Social welfare

• The debate focused on the challenges faced by young adults with special needs in securing and retaining employment, highlighting the need for better collaboration between the government and employers.
• Key barriers include employers' lack of awareness about the benefits of inclusive hiring and the need for accessible workplaces and reasonable job accommodations.
• The government has implemented various support measures, such as the Open Door Programme and Enabling Employment Credit, to assist employers in adopting inclusive hiring practices and providing necessary training and job coaching.
• SG Enable has launched initiatives like the Enabling Business Hub to offer customized skills training and job support, targeting key sectors with potential job opportunities for persons with disabilities.
• There is a call for a cultural shift in workplaces to recognize the advantages of inclusive hiring, which can lead to a more innovative and purpose-driven workforce.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim proposed the idea of a differentiated discount rate for travel during peak and off-peak periods for the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) concession scheme.
• Jeffrey Siow highlighted that persons with disabilities currently receive up to 55% off adult per-journey fares and can save an additional 50 cents on MRT fares if they travel before 7.45 am on weekdays.
• He also mentioned that PWDs can purchase monthly concession passes for $58, allowing unlimited travel on train and basic bus services.

• Sylvia Lim proposed expanding the definition of "relevant individuals" under the CPF Act to include uncles and aunts, allowing seniors without children to benefit from voluntary CPF fund transfers.
• Minister Tan See Leng emphasized that the CPF system is designed to ensure retirement adequacy and currently allows transfers only to immediate family members.
• The Minister noted that there are existing options for supporting extended family members, such as cash top-ups to their CPF accounts.
• He mentioned that extended family members could benefit from the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme if eligible, which provides additional financial support.

• Approximately 700 recipients of the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) are still subject to payout clawback.
• The ongoing refund process is delayed due to recipients not responding to repayment requests, appeals for assistance, and extensions granted for repayments.
• The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) assesses individual cases for those facing difficulties in making repayments.

• Mr. Foo Cexiang proposed expanding CareShield Life coverage to individuals under 30 or allowing exceptional coverage on appeal based on individual circumstances.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that CareShield Life is designed for those aged 30 and above, as they are typically in the workforce and can afford premiums through MediSave.
• Extending coverage to those under 30 could lead to adverse selection, increasing premiums for all policyholders due to higher claim likelihood from younger enrollees.
• Young individuals with disabilities can access alternative government support schemes, such as the Home Caregiving Grant and MediFund, instead of CareShield Life.

• The Ministry of Social and Family Development will disallow the use of Child Development Account (CDA) funds at optical shops and retail pharmacies starting January 2026 due to concerns over misuse.
• The change will not affect pharmacy departments within healthcare institutions, where CDA funds can still be used for necessary medical products.
• The Ministry plans to regularly review CDA usage to ensure it meets the developmental needs of children and has recently expanded its use to cover preschool incidental charges and enrichment programs.
• Parents have access to additional government support schemes, such as the Baby Bonus Cash Gift and Child LifeSG Credits, to help with child-raising costs.
• Lower-income families can seek assistance from Social Service Offices if they require financial support.

• The Ministry of Education plans to assess the central kitchen model's effectiveness in 13 schools starting January 2026 before considering any expansion.
• Factors for potential expansion include operational efficiency, food quality, cost-effectiveness, and student satisfaction from the initial implementation.
• The central kitchen model aims to provide affordable meal options, with prices set at a maximum of $2.70 for primary and $3.60 for secondary students, comparable to traditional canteen prices.
• Financial assistance will be available for lower-income students through the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme, covering at least seven meals per week for primary and ten for secondary students.
• The Ministry will continue to support existing canteen models and assist affected stallholders in transitioning to other opportunities.

• Christopher de Souza raised a question regarding the potential increase of Day Activity Centre subsidies specifically for single-income households.
• Masagos Zulkifli explained that DAC subsidies are means-tested and designed to be progressive, benefiting lower-income families more.
• He mentioned that additional subsidies for long-term care services will be available starting July 2026.
• DAC operators may also offer extra financial support to families facing financial difficulties.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about the discrepancies between the budgeted and actual disbursed amounts for various nationwide voucher schemes from 2019 to 2024.
• Jeffrey Siow emphasized that the effectiveness of voucher schemes should be evaluated based on overall utilization rates rather than annual budget utilization.
• Utilization rates for different voucher schemes varied significantly, with some programs like the Community Development Council Vouchers exceeding 90% usage, while others like the Climate Friendly Households Programme Vouchers had only 23% utilization.
• The SG60 vouchers were noted to have been issued only in the current year, indicating a recent addition to the voucher schemes.

Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the Minister for Manpower about the number of Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) recipients who were later deemed ineligible and the process surrounding refunds. Tan See Leng explained that SIRS, initiated in 2020 to assist self-employed individuals affected by COVID-19, had approximately 2,200 recipients (about 1%) found ineligible after audits. The Ministry of Manpower has been reaching out to these individuals for refund requests once audits were complete, emphasizing that each appeal will be considered individually to ensure a fair process.

Lee Hong Chuang asked if the Ministry of Law could expand or introduce new legal support schemes for citizens who face financial difficulties but do not qualify for existing pro bono legal services. Edwin Tong Chun Fai highlighted the collaboration between the Government, the legal fraternity, and civil society to enhance access to justice. The Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) provides legal aid to eligible citizens and residents, with updated means test criteria allowing more individuals to access support. Those not eligible for government aid can seek assistance at Community Law Centres and various legal clinics, with additional schemes available for vulnerable individuals in exceptional circumstances.

Cai Yinzhou questioned the differentiation of roles between ComLink Family Coaches and Family Service Centre social workers in supporting low-income families and the systems in place for managing referrals and case coordination. Masagos Zulkifli clarified that Family Service Centres (FSCs) cater to individuals and families with higher needs, while family coaches from Social Service Offices (SSOs) handle lower levels of need. Families referred to FSCs for higher risks are prioritized for support, and once their conflict or emotional issues are resolved, they transition back to SSOs for ongoing goal-based support.

Yip Hon Weng asked if the Ministry of Health could simplify access to the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) by allowing medical social workers or GPs to initiate caregiver applications during healthcare encounters, and how they would outreach to eligible caregivers. Ong Ye Kung responded that healthcare professionals can already assist with HCG applications and highlighted recent improvements to increase access to financial support schemes. He mentioned processes in place to help care recipients with severe disabilities and ongoing outreach efforts by Silver Generation Ambassadors to inform seniors about long-term care schemes.

David Hoe raised concerns about the visit cap for the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) potentially making follow-up care at Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOCs) cheaper than at GP clinics, even for stable chronic and mental health cases, and asked if the Ministry has reviewed this and considered subsidy parity. Ong Ye Kung clarified that SOCs are intended for patients needing specialized treatment, while stable patients should be referred back to GPs for management. He explained that GP subsidies under CHAS have a capped amount and are designed for common chronic conditions, whereas SOC subsidies are percentage-based with no caps, which leads to cost disparities between the two types of outpatient care.

Lee Hong Chuang asked if the government would enhance annual LifeSG credits for children aged seven to twelve under the Large Families Scheme. Indranee Rajah explained that the scheme primarily targets financial support for children zero to six years old, providing $1,000 annually for each third and subsequent child in that age range. Beyond age six, families have access to various financial aids, including comprehensive subsidies and Education Account top-ups. The government will monitor the scheme and consider future adjustments.

Xie Yao Quan asked about the government's response to a study indicating that Singapore is the most expensive city in Asia for locals and expatriates and how it plans to help citizens cope with rising living costs. Gan Kim Yong clarified that Singapore ranked fourth for expatriates and 28th for residents in the study, with core inflation moderating to 0.3% year-on-year in August 2025. The government has implemented various measures to help households, including $800 in CDC vouchers and increased U-Save rebates for eligible HDB households. Additional long-term support has been offered in areas such as housing, healthcare, education, and employability to ensure assistance throughout all stages of life. The government will continue to monitor living costs and provide necessary support.

He Ting Ru asked about the criteria for "heartland merchants" eligible to accept CDC vouchers, the number of applications received for 2024-2025, and how many of those were accepted. Edwin Tong Chun Fai explained that the CDC Vouchers Scheme aims to assist households with living costs and support hawkers and heartland merchants. He noted the effort to onboard hawkers and merchants in HDB heartlands, emphasizing case-by-case onboarding for small businesses when few heartland merchants are available. Over 23,000 hawkers and heartland merchants have been onboarded to the scheme since October 2021, with ongoing efforts to engage and include more eligible merchants.

Low Wu Yang Andre asked about the rationale for differences in housing access and support between single-parent unwed households and married couples, and how these distinctions might affect children's outcomes. Masagos Zulkifli explained that certain benefits are designed to support marriage, which is why they are not extended to single unwed parents, while acknowledging the challenges these parents face. The Ministry provides universal benefits for all citizen children regardless of parental marital status and offers targeted support for single unwed parents, including financial assistance and flexible housing options, such as the ability to purchase HDB flats under specific conditions.

Valerie Lee requested data on primary school bus fares over the past five years, measures to make fares more affordable, and any future plans to further reduce costs. Desmond Lee explained that school bus fares are set through competitive bidding, with a noted average fare increase for 2025. Low-income families receive a subsidy that was increased to 65% in January 2023, with additional support available from schools. The government helps keep operating costs low for bus operators through various measures, including exemptions and rebates, and will monitor the fare situation for potential further support.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik questioned the Minister for National Development about the effectiveness of the Single Room Shared Facilities Scheme (SRSF) in assisting homeless individuals compared to the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run Pilot (JSS-OR) and the possibility of expanding SRSF. Chee Hong Tat indicated that both SRSF and JSS-OR are part of efforts to broaden public rental options for lower-income singles and have proven effective in aiding those who are rough sleeping. Each scheme caters to different preferences, with SRSF offering private bedrooms and shared facilities, while JSS-OR involves sharing a flat. Both models have received positive feedback and are being reviewed for potential expansion.