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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“Mr Speaker, this Bill is linked to the next Bill on the Order Paper, the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill. With your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to propose that the substantive debate on both Bills take place together. This will allow a holistic debate and enable Members to raise questions or express their views on both Bills during the debate. We will still have the formal Second Reading of the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill to ensure that procedural requirements are dealt with.”
“The average monthly income for citizen mothers with non-marital births, which we have computed by dividing annual income from work by 12, has increased over the years. For those below 35 years old, it rose from $1,800 in 2017 to $2,500 in 2020. For those aged 35 and older, it rose from $5,600 in 2017 to $5,900 in 2020. Similarly, the median for those below 35 years old rose from $600 in 2017 to $700 in 2020, whereas for those 35 years old and above, it remains at $3,400. The data for 2021 is not yet available. Incomes for those below 35 years old is lower as they also include young mothers who may work in part-time jobs, or only for a few months of the year. Wage information for the single age band of 35 to 36 years is not available due to small population size.”
“In the last three years, more than 90% of applicants received a physical parking label within 15 working days after submission of a complete Car Park Label Scheme application to SG Enable. Complete applications were typically approved within six working days, and applicants can start using accessible parking lots upon approval, without waiting for the physical label. Nevertheless, as the printing and delivery of the physical label takes time, SG Enable will explore technological solutions to complement or replace the current physical label. We also encourage more applicants to use SG Enable’s eService, as it indicates the information fields that are compulsory, which helps to guide applicants to submit the necessary information in the first instance. Compared to applications submitted through email or post, those submitted via eService also require less backend administrative work, which helps to reduce processing time.”
“The number of households assisted with ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) had averaged around 28,000 per year from FY2017 to FY2019. The number increased significantly in FY2020 to around 36,000 due to the economic impact of COVID-19 and the flexibilities exercised by Social Service Offices (SSOs) during the pandemic to provide ComCare support, before falling below 34,000 in FY2021. At the same time, the number of households assisted with ComCare Long-Term Assistance (LTA) has been decreasing from around 4,400 in FY2017 to around 3,900 in FY2021. The decrease is possibly due to more Singaporeans continuing to earn income from employment and enhancements in support for seniors, such as the introduction of the Silver Support Scheme in 2016. We take this opportunity to explain how ComCare works. ComCare LTA is granted to a household in very specific circumstances. The recipient must be permanently unable to work and have little or no financial means and have little or no family support. ComCare SMTA is provided to a household with little financial means. If the evidence does not show that the recipient is permanently unable to work, then the SSO does not grant ComCare LTA. This is because the circumstances of the household may change, which is why assistance is time-bound but is renewable. It is, therefore, incorrect to presume that just because a household has been receiving ComCare SMTA for more than three years, they have been misclassified and ought to be placed on ComCare LTA.”
“We are aware of a 2018 study1 to assess public awareness, attitudes and understanding towards epilepsy among Singapore residents. The study surveyed 246 respondents at a community-based health awareness event. With regard to employment, the study found that “only 43.1% would employ a person with epilepsy while 68.3% would employ if seizures do not interfere with the job”. All jobseekers, including persons with epilepsy, can seek support from Workforce Singapore and NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute. They offer a broad-based suite of employment facilitation programmes and services. Employers also have to abide by the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices and treat all jobseekers and employees, including those with epilepsy, fairly and based on merit.”
“A multi-stakeholder task force has also been formed under the Enabling Masterplan 2030 to enhance employment support and opportunities for persons with disabilities. We are also looking at starting Enabling Business Hubs to bring jobs closer to where persons with disabilities live. Most importantly, employers must come on board to hire persons with disabilities. Only then can we achieve our vision of an inclusive society where persons with disabilities are recognised for their abilities, knowledge and skills.”
“The Open Door Programme (ODP), administered by SG Enable, encourages employers to hire, train and integrate persons with disabilities into the workplace through grants and employment support services. Employers that tap on SG Enable’s funding schemes or post job openings on SG Enable’s job portal are registered as ODP employers. As of October 2022, there were 2,268 employers registered as ODP employers, of which 23% have hired persons with disabilities. Other ODP employers may not have found suitable candidates for their job openings or were unable to hire for other reasons, such as their companies undergoing a hiring freeze. Besides the ODP, other initiatives to support employment for persons with disabilities include: (a) The Enabling Employment Credit supports employers with wage offsets of up to 30% for each Singaporean employee with disability earning below $4,000 per month; (b) The Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) provides salary support of up to 20% for the first $6,000 of wages for a period of six months, for each new hire that is a person with disabilities. JGI has been extended to March 2023; (c) The Place-and-Train and Attach-and-Train programmes which were launched by the National Jobs Council during COVID-19 to provide customised employment, traineeships and skills upgrading opportunities to persons with disabilities until March 2023; (d) Transition-to-work programmes, such as the School-to-Work programme, which provides vocational training and support to work-capable persons with disabilities entering employment from Special Education Schools; and (e) The Enabling Mark, a national accreditation to recognise disability-inclusive employers.”
“The fees that we impose are just to recover cost. We have extended the waiver to make the fee not become a barrier to taking up an LPA. But I do not think, though, that the fee is the only reason why people do not take up an LPA. There are cultural reasons. There is also the sense that we can postpone this as late as possible, and therefore, we do have to do more, particularly to raise awareness, the importance of having the LPA in place as soon as we can. But, having said that, we will certainly study to extend the fee waiver, if necessary, and also to facilitate the take-up of LPA. Secondly, I do agree with the Member that we will be training the SGAs and all our connect points where seniors are likely to come or to seek help, so that they can be assisted to understand what the LPA is, why it is important and what the cultural and also, sometimes, religious worries and concerns that need to be addressed, so that they can overcome them and then take up the LPA as soon as they can.”
“For internal, specific purposes, we do track who are on, who have been enrolled, so that we can see by trend, at what age they enrol. I think it is noteworthy that while we want those who are above 50 as our target to be on LPA, I think all of us should be on LPA as soon as possible. And even for our children to be on LPA and not think that it is something we can postpone until usually too late. On the other question, it is the same as what Ms Joan Pereira has asked. We will study all the suggestions that Members have and, of course, the experience we have on the ground, incorporate them, adjust our process and procedures as we move.”
“We thank the Member for the suggestion. We will study this suggestion and we welcome other suggestions. As we operate the OPGO from the middle of November, we will have to study how the public reacts to it, especially our seniors, and then accommodate, adjust, so that as many of them as possible will be enrolled in the LPA.”
“Staff at other community touchpoints – such as Senior Activity Centres, restructured hospitals and nursing homes – will also be able to provide advice to residents. Finally, we will be stepping up efforts to help Singaporeans appreciate the importance of pre-planning. The Office of the Public Guardian and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) will run a publicity and outreach campaign from 2023 to 2025 to encourage Singaporeans, especially those aged 50 and above, to make their LPAs and Advance Care Plans. The outreach will involve Silver Generation Ambassadors. We are happy to work with Members to promote this to their residents. We will consider how a letter-mailing exercise can be carried out in a cost-effective way, perhaps riding on other regular mail correspondence that the Government already sends to residents. Family members will also be vital channels of outreach. Whether as a spouse, child or grandchild, we should encourage our loved ones to make their LPAs early, so that they are better prepared should they lose their mental capacity one day.”
“Mr Speaker, my response will also cover the matters raised in the questions by Ms Denise Phua1 and Ms Ng Ling Ling, which are scheduled for a subsequent Sitting. I would invite Members to seek clarifications, if need be. If the questions have been addressed, it may not be necessary for them to proceed with the questions for future Sittings. We have stepped up efforts to increase awareness and take up of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) over the years. First, we waived the $75 application fee for filing an LPA. We have seen a significant increase in LPA registrations since its introduction. In 2013, around 2,200 Singaporeans registered an LPA. In 2021, over 32,000 did so. Nearly 95% of the 153,000 Singaporeans who have registered their LPAs, benefited from the fee waiver. Second, we will be launching a new Office of Public Guardian Online, or OPGO, e-service on 14 November 2022, so that it is even easier to make an LPA. In designing the e-service, we paid extra attention to seniors and those less comfortable with technology. Hence, the application form will be an easy questionnaire that guides the user in creating his or her LPA. Instructions are in plain English and are also available in the other official languages. Additionally, users can view step-by-step instructional videos in the four official languages and Quick Reference Guides to help them navigate the e-service. We have tested the service with older users, who reported they were confident to use it. The Office of the Public Guardian is also working with partners to provide help at convenient locations. Residents who prefer in-person assistance can approach ServiceSG Centres, Citizen Connect Centres and the Office of the Public Guardian. Officers there will be able to help them with the online LPA application.”
“Mr Speaker, may I have your permission to answer Question Nos 9 and 10 on today's Order Paper together, please?”
“The powers of intervention for the Public Guardian are confined to individuals who meet the threshold for "lack of capacity" as defined under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA). I would like to assure the Member that there are safeguards in place to protect individuals from being pressured into making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). The LPA making process requires the donor to meet in-person with an accredited doctor, lawyer or psychiatrist. This professional acts as the LPA Certificate Issuer to certify that no fraud or undue pressure has been applied to the donor and that the donor understands the purpose of LPA and the scope of the authority conferred under it. I empathise with the Member's concern. In some cases, family and friends of the person making an LPA may believe it was ill-advised. They will, undoubtedly, try to persuade the person to reconsider or to seek independent advice. However, it would not be appropriate for the Public Guardian to question the decision of a donor with mental capacity, who has been seen and certified by an accredited doctor, lawyer or psychiatrist that no fraud or undue pressure has been applied to the donor.”
“MSF funds 32 Day Activity Centres, which provide full-day or part-day care programmes, typically between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm, for adults with disabilities to equip them with community living skills and activities of daily living skills and to offer caregivers respite. Caregivers who need overnight respite due to exigencies can tap on short-term overnight respite care at Adult Disability Homes. Caregivers of persons with disabilities who are assessed to require assistance with any Activity of Daily Living can also apply for the Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) Levy Concession if they need more help to look after their loved ones. The concession reduces the levy for hiring an MDW from $300 to $60 per month.”
“As mentioned in the Enabling Masterplan 2030, SG Enable will be working with Social Service Agency partners to develop a Future Care Planning Playbook, which will provide caregivers with more information and support on resources so as to develop a future care plan that prioritises the needs and choices of their dependants with disabilities.”
“Families are, typically, the primary providers of care and support for persons with disabilities, but there are instances when a sole caregiver is unable to care for an adult with disabilities. For accommodation, caregivers can approach SG Enable to place their loved one with disabilities in an Adult Disability Home for long-term residential care. If there are immediate financial needs, caregivers can approach their nearest Social Service Office to apply for ComCare financial assistance. We also encourage caregivers to plan in advance for their dependant's future financial needs. Caregivers can set up Trust accounts for their dependants with disabilities with the Special Needs Trust Company. The principal value of the Trust fund is guaranteed and fees are highly subsidised. In addition, under the Special Needs Savings Scheme, parents can nominate their children with disabilities to receive a regular stream of fixed payouts from their CPF monies when they pass on. For adults with disabilities who may require a guardian to support them in decision-making in specific domains, the Assisted Deputyship Application Programme (ADAP) makes it easier and more affordable for caregivers of persons with disabilities who lack mental capacity to apply to the Court to be appointed as deputies, so that they can continue to make decisions pertaining to their dependant's welfare and finances, even after their dependant turns 21. To reach out to more caregivers, informational briefings on ADAP are regularly conducted at Special Education schools, Day Activity Centres and Sheltered Workshops.”
“In 2021, there were 860 unique applicants for Transitional Shelters (TSes). This is higher than the annual average of 420 applications from 2018 to 2020 and 660 in 2022. The year 2020 was when we were in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, where more rough sleepers sought shelter due to closure of public spaces, health concerns and travel restrictions. Three TSes were set up in 2021 and 2022 to provide shelter and support to persons requiring temporary shelter. The average duration of stay in TSes was about six months from 2018 to 2020 and about eight months from 2021 to 2022. The majority, or 68%, of applicants to TSes are male. The average age of TS applicants is 50. TS clients are usually discharged to public rental housing or open market rental housing. Some also purchase their own homes or stay with families and friends. For those who could now go back to their homes after travel restrictions were lifted, they have done so, too.”
“As of July 2022, there are 9,200 childcare and 580 infant care places licensed for operation in the Yishun Planning Area and the enrolment rate is about 80% for both services. For childcare, 34 centres have immediate vacancies, while another 27 are expected to have vacancies within one year. For infant care, six centres have immediate vacancies while five are expected to have vacancies within one year. In addition, there are 11 kindergartens in the Yishun Planning Area. These, currently, enrol 1,300 children, with an average enrolment rate of below 50% across two daily sessions. To support parents' preference for preschools close to home, the Early Childhood and Development Agency (ECDA) works with HDB to develop preschools, in tandem with new public housing flats. Preschool development is timed so that residents can access preschool services soon after they move in. One hundred and seventy new childcare and 25 new infant care places will be developed by anchor operators in the Yishun Planning Area by end-2022. These places will be sited within the new Yishun Spring precinct.”
“The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) provides for the appointment of donees or deputies to manage the property and affairs of individuals who lack mental capacity. Under MCA, the Public Guardian is responsible for dealing with representations, including complaints, about the way in which donees or deputies exercise their powers. Hence, it would not be appropriate for the Public Guardian to also manage the property and affairs of individuals who have not made a Lasting Power of Attorney and have lost their mental capacity. To do so would put the Public Guardian in a position of conflict of interest. To make applying for deputyship more affordable for families, the Family Justice Courts has introduced a Simplified Track since 2019. Family members applying for general orders through the Simplified Track typically ask for and are granted powers to consent to medical and dental treatment, care arrangements and manage bank/CPF accounts and insurance policies. The cost of the Simplified Track is around $540, comprising a $40 Court filing fee and around $500 for mental capacity assessment, based on the fees charged by public hospitals. This is much lower than applying for complex orders through the Standard Track, which will incur both a higher Court fee of up to $300, as well as legal fees charged by lawyers of between $3,000 and $9,000. Additionally, to support families in need, MSF works with partners to facilitate access to probono or low-cost services. Such families can seek legal assistance from the Legal Aid Bureau or support from the Community Justice Centre (a charity), if they are applying for deputyship without representation of a lawyer.”
“MSF is partnering Daughters Of Tomorrow (DOT) to pilot a childminding service at Bedok and Punggol Community Link (ComLink) communities. This is for families living in rental housing with children aged three to nine who need care arrangements beyond the usual operating hours of childcare and student care centres. As at end September 2022, about 30 individuals have indicated interest to be childminders and 13 families have requested for the service. Since the matching of childminders to families started in August 2022, two families have used the service, of which, one was headed by a single unwed parent. DOT is in the process of matching suitable childminders to the remaining families who have signed up. The pilot is intended to help us assess the feasibility of such a service model.”
“MSF regularly reviews the scope and coverage of ComCare assistance schemes to ensure that support provided is adequate. MSF has already announced recently, the increase in the amount of assistance for low-income households on the ComCare Long-Term Assistance (LTA) and Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) schemes from 1 August 2022. It is unclear from the Member's question why a household with a person medically unfit for employment would have a different expenditure need from a household where the person is medically fit but nevertheless unemployed. If the issue is about specific medical expenditure, these are taken into account when the household's application is assessed by the Social Service Offices (SSOs).”
“I usually will ask the Member to file a Parliamentary Question for that, but I happen to have the number here. The total number as of end June 2022 is around 152,000. I think the number is still small and I agree with the Member that we should encourage our friends, even ourselves, to take up the LPA. Do not take it for granted until the last minute, when there are things that you need to get someone to handle your legal affairs, your personal affairs and that someone is not authorised to do so. It is important for us to help ourselves, especially, and those that we love to make sure the LPA is signed. And we have many certificate issuers who are willing to come forward and there is already a waiver for those who are coming to get an LPA, for Singapore Citizens, up to, I think, March 2023.”
“Currently, the certificate issuer must be a registered lawyer, accredited doctor or psychiatrist. I think we want to confine this to these three groups of people, because to determine whether the donor and donee should be qualified for the LPA is a very important legal process. We will keep it to that for now, and then in the future when there are needs to do so, we will expand. For the second question, certainly, we will do as much as we can to reach out to our seniors. We have a good system of outreaching with them, either through the Silver Generation Ambassadors (SGA), AIC if they are visiting them, or even PA when they come to our contact points.”
“Mr Speaker, the online form for a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) application and step-by-step instructional videos will be available in the four official languages. If fields in the form are already known to the Government, the system will pre-fill them with the user's consent. Users will only be prompted to fill fields relevant to the scope of powers and appointment under their LPA applications. For example, if a user indicates his intent to appoint only one donee, the online form will not have a field on how multiple donees should act. Key legal terms will be explained in simple language. These features will make the LPA-making process quicker and more convenient. Apart from designing the system to be user friendly, we have prepared instructional videos and quick reference guides for donors, donees and certificate issuers. Members of the public may also approach Citizen Connect Centres and ServiceSG Centres located island-wide for assistance.”
“The matrimonial property plan is not the appropriate avenue to require divorcing parents to state whether they are giving consent for their children to be listed in prospective applications for a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat. The key objective of the matrimonial property plan is to set out the parties' agreement or proposals as to the way in which matrimonial assets are to be divided. It is unlikely that parties will be able to plan for future HDB applications at the stage of filing the matrimonial property plan, as outcomes regarding the division of matrimonial assets have not yet been determined. We encourage couples with minor children undergoing divorce to work together on their arrangements concerning the care of their children. As each individual is only allowed to be listed in one HDB flat application, we require divorced parents who have shared care and control of their children, to come to an agreement before either party lists their child in a flat application. We recognise that there may be cases where parents are unable to reach an agreement despite their best efforts. In such cases, they can approach HDB to discuss their options. On a case-by-case basis, HDB is prepared to exercise flexibility by waiving the requirement for an ex-spouse's consent, in the interest of ensuring that the child has a stable housing arrangement. Parents who require further support may also approach the Strengthening Families Programme @ Family Service Centre (FAM@FSCs) or the Divorce Support Specialist Agencies (DSSAs).”
“The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) requires every preschool to have an office area for staff and an area where staff may rest but does not prescribe the amount of space required. Operators have, generally, complied with this requirement. In 2021, ECDA released the findings of the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment (OHSA) for the early childhood sector. Among the OHSA recommendations to improve the well-being of educators was the provision of dedicated areas and adult-friendly furniture to work and rest. ECDA worked with the Association of Early Childhood and Training Services (ASSETS) to make ergonomic furniture available on a portal that preschool operators can purchase, with bulk discounts. Beyond adult-friendly furniture, OHSA also has other recommendations to improve educators' health and well-being. For example, preschools can better manage educators' workload and stress levels by adopting digital tools and signing them up for health and wellness programmes. ECDA will continue to encourage greater adoption of the OHSA recommendations in our preschools to improve the working environment and well-being of our educators.”
“The Special Needs Trust Company (SNTC) allows parents or caregivers to set up a trust account for their loved ones with special needs. Assets in the trust will build up over time and be paid out for the care needs of the beneficiary when the parent or caregiver eventually passes on or loses mental capacity. Thus, the focus of SNTC's trust service is to safeguard the monies which parents or caregivers intend to leave for their dependants with special needs. With regard to seniors, our approach is to encourage them to make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and appoint a donee to manage their personal welfare, and property and affairs after the loss of mental capacity. The donee may be granted powers by the donor to manage the finances of the senior, which include making investments and managing the expenses in the interest of the senior. Seniors without suitable next-of-kin to appoint as a donee may consider engaging a professional deputy. Seniors who need help with the LPA making process (for example, finding a professional deputy or not-for-profit organisation who offers LPA Certificate Issuing service) can refer to the Office of the Public Guardian's website. Assistance is also offered by various Social Service Agencies (for example, Life Point by Sheng Hong Welfare Services and Potter's Place Community Services Society), grassroots and private organisations (for example, law firms, insurance companies). The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will continue to review the support available to vulnerable seniors, to ensure their needs are adequately taken care of.”
“Under the Maintenance of Parents Act, maintenance can be awarded to a parent when the parent is unable to maintain himself, the child is able to afford it and where it is just and equitable for the child to maintain the parent. The Tribunal may also dismiss the application or reduce the quantum if it is satisfied that the parent had abused, neglected or abandoned the child. Parents are required to attend conciliation at the Office of the Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents (CMP) before they can file for a maintenance order against their children. In their applications, applicants are not required to share the reasons for their breakdown in relationships with the children. From CMP's experience, poor familial relations are often caused by a myriad of interwoven factors. In 2021, the Tribunal received 29 applications, of which 19 were granted a maintenance order. It is not very meaningful to evaluate the maintenance orders by the quantum awarded, as the amount depends on what is requested, the adult child’s means to pay and also the particular circumstances of the case. Nevertheless, the average amount of maintenance was about $400 per month. Unless rescinded by the Tribunal, a maintenance order typically expires upon the death of the parent or the child.”
“We will continue to strengthen our support for SSAs to better assist individuals, including those from higher risk groups, who are at risk of suicide. We also encourage everyone to continue looking out for one another.”
“There are more suicide deaths among men than women and international literature generally suggests that this could be due to the lower likelihood of help-seeking among men due to stigma and gender stereotypes. Nevertheless, the reasons for suicides are often complex and multi-dimensional. To prevent suicides, the Government works with community partners to build mental resilience, encourage help-seeking and early identification, provide support to at-risk groups and offer crisis support. The Government supports Social Service Agencies (SSAs) in suicide prevention by providing them with funding and training to support at-risk groups and those in crisis. For example, the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) recently funded the capacity expansion of Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) to provide more timely assistance to callers and supported SOS to introduce a text messaging service for individuals in distress. The Institute of Mental Health also partnered President’s Challenge to develop a pilot curriculum that can better prepare SSAs to support youths with mental health needs and provide a continuum of care. Early identification and encouraging help-seeking are vital. NCSS and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) provide training to equip frontline officers, caregivers and social service professionals to identify individuals in distress and reduce immediate risk of suicide. To address stigma and encourage help-seeking, NCSS works with community partners to develop targeted strategies for different population groups through the "Beyond the Label" (BTL) movement. NCSS plans to work with specific community groups that have outreach into different communities, to provide interventions that will address the unique nature of stigma in those communities.”
“Over the past five years, infant and childcare places in Bukit Panjang have increased by 70% and 60% respectively. These growth rates are notably higher than the 50% increase in infant care places and 30% increase in childcare places nationally over the same period. We will continue to increase capacity where needed, to meet demand for preschool, especially in estates with new HDB developments, which tend to have many young families. As of July 2022, there are 300 infant care places and 5,400 childcare places licensed for operation in the Bukit Panjang planning area. Over 80% of these places are offered by Anchor Operator and Partner Operator preschools as well as MOE Kindergartens. About 250 or 80% infant care places and 3,800 or 70% childcare places have children enrolled. About 12 preschools in Bukit Panjang have immediate vacancies, while another 13 are expected to have vacancies within a year. Parents who registered interest for a preschool place in Bukit Panjang on ECDA's Preschool Search Portal experience waiting times ranging from a few weeks to a few months. Parents may have to wait longer if they prefer to send their children to specific centres. By 2023, ECDA will develop another 30 infant care and 190 childcare places in Bukit Panjang. These places will be built in tandem with the new Build-To-Order (BTO) housing development and will be run by Anchor Operators. This does not include additional places developed by other non-Government supported preschool operators.”
“Families with special needs children receive Government subsidies for various services and programmes, such as subsidies for dedicated transport under the Enabling Transport Subsidy Scheme, the Assistive Technology Fund for purchasing assistive technology devices and subsidised fees for the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC). The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has been enhancing the affordability of disability services. For example, this year, we increased the subsidies for the Enabling Transport Subsidy and the Assistive Technology Fund. In July 2020, we increased subsidies and broadened the income criteria to qualify for the Student Care Financial Assistance Scheme (SCFA). ComCare, on the other hand, helps families in low-income households with their basic living expenses. In each ComCare application, the income and expenses of the specific household is considered holistically. This takes into account the household's disability needs. If a child with special needs is under the care of parents or guardians who are able to work, the household would generally be assessed for Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA). This provides temporary assistance while the family is supported to get back on their feet. For instance, the Social Service Office (SSO) would help the work-capable adults in such households to take steps towards gaining employment or a higher-paying job. The steps may include securing alternative care arrangements for the child. If a child with special needs is permanently unable to work and the household has limited or no means of income and support, they would be considered for Long-Term Assistance (LTA).”
“I refer the Member to my reply to his written Parliamentary Question on 11 May 2021. As previously explained, ComCare Long-Term Assistance (LTA) beneficiaries with some CPF payouts or other regular sources of income will have their LTA cash payouts adjusted. However, the sum of their CPF or other income and the LTA payout will still be higher than what a beneficiary with no CPF payout or other forms of income would receive. My earlier written reply also provided the number of households receiving both CPF payouts and LTA. These would be the same households where their CPF payouts would be less than the LTA threshold for their household.”
“Government-supported preschools under the Anchor Operator (AOP) Scheme and the Partner Operator (POP) Scheme are required to accord priority to Singapore Citizens in their enrolment process. Apart from the above requirement, ECDA understands that AOPs and POPs already consider various factors in making enrolment decisions, including whether siblings are already enrolled in the centre, as well as proximity of their homes to the centre.”
“SG Enable will be working with Social Service Agency (SSA) partners to develop a Future Care Planning Playbook. The playbook will provide caregivers with resources and guided support to develop a future care plan while prioritising the needs and choices of their family member with disability. This can enable conversations on important life choices to start earlier and allow a longer runway for caregivers and persons with disabilities to identify and develop suitable support and development options. The playbook is expected to be ready by 2024. The playbook will be made available online and disability SSAs will be trained on how to use the playbook progressively.”
“A March 2022 survey found that Adult Disability Homes (ADHs) and Day Activity Centres (DACs) have plans to fill some 200 vacancies. This includes additional staff supported by the increase in funding to ADHs by 25% ($6 million) per year from July 2021 and to DACs by 20% ($3 million) per year from October 2021, to enable them to hire more care staff and increase their quality of care. The National Council of Social Services (NCSS) regularly reviews and publishes salary guidelines for the social service sector. This information helps social service agencies to set competitive salaries to attract and retain good staff. Nonetheless, there remain concerns about career prospects, salaries and working environment. To encourage more people to join the social service sector, the Career Conversion Programmes provide funding support for mid-career professionals from other sectors to acquire relevant skills and become social workers and allied health professionals1. NCSS also launched the Social Service Tribe in 2018 to increase public awareness and career interest by communicating the values of the sector, highlighting the work carried out by sector professionals and sharing career opportunities and pathways. In our FY2021 survey on caregiver satisfaction with ADH services, 92.3% of caregivers gave a rating of 3.5 and above out of 5. We plan to survey DAC clients from FY2022.”
“The Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) levy concession is offered to families of persons who require assistance with at least one Activity of Daily Living (ADL)1. This includes persons who may physically be able to perform the ADLs but require assistance or supervision to do so due to cognitive impairments. For example, a person with cognitive impairment may be able to hold a fork and spoon, but require assistance to portion the food, or supervision to ensure that he/she does not choke while eating. Such a person can be assessed by a registered physiotherapist or occupational therapist at a SPED school, disability care centre, or therapy hub service provider using MSF's Client Assessment Form (CAF) and the family can submit the CAF to qualify for the MDW levy concession.”
“MUIS is working with the madrasahs and mosques to implement a Common Salary Guideline for our asatizahs. This will involve a holistic review, including a rigorous evaluation of the asatizahs' job scope and salary benchmarking with relevant sectors. These salary adjustments will be underpinned by a robust performance-based system that ensures our asatizahs are fairly compensated based on the skills, competencies and value that they bring to their jobs. MUIS is engaging employers in the madrasah and mosque sector to review the existing performance appraisal system. MUIS will also conduct workshops to equip supervisors and reporting officers, as well as their human resource personnel, with the skills and knowledge to implement the salary structure within their organisations, in accordance with the Common Salary Guidelines. Once these engagements are completed, MUIS will implement the Common Salary Guidelines in phases from 2023. MUIS will, thereafter, regularly monitor and ensure that salaries for the asatizahs remain competitive with the relevant sectors.”
“As of July 2022, about 80% of the 1,700 places in Day Activity Centres (DACs) were taken up. Last year, MSF increased our funding to DACs to enable them to hire more care staff and increase their quality of care. As mentioned in the Enabling Masterplan 2030 (EMP2030), we are also trying out new service models, such as providing activities and services for adults with disabilities and respite care options for caregivers through the Enabling Services Hub. Beyond catering to current demand and supply, we recognise that care needs may change, as our population ages and families become smaller. The longer-term study as part of EMP2030 will help us to stay ahead of these changes and better meet future care needs.”
“There are six transitional shelters with capacity for about 500 individuals and 180 families. There is sufficient capacity as occupancy for individuals and families is around 50% to 60%. Hence, there are no immediate plans to build more transitional shelters. While there are available shelter spaces, some choose not to take up shelter for various reasons. Some are not ready to accept help from social services and Government agencies. Others choose to remain at familiar locations. To help the homeless address their underlying issues, MSF works through the PEERS Network. "PEERS" stands for Partners Engaging and Empowering Rough Sleepers. It is a collaboration amongst community partners, social service agencies and public agencies to provide timely support to rough sleepers and the homeless. Befrienders from the PEERS Network conduct regular night walks to reach out to rough sleepers. They help to address their basic needs and link them up with agencies when they are ready to receive assistance. Some PEERS partners also set up Safe Sound Sleeping Places, or S3Ps, in community premises. S3Ps provide rough sleepers a safe environment to rest for the night and connect them to other assistance subsequently.”
“The Enabling Business Hubs (EBHs) aim to better support persons with disabilities who need customised work support and a structured environment to work in. MSF and SG Enable will work with service providers which have the necessary expertise to train and place persons with disabilities in employment. EBH staff will need to be trained in areas, such as understanding different disability types and disability etiquette, through topics like Disability Management. They will also be trained to help persons with disabilities in areas like communication and job interviews. Training will be available at the Enabling Academy run by SG Enable and NCSS’ Social Service Institute, among other training providers. The first EBH pilot is expected to be operational next year in the West region. As we build up experience from the pilot, MSF plans to set up a few more EBHs in different parts of the island, with each EBH hiring some persons with disabilities directly, while training other persons with disabilities to prepare them for employment. EBHs, along with other measures, will contribute to our aspirational employment rate target of 40% by 2030.”
“I do not have the numbers. Members who are interested can file a Parliamentary Question on it. But, certainly, there is a relativity among all jobs and all job families that we want to maintain, not just between educators, but also across many other jobs families so that there is balance between what we pay for their skills and contributions and being competitive enough that they do not move across because they are portable across some skills. We lose them. So, this is the balancing that we have to make across them and to compare. Whether it is a good thing to compare between preschool and school teachers is a question that professionals can help us to answer.”
“So, apart from encouraging them to basically take a proper chair or stool when they teach, we have also asked preschools to provide proper desks and seats so that, during their downtime, they can actually sit in an office environment where it is suited for them and not a classroom where there are only low stools and chairs where they continue to do their work.”
“I remember when I was in Primary school and all the way to Secondary school, my teachers used to collect fees in cash every month and then issue receipts one by one to all of us. I am not surprised that we have been doing this for a very long time. And we do need to help our teachers perform these administrative functions, whether they are doing fee collection, temperature-taking during COVID-19, for example, and, now, as it continues to be important; keeping in touch with parents; marking attendance. All these things today can be done through digitalisation efforts and we have been working with preschools to onboard them in applications that can be shared across the whole preschool sector. We also take inputs from preschool leaders when there are new things that they want to do. For example, I saw applications that use e-learning that they transfer from book-type of recording into digital devices so that they can be reused again and again. Of course, it is also a very good sustainable effort. So, all these things are being done and will evolve. Actually, I am very happy to see, as I visit some preschools, that we are at the leading edge not only to digitalise for the purpose of education but also to help them with their productivity. Of course, as I mentioned just now, we are always concerned for their physical and mental well-being, including their work environment. Some of the recommendations, as the Member mentioned just now, were to ensure that they have proper seats to sit on. Our teachers are very dedicated and they really connect with our children. They want to sit on the floor and, sometimes, on low stools so that they could connect at eye level with their children. It is not good for their back and their physical well-being in the long term.”
“Mr Speaker, over the past three years, educators’ salaries in Government-supported preschools have increased by around 20% on average. There is an ongoing salary review for early childhood (EC) educators which we expect to complete in the fourth quarter of 2022. ECDA intends to work with Government-supported operators to implement the changes from 2023 onwards. The review will ensure our educators’ salaries are commensurate with their contributions and professional skills, while being competitive enough to attract and retain talent in the sector. Apart from the review, there is already an Early Childhood Skills Framework and a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) roadmap. Career pathways have also been expanded so that educators can aspire towards larger or new roles, such as Lead Early Years Educator, Deputy Centre Leader and Curriculum Specialist. ECDA is also paying attention to educators’ well-being. The ongoing digitalisation initiatives help educators’ better manage their workload. ECDA is also working with preschools to adopt recommendations from the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment for the EC sector to ensure our educators’ physical and mental well-being are well taken care of. ECDA will continue to engage and work closely with our stakeholders and pursue improvements in these areas.”
“The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) operates a 24-hour hotline which provides suicide counselling and response. The hotline is funded by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). SOS has a selection process for staff and volunteers. Upon selection, staff and volunteers undergo a rigorous hotline training programme which includes e-learning modules, lessons by experienced trainers and one-to-one supervised learning. They are required to undergo a final assessment before deployment. When deployed, volunteers manning the hotlines are overseen by a staff member who can assist with more complex cases. Volunteers and staff also undergo refresher training to ensure that standards are maintained.”
“MSF is reviewing the income eligibility criteria for ComCare this year as part of our regular review every two to three years. The income eligibility criteria is not a hard threshold to qualify for assistance – our Social Service Offices (SSOs) assess applicants' needs and exercise flexibility when providing financial assistance. From 2019 to 2021, SSOs exercised flexibility to provide ComCare assistance to more than 700 households, or 2,400 individuals who did not meet the income eligibility criteria. Close to $1 million in ComCare cash assistance for daily living needs, assistance for rental and utilities expenses and service and conservancy charges (S&CC), was disbursed to these households over the period. The quantum of cash assistance is determined based on the assessed shortfall in the household's income to meet basic living expenses. These households are also automatically eligible for assistance for medical bills, and could have received other targeted assistance such as the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme, subsidies for preschool and public rental housing, and broad-based transfers such as the Workfare Income Supplement and Silver Support.”
“From 2019 to 2021, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) received 46 reports alleging misconduct by donees and deputies in the exercise of their powers. Of these 46 reports, about half (21) involved misunderstandings or disputes between the loved ones of the person under the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or deputyship, and the Public Guardian guided the parties to resolve their differences amicably or seek legal recourse if they were unable to do so. For 11 cases, there was either insufficient evidence of abuse or the Public Guardian had no jurisdiction over the case as the donors had mental capacity. No further action was taken in these cases. In seven cases, the Public Guardian found that the donees or deputies did not adhere to good practices in managing the property and affairs of the person under LPA or deputyship. The cases were placed under closer supervision by the Public Guardian, to ensure compliance with their responsibilities as donees or deputies. In a small number of cases (4), the Public Guardian detected evidence of fraud or financial mismanagement. Of these four cases, one was referred to the police for criminal action to be taken, two cases involved the donee and/or deputy making restitution upon instruction from the Public Guardian, and in the remaining case, the Public Guardian successfully applied to the Court to revoke the appointment of the deputy. Three cases are still under investigation.”
“Over the past three years, educators’ salaries in government-supported preschools have increased by around 20% on average. There is an ongoing salary review for Early Childhood (EC) educators which we expect to complete in the 4th quarter of 2022. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) intends to work with government-supported operators to implement the changes from 2023 onwards. The review will ensure our educators’ salaries are commensurate with their contributions and professional skills, while being competitive enough to attract and retain talent in the sector.”