FAMILY POLICY RESEARCH UNIT

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Community Development whether his Ministry will consider setting up a Family Policy Research Unit to conduct and co-ordinate policy-oriented research, particularly between inter-ministerial agencies, on issues related to family and work, given the increasing pressures and prevalence of dual-career families.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: My Ministry already has a Research & Information Technology Division which conducts studies and research. It is currently embarking on two major studies on the family. The first is on the Singapore Family which will provide data on the impact of work pressures on working couples and dual-career parents. The concerns raised by the NMP on issues relating to family and work and the increasing pressures and prevalence of dual-career families will be addressed in the study. The findings will enable the ministries and other agencies to formulate policies and programmes to strengthen the family. The second study is on the impact of foreign domestic maids on the care of young children. In both studies, MCD has consulted and involved other ministries and agencies to benefit from their inputs and to ensure that the findings will be relevant to them.

MCD encourages other organisations to conduct research and studies on family issues. It will continue to network and collaborate with individuals, including those from tertiary institutions and other organisations, including ministries who have strong interest on family issues. A more decentralised approach will enable the Ministry to tap a bigger bank of research resource and improves the quality and relevance of studies and research on the Family.