Social welfare

Cai Yinzhou asked the Acting Minister for Transport about the current number of vehicles approved for registration under voluntary welfare organisations and the possibility of including specialised vehicles for transporting vulnerable persons. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that as of September 2025, 274 vehicles are registered under voluntary welfare organisations through the COE Exemption Scheme. He also noted that the COE Exemption Scheme was replaced in 2018 by the COE Grant Scheme, which allows eligible social service agencies to apply for assistance in acquiring vehicles for transporting individuals with disabilities or the elderly.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about whether seniors in group homes without registered residential addresses are excluded from receiving per capita benefits like CDC vouchers. Masagos Zulkifli clarified that the CDC Vouchers Scheme is designed for households, providing one set of vouchers per household. The Ministry of Social and Family Development is collaborating with the People’s Association and group homes to enable eligible seniors to receive their CDC vouchers at nearby community centers, with full implementation expected by October 2025. Efforts will continue to ensure that residents can access their benefits and support measures.

Elysa Chen raised concerns about the MediSave withdrawal limit process and the criteria for exceeding it due to urgent medical needs, highlighting that some residents find the current $300 limit insufficient. The Minister of State for Health, Rahayu Mahzam, explained that appeals for exceeding limits are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account individual circumstances and available financial aid options like MediFund. She emphasized that patients are prioritized for treatment regardless of financial circumstances and encouraged seeking assistance from medical social workers within healthcare institutions. Further discussions included the potential for greater flexibility in MediSave usage for seniors and ongoing periodic reviews of MediSave policies to better accommodate patients' needs.

Mariam Jaafar raised a question about the possibility of reviewing the no change policy for CDC vouchers or offering flexible denominations for specific household segments, particularly senior households. Edwin Tong responded that CDC vouchers are fixed at $2, $5, and $10 to ensure ease of use, especially for less digital-savvy residents like seniors, and to reduce payment errors. The fixed denominations facilitate use at hawkers, heartland shops, and supermarkets, where purchase amounts can vary. Since the launch of the digital CDC Vouchers Scheme, Singaporean households have spent approximately $2.3 billion on various goods and services using these vouchers.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling asked the Minister for Manpower about the latest statistics on caregivers who have left the workforce, their demographics, and the long-term financial impact of caregiving-related unemployment. In 2024, approximately 87,100 residents were out of the labor force due to caregiving, with a majority being women (85.7%) and varying age groups represented. The Minister mentioned that there is no data on first-time caregivers and highlighted government interventions to support re-entering the workforce, including reskilling initiatives and income supplements for working caregivers. Support measures for senior caregivers were also mentioned, along with flexible work arrangements to help manage caregiving and career responsibilities.

Saktiandi Supaat raised concerns about the impact of rising healthcare and living costs on retirement adequacy and sought policy refinements for CPF withdrawals and the Silver Support Scheme. Tan See Leng acknowledged the government's recognition of these concerns and highlighted efforts to strengthen the CPF system to ensure basic needs are met in old age. He emphasized the balance needed between withdrawal flexibility and ensuring sufficient retirement income, detailing existing support measures like the Majulah Package, enhanced Silver Support, and various schemes aimed at improving retirement adequacy for seniors. The government also provides additional support to address broader cost-of-living issues through specific assistance packages.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling raised questions regarding data collection on the physical and mental health of caregivers, including their access to mental health services and tracking of caregiver burnout related to care recipients' outcomes. Ong Ye Kung responded that the government conducts several studies to assess caregiver health, including the Quality of Life Study and the WiSE Study, which reveal that caregivers of individuals with mental health issues or dementia experience higher stress and burden. Although caregiver burnout is not tracked, caregiver burden is monitored to evaluate program effectiveness. The government collaborates with community partners to enhance caregiver support, offering training, psychosocial resources, and subsidized respite services to alleviate caregivers' stress and improve their caregiving capacity.

Diana Pang Li Yen raised questions about the support systems for caregivers in Singapore, specifically regarding pre-caregiving education and post-caregiving reintegration. Ong Ye Kung responded that the government offers various measures to support caregivers, including public education campaigns, access to resources via AIC Links, and financial subsidies for caregiving costs. Mental health support is also available through peer support groups and mental health helplines for caregivers experiencing stress or burnout. Additionally, employment facilitation and reskilling initiatives are offered for caregivers returning to work, complemented by guidelines for flexible work arrangements.

Yip Hon Weng asked the Prime Minister about reviewing the eligibility criteria for CDC vouchers and social subsidies, suggesting a shift from household-based to individual-based assessments to better support genuinely needy residents. Indranee Rajah explained that the CDC Vouchers Scheme is designed to provide broad-based support for households alongside targeted assistance for individuals through various schemes. The government employs both individual and household criteria, such as household income per person, to assess needs, ensuring fair access for vulnerable members, including seniors in larger households. The government will continue to review its support measures to adequately assist all Singaporeans, particularly those from larger households.

Low Wu Yang Andre questioned the Minister for Social and Family Development about measures to ensure financial security for family caregivers who leave the workforce or reduce work hours, including potential direct compensation or CPF contributions. Masagos Zulkifli acknowledged the crucial role of caregivers and emphasized support for working caregivers through flexible work arrangements, employment facilitation, and reskilling programs. Caregivers may also access financial assistance programs like the Workfare Income Supplement and enhanced long-term care subsidies announced in Budget 2025. Additional support for seniors, including the Silver Support Scheme and Matched Retirement Savings Scheme, was noted to further aid caregivers. The Government aims to continually assess and enhance support for caregivers at various life stages.

The debate regarding the Motion of Thanks to the President in the Singapore Parliament highlighted several key points:

• Numerous Members expressed gratitude for the President's address, emphasizing the importance of a "we first" society built on unity, where collective welfare is prioritized over individual interests.
• Several speakers discussed the need for extensive support systems for caregivers, especially those from the "sandwiched generation" who balance caring for ageing parents and raising children, advocating for policies that better reflect modern caregiving realities.
• Concerns about rising social inequalities were voiced, with suggestions for enhancing social mobility, particularly for low-income families and marginalized communities, through initiatives like ComLink+ and education reforms.
• The challenge of fostering genuine social cohesion in a digitally connected yet often isolated society was addressed, with calls for creating safe and inclusive digital spaces and providing resources for responsible digital parenting.
• The significance of mentorship, community engagement, and nurturing cross-generational bonds was highlighted, emphasizing that societal progress hinges on collaborative efforts that include all members of the community.

Shawn Loh questioned the Prime Minister on factors influencing the continuation of Government cost-of-living support amidst moderated inflation and persistent anxieties. Indranee Rajah explained that the Ministry of Finance assesses a range of factors, including inflation, economic conditions, and challenges faced by lower- and middle-income households when determining support. Loh highlighted concerns specifically from seniors and lower-income households and inquired about the Ministry's consideration of public sentiment in addition to data, as well as the potential for targeted support for vulnerable groups. Rajah affirmed that they do consider various demographics and specific needs when providing assistance, including targeted measures for certain groups, while emphasizing that support would be based on demonstrable needs.