REDUCTION OF FOREIGN MAID LEVY (Extension to families with elderly or disabled persons)

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REDUCTION OF FOREIGN MAID LEVY:

(Extension to families with elderly or disabled persons): 12.

Dr Ong Seh Hong asked the Minister for Manpower, in the light of the Prime Minister's announcement of the reduction of foreign maid levy (FML) for family with children under the age of 12, will his Ministry consider also reducing the FML for families with sick and dependent elderly or disabled persons who are equally, if not more, in need of the service of domestic maids and in allowing this encourage families to care for them in the community rather than to send them for institutional care.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: Sir, the foreign domestic worker (FDW) levy concession forms part of the overall package of measures to address our declining birth rates. The committee recognises the integral role of grandparents in encouraging and supporting younger Singaporeans to start families. This was the key reason why the grandparent tax relief and the levy concession were also extended to families with elderly parents or grandparents. To qualify for levy concession, the elderly need not be sick or dependent but must be 65 years or older and staying with their children.

For households with disabled family members, which the Member has asked about, there are already several other measures available, such as the handicapped child, spouse or parent tax relief, which can be used to offset the cost of employing a foreign domestic worker. The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) also works with voluntary welfare organisations to provide programmes for people with disabilities. MCYS funds programmes geared towards helping families care for such persons in the community instead of placing them under institutional care. These programmes

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include Day Activity Centres for adults with disabilities, integrated childcare and special student care centres for children. I understand that MCYS is studying further options to assist the disabled and will considerthe Member'ssuggestion in its deliberations.