NEW GOVERNMENT OFFICES SERVING THE PUBLIC (Location on ground or first floor)

Dr Teo Ho Pin asked the Minister for National Development whether his Ministry will consider adopting a planning policy whereby all new Government offices which serve the general public will be located on the ground or first floor to facilitate access to the people.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: Sir, the Government is committed to making its offices accessible to the general public. New Government offices are thus sited near MRT stations, eg, the IRAS at Novena, the Immigration Office at Lavender Street and the proposed HDB HQ at Toa Payoh.

Where possible, counters which serve the public are located on the ground floor of Government buildings. Where this is not possible due to site or floor area constraints, ramps for wheelchairs and lifts are provided to facilitate movement to offices located on the higher floors. This is part of the overall policy to make public services more accessible and convenient to the general public.