INCREASE IN BEGGAR POPULATION
Parliament of Singapore · 19 July 2010
Official Report, 19 July 2010, Vol 87, Issue 5 · Open in the reader (summaries, search, filters)
INCREASE IN BEGGAR POPULATION
51.
Mr Laurence Wee Yoke Thong asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (a) what is the reason for the sudden increase in the beggar population in Singapore; and (b) what steps will the Government take to keep in check or prevent such increases.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The number of people found begging in Singapore fluctuates from year to year. From 2006 to 2009, the average number of beggars picked up is about 85 per year. As of May this year, 60 beggars have been picked up, close to half of them are foreign beggars.
Due to increased public education efforts, MCYS has received more calls on the ComCare call line alerting us of beggars in the streets. We have also stepped up our surveillance patrols. These have resulted in the increase in the number of beggars picked up.
Begging is an offence in Singapore under the Destitute Persons Act. Singaporeans in financial distress do not have to beg. They can approach the Community Development Councils, Family Service Centres or grassroots organisations for help. In addition, there
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are many voluntary welfare organisations, religious and civic organisations that provide assistance to the needy. If individuals are unsure where to seek help, they can call the ComCare call line at 1800-222-0000 to be linked up with these agencies.
Merely giving money to beggars will not solve their more fundamental long-term problems. It may make matters worse by deepening the sense of dependency and loss of dignity. In addition, it will encourage more foreign beggars to come into Singapore to beg. Members of the public who come across beggars should inform MCYS promptly so that appropriate action can be taken. The public can also help the needy by channelling donations to registered charities and Family Service Centres where there are trained social workers who provide effective assistance to people who are truly needy.
MCYS will also continue with our regular surveillance patrols.
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Source: Singapore Parliament Official Report (Hansard) for 19 July 2010. Republished on SGParliament.