HEAD I - MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS

Column No : 1515

Head I - Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports

The Chairman: Head I - Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. Mr Sin Boon Ann.

Cohesive and Resilient Society

Mr Sin Boon Ann (Tampines): Sir, I beg to move,

That the total sum to be allocated for Head I of the Estimates be reduced by $100.

Sir, as Singapore continues to stay engaged in the globalised economy, it will increasingly be confronted with the reality that the gap between the rich and the poor will continue to widen. In an environment where labour and capital are not confined to national boundaries, those who can adapt to the challenges and the demands of the changing economy will not only survive but will be given the opportunity to reach for the sky. On the other hand, those who cannot compete will continue to suffer from job insecurity and low wages. Very often, many of these lowly educated workers have no bargaining powers and are left to the mercy of the market place, as foreign workers continue to come and "steal" their lunches.

Such stark differences in wealth distribution do not augur well for the future of our society. With the income gap widening, there is a greater likelihood of unhappiness existing among poorer Singaporeans. One can understand the feelings of a coffeeshop assistant, struggling to meet the monthly expenses of the family when he looks at the increasing number of spanking and brand new Mercedeses and BMWs whizzing past him. At best, the coffeeshop assistant could have shrugged it off by saying that this is his destiny in life; at worst, the perceived differences of wealth could breed deep resentment, jealousy, hatred and alienation from the wider society that he lives in. If this is so, it would be sad for Singapore and all Singaporeans, as this would undermine all that we have worked hard at building over the past 40 years.

The challenge for us is indeed present and real. As a society, how do we go about organising ourselves in the face of a globalising economy so that everyone can stay together, bonded with the unity of purpose, and committed to building this place we all call home? This concern becomes especially acute, if the economic disparity mirrors the ethnic groups in our society.

Our challenge must surely be to remain not only a cohesive society but also a resilient one as well. We want our people

to bond as a community, where those who are more capable are not adverse, but feel it their duty to carry those compatriots who are not able, either through choice or circumstance, to look after themselves. We want to build a society where our people are united in the face of adversity, whether through hard times or arising from forces that threaten to tear our social fabric and multi-racial harmony apart.

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In rising to these challenges, our approach has been to build a nation based on the self-evident principles of individual responsibility, family support, community outreach and Government assistance; in other words, providing many helping hands to help forge a common sense of destiny.

In line with this principle, the Government, either through the ComCare Fund or the Progress Package, as announced in this year's Budget, has sought to ensure that no one is left behind in our nation's progress. These measures, although seen as short-term relief by some, are no doubt generous and would lay the foundation for the long-term development of our society.

Yet, despite the generous handouts and active intervention by the Government over the years, we are constantly faced with the basic question of whether or not we are a more cohesive society and a resilient one today than we were 10 years ago. Are we confident that our people are now better able to share in the belief that ours is a common destiny, and that our collective interest is better served by helping each other and going out of our way to accommodate each other's custom and religious belief? Can our society better withstand the sectarian forces that threaten to tear us apart as it has with the other societies?

To be fair, our Government has done much in this regard, including the formation of the IRCCs. However, we know that these initiatives are often perceived as coming from the top. Unfortunately, these matters of the heart are just not matters that can be induced externally, but are matters that should, at the same time, come from within. It has to be imbibed into the values of the population and grown internally at the same time. Sadly, when we try to introduce these values in schools through the curricula, it is seen as an unnecessary detraction from the real business of focusing and doing well on the core examinable subjects.

Despite these efforts, we still have Singaporeans leaving this country permanently to settle in greener pastures elsewhere; we are still very concerned about over taxing the rich so that more assistance can be extended to the needy Singaporeans; we are still very concerned about giving the poor Singaporeans too much and over too long a period to the extent of robbing them of their work ethic; and we are still very concerned over the fall-out that a terrorist incident in Singapore might create on religious and racial harmony in Singapore.

Sir, over the next two days, we will no doubt be deliberating the various subject headings under the charge of MCYS. I hope that my introductory statement will set the framework with which to consider these issues. This is, after all, our country and if we do not make ours a more cohesive and resilient society, no one will.

ComCare

Sir, the ComCare Fund was the big bang for many of us. When it was first announced in January last year, the thing that stayed in my mind was the phenomenal sum that Government has committed to helping the poor and needy. And this is, indeed, a welcome news for those who are in need.

Sir, I have two questions. The first question, of which a series is related, is whether we can have an update of what has been achieved to date? How many people have been helped? How have the various community grassroots been involved? Is there a common set of criteria to be applied across in giving out these funds? Is there a central database that is increasingly relied upon in handing out these schemes?

Additionally, can I also ask the Minister whether the administration of ComCare funds across the various Ministries is not hampered because different agencies are involved and also to give the assurance that the money to be dispensed will not suffer the delays arising out of the necessity to deal with the different Ministries?

Mr Wee Siew Kim (Ang Mo Kio): Mr Chairman, Sir, the ComCare Fund has brought about greater flexibility in the administering of help for the needy. The unique feature of decentralisation and targeted help as well as the enlistment of the community, grassroots and voluntary welfare organisations to tailor the help to the specific needs of families have contributed to the success.

May I ask if there is a multi-agency forum by the Pro-Enterprise Panel or Zero-In-Process (ZIP) where more complex cases can be better addressed? This is because there are still needy families which fall through the cracks. A number of these cases fall outside the established guidelines, short-term band aid is inadequate. Some of the families that have fallen on hard times have a slew of problems and may require multiple agencies to coordinate help solutions. This means that agencies and departments working in isolation may not be able to deliver our desired outcomes. Social workers must be deployed in enough numbers to craft help packages.

Social Workers for Schools and Low-income Families

Dr Lily Neo: Mr Chairman, Sir, there is a slew of assistance schemes available to help Singaporeans; so many, in fact, that it is difficult to follow and to administer. Could MCYS consolidate them and make them more comprehensible and accessible? It would be good to vet through the various schemes to remove stifling benchmark and blanket rules and to factor in the complexities of individual needs so that fewer people fall through the system cracks. Perhaps, there can be a central register for our destitute, chronic poor and disabled so that effective and thorough assistance can be given to them without anyone falling by the wayside.

May I request the Minister to consider providing integrated two-generation strategies assistance for young poor families? This is to address both the needs of adults and children simultaneously and address the co-occurrence of these issues among vulnerable families. Could MCYS take a more extended approach to help this group? Sir, without intervention that will change their course, they may not be able to get out of their dire situation. Would the Minister assign a family social worker to each of such families to evaluate, coordinate, direct and follow up for them? Working in conjunction with grassroots and voluntary organisations in the community, social workers are best suited for this role to better tap and maximise and take advantage of all the available schemes.

For the parents in this group, do we have social workers that can provide guidance in job training, life-skills training and better job placement, additional family planning and budgeting skills as well as some parenting guidance and parental counselling in order to get better educational support and attitudes towards school for their children at home through supportive, nurturing family and home environment?

For the children of this group, do we have social workers that can initiate and direct intervention programmes, such as early intensive reading, subsidised childcare and student care, tutoring, mentoring, education and career guidance and counselling, and moral and social support?

May I request the Minister to assist in preventing school drop-outs by providing school social workers that can intervene, assist and follow up on potential drop-outs? Do we have social workers that can provide students with guidance counselling in personal issues along with career counselling and moral support?

Sir, how many social workers do we have presently? How does MCYS ensure the better supply of them in view of the expanding needs that require their expertise?

The Chairman: Mr Sin Boon Ann, you may take both cuts together.

Children from Low-income Families

Mr Sin Boon Ann: Sir, I join the many Singaporeans who welcome the slew of newly introduced assistance schemes for children of low-income families, starting from the first of this month. For one, the income ceiling has been raised for the Ministry of Education's financial assistance scheme, which helps children with their school fees.

With this new measure, some 33,500 low-income family children pay little or no school fees - more than double the current 15,000. The qualifying household income level for the Edusave Merit Bursary has also been raised, enabling 17,000 more children to receive the award.

Most of all, a $48 million Opportunity Fund has also been set up to subsidise such children for things like enrichment courses, overseas trips and computers. To me, the most important part of this part has to do with its regressive nature of assistance, ie, neighbourhood schools will get double the amount for every student they have compared to independent and autonomous schools. This is because most children from low-income families attend neighbourhood schools.

Sir, I know what has been said about MCYS - that social causes are a black hole into which you can pour money, and still more is needed. This is, however, not what I am going to do. It is unrealistic to expect that all children, regardless of their home background, to have exactly the same kind and type of classes - I am not sure at all that this is good for the longer term. The school of hard knocks is perhaps a good training ground for life. There are many of us here who came up the hard way, and feel we are more resilient and tougher because we came through a more difficult route.

All I am asking for is for the Government to ensure that no child receives a second-rate education because his parents could not afford a first-rate one. Sir, I am grateful for what has been done, and for the help announced so far. I would like the Ministry to consider whether or not more can be done, and whether or not more can be done differently.

For one, the school is only part of a child's life. What we have done is only address what goes out in school. We need to help children at home to be looked after as well, and that means looking after the child's education as part of his growing up experience within the family. We need to consider how we can help the parents, who are facing problems with their marriage and other personal problems, to help their children as they are growing up and as they are going through the educational experience. We need to support them by giving family service centres more incentives to help families in counselling and providing earlier intervention so that these children from these families will not be deprived simply because of the family background that they come from.

My parliamentary colleagues, such as Dr Lily Neo, have noted that there should be more programmes to support children from lower-income homes and these would include providing them with additional enrichment lessons at the state's expense, which would include reading lessons, more education exposure trips, and so on. Sir, I have previously said that what was considered "nice-to-have" in the past, is now a "must-have" for students. I, therefore, would like to urge the Minister to consider how else we can level the playing field, through the various schemes, so that the "nice-to-have" which has now become a necessity for our children can become something that they can realistically come to expect in their lifetime in Singapore.

Social Enterprises

Sir, I would like to speak on a sort of organisation that marries the aims of commerce and social mission. These are called social enterprises which are defined as sustainable businesses that exist to achieve some form of social mission or objective.

They are not-for-profits, and they operate and generate the capital they need to carry out their mission - a new paradigm based on sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Cooperatives are a good example of these sorts of enterprises that one talks about.

Social enterprises should have a viable and sustainable business model, just like any other business. So, to those who think that social enterprises are in some way immune to the vagaries of the market, they would be mistaken. Having said this, social enterprises ought to receive special attention from the Government because they go beyond the simple concerns of making profit.

At the moment, social assistance is given in the form of handouts to those in need. This is akin to giving fish rather than teaching people to fish. We need to empower our grassroots organisations with the ability, flexibility and financial resources to start business initiatives for our residents. These may include cooperatives, for example, to run bakeries that are tied up with pastry shops, and cooperatives that provide micro-financing for housewives to start small businesses so that they can be financially independent in their undertakings.

Sir, I would like to ask whether or not the Government can support such initiatives at the grassroots level to empower these grassroots to build on this initiative so that we can allow people the ability to do work meaningfully themselves rather than to continue to receive and depend on Government for handouts. This is really the essence of social enterprise.

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Miss Penny Low (Pasir Ris-Punggol): Sir, I have spoken many times on the topic of social enterprise

within this debate and so this cut is really to fill in the blanks. May I start first by congratulating the MCYS for its foresight and very enlightened view on social enterprise. In fact, the Social Enterprise Fund was started one or two years ago and which will be, I think, put under the ComCare Enterprise Fund, going forward.

However, the concept of social enterprise is new and often not very well understood. Much of the funds that were given earlier went quite generously, I must say, to organisations that did not really have a real business model. In some cases, it was so stringent that it also ruled out businesses that were for-profit. In other words, regardless of whether they have a social mission or not, as long as they had a profit motive, it was rejected. I would like to ask the Minister if he could relook at these criteria and include businesses, whether it is for-profit or not-for-profit but, so long as they carry a social mission, to be given some form of help.

In addition, perhaps we should also judge the social enterprise applicant based on how serious is their enterprise model, in other words, the business model and, of course, the return on investment (ROI) itself could be measured in terms of market-related or equity-related ROI, as well as the ROI on our social capital. After all, I think it was the late management guru, Mr Peter Drucker, who defines "social entrepreneurs" as "people who raise the performance capacity of society". Perhaps the Minister can comment on that and also give a little bit more help, to not just the social enterprises, but also the social entrepreneurs themselves, by putting the focus, the funding and perhaps the help on the leaders, who can then go on to create not just one social enterprise but, two, three or four, which empirical evidence has suggested that many of these social entrepreneurs do go on to create more than just one.

The Elderly

Mr Sin Boon Ann: Sir, active aging is the buzz word these days. As we become a more mature society we have a larger pool of older Singaporeans and certainly we need to engage older Singaporeans in their retirement to keep them active in their later years.

In many countries, the elderly have been roped in to participate in the various activities. I can think of getting the elderly to participate in municipal-level activities, such as the Town Council and the grassroots organisations.

In the context of our society, I wonder whether or not more can be done to rope in, and provide a special location for the elderly and the retired to stay active by being more actively involved, either in the grassroots organisation or the Town Council. I do know that within the community centres they have the Senior Citizens' Executive Committee. The question really is whether or not we are satisfied with this present arrangement and whether or not more can be done to rope in these senior citizens and engage them in the management of our community.

Additionally, I would like to also ask whether the Ministry is actively looking at how the elderly is relating to the younger generation of Singaporeans and also how they are relating to members within the family itself. I do know from my MPS that, very often, the elderly finds it difficult to get along with family members simply because with limitation of health, they are placing an increasing burden on their family members and, thereby, creating much tension within the family. Is the Ministry, for example, looking to study how the present situation is and whether or not steps can be taken to improve inter-generational interaction and dynamics between the elderly and the younger members of our society and also within the family itself?

Dr Chong Weng Chiew (Tanjong Pagar): Sir, increasingly, more senior citizens will be living alone or with their aged spouses. Some of these elderly are single or widowed, with others prefer to live separately from their children to avoid family conflict. It is a pity that there are not more inter-generation families living together. May I ask, like the hon. Member, Mr Sin Boon Ann, if the Ministry has any information on the current state of relations between the elderly and the younger family members? With this information, I believe, we would be in a much better position to have policies to promote greater interaction among different generations.

Ideally, the elderly should be staying with their families. If they are sickly they would be taken care of by their loved ones in familiar surroundings. In fact, this is also the objective of the Ministry of Health with regard to senior citizens ageing within Singapore. However, this could be a heavy task for the caregiver. It can be extremely tiring and straining, emotionally. I would like to ask if the Government has any new measures to give our caregivers, as well as caregivers support group, more support. Those elderly who live on their own will need more community services and facilities that cater to their needs. Unfortunately, currently many of these services remain patchy at best. Would the Government be facilitating the development of more client-centric care services for the elderly?

Lastly, we also need to increase the number of homes that charge affordable fees to take care of senior citizens with difficult conditions and, in those circumstances, where it is quite difficult to have elderly within the family. This includes, especially, dementia cases. Due to the high fees currently, often a spouse, usually a woman, would have to quit her job to take care of such an elderly person. Considering that the median household income is about $4,000, the household income would be halved if she quits, thereby creating financial hardship and family stress. I thus hope that the Ministry would look into this need soon.

Mr Ang Mong Seng: ( In Mandarin ): Sir, with our ageing population, by 2030 there will be 850,000 people who are 65 years and above. I think we have to take quick action and make the necessary preparation by establishing more daycare centres for the senior citizens. I would like to ask the Ministry that in the next five years, how many more daycare centres would be established. For their convenience, I think the Minister could consider setting up daycare centres for senior citizens in each and every one of the community centres or clubs because every constituency has at least one community centre. They are very conveniently located. It would be very convenient for our residents to send their old folks there.

Sir, we should also have some educational courses for our senior citizens. In other countries it is very popular. In the United States, Europe and Japan, there are educational courses for the senior citizens. In China, there are at least 20,000 senior citizen universities. In fact, some of them conduct their courses through television or Internet. In Taiwan, there is a radio university for the senior citizens. In 1973, France started the first third age university and now they have a few thousand third age universities in about 15 countries in the world. I have visited one third age university in Australia and all the undergraduates are senior citizens. They are taking courses that are relevant to the senior citizens like law, humanity, health, sports, etc. I think we should also have such a university in Singapore so that the senior citizens will have a chance to be educated. We should also issue licences to those who are experienced in organising third age university to fulfil our lifelong learning spirit.

Dr Warren Lee (Sembawang): The Committee on Ageing Issues has issued its comprehensive and well-considered recommendations. I applaud the Prime Minister's move to accept and address all the recommendations therein. I would now also like to draw attention to changes in our family dynamics.

Sir, we predicate our policies on the concept of many helping hands and the primacy of the family as the first source of help for the elderly. While it is ideal for Singaporeans to practise filial piety and live in harmonious three-generation families, the realty is sometimes very different. Families are getting smaller and more nuclear. Young couples are not used to the give-and-take and dynamics of large families. Young couples often do not take kindly to advice or interference from the in-laws. Cultural differences abound even in same race marriages, while over time, underlying tensions can be accentuated by differences in spousal expectations, differences in religion, values and child-bearing practices.

Many MPs are familiar with the situation whereby elderly couples come looking for separate rental accommodation because they see it as a better alternative to constant quarrelling with their married children. Some elderly do not seem to have a choice in the matter as their children make it plain that they are not welcome. Forcing these families to live together leads to much unhappiness and can be a factor in discouraging couples from marrying and having more children. Children of all ages suffer emotional distress and negative role models and guilt as tempers fray and ugly situations abound. I think we must first of all recognise this realty and factor this into our policy responses. We cannot hide behind platitudes and motherhood statements.

Recognising this reality, we perhaps could do more to allow the elderly to live close to children, but not in each other's pockets, and not outstay their welcome. Elderly couples living alone may not have been our previous paradigm, but may be our present and future reality for some Singaporeans. We must make it a valid and comfortable option for those who need this option.

Again, ageing in place may not mean retirement villages or sheltered housing for all. The elderly may be able to live on their own if someone helps with the shopping or the housekeeping or with little problems that can have large consequences, such as leaky taps and stagnant water or even frayed power cords in appliances. In Israel, there are communities whereby a middle-aged or young elderly person is employed as a community parent. This community parent will visit, shop for, and do little handyman jobs around the house for a group of more elderly people living alone. He may also function as substitute next-of-kin. Technology can also help. A wearable personal alarm like a handphone can, once the button is pressed, instantly connect the elderly with the telephone operator who can then despatch an ambulance or the community parent, depending on whether the problem is that the elderly has fallen and broken her leg or has misplaced his or her glasses and cannot see well enough to leave the house. Similarly, a mini-camp located in a strategic location could help the community parent to keep an eye on an elderly person or help the elderly person keep up emotional contacts with the far-flung family members, especially nowadays when Singaporeans are encouraged to work abroad.

With the community parent, children who need to work long hours or overseas need not worry endlessly about their elderly parents living alone. With a paid community parent taking the role of the elderly person's living companion, domestic maid, housewife or unmarried sibling, who gives up family and career to look after the elderly parent, we can free up a lot of young people for the workforce while providing meaningful employment for their young elderly as they themselves transition into this role. Why not give this idea a try?

Mr Wee Siew Kim: Sir, I would like to ask the Ministry on the various measures to encourage senior citizens to lead healthy and active lifestyles, especially in view of our growing ageing population and their higher expectations. They are better educated and more travelled than their predecessors. They want to lead more and, shall I say, "happening lives". They also want to age gracefully and there must be measures to increase their option for sports and an enhanced social network. Nonetheless, the range and number of activities for senior citizens are still limited currently. We need to have more outlets in terms of recreation and community involvement for the elderly. Would the Ministry give us an update on the initiatives that are being drawn up. I made a cut in MND on displaced parents. I echo Dr Warren Lee's call to pay some attention to parents who no longer have a roof over their heads as a result of tension with the children within the family.

Home Caregivers

Dr Tan Sze Wee: Sir, we know that the Singapore society is ageing rapidly. Indicators show that the population of elderly will increase from about 7% today to about 19% by 2030, or one in every five persons. Singapore has a fast greying population and the issues that will arise due to this trend should be addressed. In order to support the greying population, a significant number of young Singaporeans, particularly the sandwich generation, will have to stay at home and take care of their ageing parents, in addition to taking care of their own families and children. Further, there are some families who have to take care of children, siblings or parents, who are mentally or physically disabled, in addition to taking care of their own families. Therefore, there is an additional strain on these sole breadwinners or able Singaporeans to take care of their loved ones who are less able.

Sir, I would like to ask the Minister if the MCYS has given any consideration or made any plans to recognise those caregivers who opt to stay at home to care for their children or look after their aged parents or loved ones who are incapacitated, either physically or mentally. I mention this concern as this form of sacrificial love cannot be compensated adequately by money, but at least it makes it easier for the caregivers if their sacrifices are recognised. In some ways, the Government will be seen as promoting the values it espouses and, thereby, inculcating a sense of filial piety, compassion and gracious living in the hearts of younger Singaporeans.

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Disabled

Dr Chong Weng Chiew: Sir, with regard to my cut on the disabled, I would like to ask the Minister about his plans for increasing educational opportunities for the teenager and adult disabled at our vocational training centres located at VWOs, polytechnics, junior colleges and universities. In this age of life-long learning, constant skills upgrading and retraining is required for all workers, including those reaching their 60s. Are we similarly up to date in our education infrastructure and programmes for the disabled?

Currently, the education system for disabled children is fairly well developed. At primary level, we have VWOs running 21 special education schools (SPEDs), with funding from the Ministry of Education and NCSS. For those who are able, they continue their secondary education in specially equipped mainstream secondary schools. The others proceed to one of the training centres or workshops run by VWOs. What happens next? Can we improve upon the current education and training opportunities for them after they leave school? I am sure that we can do more to equip them with updated skills to help them qualify for a wider selection of jobs.

Presently, employment assistance for people with disabilities is coordinated by a VWO - Bizlink Centre Limited - which is supported by the Government and the NCSS. The Centre assesses their suitability for employment and helps them with job placement. Follow-up services and support are also given to help the disabled person remain employed. Could the Minister update the House on how successful the job placement service has been in terms of (1) the number and percentage of successful job placements by type of disabilities; (2) the average duration of employment; and (3) the range of remuneration and median salaries.

Lastly, are there any plans to introduce new measures to increase job opportunities for the disabled?

Dr Warren Lee: Sir, how are we progressing in the area of helping people with disabilities integrate into normal society? The introduction of kneeling buses, lifts on every floor and the move to make HDB estates barrier free is laudable and will benefit not just the elderly but also those with physical disabilities. However, more targeted help will be welcome.

We must also think in terms of life-time benefit versus life-time cost. For example, a $50,000 cochlear implant or artificial ear implanted into a deaf infant will allow the child to grow up with normal hearing and much better employment prospects. Motorised wheelchairs and other assistive technology may help an amputee retain his job or live more independently. Are we able to help these people financially and design inventions that they can afford to use? Are we building enough barrier-free schools for children in wheelchairs and having skeletal deformities? Have we enough facilities for children with dyslexia or autism?

Sir, we must find ways to make sure that people with disabilities enter our workforce. In leaving no one behind, I think there is a cost, but there is also a tremendous opportunity to make these people much more productive members of our society. In this regard, I think it is important that we have enough trained manpower. We can start thinking in terms of training middle-aged or other silver-aged workers in the areas of gerontology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy and other therapies which are useful for the treatment of people with autism and dyslexia.

The Chairman: Miss Olsen is not here. Dr Balakrishnan.