Social welfare

• Ms. Carrie Tan raised questions about whether foster parents can use their foster children's Child Development Accounts (CDA) for childcare fees and suggested adjusting fees to align with the birth parents' income tier.
• Minister Masagos Zulkifli explained that foster parents receive a monthly allowance designed to cover childcare and related expenses, and they are charged a flat rate for childcare services.
• The Minister emphasized that CDA funds should remain with birth parents to assist with child-raising costs if the child is returned to them.

• Gerald Giam raised concerns about first-time HDB flat applicants who are ineligible for both the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant and the Deferred Income Assessment scheme due to employment and study status.
• Desmond Lee confirmed that the government aims to keep public housing affordable and accessible, with eligible first-timers able to receive significant grants and defer income assessments.
• In 2024, fewer than 200 first-time households aged 30 and below were ineligible for both schemes, representing less than 2% of that demographic.
• The government plans to modify the Deferred Income Assessment scheme in July 2025, allowing only one partner to meet the full-time study or National Service requirement.
• The government is committed to reviewing policies to better support the unique housing needs of young couples.

• Ms. Denise Phua Lay Peng questioned the rationale for ending the Government's matching support for the Enhanced Fund-Raising Programme in FY2027.
• Indranee Rajah explained that the matching support was initially increased during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist charities affected by disruptions in fundraising.
• The Government plans to gradually taper the matching support back to pre-COVID-19 levels to allow charities time to adjust their fundraising strategies.
• Despite the reduction in the EFR Programme support, the Government will continue to offer various forms of assistance to charities, including tax deductions and specific grant schemes.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the effectiveness of "The Next Step" programme and the possibility of increased funding for its goals in assisting sex workers.
• The programme, run by Project X, offers upskilling, employment support, and social services to help sex workers transition out of the industry.
• Funding for the programme is provided by the National Council of Social Service from October 2023 to September 2026, with Project X responsible for additional fundraising.
• The Ministry emphasizes that funding is time-bound to evaluate performance and ensure resources are allocated based on social needs.

• The Social Residential Homes Bill aims to enhance the quality of care and safety for residents in social residential homes, consolidating existing licensing regimes and introducing new standards and enforcement measures.
• The Bill addresses the growing demand for residential care due to an aging population, with plans to ensure sufficient capacity and staffing in homes while also providing a $33 million Transition Support Package to assist homes in meeting new requirements.
• Concerns were raised about the significant increase in penalties for non-compliance, the need for minimum staffing ratios, and the potential impact on volunteer board members, with calls for clarity on responsibilities and liabilities.
• The introduction of a Board of Visitors is intended to provide independent oversight and feedback mechanisms for residents and their families, promoting transparency and accountability in care standards.
• Overall, the Bill reflects a commitment to improving care for vulnerable populations in Singapore, with ongoing discussions about the need for long-term support and capability building for social residential homes.

• Ms. See Jinli Jean raised concerns about the affordability of eye-care and eyewear for teenagers, suggesting the need for arrangements beyond the Child Development Account to support families.
• The Minister for Health, Ong Ye Kung, highlighted that atropine eye drops are the primary method for myopia prevention, with significant subsidies available for those treated in public healthcare.
• He noted that while atropine eye drops are subsidized, myopia-control glasses and contact lenses are mainly provided in retail settings and do not receive similar subsidies.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the increase in demand for dedicated transport services for children with disabilities over the past five years and whether this demand has been met by registered school bus operators.
• Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that public transport has generally catered well to persons with disabilities, and not all require dedicated transport services.
• He noted that SPED schools and disability service providers arrange suitable transport for those in need and that the government supports these services through the Enabling Transport Subsidy.
• The use of the Enabling Transport Subsidy for dedicated transport services has risen by an average of 6% annually, reflecting increased enrollment in SPED schools and disability services.

• The Leader of the House acknowledged the end of the Committee of Supply and reflected on the challenges faced during the current parliamentary term, including the pandemic and global crises.
• The speech highlighted the significant fiscal measures taken through various Budgets to support public health, economic recovery, and social welfare, emphasizing the importance of these decisions for Singapore's future.
• The debate included discussions on the need for more support for workers and families, addressing cost-of-living concerns, and enhancing social safety nets in light of an aging population.
• The Speaker expressed gratitude for the contributions of all Members of Parliament and emphasized the importance of respectful discourse and the need to balance immediate support with long-term fiscal responsibility.
• As Singapore approaches its 60th year of independence, there is a call for unity and a commitment to adapt and navigate future uncertainties while ensuring progress for all citizens.

• The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) emphasizes the importance of strong families as the foundation of society and outlines initiatives to support families, including increased access to affordable preschool education and enhanced financial assistance for caregivers.
• Significant progress has been made in preschool enrollment, with a target to provide government-supported places for 80% of preschoolers by 2025, alongside reductions in childcare fees to make them comparable to primary school costs.
• The MSF is committed to empowering lower-income families through programs like ComLink+, which offers tailored support and financial incentives for education and employment, while also addressing the needs of families with members who have disabilities.
• The government is enhancing support for caregivers through increased grants and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of care and financial security for families with special needs, including the introduction of new trust and savings schemes.
• The debate concluded with a call for collective action from all sectors of society to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for families, emphasizing the need for collaboration among government, community, and private sectors.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked about the average waiting time for children to secure a spot in Special Student Care Centres (SSCCs) and updates on plans for more centres. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that there are currently eight SSCCs, with an average waiting time of about eight months for enrollment. Priority admission is granted to urgent cases, and SG Enable assists families with alternative options and resources. The Ministry of Social and Family Development is working with stakeholders to identify demand areas and plans to establish more SSCCs alongside the construction of additional Special Education schools.

Carrie Tan emphasized the need for a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities (PWDs), advocating for public awareness campaigns to recognize their contributions and challenge misconceptions. She recommended creating a national framework for disability representation in media to promote positive visibility. Tan also urged the expansion of workplace integration programs to include smaller retailers and increase support for micro-enterprises to employ PWDs. Ng Ling Ling discussed the upcoming Matched Retirement Savings Scheme for PWDs and raised concerns about its implementation timeline and inclusivity. Baey Yam Keng highlighted the challenges PWDs face after turning 18, particularly in employment and caregiving, and called for updates on the Enabling Masterplan 2030's progress.

Melvin Yong proposed a reduction in the budget for the Ministry of Social and Family Development, emphasizing the need to strengthen Singapore's social compact to support low-income families and address inequality. There were calls for better support for vulnerable populations, including updates on social service agency salaries and funding, as well as initiatives to engage volunteers and promote active citizenship. Concerns about early childhood education standards and teacher shortages were raised, alongside the proposal of a tiered caregiver payment model to recognize family caregiving as essential work. The debate also focused on the need for targeted services for persons with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals, highlighting the importance of inclusive employment and education systems.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked about the potential for direct caregiver grants to alleviate financial insecurity for caregivers and additional support plans from the Ministry of Social and Family Development. Masagos Zulkifli B M M highlighted ongoing government reviews and enhancements, including the Home Caregiving Grant and increased subsidies for long-term care services starting in 2026. The government aims to enable caregivers to balance work and caregiving through flexible arrangements, job placement, and skills support, while financial programs like the Workfare Income Supplement and various retirement schemes support caregivers’ long-term security. Other measures include enhancing parental leave policies and improving information access on caregiver services, along with mental health support for caregivers facing emotional challenges.

Neil Parekh Nimil Rajnikant asked the Minister for Manpower about Singaporeans' preparedness for retirement, the possibility of a one-time $24,000 top-up to the CPF Retirement Account for those aged 55 and above, and increasing the annual interest rate on the Retirement Account to 6%. Tan See Leng reported an improvement in the attainment of the Basic Retirement Sum among CPF members, rising from 50% to over 70% in the past decade, with further increases expected. The Government has implemented various schemes to enhance retirement support, including the $9 billion Majulah Package introduced in 2024 for seniors, which includes bonuses to boost savings. CPF interest rates are pegged to market returns, with specific rates established to protect members from risks; currently, members aged 55 and above receive 6% interest on part of their balances. The Government will continue to review CPF policies to strengthen retirement adequacy.

Eric Chua clarified a supplementary question from the Leader of the Opposition regarding discrepancies in ComCare disbursement amounts reported in the FY2022 annual report and the MSF's Supporting Lower-Income Households Trends Report. He explained that the trends report is based on calendar year data, while the annual reports use financial year data. A correction was issued for the FY2021 and FY2022 ComCare reports due to an understatement of total payments. The corrected figures indicate that ComCare payments for FY2021 should be listed as $122.5 million instead of $112.5 million.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the possibility of extending the GST Voucher scheme to assist more middle-income households due to rising living costs, reviewing the income threshold for GST assistance, and providing more support for families with children under the qualifying income threshold. Shawn Huang Wei Zhong responded that the GST Voucher scheme supports lower- and middle-income households, with ongoing reviews of the income threshold. The government has introduced Cost-of-Living measures, including additional CDC Vouchers and U-Save for HDB households, alongside $500 Child LifeSG Credits for children under 12 and top-ups for Edusave accounts. Structural enhancements are being made to support families, such as reduced childcare fees and new childcare places, along with the Large Families Scheme that offers annual credits for families with multiple children.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about the challenges faced by single parents and individuals with disabilities in renewing financial assistance under ComCare schemes and inquired about the streamlining of renewal processes and potential automatic renewals for chronic conditions. Eric Chua responded that the Ministry has simplified applications through digitalization and offers support for those who have difficulty applying online, including home visits if necessary. He emphasized the importance of the renewal process as a means to assess clients' well-being and evolving needs, while also acknowledging the need for accountability in managing public funds. Chua indicated that while automatic renewals may not be feasible, they could consider extending renewal intervals for certain cases based on individual circumstances.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Prime Minister about the percentage of owner-occupied private residential properties with outstanding property tax bills, specifically regarding seniors and retirees. Chee Hong Tat reported that less than 2% of such properties had outstanding tax, with about 15% involving owner-occupiers aged 65 and above, mostly retirees. The Ministry of Finance introduced a new interest-free 24-month instalment plan for property tax payments aimed at eligible retiree owner-occupiers to assist with cash flow issues. The Government will continue to provide support to seniors and retirees through various financial schemes and monitor their needs for further assistance.

Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health about plans to ensure accessibility and affordability of shingles vaccination for those not qualifying for subsidies and alternative preventive measures for seniors. Ong Ye Kung responded that subsidies will be available to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who meet specific eligibility criteria linked to susceptibility to shingles. Those ineligible for subsidies are deemed less susceptible but can still receive the vaccine at a reduced price through CHAS general practitioner clinics or public healthcare institutions.