Family & gender — Topics

14 Apr 2014

Formula for Pricing Rental Flats under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme

Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for National Development about the pricing formula for rental rates under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS), the costs involved, the number of applications for 3-room flats, and whether rates could be lowered to boost demand for larger flats.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan explained that PPHS rents are set based on flat type and location, and are 40% to 60% lower than market rents in the vicinity.
The costs of providing PPHS flats include retrofitting, management, and maintenance.
Applications peaked at 409 last September but have since dropped to 81, with over 900 of the 1,150 flats taken up, leaving some larger flats available.
The government is considering allowing couples to co-rent larger flats to improve take-up rates.

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14 Apr 2014

Priority for Larger BTO Flats for Families with Children

Mr Gan Thiam Poh proposed giving priority to families with children for larger BTO flats, such as extra ballot chances for couples with two or three children applying for 4-room or larger flats.
The Minister for National Development clarified that HDB already provides priority through the Third Child Priority Scheme and Parenthood Priority Scheme, setting aside fixed quotas for families with children rather than additional ballot chances.
HDB does not restrict priority to specific flat sizes, allowing families to choose based on their budget and needs.
Mr Gan asked about the number of non-first-timer applicants and when HDB could satisfy all of them, to which the Minister responded that the focus is on clearing the first-timer queue and that second-timers have more options like resale flats.
The Minister noted that precise figures for non-first-timer applicants were not recalled, but efforts are ongoing to enhance opportunities as the first-timer queue clears.

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13 Mar 2014

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

Ministers Chan Chun Sing and Low Yen Ling outlined expanded support for vulnerable groups, including higher ComCare income eligibility, enhanced childcare subsidies, and new transport concessions for persons with disabilities to improve affordability and accessibility.
The Ministry is strengthening integrated social services through Community Service Offices (SSOs) and Family Service Centres, focusing on localized, whole-of-society approaches to help families achieve independence rather than long-term reliance.
Significant investments are being made in early childhood services and special education, with plans to increase childcare places, improve quality standards, and support professionals in the social service and early childhood sectors.

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12 Mar 2014

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

Seah Kian Peng advocates for better integration of Social Service Offices with community partners, stronger career pathways for social service professionals, and proposes a "community corps" to employ residents for neighborhood support.
Lily Neo highlights coordination gaps among assistance schemes, calls for micro-interventions for long-term poverty solutions, and seeks updates on Social Service Office operations and support for the elderly.
Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap urges proactive measures to prevent homelessness by identifying high-risk families early through collaboration with HDB, while Zainal Sapari and others seek updates on Social Service Office roll-out and coordination for families with multiple needs.
Laurence Lien questions the Ministry’s ability to address root causes of social issues given its downstream role, suggesting a more holistic whole-of-government approach, while Penny Low proposes expanding social innovation and enterprise support.
Multiple members discuss challenges in childcare, including shortages in centers and teachers, support for special needs children, and proposals to extend subsidies to grandparents or babysitters to alleviate care gaps.

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3 Mar 2014

Protocol for Pregnant Women Prisoners

Pregnant inmates receive medical care from prison doctors and specialists, and are sent to a hospital for delivery, with restraints applied as needed but waived for health and safety.
Babies can stay with their mothers in prison temporarily until alternative care is arranged with family or social services, but a prison environment is not considered suitable for raising a child.
Over the past five years, 47 women gave birth while serving prison terms, and while regulations allow children to stay with mothers until age three, the average stay is about three months.

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3 Mar 2014

Age Requirement for Co-tenant of Subsidised HDB Rental Flats

David Ong questioned the 35-year age requirement for co-tenants in subsidised HDB rental flats and asked if exceptions could be made for young children or adults under 18 who are financially dependent on a low-income single parent.
The Minister explained that public housing policy prioritizes family formation, and the minimum age of 35 applies to all singles renting or buying HDB flats to encourage family stability.
A widowed or divorced parent with children can rent a flat as a family nucleus, while an unmarried parent must pair with another eligible single under the Joint Singles Scheme.
The Minister noted that HDB may, on a case-by-case basis, show flexibility in allocating a flat to an unmarried parent and their child.

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17 Feb 2014

Student Care Centres Outside School Premises

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the number of student care centres operating outside school premises, their trend over the past five years, and how many have ceased operations in that period.
Minister Chan Chun Sing responded that there are currently 409 registered Student Care Centres, with 329 operating outside school premises.
Over the last five years, the number of such centres ranged from 307 to 373, but MSF does not have a breakdown on centres that stopped re-registering for fee assistance.

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17 Feb 2014

School-based Student Care Centres

Yee Jenn Jong asked the Minister for Education for the current number of school-based Student Care Centres (SSCs), their total enrolment capacity, average enrolment over the past 12 months, the percentage with waitlists, and the number of new centres planned for the next two years.
Heng Swee Keat responded that as of December 2013 there were 80 school-based SSCs, up from fewer than 50 in 2011, with enrolment growing from about 3,500 to over 6,500 students.
Parents have provided positive feedback on school-based SSCs for their convenience and supportive environment, and MOE is working with MSF to study demand and expansion capacity for both school-based and community-based centres.
Any expansion of school-based SSCs will focus on maintaining quality, affordability, and accessibility, with more details to be provided later.

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17 Feb 2014

Women Terminating Pregnancy in Singapore

Gerald Giam asked for data on termination requests, counselling referrals, and decisions to keep pregnancies over the past decade, as well as the names of organisations providing mandatory pre-abortion counselling.
Gan Kim Yong provided tables with statistics on termination requests, counselling, and kept pregnancies, and stated that counselling is done by trained doctors or nurses at approved public or private institutions, with the Health Promotion Board Student Centre handling cases of unmarried women under 16.
The response clarified that mandatory pre-abortion counselling is conducted by approved institutions under the TOP Act and Regulations, without naming specific external organisations.

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17 Feb 2014

Review of Termination of Pregnancy Guidelines

The Ministry of Health reviewed pre-abortion counselling criteria and proposed extending mandatory counselling to all pregnant women seeking abortion in Singapore, with public consultation planned for the second half of 2014.
The review of counselling content is ongoing, focusing on improving information provided to women and enhancing counsellor training, with more details to be shared later in 2014.
The review of Termination of Pregnancy guidelines began in March 2013, with the Ministry indicating that updates would be provided in the second half of 2014.

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17 Feb 2014

Health Promotion Board's Frequently Asked Questions Segment for Same-sex Relationships

The government reaffirmed its policy that the family is the basic building block of society, with no shift in its position on encouraging heterosexual married couples to build stable families, and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) aligns its activities with this policy.
HPB's FAQs on sexuality and sexual health aim to provide factual, public health-focused information, including on STI and HIV prevention, and do not encourage same-sex relationships but rather address health issues for specific target groups like Young Men Who Have Sex with Men.
The statement that a same-sex relationship is not too different from a heterosexual relationship is meant to emphasize that relationships require commitment, supporting the key STI and HIV prevention message of being faithful to a partner to minimize transmission risks.
HPB continually reviews its resources with public feedback to ensure they remain relevant and effective in promoting healthier choices, while maintaining its focus on public health objectives.

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17 Feb 2014

HDB Flats for Divorcees

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar asked if divorcees, with or without children, could be eligible to buy 2-room BTO flats under the Singles Scheme even if they are not first-time flat buyers.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan explained that divorcees with children under their custody form a family nucleus and can apply for BTO flats as first-timer or second-timer households based on their housing history.
Divorcees without children under their custody are treated as singles; those without prior housing subsidy can buy a 2-room BTO in non-mature estates, while those with prior subsidy can only buy resale flats.
HDB does not extend BTO flats to divorcees without children who have previously received a subsidy, prioritizing first-timer singles without prior housing subsidy.
The policy aims to meet the housing needs of first-timer singles before extending BTO eligibility to other divorcee categories.

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21 Jan 2014

Investigation of Suspected Sexual Assault Cases

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs outlined that the Police's procedures for investigating suspected sexual assault cases prioritize victim care through trained officers, single points of contact, specialized facilities, and collaboration with support agencies to minimize trauma and build trust.
Gerald Giam asked for clarification on whether there are standardized protocols for recording rape victims' statements and if police training includes addressing common rape myths to prevent re-victimization, as well as whether referrals to counselors are standard or case-specific.
The Second Minister for Home Affairs responded that there are clear investigation protocols tailored to sexual assault cases, that officers are trained to be empathetic and sensitive while establishing facts, and that the range of measures ensures victims are treated with empathy throughout the process.

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20 Jan 2014

Applications for Long Term Visit Pass-Plus (LTVP+)

Baey Yam Keng asked about the number of successful LTVP+ applicants and rejections of applicants with at least one Singaporean child.
Teo Chee Hean replied that about 7,500 foreign spouses of Singapore Citizens were granted LTVP+ from April 2012 to November 2013.
He explained that LTVP+ is part of the LTVP application process, with eligibility based on meeting specific criteria, and those with a Singaporean child are generally granted LTVP+ or LTVP.
A small group who do not meet the criteria may receive short-term visit passes until their family circumstances improve.

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20 Jan 2014

Female Representation on Boards of Listed Companies

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked whether the Ministry has studied the causes of low female representation on the boards of listed companies and how to encourage more women to serve on boards.
The Ministry, through a Diversity Task Force formed in late 2012, is examining gender diversity on boards and senior management of listed companies and conducted a survey in July 2013, with findings expected in mid-2014.
The Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations runs the BoardAgender initiative to raise awareness about the economic benefits of gender-balanced boards and to encourage women to serve on boards.

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20 Jan 2014

Homeless Families Who Camp by Beach

The Ministry for Social and Family Development (MSF) regularly patrols beaches and public areas and responds to ComCare hotline calls to identify and assist homeless individuals and families.
Between 2011 and 2013, MSF provided support and shelter to 565 individuals and 404 families, with many having low income and weak social support due to reasons like flat sales, financial problems, or family conflicts.
The government offers various housing options, including purchasing a flat, reuniting with family, rental flats, and interim housing, alongside financial aid, job training, and social support to help families regain independence.
While many families make progress, some refuse to cooperate with officials or accept offered accommodation, making it challenging to resolve their homelessness.
A specific example showed a family found at the beach receiving shelter, employment, school re-enrollment, and monthly financial assistance, demonstrating positive outcomes with support.

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20 Jan 2014

Staff-Child Ratios in Childcare and Infant Care Centres

Ms Lee Li Lian asked about the status of the review of staff-child ratios and plans to reduce the current 1:5 ratio in light of plans to create 20,000 more childcare places by 2017.
Chan Chun Sing explained that ratios are part of ensuring children’s safety and development, with lower ratios for younger children, and that the review must balance quality care with the manpower needed for expansion and impact on fees.
He highlighted that since January 2012, centres have had flexibility to use para-personnel to assist teachers, allowing capacity growth while lowering ratios, and that measures are being taken to attract and retain early childhood sector manpower.
The Minister also noted that beyond ratios, the capability of early childhood personnel is important, with raised qualification requirements in 2009 and ongoing training opportunities through the Continuing Professional Development Masterplan.

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20 Jan 2014

Student Care Services in Primary Schools

Dr. Lam Pin Min questioned the capacity planning for student care facilities in primary schools and suggested freeing up more spaces to meet high demand, especially in single-session schools.
The Senior Minister of State for Education outlined that the number of school-based Student Care Centres has expanded from under 50 to 80, with enrollment rising from 3,500 to 6,500 students over three years, and noted ongoing efforts with other ministries to increase places while maintaining quality and affordability.
Dr. Lam Pin Min further asked whether schools with student care could admit students from other schools and if there would be regulation to ensure minimum service standards.
The Senior Minister of State responded that cross-school enrollment is generally inconvenient and prioritized for own students, but could be considered if schools are nearby; she also affirmed that MOE works closely with MSF on regulating student care services.

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12 Nov 2013

Lifting Needy Families Out of Poverty Cycle

The Minister outlined a multi-pronged approach to help needy families, combining financial aid like ComCare and Workfare with case management, social interventions, and a new network of Social Service Offices for better service integration.
Data from 2008 to 2012 showed that 75% of unemployed ComCare recipients found jobs, and 20% of families on assistance saw incomes rise beyond eligibility thresholds with case management support.
The government emphasized a holistic strategy to address underlying family challenges, with a new national case management system to improve data sharing and forecasting for emerging needs.

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12 Nov 2013

Accreditation under Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative

The Singapore government, through the Health Promotion Board and the Association for Breastfeeding Advocacy, is implementing the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative across five hospitals that account for 80% of births, with two hospitals already certified.
To promote breastfeeding, the government supports workplace initiatives, produces educational materials, and enforces a Code of Ethics through the Sale of Infant Foods Ethics Committee to regulate infant formula marketing, with compliance monitored via warnings rather than penalties.
Breastfeeding rates have improved over the past decade, but exclusive breastfeeding at six months remains low, and the government plans to continue monitoring through national surveys and enhance community support, including exploring trained peer breastfeeding counsellors.

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