Religion, race & rights — Topics

2 Mar 2017

Composition of SG Enable Management Team

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Social and Family Development how many persons with disabilities are on the SG Enable Management Team and what percentage they comprise.
SG Enable has two out of 13 Board members who are persons with disabilities, and they provide insights on the needs of persons with disabilities.
6% of SG Enable's workforce comprises persons with disabilities, which is higher than the national average of 0.55%, helping the organisation better understand its clients.

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28 Feb 2017

Enhancing Capabilities to Care for Children with Autism

The Ministry partners with agencies like ECDA to train EIPIC staff and pre-school teachers through specialized diplomas, equipping them with skills to support children with autism.
The community contributes by building inclusive playgrounds and facilities through 3P collaborations, fostering integration and interaction between children with and without special needs.
Corporate and community groups are encouraged to create more opportunities and inclusive settings to help autistic children learn and grow alongside their peers.

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20 Feb 2017

Primary 1 Pupil Data Form

Leon Perera asked the Ministry of Education (MOE) when the Primary 1 pupil data form was last updated and if there are plans to modify the listed occupations to reflect gender diversity in modern occupations.
The MOE stated the form was last updated in 2016 to change the declaration clause, and current occupation lists reflect commonly reported roles, with an "Others" option for unspecified occupations.
MOE is digitising the form via the Parents Gateway online portal and is conducting a comprehensive review of all data fields, including the occupation lists, as part of this transition.

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20 Feb 2017

Commendation of Women for Sacrifices Made in Supporting National Service

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked if there are plans to honor women for their sacrifices as mothers and wives of Singaporean men who served National Service during its 50th anniversary.
Ng Eng Hen stated that the NS50 Recognition Package is for NSmen who served two or more years, with vouchers and memberships for them and their families.
Ng Eng Hen highlighted that the wider community, including families, plays a key role, and their contributions are recognized through ongoing initiatives like the Total Defence Awards and tax reliefs.
This year, recognition will continue through NS50 events such as NS50 Week and a Dinner Reception.
The debate focused on acknowledging women's roles and existing community support efforts during the NS50 commemoration.

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20 Feb 2017

Annotating Certificates when Candidates Take Examinations under Special Conditions

The Parliamentary Secretary explained that annotations on certificates indicate when examination access arrangements, such as extra time or separate rooms, are granted to ensure fairness and integrity in assessing students with special educational needs or medical conditions, similar to practices in other countries.
He assured that annotations are only applied for significant modifications, do not indicate disability or discrimination, and are not considered by local educational institutions during admissions, with employers expected to follow fair employment practices.
The Ministry has not encountered cases of discrimination due to annotations and will continue monitoring feedback through agencies like SG Enable, while emphasizing that access arrangements help deserving candidates and maintain transparency for all.

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20 Feb 2017

Fully Inter-operable ATMs for Ease of Elderly and Those with Mobility Needs

The government reported a significant increase in ATM coverage, with 90% of HDB households having a local bank ATM within 500 metres, and highlighted the use of cash-back services at retailers as an additional access point.
Officials acknowledged the need to refine accessibility metrics, such as considering walking distances rather than straight-line distances, to better understand the needs of the elderly and those with mobility challenges.
While full interoperability between the two major ATM networks is a commercial decision for banks, the government continues to monitor the situation and promotes a holistic approach that includes digital payments for long-term strategy.
Ministers emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate coverage for the remaining 10% of households and the necessity of integrating enhanced security measures for vulnerable users.

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20 Feb 2017

Health Screening for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs

Dennis Tan asked what efforts have been made to include persons with disabilities and special needs in health screening campaigns, and the Ministry of Health replied that inclusive programmes are provided through HPB's school health services, REACH teams, and the Screen for Life programme, which is open to all Singaporeans, including those with disabilities, at accessible locations.
The Ministry emphasized that health promotion and education target all Singaporeans, but some individuals with disabilities may require customized advice from family physicians, and the Ministry continues to review initiatives to meet diverse needs.
Dennis Tan raised supplementary questions about specific campaigns targeting common illnesses and higher risk groups, and collaboration with VWOs, and the Ministry responded that person-centric screening letters are sent to all eligible individuals, including those with disabilities, and inclusive campaigns like "War on Diabetes" apply to everyone, with special programmes offered through Senior Care Centres and VWOs.

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6 Feb 2017

Data on Persons with Disabilities and/or Special Needs in Singapore

Dennis Tan asked for comprehensive statistics on persons with disabilities in Singapore, including total numbers, breakdowns by type of disability, functioning levels, and plans for data collection if information is missing.
Tan Chuan-Jin responded that persons with sensory and physical disabilities make up about half of the disability group, with the rest comprising those with intellectual disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
The Ministry has used a standardized assessment since 2016 to evaluate functioning levels for targeted support, and is refining data collection through the Social Service Net and inter-agency collaboration to improve disability policymaking.

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6 Feb 2017

Nationwide Study on Employment for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong requested a nationwide study on the employment rates, conditions, salary comparisons, and difficulties faced by persons with disabilities and special needs.
Tan Chuan-Jin highlighted that SG Enable has placed over 1,000 persons with disabilities into employment in two years and supports internships and job integration.
Persons with disabilities comprise 0.55% of the resident labour force, with 60% using employment support schemes and median wages ranging from $1,000 to $2,800.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development plans to gather more comprehensive data to better understand and support the employment of persons with disabilities.

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6 Feb 2017

Prison Inmates with Identified Intellectual Disabilities and Their Recidivism Rate

The Ministry for Home Affairs explained that the Singapore Prison Service assesses all inmates upon admission to identify conditions such as intellectual disabilities and tailors rehabilitation accordingly, but does not currently track detailed data on the number, profile, or recidivism rates of inmates with intellectual disabilities.
The Ministry acknowledged plans to collate such data in the future to better understand and address the needs of this inmate group.
The debate highlighted the need for improved data collection to compare recidivism rates between inmates with intellectual disabilities and neuro-typical offenders with similar offenses.

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6 Feb 2017

Processes Involved in Producing Weekly MUIS Friday Prayer Sermon Text

The weekly Friday sermon text is written by the Office of the Mufti under the Mufti's guidance, using an annual framework and incorporating public feedback.
The Office of the Mufti is solely responsible for the sermon texts and does not require approval from other Government agencies or Ministries.
The Government does not dictate how MUIS administers religious doctrine, and no vetting or approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs is needed before delivery.

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6 Feb 2017

Accessibility of Public Transport for Persons with Disabilities

Sylvia Lim inquired about the government's assessment of public transport accessibility for persons with disabilities, prompting a response from Khaw Boon Wan.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that the public transport system is largely accessible, with all MRT stations and bus interchanges having at least one barrier-free route from entrance to concourse.
He noted that all MRT trains and 92% of public buses are wheelchair accessible, with full bus accessibility targeted by 2020.

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6 Feb 2017

Trend of Women Being Asked by Employers Not to Return to Work after Maternity Leave

Ms Sun Xueling asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of women told by employers not to return after maternity leave and whether this trend is increasing.
The Ministry of Manpower received one such complaint in 2016, involving a business closure, and resolved it with the employer warned and benefits recovered.
There is no evidence of a rising trend in such cases, and female employees are protected under the Employment Act and Child Development Co-savings Act against unfair dismissal during pregnancy.

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6 Feb 2017

Care Options for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Whose Parents or Care-givers Have Passed Away

Darryl David asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about long-term care options for adults with intellectual disabilities when their parents or caregivers pass away or can no longer care for them.
Tan Chuan-Jin encouraged families to plan ahead, suggesting they seek support from other family members who can apply to the Courts to become deputies for decision-making, enabling the adult to remain in the community.
The Special Needs Trust Company (SNTC) offers case management to develop care plans covering accommodation, daily living, and medical needs, along with trust accounts and the Special Needs Savings Scheme using CPF funds for future care.
Community-based programmes like Day Activity Centres and home-based care are available, with Adult Disability Homes (ADHs) serving as a last resort, currently offering 690 places and planned to increase to 870 by year-end.

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6 Feb 2017

Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill

The bill amends the Presidential Elections Act to implement constitutional changes, including a hiatus-triggered reserved election system, by establishing a Community Committee to certify candidates' racial community eligibility based on self-declaration and community acceptance.
It introduces procedural updates, such as extending nomination deadlines, requiring candidates to declare understanding of the President's limited role, and adjusting ballot design and vote-counting rules to enhance clarity and efficiency.
The government announced campaign reforms to depoliticise presidential elections, such as increasing televised airtime and eliminating designated rally sites, and shifted polling day to September to avoid overlapping with National Day celebrations.
The Workers' Party opposed the bill, arguing that an appointed presidency would better serve unity than an elected one, and raised concerns about the arbitrary counting of presidential terms and the delegation of eligibility criteria to ministers.
The bill was passed with dissent recorded from Workers' Party members and one nominated member, reflecting ongoing debate over the balance between meritocracy and multiracialism in Singapore's presidential system.

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6 Feb 2017

Places for Autistic Students in Special Schools

The Ministry of Education confirmed there are sufficient overall places in special education schools for autistic students, but waiting times for specific ASD-specific schools range from three months to over a year due to parental preference and capacity constraints.
The Ministry is working with volunteer welfare organisations and the National Council of Social Service to expand capacity in ASD-specific schools and recruit more teachers and allied professionals to address staffing shortages.
There is no fixed planning ratio for ASD students due to the diverse nature of their needs, and while manpower challenges exist, the government is confident in future recruitment and training efforts, including using a mix of local and overseas qualifications.

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6 Feb 2017

Difficulty in Selling HDB Flats Due to Ethnic Integration Policy

Two MPs raised concerns about HDB flat owners struggling to sell their homes due to the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) quotas, requesting either financial assistance or a review of the policy's flexibility.
The Minister for National Development defended the EIP as a long-standing and necessary policy for racial harmony, stating that most sellers can find eligible buyers and that market conditions, not just the EIP, affect sale prices.
In response to a suggestion to review the EIP at a cluster level instead of per block, the Minister emphasized that the policy's core objectives remain relevant and that flexibility is already exercised case-by-case, with some appeals succeeding.

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10 Jan 2017

Age Limit for Clinical Trial for Pre-implantation Genetic Screening

Louis Ng questioned the age limit of 35 for participation in the PGS clinical trial, asking for reasons and suggesting lower or case-by-case exceptions.
Gan Kim Yong explained that the pilot allows women of any age with recurrent implantation failures or pregnancy losses, but sets a minimum age of 35 for others due to higher chromosomal abnormality risks in older mothers.
The Ministry noted that overseas guidelines from the UK and Canada also recommend PGS for women aged 35 and above, supporting the current criteria.

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10 Jan 2017

Simpler Language in Skills Training Course Materials to Cater to Older Workers

Tan Wu Meng asked whether skills training course materials are checked for plain language to help older workers with limited language skills participate.
Ong Ye Kung explained that while the SkillsFuture Singapore Agency ensures quality through audits, training providers are responsible for choosing materials and methods, such as using simple phrases and visual aids.
He added that basic literacy and numeracy programs are available to help workers overcome language barriers and access more training opportunities.

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10 Jan 2017

Number and Profile of Persons who Attempted Suicide

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked for data on suicide deaths and attempts over the past five years, focusing on seniors aged 60 and above, their living arrangements, and existing support programmes, with Minister Tan Chuan-Jin reporting an average of 415 suicide deaths annually (116 among seniors) but no detailed breakdown on living situations.
The Minister outlined a holistic approach involving public education, proactive outreach through Senior Activity Centres and befriending programmes, crisis response via hotlines, and emphasised the critical role of families and communities in prevention.
MPs raised concerns about social isolation among the elderly, suggesting enhanced befriending initiatives and collaboration with Pioneer Generation Ambassadors, with the Minister agreeing on the need for community-driven efforts and better coordination.
Language accessibility in outreach programmes was highlighted, with the Minister affirming efforts to use multiple languages and dialects, including collaborations with cultural platforms to effectively reach diverse elderly populations.

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