Masagos Zulkifli B M M
Singapore
“Coordination between Early Intervention (EI) centres, families and preschools is important for the continuity of support for children with developmental needs.”
“The Taxi Subsidy Scheme supports persons with disabilities (PwDs) who are unable to take public transport, by providing means-tested subsidies to offset the cost of taxi travel to school, work and employment-related training supported by SG Enable.”
“The Skills and Salary Guidelines published by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) guides social service agencies (SSAs) to pay their employees fair and competitive remuneration and maintain the sector's attractiveness. The Guidelines are adjusted so that salaries remain competitive with comparable roles in competing markets.”
“Staff turnover rates vary across social service agencies (SSAs). An individual's decision to leave an organisation is influenced by a myriad of factors, of which pay is only one.”
“Beyond the requirement of a structured daily programme, community-based SCFA administrators have the flexibility to offer programmes and additional enrichment activities that meet the needs of their students. MSF does not track staff salaries and turnover of SCCs in general nor those that administer SCFA.”
“Male preschool educators comprised about 1% of the early childhood workforce in each of the last five years. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has not issued guidelines pertaining to the rules set by preschool centres specific to the conduct of male preschool educators.”
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“SG Enable works closely with interested employers to apply for relevant grants and services under the Open Door Programme (ODP). With this customised approach, all ODP Training Grant and Job Redesign Grant applications made from 2020 to 2022 were successful. Between 2020 and 2022, about 90 organisations per year received support from the ODP Training Grant and about 1,650 employees participated in training to be equipped with skills on recruiting and integrating persons with disabilities at their workplace. Between 2020 and 2022, 20 employers hiring 60 persons with disabilities benefited from the ODP Job Redesign Grant per year on average. Job redesign initiatives supported by the ODP Job Redesign Grant include installing screen readers that read digital content aloud for employees with visual impairment, providing audio assistive devices for those who are deaf, providing tablets with visual guides for employees with autism spectrum disorder, and installing ramps and converting push doors to sliding doors for wheelchair users. Besides the Training Grant and Job Redesign Grant, ODP also supports inclusive hiring through job placement and post-placement job support. These efforts have supported SG Enable and its partners to place 500 persons with disabilities into employment per year, on average, from 2020 to 2022. SG Enable proactively engages employers from a wide range of sectors to create job opportunities for persons with disabilities by providing one-to-one advisory and consultancy services on topics, such as inclusive hiring practices, job accommodations and workplace accessibility. In addition, SG Enable works with trade associations and business chambers and networks to reach out to employers on disability-inclusive hiring and support available under ODP.”
“ComLink was first started in 2019 with four staff partnering local community partners at four pilot sites. In 2021, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced that it would be expanded nationwide. As of 25 September 2023, there were about 110 staff deployed in our Social Service Offices to run the ComLink programme, with the support of around 1,400 volunteer befrienders and local community partners in various Housing and Development Board towns. Turnover among ComLink staff is comparable with other roles in MSF. We have a steady pipeline of candidates in recruitment, where we tap on open recruitment platforms, career fairs and Public Service officers keen for a career change. We will continue to support our staff as they work hard to support and journey with our ComLink families.”
“At present, members of the public can verify the authenticity of halal certificates by checking against the list of halal-certified eating establishments found on the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore or Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura's (MUIS's) website or its MuslimSG application. MUIS has stepped up public education efforts through its social media platforms to educate the public on key features to look out for in a halal certificate to ascertain its authenticity. MUIS is also reviewing ways to enhance security features of halal certificates through digitisation efforts that would make it easier for the public to verify the authenticity of a halal certificate in the future. Members of the public who wish to report any suspect certificates can contact MUIS with their concerns at 6359 1199 or info@muis.gov.sg.”
“As part of its consultations with the early childhood sector, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) carried out a one-off survey for preschools on the extent of closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera deployment and their experience running them. The survey garnered responses from over 800 respondents across Government and non-Government funded operators. As previously disclosed, more than 60% of preschool respondents had already installed CCTV cameras on their premises. CCTV cameras were more commonly installed at the entrances, classrooms and children activity areas. Respondents cited security, child safety and facilitation of internal investigations as their top reasons for installing CCTV cameras. Respondents that had not installed CCTV cameras cited concerns around the privacy of children and staff as key reasons for their decision. ECDA has since mandated that CCTV cameras must be installed in all centres from 1 July 2024. In support of this mandate, ECDA has issued guidelines to operators on the appropriate installation of CCTV cameras and development of protocols to govern the use of and access to CCTV camera footage. We will work closely with operators to ensure that CCTV cameras are implemented in a way that protects the privacy of children, staff and other individuals within preschool premises.”
“As mentioned in our response to the Parliamentary Questions on 18 September 2023, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has announced efforts to uplift salaries of educators to be market-competitive and commensurate with their growing competencies. We raise salaries to retain the good quality educators that we have and attract more to join. We provide significant Government funding to Government-funded operators to implement the increases in salaries according to the salary guidelines stipulated by ECDA. ECDA also provides resources for educators to take charge of their professional development, deepen their expertise and plan for career advancement.”
“Such support enables the CYPs to complete their rehabilitation journey to become well-adjusted individuals.”
“The Member is mistaken. There is no such practice of solitary confinement of young persons under statutory care. To deter further serious misdemeanours by the child or young person (CYP), and also to protect the safety of the CYP and/or other residents, the law allows the person-in-charge of a home to separate a CYP from other residents. While youths undergoing separation are housed alone, they continue to attend programmes and receive visits. Over the last three years, an annual average of 80 CYPs were separated from other residents in Ministry of Social and Family Development Youth Homes, that is, Singapore Boys' and Girls' Homes. The average duration of separation was four days. The law allows separation only if the CYP is 12 years old or older. International research has shown that a short period of separation can help the CYP "cool off" after difficult incidents. Such separation, where needed, is done in a manner that has the safety and well-being of the CYPs as the primary consideration. The room where the CYP is separated in is bright and airy and the CYP always has a means of communication with the Home's staff during the period of separation. Prior to separating a CYP from other residents, the CYP is seen by a medical professional to ensure that he or she is physically and psychologically fit for separation. During the period of separation, the CYP is supported and engaged regularly by the staff of the Home, such as youth guidance officers, caseworkers and psychologists. After the period of separation, the CYP will continue to receive the necessary support and interventions needed to help him/her understand and address the underlying reasons for his/her behaviour.”
“MOE is monitoring the outcomes of the Journeys Package as part of our regular review of existing SPED manpower policies to ensure that they are adequate in attracting and retaining SPED teachers. In terms of community training, our focus is on caregivers, who are typically the first line of support for persons with disabilities. SG Enable works with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to provide training courses. Caregivers may tap on the Caregivers Training Grant, which is administered by AIC, to defray the cost of these training programmes. MSF and MOE will continue to work with stakeholders, including NCSS, SG Enable, SSAs and caregivers, to attract and retain manpower and strengthen people practices and capabilities for the disability and special needs education sectors. Together, we can build a more inclusive society to better support persons with special needs and their families.”
“The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), SG Enable and National Council of Social Service (NCSS) work closely with social service agencies (SSAs) to attract manpower into the social service sector, including the disability and special needs education sectors. MSF and NCSS revised the salary guidelines for the social service sector this year to guide SSAs in offering competitive remuneration. Recommended salaries for sector professionals increased 4%-15%, to keep pace with salaries of comparable roles in competing markets. To better equip professionals in the disability sector, a competency framework and training roadmap is being developed by the Social Service SkillsFuture Tripartite Taskforce, and training programmes are offered by the Social Service Institute and the Enabling Academy set up by SG Enable in 2022. For those working with young children with developmental needs, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has included the Learning Support Educator and Early Intervention Educator tracks in Skills Framework for Early Childhood and has developed a Continuing Professional Development Roadmap to provide clearer progression and training pathways for Early Intervention professionals. ECDA has also worked with the National Institute of Early Childhood Development to enhance pre-service training and continuing professional development for professionals in our preschools. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has also been working closely with Special Education (SPED) schools to attract, develop and retain SPED teachers. A major development is the Journeys of Excellence Package (Journeys Package) launched in 2020 to strengthen professionalism of SPED teachers.”
“Each of us must also do our part to stop child abuse, by detecting and reporting to the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline if you know of or witness such incidents. MSF will continue our efforts to extend our training and outreach and continually review our safeguards to ensure the safety of vulnerable children.”
“The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) continually reviews the safeguards to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children under state care. In October 2019, in response to a related Parliamentary Question, we shared that we had set up the National Family Violence Networking System to tighten partnerships amongst stakeholders, strengthened capabilities of professionals to detect abuse early, and amended the Penal Code to enhance protection for vulnerable victims. These measures also provide support and protection to children who had been placed in foster care but were subsequently reunited with their families of origin. After reunification, our Foster Care Officers continue to work with community partners to ensure regular safety checks and monitoring of the child and the child's family. Such support is provided for 12 months or more after reunification, with the exact duration determined for each case depending on the needs of the family. Since June 2020, we have also provided Family and Domestic Violence Awareness Training for more than 7,100 people across the people, public and private sectors to spot and report signs of family violence. Since November 2020, we have further strengthened information-sharing and coordination protocols with the various touchpoints in the community to sight these children and ensure their well-being. These improvements include specific procedures to guide agencies to trace a child's whereabouts if the child has not been regularly sighted in the community. The incidence rate of child abuse remains low. The recent incidents presented before the Courts had occurred in different years and do not represent a spike in child death cases due to abuse. Nonetheless, any abuse is one case too many.”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“There is no recognised definition of stay-at-home parents. A proxy would be residents outside the labour force who are not looking for work because they have to take care of their own children aged 12 and below. The data is available in the annual "Labour Force in Singapore" report, published on the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) website. The Government does not have further information on the number of them who received caregiver grants or Central Provident Fund (CPF) top-ups by their family members.”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“This question was addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“Both disability and mental health conditions are protected characteristics in the upcoming workplace fairness legislation because they are some of the more commonly reported forms of workplace discrimination. However, persons with disabilities and persons with mental health conditions receive different types of employment support that cater to their different needs. The support for individuals with mental health conditions is focused on their recovery and helping them to cope with their conditions. The Government has a comprehensive approach to support persons with mental health conditions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been working with various agencies to promote mental health and upstream prevention; improved early detection, intervention and management; and expand health, social and community support services. Persons with mental health conditions who require employment assistance can approach the Job Club under the Institute of Mental Health, the Singapore Association for Mental Health and the Singapore Anglican Community Services. These organisations provide support, such as job placement, post-employment follow-up and training in conflict resolution and stress management.”
“We will continue to engage healthcare providers, EI operators, preschools, SPED schools and parents to ensure robust early identification and intervention for children with developmental needs, as well as to provide education and support for their caregivers. In addition to having services and programmes available, it is equally important for family, friends and other caregivers to provide support for children with developmental needs and their families. Let us all play a part by extending a helping hand when we see families in need.”
“EI centres provide caregiver engagement and training so that caregivers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to support their children at home. In 2022, the Early Childhood Development Agency launched the Parents’ Guide, a guide with information on ways to access EI services, support available to facilitate the child’s transition from the preschool years to school-age provisions, as well as self-care strategies and resources. Furthermore, SG Enable has worked with CaringSG, a caregiver-led organisation, to launch the Step One programme in July 2023. This programme aims to equip caregivers with knowledge and skills to carry out their caregiving duties and connect them with support networks. Caregivers can find out more about these support options via the online Enabling Guide. To help parents make an informed decision on the appropriate educational setting for their child in schooling years, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has collaborated with hospitals, EI centres and special education (SPED) schools to develop common standards to guide professional assessments and align recommendations given to parents. MOE also holds an annual Parent Forum, in collaboration with the KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and the National University Hospital (NUH), to help parents better understand how mainstream and SPED schools can support their child’s needs. During the schooling years, SPED schools work closely with parents to monitor their children’s growth and facilitate the application of skills at home and in the community. The biennial MOE SPED Learning Festival also includes workshops for parents to connect with professionals for advice on supporting their child’s Special Education Needs.”
“It is our goal for children with developmental needs to be given a good start in life and have opportunities to achieve their fullest potential. The Government has strengthened support at various touchpoints to enable more timely and systematic identification of children with developmental needs. From birth, parents can track their children’s developmental milestones via the Child Health Booklet and are encouraged to take their children for Childhood Developmental Screening (CDS). Eligible Singaporean children receive subsidised CDS at polyclinics and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) general practitioner clinics. CDS has been streamlined to be conducted together with recommended childhood vaccinations. By end-2023, every preschool will have an Inclusion Coordinator, who can help fellow educators identify children with potential developmental needs for further assessment and link them up with relevant early intervention support. Children who require early intervention (EI) will be referred to appropriate support – either at hospitals or an EI programme in the community. A range of EI programmes is available for various age groups, levels of support and settings. For example, children aged three to six requiring medium levels of EI support can be supported at EI centres via the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children or in preschools via the Inclusive Support Programme. Those with low levels of EI support can be supported in preschools via the Development Support – Learning Support programme. Besides early detection and intervention for children with developmental needs, support for their caregivers is also crucial to the children’s well-being and development.”
“Special Student Care Centres (SSCCs) provide before and after school care services for students with special needs aged seven to 18 who attend Special Education (SPED) schools. There are currently 10 SSCCs of which eight are co-located with SPED schools, providing a total of 320 places serving students with special needs of different profiles. While there are sufficient SSCC places for children with sensory impairment and intellectual disabilities, we project an increase in demand for SSCC places for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We have, therefore, worked with Social Service Agencies (SSAs) to start two new SSCCs with a capacity of 100 places for children with ASD in July this year. The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) works closely with SSAs and SG Enable to identify areas where there is demand for SSCC services. We plan to set up more SSCCs, in tandem with the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) plan to build more SPED schools, to provide greater convenience to families with children with special needs who require SSCC services. MSF will continue to engage stakeholders, including parents and caregivers of children with special needs, to gather feedback and improve the accessibility of SSCC services.”
“I think unfortunately, the title "Healthy Longevity Clinic" will attract a lot of people who want to live long. Every one of us want to. But what it actually is, is a research project and it is different from evidence-based screening where it is available on a population basis and already clinical tests, like blood tests, metabolic immune cardiovascular tests, they are all already available under existing programmes and for many of us, it is highly subsidised. So, I would recommend that those who want and should be testing for their health, want to diagnose whether they have something going on that will affect their health, go for these programmes. Whereas this project is really a barrage of screening tests beyond what a person would normally go through. It takes a lot of discipline, it takes a lot of commitment and therefore, unless you are committed to be a research participant, I would beseech that you do not participate because this takes a lot of time, and the results are not meant to guide your health but to guide research.”
“Prospective pilgrims are also advised to make early preparations to perform their Haj, such as participating in health programmes. An example is the “Get Fit for Haj” programme, which is a series of activities specially curated to help prospective pilgrims improve their fitness level and learn more about leading a healthy lifestyle to prepare them for Haj. A total of 500 pilgrims have benefited from this joint effort by MUIS, AMTAS, the Health Promotion Board and the Muslim Healthcare Professionals Association.”
“The Singapore Pilgrims’ Affairs Office (SPAO) under the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) provides medical services and facilities to Singapore pilgrims in Medina, Mecca and Shisha. For the Haj 2023 season, about 60% of the Singapore pilgrims were 60 years old and above. SPAO appointed 19 medical personnel to operate on-site medical facilities and be on standby to attend to pilgrims off-site during the Haj pilgrimage period in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). SPAO also worked closely with the Haj travel agents to assist pilgrims, especially the elderly, to book medical clinic appointments via the PilgrimSG app to minimise waiting time. For emergency medical services, SPAO worked with the KSA’s medical service provider on the provision of medical supplies and ambulance services for the prompt transportation of pilgrims to hospitals. A total of 30 Haj packages were offered by the MUIS-appointed Haj travel agents this year, costing approximately between S$8,400 and S$22,600, depending on the duration of stay and type of accommodation. The cost of Haj packages is also dependent on various services provided and charged by the KSA Haj service providers. MUIS will continue to monitor the costs of Haj packages and engage the KSA Haj service providers, as well as the Association of Muslim Travel Agents Singapore (AMTAS), on feasible measures to manage the cost of the Haj. The Haj travel agents are also responsible for managing the safety and welfare of Singapore pilgrims, including the elderly, during Haj under the Deed of Appointment (Haj Packages). MUIS will work with the appointed Haj travel agents, AMTAS and the KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to ensure there are sufficient manpower and resources to support elderly pilgrims.”
“During the Haj 2023 season, about 180 Singapore pilgrims required wheelchair assistance to perform the Haj. The Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) does not keep records of Singapore pilgrims requiring wheelchair assistance in previous seasons. The number of pilgrims requiring wheelchair assistance during the Haj 2022 season would likely have been lower, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah only allowed individuals under 65 years of age to perform the Haj due to the COVID-19 pandemic. MUIS will engage the Association of Muslim Travel Agents Singapore and MUIS-appointed Haj travel agents on measures to address medical and mobility support requirements in preparation for the Haj 2024 season.”
“Between 2017 and 2021, an average of 33,000 self-employed persons per year qualified for the Government-Paid Childcare Leave (GPCL), out of which around 20% have claimed GPCL. An average of 26,000 of them per year qualified for the Extended Childcare Leave (ECL), of which around 5% have claimed ECL. The Government-paid portion of GPCL only covers the fourth to sixth days. The first three days of childcare leave are not covered. Hence, the GPCL claims data does not reflect the utilisation of childcare leave by self-employed persons.”
“All residential facilities run, funded or licensed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, where applicable, have installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in common or high-risk areas, such as corridors and activity rooms. This includes institutions that house children, persons with disabilities, vulnerable adults and crisis accommodation. For Day Activity Centres and Sheltered Workshops, all but two have CCTV cameras installed in common areas. The remaining two facilities have plans to install CCTV cameras in the coming months.”
“These questions were addressed in the reply to Question Nos 33 to 52 for Oral Answer on the Order Paper for 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Update on Investigations into Alleged Mistreatment of Children at Centres of Preschool Chain", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“Mothers who are studying or undergoing training or skills upgrading are already eligible for preschool subsidy support equivalent to what a working mother applicant would receive. They can apply for Special Approval as part of the childcare subsidy application process when enrolling their children in preschool or approach their childcare centre for assistance to put in the application.”
“There are currently paid and community-based options available to parents who require caregiving support for their infants and children on weekends. These include babysitting services and playgroup and enrichment classes conducted at Community Clubs/Centres on Saturday mornings.”
“SG Enable administers the Open Door Programme (ODP) which provides support to employers to hire persons with disabilities through grants and employment support services. The ODP provides customised job placement and job support from trained job coaches, who advise employers on how they can create accessible work environments and make reasonable job accommodations to enable employees with disabilities to perform their roles effectively and work well with co-workers. Between 2020 and 2022, SG Enable and its partners placed an average of 500 persons with disabilities into jobs each year. Employers can also tap on the Job Redesign Grant under ODP to modify workplaces and provide the infrastructure needed, such as the inclusion of calm rooms and assistive technology. ODP also provides subsidies for employers and their employees without disabilities to attend workshops that prepare them to interact with, hire, integrate and retain employees with disabilities. For example, SG Enable offers a range of courses under its High Impact Retention and Employment (HIRE) Workshop Series that help employers learn how to create safe work environments and modify work processes to suit the unique needs of their employees with disabilities. Over the past five years, on average, 65 organisations have sent over 1,420 employees without disabilities to attend these courses each year, to learn how to recruit and integrate persons with disabilities at their workplaces. Later this year, SG Enable will also launch the first Enabling Business Hub (EBH) in Jurong to showcase inclusive hiring practices and support employers, starting with the logistics industry, to implement such practices at their workplaces.”
“As the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore, SG Enable engages employers from various sectors to create job opportunities for persons with disabilities by providing one-to-one advisory and consultancy services on topics, such as hiring practices, job accommodations and workplace accessibility. In addition, SG Enable works with trade associations and business chambers and networks to reach out to employers on disability-inclusive hiring. We have been reaching out to companies this year in Celebrating Social Services Partners. Specifically, for the tech, logistics and healthcare sectors, SG Enable has worked with employers to create close to 800 job opportunities for persons with disabilities from January 2021 to August 2023. We encourage more employers, whether from these or other sectors, to come forward to offer hiring opportunities for persons with disabilities.”
“On 19 June 2023, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) detected several suspicious transactions involving zakat payments paid in cash at Masjid Al-Istiqamah. As Police investigations are ongoing, MUIS is unable to disclose more information. Governance requirements and standard operating procedures for handling cash and digital zakat payments are in place and regularly reviewed. MUIS’ zakat officers and supervisors are trained on how to operate the zakat collection system and on the standard operating procedures (SOPs). Regular audits are also performed to ensure adherence to proper procedures and can surface suspicious transactions, as was the case at Masjid Al-Istiqamah. Masjid Al-Istiqamah has temporarily suspended all zakat collections over the counter. Pending the outcome of the Police investigations, MUIS will review the current SOP and implement any necessary measures to further strengthen the zakat system and processes. MUIS encourages zakat payers to go cashless, where possible.”
“Currently, guide dogs who assist persons with visual impairment are allowed to enter licensed food retail establishments and on public and private transport, such as MRT, LRT, buses, private hire cars and taxis. To raise and sustain public awareness that guide dogs are allowed under the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations to enter licensed food retail establishments, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) had, in October 2021, together with Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and SG Enable, issued a joint circular with guidelines on how to identify guide dogs and to encourage licensees to allow guide dogs into their establishments. The joint circular has been published on SFA’s website since October 2021 and SFA recently re-circulated it to licensees on 31 May 2023 to reiterate that guide dogs accompanying blind or visually impaired persons are permitted in licensed food retail establishments. MSF and other Government agencies have also worked with Guide Dogs Singapore (GDS) to disseminate GDS’ posters and infographics about guide dogs. We are working with relevant stakeholders, including Non-Government Organisations, such as GDS and K9 Assistance, to review how we can broaden the use of assistance dogs to empower persons with disabilities beyond the visually impaired. In line with our Enabling Masterplan 2030 vision for Singapore to be an inclusive society, public acceptance and awareness will be key to this effort.”
“The Government has adjusted programme funding to the Social Service Agencies (SSAs), incorporating changes in manpower cost based on the revised Social Service Sector Salary Guidelines. Beyond this, the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) has engaged SSAs through human resource (HR) clinics and workshops since the publication of the revised Guidelines in April 2023. This is to support them in implementing the guidelines based on their unique circumstances and to guide SSAs on broader compensation and rewards topics. Grants under the Community Capability Trust will also be made available to SSAs to support them in enhancing their HR practices, including improving their talent attraction measures and compensation and benefit practices. The challenge facing the sector is that unless salaries remain competitive, it will not be able to attract sufficient manpower to sustainably provide the services. Besides Government programme funding, SSAs also raise funds from donors for additional programmes. They will need to engage their donors, so that the value of these additional programmes, as well as the reality of the labour market, are better appreciated by donors. NCSS will support SSAs in this effort. NCSS will be publishing a playbook later in the year to guide SSAs in enhancing their fundraising capabilities. The Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise has also been working with SSAs to develop new initiatives to expand their income streams.”
“All childcare centres licensed by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) are currently required to provide Saturday services from 7.00 am to 2.00 pm. Centres are allowed to close on Saturdays if there is no attendance of children for a period of three months, but they must provide the Saturday service if parents request for it. Based on ECDA’s survey in September 2022, about 30% of childcare centres did not operate on Saturdays. The remaining 70% of childcare centres looked after an average of one to two infants or children on Saturdays.”
“We do not conduct annual surveys as attitudes and sentiments do not fluctuate frequently. Our occasional surveys show that the majority of Singaporeans continue to believe that parenthood should take place within marriage. The Government empathises with the needs of unwed parents and their children. This is why single unwed parents are already eligible for all Government benefits that support the growth and development of their children. These include subsidies for education, healthcare, childcare, infant care, foreign domestic worker levy concession and the Child Development Account.”
“The Member is referring to the case of Yocorn Food Enterprise Pte Ltd (Yocorn), which is a licensed food importer, but not a Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) halal-certificate holder. When MUIS detected that Yocorn was selling smoked duck falsely labelled as “halal” to MUIS halal-certified food establishments, MUIS immediately instructed its other halal-certificate holders not to purchase any smoked duck items from Yocorn that were presented as “halal”. MUIS also stepped up its inspections of food establishments that serve duck items to ensure compliance. Yocorn’s licence was not revoked but Yocorn and its director were fined $35,000 and $20,000 respectively under the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act for their actions. MUIS regularly inspects halal-certified food establishments to ensure that their products and offerings are accompanied by valid halal certification from MUIS or MUIS-recognised foreign halal certification bodies. Food establishments that have previously breached the conditions for MUIS’ halal-certification are inspected more frequently by MUIS. Such establishments are also given a shorter validity for their halal certification when they are recertified. MUIS will take the necessary investigative and enforcement actions if any breaches of its Halal Certification Conditions are identified and reported. MUIS regularly reviews its Halal Certification Conditions, including to tighten measures taken against companies with repeated halal violations.”
“As part of the continual efforts to strengthen the halal regulatory regime, the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) has been taking steps to prevent misuse or breaches of foreign halal certification marks. Following a comprehensive review of the Foreign Halal Certification Bodies (FHCB) Recognition Scheme in 2021, MUIS is strengthening the legislative framework for (a) recognising FHCB, (b) regulating the use of recognised foreign halal certificates in Singapore under the MUIS FHCB Recognition Scheme, and (c) imposing penalties on the misuse of FHCB marks or certificates. The list of MUIS-recognised FHCB, including their respective halal certification marks, is published on MUIS’ website. Members of the public who wish to report any suspected cases of breaches or misuse of FHCB marks or certificates can contact MUIS with their concerns at 63591199 or info@muis.gov.sg.”
“The per capita household income (PCHI) benchmark indicates the approximate income level at which households could qualify and is not a criterion that once met would automatically qualify a household for ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance (SMTA). Eligibility for SMTA is based on a holistic assessment by Social Service Offices (SSOs), taking into account factors, such as household income, savings and availability of family support. The PCHI benchmark is, therefore, not used to determine the number of eligible households.”
“Like I mentioned, when we shape up the financial assistance for all the archetypes, we take into consideration the available support already given to them. And two considerations we do not want to lose, particularly for the younger families, is agency. We trust that they want the dignity to take care of themselves, do better, and therefore, as much as you want to give them the fish, support is also given for them to learn to fish. We know many have actually succeeded. For the more senior ones, there are many support schemes given to them, particularly if they are in the Pioneer Generation or Medaka Generation, which already alleviate a lot of the financial outlay that they would have made, given the circumstances they are in. I would urge Members to not dismiss the importance of families and not make it, I would say, too easy because we do not want families to not come forward to support the seniors. I think it is our duty as children to first be providing them the needs, as much as our parents have sacrificed for us when we were growing up and so, we too have that duty to provide for them in their old age. Therefore, in that spirit too is why SSOs want to make sure that children can and do try to support their seniors and we will not take too long to decide that we cannot wait for this to happen to support the seniors. But some subjectivity will occur in such assessments.”
“A minimum of three months of additional support to existing SMTA recipients who renewed their assistance and more cash assistance with more flexible guidelines to cope with the increase in basic living expenses. Thus, on the fly too, we do that, particularly for adjusting the amount or the quantum that we provide for each family. The one that we make less frequently, is the income benchmark – not the assistance given to our clients.”