HDB VOID DECKS (Toilet facilities for senior citizens)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board will consider providing toilet facilities and more tables and chairs in the void decks of HDB estates for the use of senior citizens.

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Lee Boon Yang) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister.

In new HDB estates, a kiosk with an attached toilet is provided to serve each precinct consisting of four to six blocks of flats. The toilet is manned and maintained by the kiosk operator who sells sundry items. It is a condition of the tenancy of such kiosks for the kiosk operator to open the toilet to the public for a fee. Residents can use such toilets. The HDB will not provide any other public toilets on the void deck because of maintenance problems.

The HDB provides a Residents' Corner on the void deck of new apartment blocks. In each Residents' Corner, there is a partially enclosed space with a set of table and stools. Additional tables and stools can be provided if needed.

In existing estates where there are no kiosks or Residents' Corners, the HDB can provide these facilities under the Repairs and Redecoration Programme.

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): Sir, will the Minister of State consider asking the HDB to build kiosks in the existing estates so that such facilities can be provided?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said in my main answer, HDB will consider such proposals.