Support for Single Mothers

Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin asked the Minister for Social and Family Development what measures does the Ministry take to ensure that (i) all handicapped Singaporean children receive equivalent help including those with single mothers who will not benefit from Handicapped Child Relief, Working Mother's Child Relief, and Grandparent Caregiver Relief; and (ii) all Singaporean children are given an equivalent head start since those with single mothers do not benefit from the Child Development Account and Baby Bonus.

Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how does the Ministry ensure that single mothers who earn enough to be disqualified from low-income benefits are given support to continue working to achieve and sustain self-sufficiency; and (b) whether maternity leave for single mothers can be extended from 8 weeks to 16 weeks as available to married mothers so that all Singaporean children benefit from equal foundational care.

The Minister for Social and Family Development (Mr Chan Chun Sing): Mdm Speaker, may I have your permission to take Question Nos 11 and 12 together?

Mdm Speaker: Yes, please.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: Mdm Speaker, education and healthcare support are important to the growth and development of young children. Working mothers also need help in managing their care-giving responsibilities over their young children. The Government recognises these needs, and provides a range of support in these areas, regardless of the marital status of the children's parents.

For example, all mothers, regardless of whether they are married, are eligible for infant care and childcare subsidies. The Foreign Domestic Worker levy concession is also extended to all parents of children aged below 12, including single mothers. These help to keep care for young children affordable and enable mothers to continue to work to achieve self-sufficiency. In addition, all working mothers are eligible for childcare leave before the child turns seven years old, and extended childcare leave when the child is seven to 12 years old.

To give our children a good head start, Government funded education programmes and support in our pre-schools, early intervention centres, mainstream schools and special education schools are extended to all children. A higher level of assistance is provided to children from lower income families or those with developmental delays or special needs. Again, such support is provided independent of the marital status of their parents.

There are, however, some benefits that single mothers do not currently benefit from, such as eight additional weeks of paid maternity leave and tax incentives. These additional benefits are given to encourage and support parenthood within the context of marriage. This is the prevailing societal norm in Singapore, and one which we seek to reflect and preserve.