CHILD CARE CENTRES

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Yeo Toon Chia: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Community Development how many child care centres will be set up for the financial year 1985/86; where will they be located; what will be their capacity; and what will be the rates of charges.

Mr S. Vasoo (Bo Wen): Question No. 1, Mr Speaker, Sir.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs and Community Development (Mr Wong Kan Seng) (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Community Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am replying on behalf of my Minister.

It is projected that a total of 40 child care centres will be set up this year providing a capacity of 2,200. The centres will be managed by the People's Association, the NTUC, by employers, voluntary organizations as well as by the Ministry of Community Development and private operators. These 40 child care centres will bring the total capacity of child care places to 5,800 by the end of fiscal year 1985.

Of the 40 child care centres, 14 will be in work places, the remaining will be in HDB estates, community centres and private residential estates. The Government subsidizes child care centres run by the NTUC, by the PA and other organizations which adopt the NTUC and PA rates of charges as well as the standard of child care. The fees range from $150 to $250, depending on the income of parents.

For the private child care centres, the fees will vary according to the services provided, and they may vary from $250 to $350.

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam (Anson): May I ask the Minister of State whether these child care centres are being provided for the highly paid people in our society or for the working class people?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Mr Speaker, Sir, the child care centres are provided for every Singaporean who wants to use the service. There is no distinction between whether they are highly paid or lowly paid. The fee structure, however, distinguishes those families whose combined income is lower and therefore will pay less, from those families whose combined income is high, and therefore pay more.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Does his Ministry really expect a working class family to be able to afford $150?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Mr Speaker, Sir, a family with a combined income of $1,450 can afford the $150 child care fee.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I know how many working class families have a combined income of $1,450?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Mr Speaker, Sir, this requires a study to be made.

Mr Speaker: Yes, it is not relevant to the question asked.