
Divorced parents, including fathers with custody and care control, continue to receive benefits like tax relief, healthcare and education subsidies, Medisave grants, Baby Bonus, preschool subsidies, and childcare leave.
For housing, a divorced parent with custody and care control is treated like a married household, though within three years of divorce, only one party can own a subsidised flat unless the ex-spouse consents or the divorcee has full custody of all children under 18.

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12 Feb 2015

Ensuring Sufficient Numbers of Preschool Centres and Childcare Teachers

The Ministry is on track to add 200 new childcare centres with 20,000 places, having already created 17,000 new places, and monitors demand to expand capacity in estates with young families.
The Early Childhood Development Agency has implemented multiple initiatives, including career fairs and a traineeship programme, to attract and retain preschool teachers, with a four-pronged strategy to reduce the high attrition rate.
Efforts are underway to integrate childcare spaces into new housing developments, and the Ministry will collaborate with other agencies to address student care needs as part of broader family support measures.

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29 Jan 2015

Foreign Spouses of Singapore Citizens on Immigration Passes and Ineligible to Work in Singapore

Gerald Giam asked for the number of foreign spouses of Singapore citizens on social visit passes, Long Term Visit Passes (LTVP), or other immigration statuses that make them ineligible to work as of 31 December 2014.
Teo Chee Hean stated that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) does not track the number of foreign spouses entering as social visitors.
As of 31 December 2014, there were 14,694 foreign spouses of Singapore citizens on Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) or Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus (LTVP+).
Foreign spouses who are Permanent Residents or on LTVP, LTVP+, or a work pass are eligible to work in Singapore.

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20 Jan 2015

Extending Working Mother's Child Relief and Foreign Maid Levy Relief to Single Mothers

Seah Kian Peng asked whether the Working Mother's Child Relief and Foreign Maid Levy Relief could be extended to single mothers and what the estimated tax savings would be for them.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam explained that many government benefits are provided regardless of marital status, but the two reliefs in question are specifically designed to support married women in the workforce within the context of marriage.
The government noted that estimating tax savings for single mothers is difficult due to a lack of data on their specific circumstances, such as children's full-time study status and income levels.

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20 Jan 2015

Paid Caregiver Leave

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Manpower, acknowledged the growing need for caregiving support but cautioned that mandating more family care leave could impact business operations.
The Ministry highlights that employers are increasingly adopting work-life practices, with parental care leave provision rising from 6% to 17% since 2008 and flexible work arrangements now offered by 47% of employers.
The government prefers to encourage voluntary adoption of caregiver leave and flexible work arrangements rather than legislate new leave mandates, noting that businesses are still adjusting to recent family leave schemes.
Employers are urged to view such practices as a talent attraction and retention strategy in a tight labour market, benefiting both employees and employers through improved productivity and retention.

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19 Jan 2015

Support for Single Mothers

Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin questioned the fairness of benefits for children of single mothers, noting they miss out on tax reliefs, Child Development Account, and Baby Bonus, and asked if maternity leave could be extended to 16 weeks.
Minister Chan Chun Sing affirmed that all mothers receive childcare subsidies, Foreign Domestic Worker levy concessions, and childcare leave regardless of marital status, and that education and special needs support are provided universally.
The Minister explained that some benefits like extended paid maternity leave and tax incentives are reserved for married mothers to support parenthood within marriage, reflecting Singapore's societal norms.
The debate highlighted the need to ensure equitable support for single mothers and their children while maintaining policy alignment with societal values.

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4 Nov 2014

Employment Rate for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents at Different Age Groups

The Minister for Manpower reported that employment rates for Singaporeans and permanent residents are broadly similar across age groups, with rates over 80% for ages 30–49, around 75% for those in their 50s, and about 50% for those in their 60s.
Most economically inactive residents are aged 15–24 or 60 and above, with the former primarily in education or training and the latter citing retirement or poor health.
Among those aged 25–59 who are economically inactive, women outnumber men five to one, with 80% citing housework or care-giving responsibilities.

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4 Nov 2014

Foreign Spouses Granted Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus

Hri Kumar Nair asked for the number of foreign spouses granted LTVP+ since December 2013 and whether it could be made a rule for spouses married and living in Singapore for over five years.
Teo Chee Hean stated that 7,300 foreign spouses were on LTVP+ as of September 2014, with 2,000 granted between January and September that year.
Eligibility for LTVP+ requires at least three years of marriage to a Singapore citizen or an SC child, with ICA also considering the SC spouse’s ability to support the family.
Applications are assessed on multiple factors, not solely marriage length or stay duration, and LTVP is considered if LTVP+ is not granted.
The government does not set a fixed rule based solely on five years of marriage and residence, but evaluates each case holistically.

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4 Nov 2014

New School-based Student Care Centres

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is steadily expanding school-based Student Care Centres (SCCs), with 40 new centres planned to bring the total to 120 by 2015, based on localized needs and existing infrastructure.
MOE is working with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to assess demand, support VWOs in setting up SCCs near schools, and study ways to encourage more operators and teachers into the sector, while prioritizing quality and affordability.
Members of Parliament raised concerns about insufficient capacity, long waiting lists, and the need for more ambitious targets, suggesting faster expansion, better support for VWOs, and a study on the needs of students with special requirements.

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3 Nov 2014

Benefits Given to Unwed Mothers

The Government provides benefits for childcare, child development, education, and healthcare to all mothers, regardless of marital status.
Some benefits intended to support marriages and births within married family contexts are exclusively given to married mothers.
All policies are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain current and relevant.

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3 Nov 2014

Long-term Visit Passes Issued to Female Visitors Accompanying Children or Grandchildren on Student Passes

Ms Sylvia Lim inquired about the number of female visitors granted Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVPs) to accompany children or grandchildren studying in Singapore over the past decade, and the proportion who remain after studies complete.
Teo Chee Hean noted a decline in "study mothers," from about 6,500 in 2004 to around 4,800 by end-2013, with LTVPs valid for up to one year.
He stated that when the student's pass ends, both the student and accompanying mother or grandmother must leave Singapore, unless the mother qualifies separately for a work pass based on her own merits.
No readily available data exists on how many mothers stay under work pass circumstances after the student's studies end.

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3 Nov 2014

Effectiveness of Community Outreach Programme in Helping Prison Inmates' Families in Securing Employment

Mr Ang Wei Neng asked about the effectiveness of the Community Outreach Project (now Yellow Ribbon Community Project) in helping offenders' families secure employment.
The project supports inmates' families through volunteers who connect them to existing community resources, including job search referrals to agencies like Social Service Offices and Community Development Councils.
The programme has expanded significantly, reaching over 2,100 families with 620 trained volunteers across 63 grassroots divisions.
Success depends on the commitment and self-reliance of the inmates and their families, though many have benefited from the support provided.
The project leverages existing community schemes rather than creating new ones to assist families in need.

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3 Nov 2014

Structured Support for Families and Parents of Children with Severe Disabilities

Denise Phua asked for a more structured and coordinated support system for caregivers of children with severe disabilities and single parents with limited family help.
Chan Chun Sing explained that families can seek help from Family Service Centres or Social Service Offices for needs assessment and to navigate available support schemes.
The government works with voluntary welfare organisations and has set up local planning teams to better coordinate social services in each HDB town.
Dedicated agencies like SG Enable, HELP FSC, and PPIS As-Salaam Family Support Centre offer specialised assistance for caregivers of children with disabilities and single parents.
The government acknowledges the need for continuous improvement and collaboration across the sector to ensure timely support for these families.

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8 Oct 2014

Caregiving Arrangements to Safeguard Children's Well-being

Dr Janil Puthucheary raised concerns about the Ministry's involvement when a parent with mental illness and a history of violent behaviour poses risks to a child, asking about state care options and case statistics.
Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that the Ministry assesses each case individually, prioritising the child's safety and using a tiered approach that ranges from support services at home to kinship care, foster care, or residential placement as a last resort.
The Minister noted that formal review processes are triggered if a child under state care is harmed, and while resource constraints are not currently a barrier, there is a call for more families to volunteer for foster care to provide homely environments for vulnerable children.

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7 Oct 2014

Increase in Number of Children without Child Development Account

Ms Lee Li Lian asked about the rise in children without Child Development Accounts (CDA) from 2,600 for the 2001-2005 birth cohorts to 11,600 for the 2006-2011 cohorts, and requested data on CDA utilisation and household income breakdowns.
Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that the increase is due to the extension of the CDA opening period from six to 12 years, and he expects the percentage of children without CDAs and the rate of savings to the co-savings cap to improve over time.
The Minister added that expanded uses for CDA funds since 2012 are expected to increase utilisation, but the Ministry does not track longitudinal household income data to provide the requested income breakdowns.

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7 Oct 2014

Pre-implantation Genetic Screening for Women Undergoing IVF in Singapore

The Ministry of Health has not approved Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) in Singapore due to unclear evidence on its effectiveness in improving live birth rates for fertility issues and concerns it could be used for non-medical embryo selection, such as sex selection.
The government is maintaining a cautious approach and will continue to review PGS as new evidence emerges, balancing the potential benefits against ethical risks.
Safeguards for abortion, including mandatory pre-abortion counselling and a 48-hour cooling-off period, are already in place to prevent misuse, addressing concerns about abortion for non-life-threatening reasons.

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