MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (Services and programmes run by civic organisations)

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon asked the Acting Minister for Community Development what services and programmes under his Ministry are run by civic organisations and what is the nature and extent of involvement of these organisations.

The Acting Minister for Community Development (Mr Abdullah Tarmugi): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Community Development (MCD) provides a wide range of social services and programmes both directly and in conjunction with the Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs).

There are currently more than 100 VWOs providing regular direct welfare services. Of these, 80 work closely with MCD.

Direct service VWOs are autonomous in running their services and programmes. Government supports them by providing premises, finance and other resources. In addition to the VWOs, there are various civic groups (there are about 40 of them) or services clubs, such as Lions, Apex and Rotary Clubs. These groups also provide the volunteers who run programmes and services, and they also run a wide range of services too.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon (Yuhua): Sir, from the Minister's reply, I notice that most of the activities are run by religious or civic groups. What about senior citizens, women and youth organisations? Would the Minister find ways and means to encourage these organisations to be more active in running social activities?

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Mr Speaker, Sir, we encourage many helping hands in the running of social and community services, and religious groups, as has been rightly pointed out by the Member, are just one of these pairs of helping hands. All the groups mentioned by the Member for Yuhua are some of the other pairs of helping hands. But be assured that MCD will always be looking into ways of getting these and other organisations and individuals to be involved in running social and community services. MCD has been working with, and will continue to work closely with, the National Council of Social Service and organisations like the People's Association to look into areas where the resources of senior citizens, women and youth can be tapped.