CRECHES IN HOUSING ESTATES (Increase in)

Mr Liew Kok Pun asked the Acting Minister for Social Affairs whether he will outline his Ministry's plan to increase the provision of creches in housing estates so that more female workers can join the labour force.

The Acting Minister for Social Affairs (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are to date 36 childcare centres run by various organizations in Singapore. Twenty-four of them are in HDB housing estates. Of these 11 are located in HDB void decks and three in HDB play areas. Twenty-three of the 36 childcare centres are run by the NTUC, YWCA and the People's Association.

My Ministry is encouraging these organizations to set up more childcare centres as part of the policy to encourage women to join the labour force. NTUC is considering setting up more childcare centres in FY 84 and FY 85. The People's Association has plans to set up five centres in FY 84. Furthermore, Sir, my Ministry is encouraging employers to set up childcare centres in factory premises. We will assist those companies located near housing estates which lack space within factory premises to obtain space in nearby HDB void decks for use as childcare centres.

The People's Association, NTUC and employers who set up workplace childcare centres will receive from the Government a subsidy for capital cost and recurrent expenditure for the childcare centres. The rates of subsidy introduced last year have been found to be too low. These rates are now under review.