Social welfare

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about subsidized eye-related screenings under the Healthier SG programme, particularly for seniors and those with diabetes. Ong Ye Kung confirmed that subsidized visual acuity screenings are available for seniors through Project Silver Screen, with minimal fees based on cardholder status. For individuals with diabetes, subsidized diabetic retinal photography (DRP) is offered at polyclinics and participating GP clinics, also linked to the Healthier SG care protocol for chronic disease management.

Christopher de Souza proposed conducting a survey to identify communal spaces in neighborhoods with many seniors for potential lift installations to assist individuals with mobility difficulties. Desmond Lee responded that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has implemented Universal Design and barrier-free principles in new developments since 2006, ensuring compliance with accessibility codes. Additionally, the recently launched Silver Upgrading Programme (SUP) aims to make older HDB precincts more senior-friendly, with community walks to gather feedback on enhancements needed. HDB is committed to continuing improvements in the inclusivity and accessibility of HDB estates.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked about the possibility of expanding the Public Rental Scheme to include families with one Singaporean and one non-Singaporean who is not a Permanent Resident. Desmond Lee explained that HDB's public rental flats are heavily subsidized and prioritized for citizen households, requiring at least one Singapore Citizen applicant alongside another citizen or Permanent Resident. For families in urgent need but ineligible for public rental, HDB refers them to social service agencies for assistance.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned the Minister for National Development about the consideration of a rent-to-own model by HDB in addition to existing grant schemes aimed at facilitating home ownership for rental tenants. Desmond Lee explained that the Rent and Purchase Scheme, previously implemented, was suspended due to significantly low demand after introducing other financial aids such as substantial CPF housing grants. The government has focused on improving support for public rental households to achieve home ownership through various schemes and personalized guidance from the Home ownership Support Team. HDB prices new flats with market discounts and provides significant grants, aiming to help lower-income families transition to home ownership while ensuring financial stability through comprehensive support services.

Darryl David asked for updates on the number of beds and occupancy rates in homeless shelters over the past three years, along with the average length of stay and plans for transitioning the homeless to permanent housing. Eric Chua stated there are seven transitional shelters with a total capacity of about 720 beds and an average occupancy rate of 60% from 2021 to 2023, with individuals typically staying for about nine months. Social workers assist residents in transitioning to stable long-term housing options. In response to a follow-up question about the ease of access to shelters, Chua indicated that the process varies for each individual due to unique personal circumstances and challenges they face.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Health about the possibility of allowing seniors to use MediSave for purchasing hearing aids, linking uncorrected hearing loss to dementia. The Minister of State for Health, Rahayu Mahzam, stated that seniors can currently use the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) for subsidies, but noted that the income limit might exclude some seniors from assistance. Tan highlighted that many seniors not qualifying for SMF face significant out-of-pocket costs for hearing aids. Rahayu acknowledged the issue but emphasized the need to maintain MediSave balances for major health expenses and mentioned ongoing reviews of the support system for eligible seniors.

Saktiandi Supaat raised questions on the Fare Review Exercise 2024, focusing on its financial impact on transport operators and how deferred fare adjustments might affect service improvements and infrastructure funding. Neil Parekh Nimil Rajnikant further inquired about the reasons for the fare revision recommendation and the steps taken by transport operators to enhance service levels. The Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, explained that the Public Transport Council aims to balance fare affordability with financial sustainability, announcing a decision to increase fares by 6% while monitoring the impact on lower-income households through Public Transport Vouchers. Chee also highlighted that the government is providing $250 million in additional subsidies to mitigate the impact of fare increases and maintain service standards, while emphasizing the gradual approach to future fare adjustments.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned whether the $25,000 annual property value criterion for the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support applies to renters. Tan See Leng clarified that the criterion applies to all applicants based on their residential address, including both homeowners and renters. This method is intended to assess household means or wealth, aligning with the strategies used in other means-tested programs like the GST Voucher and Workfare Income Supplement schemes.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked about the average proceeds families receive from the HDB Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS) over the past five years for different types of HDB flats. Desmond Lee explained that proceeds depend on the flat's market value, the lease retained, and any outstanding dues to HDB. The proceeds are utilized to enhance CPF Retirement Accounts and may include bonuses up to $30,000 for smaller flats. From 2019 to 2023, average LBS proceeds ranged from $98,000 for 1-room flats to $261,000 for 5-room and larger flats.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Prime Minister about the increase in Singapore's Gini coefficient to 70% according to the UBS Global Wealth Report 2024, questioning the contributing factors despite government efforts and measures. He also inquired about which population segments experienced wealth stagnation and what actions could be taken to assist them. Chee Hong Tat responded that the question had been addressed in a previous Parliamentary session on 14 October 2024 regarding additional measures to tackle rising wealth inequality in Singapore.

Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health about the correlation between rising per capita household income and increasing healthcare costs, as well as the frequency of PCHI reviews. Ong Ye Kung responded that the thresholds for means-tested healthcare subsidy schemes have been recently reviewed to reflect changes in household incomes and property values. The Ministry also adjusts subsidy levels in response to healthcare cost increases, citing enhancements to the implant subsidy framework and improvements to MediShield Life for better coverage of large healthcare bills.

Ong Hua Han raised concerns about expanding the definition of disability in Singapore's social policies to include neurodiverse conditions like ADHD and dyslexia. Masagos Zulkifli explained that the current definition of "persons with disability" focuses on significant limitations in education, employment, and recreation due to various impairments, and noted that this definition has been in place since 2004. The Enabling Masterplan 2030 emphasizes support for children with developmental needs and special educational needs, including ADHD and dyslexia, during early and schooling years.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked if payouts from the proposed SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme would be subject to income tax. Tan See Leng responded that while payouts are considered taxable income in Singapore, the government intends to exempt these payouts from income tax. This exemption aligns with the scheme's goal of providing temporary financial support to involuntarily unemployed jobseekers facing challenges in finding employment.

Sharael Taha raised concerns about the Direct School Admission (DSA) process, specifically questioning the percentage of admitted students from lower-income households and the equity of access to preparatory resources. The Minister for Education, Chan Chun Sing, noted that about 6% of DSA students are from financial assistance schemes and emphasized that the Ministry supports disadvantaged students in the DSA process. Taha suggested that the Ministry consider providing more DSA places for lower-income students and limiting the proportion of DSA students in school teams to allow opportunities for late bloomers. Chan acknowledged the disparities faced by lower-income families but cautioned against implementing quotas, emphasizing a focus on merit and potential in the selection process.

• From 2013 to 2023, real wages for the 20th percentile of income earners grew cumulatively by 30%, outpacing the median worker's 22% growth.
• The government is narrowing the wage gap through the expanded Progressive Wage Model, Local Qualifying Salary requirements, and Progressive Wage Mark, covering up to 90% of lower-wage workers.
• National Wages Council guidelines recommend higher wage growth for lower-wage workers to continue closing the gap with median earners by 2030.

• Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked for the annual number of successful applications or appeals over the past five years by elderly Singaporeans living in HDB executive apartments or maisonettes for the Silver Support Scheme.
• Minister Tan See Leng explained that seniors in such larger HDB flats are generally ineligible due to presumed access to more resources, though appeals are considered case-by-case by the CPF Board.
• On average, about 10 appeals per year over the last five years from seniors in these flats were successful for the Silver Support Scheme.

• Desmond Choo requested that senior residents relocating to short-lease 2-room HDB flexi flats or Community Care Apartments near their current homes be given priority to support aging within their communities.
• Desmond Lee stated that HDB currently sets aside at least 40% of its 2-room flexi flat supply for eligible seniors, and under the new flat classification framework from October 2024, specific proportions in Standard, Plus, and Prime projects will be reserved under the Senior Priority Scheme for those wanting to live near their current home or family.
• Seniors aged 65 and above can purchase Community Care Apartments, which combine senior-friendly housing with care services, and access is prioritized for households with care needs, regardless of their current home's location.
• If the Community Care Apartment model proves effective and scalable, more such apartments will be built across Singapore to enable seniors to age well within their communities.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim requested a detailed quarterly schedule by region for the completion of Active Ageing Centres funded by the proposed budget increase.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that 208 Active Ageing Centres have been established since 2021, with plans to expand to 220 by 2025.
• The centres will be distributed across all parts of Singapore to ensure 8 in 10 seniors have access to activities near their homes by 2025.
• Confirmed locations will be available on the SupportGoWhere website once finalised.

• The government emphasized that wealth inequality is difficult to measure accurately due to data challenges, but it is proactively addressing the issue through various measures beyond direct handouts and CPF top-ups, such as progressive taxation and housing grants.
• Key initiatives include enhancing the Progressive Wage Model to boost wages for lower-income workers, expanding housing grants, and implementing wealth taxes like property and buyer’s stamp duties to ensure a more progressive system.
• The government highlighted investments in education and skills development, such as the ITE Progression Award, to support lifelong earning potential and wealth accumulation for all Singaporeans, regardless of background.

• The Bill closes the CPF Special Account for members aged 55 and above from January 2025, transferring savings to the Retirement or Ordinary Account, while expanding the Home Protection Scheme to cover those with certain pre-existing conditions from mid-2025, albeit with premium loading for higher-risk individuals.
• Amendments streamline CPF Board administration, including appointing a Deputy Chairperson and clarifying processes for property sales, subsidy recovery for HDB flats, and removal of obsolete provisions like the CPF Job Record Scheme.
• MPs raised concerns about retirement planning support, HPS premium affordability for vulnerable groups, and fairness in subsidy recovery for resale flats, with the Minister clarifying outreach, eligibility, and sustainability measures.