PARENTHOOD PACKAGE (Assessment of effectiveness of schemes)

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PARENTHOOD PACKAGE:

(Assessment of effectiveness of schemes): 11.

Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (a) whether he will provide an update on the take-up rates of the various schemes under the parenthood package introduced last year; (b) what is his Ministry's assessment of the effectiveness of these schemes; and (c) if any of these schemes will be further refined.

The Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (Dr Vivian Balakrishnan): The parenthood package was only announced in late August last year. Even if couples had responded immediately and if you take into account the gestation period, the question by the Member is a bit premature. The earliest cohort of babies that you would expect would only be born some time between May to June this year.

Nevertheless, there are encouraging signs. We had around 3% more citizen births from May to July this year compared to the equivalent period in 2004. It is also heartening to note that

the number of first-time visits for outpatient pregnancy consultations at the restructured hospitals has risen by about 4% for the first half of 2005, compared to the equivalent period in 2004 and 2003 respectively. These are small but modest gains.

In addition, we have also exercised greater flexibility in the implementation of the Baby Bonus Scheme. For instance, from December this year, parents can use the co-savings to purchase MediShield or MediShield-equivalent insurance packages for their children.

In addition, parents can also deposit any amount of savings at any time before the child turns six years old, and the

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Government will match the contributions dollar for dollar up to the maximum cap. From July 2005, parents of disabled children have been able to use the Baby Bonus co-savings for early intervention programmes for their children at centres which are registered with the Baby Bonus Scheme. I would like to assure the House that we have been and will continue to monitor, review and refine the Baby Bonus package to ensure its relevance for all Singaporeans.