SINGLE PARENTS (Number receiving public assistance)

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SINGLE PARENTS:

(Number receiving public assistance): 13.

Mr Arthur Fong asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (a) what is the number of single parents, both male and female, below the age of 50; and (b) how many of them are receiving public assistance.

The Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports (Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon) (for the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, based on the Census of Population of 2000, there were 17,200 households headed by single parents below the age of 50 with at least one dependent child aged 16 years and below. Out of this total, there were 3,300 male single-parent households and 13,900 female single-parent households.

The Public Assistance Scheme is meant for those who are unable to work due to old age, illness or disability, have no means of subsistence, and have no one to depend on. As of 31st August 2005, there were 33 single-parent households under the age of 50, receiving help under the PA Scheme. Of these, 11 of them were male single parents and 22 female single parents. As of 31st August 2005, we also assisted another 2,450 households with single parents under the age of 50, with the various Government social assistance schemes. The assistance includes subsidies for childcare and kindergarten fees, and short-term cash assistance for their daily needs.

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If single parents require assistance on family matters, they can approach the Family Service Centres and other professional neighbourhood-based agencies. There are also specialist agencies for single-parents, such as Help Every Lone Parent (HELP) Family Service Centre and As-Salaam Family Support Centre which, among other things, run support groups for single-parents and their children.

Mr Sin Boon Ann (Tampines): Can I just ask the MOS what the Ministry's criteria for applying and qualifying for public assistance for single parents are?

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we do not have specific criteria for single parents. Under the general social service, we have fixed certain criteria. The single parents apply under the generic criteria and we will consider them case-by-case, based on their suitability. Like I mentioned just now, 33 of them are entitled for public assistance. If they do not enjoy public assistance, we will refer them for other social assistance schemes, such as KiFAS, CFACS and so on.