Family & gender — Topics

8 Jul 2013

Purchase of Flats by Singles Below Qualifying Age

Chia Shi-Lu questioned the housing options and numbers for singles below 35 without family or with protection orders, seeking possible exemptions to buy resale flats.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that orphaned singles aged 21 and above can buy new or resale flats of any type, with 36 such cases last year.
He added that singles with protection orders from abusive family members can also buy resale flats below age 35, with one case last year.

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8 Jul 2013

Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Technology) Bill

The Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Technology) Bill was introduced to establish the legal status of children born through assisted reproduction technology.
The Bill aims to provide clarity and certainty for families, ensuring such children have the same legal rights as naturally conceived children.
Senior Minister of State for Law Ms Indranee Rajah presented the Bill, which was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading in the next parliamentary sitting.

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13 May 2013

Adoption Process

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked about average waiting times for overseas adoption and for foreign-born children from a Singaporean’s foreign spouse’s previous marriage, and whether processes across agencies could be streamlined.
Chan Chun Sing responded that overseas adoptions, including foreign step-children, take an average of seven months in Singapore, excluding time for foreign legal requirements or child identification.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development has consolidated the Dependant’s Pass issuance and launched an online portal to simplify applications and provide adoption information.
The ministry continues to review and streamline adoption processes while prioritizing child safety and protection.

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13 May 2013

Ladies-only Train Cabins

Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Transport whether ladies-only train cabins would be considered to improve safety and comfort for female commuters during crowded peak periods.
Lui Tuck Yew stated that the Ministry focuses on safety through patrols and more CCTV, and while ladies-only carriages have been considered, they pose practical challenges like reduced train capacity and social concerns about gender segregation.
The Minister emphasized openness to other suggestions to enhance security or the sense of security for female commuters.

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13 May 2013

Support for Family Caregivers

David Ong asked about support for families caring for patients with multiple chronic diseases, particularly with the push for peritoneal dialysis.
Gan Kim Yong explained that peritoneal dialysis offers convenience but some patients need caregiver assistance, and support is provided through training, home visits, and social work assistance.
The Ministry of Health collaborates with voluntary welfare organisations and hospitals to offer training, home visits, community support, and financial subsidies to caregivers.
Future efforts will continue to enhance support for peritoneal dialysis patients and their caregivers.

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13 May 2013

Provision of Nursing Rooms in Office and Public Buildings

Zainal Sapari asked whether the government can mandate nursing rooms in office and public buildings through legislation.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) promotes such features through outreach but currently does not require them in public or office buildings.
BCA is considering mandating nursing rooms in buildings frequented by families after receiving positive feedback, but is still assessing practicality for all buildings.
The Ministry of Manpower can co-fund up to 30% of development costs for lactation facilities in workplaces through its WorkPro Programme.
The government will continue to encourage employers to provide family-friendly facilities while studying the feasibility of broader mandates.

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13 May 2013

Impact of Home Ownership Plus Education (HOPE) Scheme on Beneficiaries

Since its introduction in January 2004, the HOPE scheme has benefited 2,967 families, with an average of 303 families joining annually over the last five years, indicating steady growth.
Beneficiaries have generally improved their circumstances, with increased household income, mothers' employment rates rising from about 30% to 60%, and about 50% of parents using the training grant for skills upgrades.
Families receive mentoring from professionals at Social Service Agencies, including individual sessions and support groups aimed at boosting skills, financial resilience, and family relationships, with over 70% satisfied in recent surveys.
The mentoring programme's effectiveness is regularly reviewed through surveys, with most beneficiaries reporting motivation to upgrade skills and seek better employment.
The scheme provides structured family support through mentoring and group sessions, contributing to positive outcomes in income, employment, and personal development for participating families.

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13 May 2013

Shortage of Childcare Facilities in Sengkang and Punggol

Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing outlined plans to add dozens of new childcare centres in Sengkang and Punggol over the next few years, including one in Rivervale Arc by early 2015, and is working with HDB and community leaders to use alternative sites like temporary plots, community centres, and under-utilised car parks.
The Ministry determines childcare centre locations by monitoring demand via cohort sizes, community leader feedback, and existing childcare queues, and is open to exploring premises beyond HDB estates such as schools, workplaces, and integrated developments, though each site is assessed for feasibility.
To address the shortage, the government is providing grants for retrofitting existing facilities, reviewing manpower policies to balance teacher ratios and quality, and implementing measures like para educators to increase classroom capacity while maintaining care standards.

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13 May 2013

Priority for Primary 1 Registration

Mrs Lina Chiam questioned whether only People's Association-affiliated leaders qualify for Primary 1 registration priority and asked to expand the definition of active community leadership, with the Ministry clarifying that priority in Phase 2B is given to specific grassroots committee members, parent volunteers, and endorsed church or clan members—not solely government-linked entities.
Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar proposed a new priority phase for families with two or more children living within two kilometres of a school, but the Ministry noted that P1 registration was delinked from population policies in 1992 and recently reviewed; it will monitor current changes before considering further refinements.
The Ministry emphasized that over 98% of registrants in recent years secured a place in their chosen school or one within 2 km, and it continues to ensure sufficient school places and that every school is a good school, with priority based on community contribution rather than party lines.

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8 Apr 2013

Requirement for Pre-abortion Counselling

Gerald Giam questioned why certain groups of women, such as those without PSLE or with three or more children, are exempt from mandatory pre-abortion counselling.
Gan Kim Yong explained that mandatory counselling was introduced in 1987 to provide information and support, but some criteria may no longer be relevant.
The Ministry of Health has begun a review of the counselling requirements and will consult the public in due course.

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8 Apr 2013

Breakdown of Statistics on Foreign Spouses of Singapore Citizens

Over the past decade, foreign spouses of Singapore Citizens are typically granted a Long Term Visit Pass first, with Permanent Residence and citizenship considered after marriage stability is assessed.
The number of foreign spouses sponsored for long-term immigration, PR, and citizenship under the Family Ties Scheme has increased between 2003 and 2012.
The majority of these foreign spouses are females, based on ICA records.
The statistics exclude foreign spouses who obtained PR or citizenship through other schemes or who were already PR before marriage.

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8 Apr 2013

Flexi-Hour PMET Jobs

The government has introduced initiatives like WorkPro and the Work-Life Grant to fund flexible work arrangements and support mothers returning to part-time work.
These measures include financial incentives for employers to hire and train back-to-work individuals, as well as tools and forums to promote flexible workplaces.
While the government does not track specific job vacancies with flexible hours, it monitors the rising trend of establishments offering such arrangements, which increased from 25% in 2007 to 41% in 2012.

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8 Apr 2013

Places at School-based Student Care Centres

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Ministry of Education about the total number of existing school-based student care places, the number of new centres and places planned for the next two years, and the measures to ensure trained personnel.
Heng Swee Keat responded that there are currently 80 school-based SCCs serving over 6,500 students, exceeding the initial goal of 70 by 2014, with more centres planned for primary schools.
He explained that schools select SCC operators through an open procurement process, evaluating proposals on programmes, fees, staff ratios, and staff qualifications to ensure quality and affordability.

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8 Apr 2013

Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill

The debate centered on the Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill, which enhances the Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Package to support Singaporeans in having children, with a focus on leave-related measures like extended childcare leave and shared parental leave to encourage both parents' involvement.
Ministers emphasized that the M&P Package aims to promote marriage and traditional family values, but they also highlighted separate social assistance programs for vulnerable families, such as single-parent households, to ensure all children receive support without undermining self-reliance.
Discussions included balancing the needs of employers and employees in leave schemes, with assurances that enhancements like adoption leave and protection provisions are being monitored and refined to avoid negative impacts on employability or business operations.
The broader goal is to create a pro-family environment through government policies, employer support, and community efforts, recognizing that personal decisions about family are deeply individual and influenced by societal values.
A minor typographical correction was made to the Bill regarding maternity leave protections during retrenchment, which was agreed upon by the House.

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8 Apr 2013

Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill

The bill introduces new leave benefits including one week of government-paid paternity leave, one week of shared parental leave for fathers, enhanced childcare leave for parents of children aged 7 to 12, and statutory adoption leave for adoptive mothers.
It enhances maternity benefits by introducing a Government-Paid Maternity Benefit scheme for mothers ineligible for standard maternity leave, and extends protection against dismissal or retrenchment for pregnant employees throughout their pregnancy.
The bill expands eligibility for childcare leave to unwed single parents and introduces penalties for employers who fail to grant or pay statutory leave benefits.
Members supported the bill but raised concerns about potential unequal treatment of adoptive parents, the need for stronger protections for pregnant women, and the extension of full parenthood benefits to unwed mothers.
Additional suggestions included reviewing leave allocation for families with multiple children, improving workplace support for breastfeeding mothers, and considering a whistle-blower mechanism to protect against abuse of the new leave schemes.

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15 Mar 2013

Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill

The Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill was introduced to amend the Child Development Co-Savings Act and related provisions in the Employment Act.
Mr Chan Chun Sing presented the bill, which was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading at the next parliamentary sitting.
The bill seeks to enhance savings schemes and employment provisions related to child development, though specific amendment details were not elaborated in the debate excerpt.

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14 Mar 2013

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

The Ministry of Social and Family Development outlined its priorities to enhance social services, focusing on flexible and tailored assistance, more accessible and integrated care, and building a stronger social service sector through better organization, manpower development, and community partnerships.
Discussions emphasized expanding childcare and student care services, with plans to build more centers, improve affordability and quality, and consider changes to the Anchor Operator scheme to ensure fair competition and better support for middle- and lower-income families.
The debate highlighted support for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, and single parents, with initiatives like extending childcare leave to unwed mothers, promoting adoption, and enhancing active ageing programs.

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13 Mar 2013

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

Multiple MPs called for a stronger, more integrated and user-centric social safety net, urging better coordination across ministries and agencies to avoid falling through the cracks and to simplify access for vulnerable groups.
Several speakers emphasized targeted support for vulnerable families, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and low-income households, including enhanced financial aid, more adult disability care places, and schemes to address healthcare and living costs.
There were suggestions to promote active ageing with concessions on transport and leisure, improve childcare supply and affordability, and develop a "living wage" benchmark to better evaluate public assistance.

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8 Mar 2013

Committee of Supply – Head T (Ministry of National Development)

Several MPs called for measures to improve housing affordability, suggesting a price-to-income ratio cap of three, shorter lease options, and revising HDB's 30-year repayment period to 20 years, while also urging the restoration of multi-generational flats and priority for families with children under the Parenthood Priority Scheme.
Concerns were raised about resale levies, long rental periods, and infrastructure delays in new estates, with proposals to help lower-income households pay levies via installments and ensure amenities are built before residents move in.
MPs debated the future of public housing, suggesting the review of Executive Condominiums and the Design, Build and Sell Scheme, and allowing singles to buy 2-room BTO flats directly from HDB.
The Minister responded with updates on supply, pricing, and priority schemes, announcing plans to delink new flat prices from the resale market, extend priority housing to pregnant couples and divorcees, and pilot multi-generational flats and lift installations.
The debate also highlighted community and estate management issues, including the definition of common property, the need for more elderly-friendly features, and initiatives like the Greenprint for sustainable towns, with a call for public consultation on long-term housing policies.

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8 Mar 2013

Childcare Centre Operators

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Ministry for Social and Family Development about the number of childcare centres that changed operators over the past three years and whether reasons for transfers are tracked.
The Acting Minister, Mr Chan Chun Sing, stated that 4% to 5% of centres change ownership annually, with one-third for administrative reasons and two-thirds for business sales, and all transfers require a new licence after meeting regulatory standards.
Mr Yee followed up to ask if the Ministry monitors fee changes after ownership transfers and any trends, to which Mr Chan replied that the Ministry does not track this data but monitors fee changes and requires adequate notice for increases while scrutinizing costs for subsidy recipients.

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