SPACE CRUNCH FOR SUBSIDISED KIDNEY DIALYSIS PATIENTS
Daniel Goh asked how serious is the space crunch for kidney dialysis patients and how the is Ministry planning ahead for the increase in numbers. He also asked for the percentage of patients opting for home hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) and what programmes are there to support them.
Gan Kim Yong said that patients requiring dialysis has risen from 5,200 in 2012 to 6,400 in 2016, of which, 92% are HD patients and 8% are PD patients and the figures are likely to increase further. Currently, there are still available HD places but there may be geographical mismatches between demand and supply, however, the capacity will be increased by 500 at the end of this year and additional 1,300 by 2020. He added that the Ministry is promoting PD by giving suitable patients higher level subsidies but they are still studying the factors before making Home-HD mainstream.
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ENSURING GOOD GOVERNANCE AT PRIVATE CLINIC GROUPS
Daniel Goh asked what powers the Ministry has to ensure good governance at private clinic groups and whether the payment of medical claims by Third Party Administrators (TPAs) to private clinics should be regulated.
Lam Pin Min said that clinics are governed by the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act (PHMCA) which includes continuity of care. Clinics must notify MOH if they intend to cease their operations and properly transfer patients’ medical records. She did not express if TPAs should be regulated but said that TPAs provide private intermediary services which MOH does not intervene.
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INVESTIGATIONS INTO CYBERATTACK ON MINDEF’S SYSTEMS
Dennis Tan asked if the perpetrators are identified, whether they will be able to make use of the personal information that they obtained for future hacking or other cybercrimes and whether MINDEF has taken any steps to mitigate this.
Ong Ye Kung said that he would not comment on the identity of the perpetrator. He also said that he does not think that the perpetrators could conduct further hacking using the information that were lost as they are basic information such as NRIC, telephone numbers, and date of birth.
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BASELINE FUNCTIONALITIES IN DESIGN OF HDB ESTATES
Png Eng Huat asked whether there are any baseline functionalities defined to ensure adequate sheltered link ways in the design of new HDB estates and whether HDB has any system to track design compliance similar to the Comprehensive Management System that tracks the construction process of BTO projects. He also asked whether HDB undertakes the design of new estates in-house or subcontracts the work and whether the design works are assigned based on cost or design considerations.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB provides a network of covered linkways to connect residential blocks with precinct amenities but they may not always adopt the most direct route so as to balance the aesthetics of the estate. He also answered that HDB engages private consultants for majority of its housing projects and HDB adopts the Quality-Fee Method for the selection of tenders which places heavier weight on quality criteria than on price. He added that HDB has a Quality Management System to ensure the consultants comply with HDB’s design guidelines.
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EQUIPMENT FOR FITNESS CORNERS AT HDB ESTATES
Leon Perera asked what are the criteria to determine the type of fitness corners and equipment to be built in an HDB estate, how many of the existing ones are catered for national servicemen’s IPPT training and whether these equipment also cater to other residents such as the elderly, teenagers and children.
Lawrence Wong said that new HDB developments since mid-2000s have been provided with 3-Generation Family Playgrounds that are comprised of play stations for children and fitness stations for adults and elderly and the equipment are selected by the appointed consultants which must comply with safety requirements. He explained that the current IPPT do not require special equipment and can be done at fitness corners or even at home as they comprises only the push-ups, sit-ups and 2.4 km run.
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NEW JOBS CREATED FOR UNIVERSITY DEGREE HOLDERS
Leon Perera asked what is the proportion of new jobs created in each of the last five years which requires a university degree.
Lim Swee Say said that the Ministry does not collect data on new jobs created by specific qualification requirements because such data may not meaningfully reflect the quality of a job or the responsibilities associated with it.
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ESTIMATED INCREMENTAL COST TO EXTEND HEALTH SUBSIDIES TO LONG TERM VISIT PASS HOLDERS FOR FY17/18
Leon Perera asked what is the estimated incremental cost of extending health subsidies to all Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) holders for FY17/18.
Gan Kim Yong said that it is not meaningful to compute the incremental cost of extending healthcare subsidies to all LTVP holders as it will involve assumptions on the number of LTVP holders, their healthcare needs, and the extent of the subsidy to be granted when there is currently no plan to do so.
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COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS COMMITTEE (CIPC) FUNDING BY CITIZENS’ CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES (CCC)
Pritam Singh asked how much CIPC funding has been extended to each Town Council via their respective CCC’s in FY15/16 and whether there is a standardised way to present the quantum of the funding for each Town Council under the head of Town Improvement and Project Funds.
Lawrence Wong replied that CIPC allocates its budget to the CCCs based on the number of HDB residential units. He explained that Town Councils are engaged by CCCs to implement improvement projects and are then reimbursed for the cost of the works. However, he did not provide the figures. He added that MND currently does not prescribe any standardised way for Town Councils to present the quantum of funds received from the CCCs in their annual estimates.
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REGULAR INFORMATION COLLECTION AND PUBLICATION OF FREELANCE AND CONTRACT WORK DATA
Leon Perera asked whether the Ministry can regularly collect and publish data on the percentage of the workforce who are engaged in freelance work or employed in contract positions and who are seeking employment in a permanent full-time job
Lim Swee Say said that the Ministry collects data for freelancers since 1991, term contract work since 2006, and freelancers who are not freelancing as their preferred choice since last year and these data are published annually. He explained that the Ministry does not collect data in terms of how many of those on term contract would prefer to have full-time employment and have no intention of doing so because both contracts are considered employees of the employers and are protected under all employment laws.
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WAIVER OF NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF COE FOR CATEGORIES A AND B VEHICLES
Sylvia Lim asked under what circumstances has LTA waived the policy of non-transferability and permitted a transfer of COEs for Category A or B vehicles from one individual to another.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the LTA allows the Temporary COE for Category A and B vehicles to be transferred only if there are very serious and unforeseen changes in the COE holder’s circumstances which are beyond his or her control, such as when the COE holder has passed away. He added that the Temporary COE can only be transferred to immediate family members.
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BUILDING A WET MARKET AND HAWKER CENTRE AT UPPER SERANGOON CRESCENT
Sylvia Lim asked whether there are plans to build a wet market and hawker centre at Upper Serangoon Crescent in view of the new housing developments in the area.
Masagos Zulkifli said no, because “there are currently eating establishments and commercial facilities in the vicinity of Upper Serangoon Crescent.”
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CLASSIFICATION OF REVENUE EARNED FROM GOVERNMENT LAND LEASES
Sylvia Lim asked what is the cut-off lease duration that is used to distinguish between revenue that is classified as operating revenue and revenue that is classified as a capital receipt under Sales of Land in respect of the revenue earned from leases of Government land.
Heng Swee Kiat explained that under the Protection of Reserves Framework in the Constitution, revenue from the disposal of State land is protected as part of Singapore’s Past Reserves and not available to the Government for spending as operating revenue and State land is deemed to be disposed of when the Government issues freehold titles, or issues leasehold titles for a total period of ten years or more.
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IMPACT OF AUSTRALIA LAND ACQUISITION POLICY CHANGE ON SAF TRAINING SPACE
Dennis Tan asked how SAF training in Queensland will be affected by the reduction in land training size, and whether our proposed spending of A$2.25 billion will be reduced.
Ong Ye Kung replied that costs were “still within the budget” and training requirements would be achieved by “enhancing existing training areas” and more “optimal scheduling” of training activities.
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ACCIDENTS INVOLVING HEAVY VEHICLES DRIVEN BY FOREIGN WORKERS
Dennis Tan asked if driver fatigue has been identified as major accident cause for foreign heavy vehicle drivers and if engagement efforts with these workers and their companies have been done.
Amrin Amin cited failures to keep a proper lookout, to give way to traffic and to maintain proper control as main causes of heavy vehicle accidents. He added that a multi-agency taskforce is working to engage heavy vehicle drivers.
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AMENITIES ALONG PARK CONNECTORS (PCN)
Dennis Tan asked how the Government decides when installing toilets in the parks along Park Connectors.
Desmond Lee replied toilets are provided about 2.5km radius from any point of the PCN and signs to direct users to the nearest toilets outside the parks are also provided. Where facilities are unavailable, NParks will evaluate the feasibility of building toilets.
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UPDATE ON GLOBAL SCHOOLHOUSE INITIATIVE
Leon Perera asked for an update on the Global Schoolhouse initiative in light of private school closures in recent years.
Low Yen Ling replied that since launching in 2002, the Global Schoolhouse initiative has attracted leading institutions such as INSEAD and ESSEC Business School to collaborate with local institutions.
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FAMILY MAINTENANCE CASES AND INVESTIGATIONS
Leon Perera asked how many Maintenance Record Officers (MRO) have been appointed, number of cases of recalcitrant defaulters investigated and if MRO investigations have succeeded in extracting maintenance payments from defaulters to date.
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim replied that the two MRO officers appointed have assisted in four cases with one case pending. Case respondents were assessed to be unable to continue maintenance obligations due to financial difficulties.
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FUNDING ASSISTANCE FOR PWD PURSUING UNIVERSITY STUDIES
Leon Perera enquired if funding help is available for persons with disabilities pursuing their first degree who do not qualify for the Society for the Physically Disabled scholarships due to age.
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim replied that Government and University bursaries and loans, and assistance schemes by community and professional organisations are available. Eligible PWDs can also tap the SkillsFuture Study Award for Persons with Disabilities.
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EVENTS HELD AT NATIONAL STADIUM AND INDOOR STADIUM
Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap asked for the number of events held at National Stadium and Indoor Stadium in 2016 and expected numbers of 2017, and if this meets the targets set by the Singapore Sports Hub Consortium.
Grace Fu was not able to provide the expected numbers for 2017 as “discussions on the use of the venues are ongoing”. She said that SportSG would monitor to ensure the Consortium remains “accountable for the goals of the project”.
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POLICE-TO-POPULATION RATIO
Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap requested data on the current police-to-population ratio, including and excluding auxiliary police officers.
K Shanmugam replied there are 170 regular Singapore Police Force Officers per 100,000 population, rising to 300 per 100,000 population when Auxiliary Police Officers are included.
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STUDENTS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Dennis Tan requested for the number of students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder annually over the past five years.
Ng Chee Meng stated about 3,500 students in 2012 and about 5,000 students in 2016 were diagnosed.
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BREAKDOWN OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC WORKER NUMBERS BY NATIONALITY
Dennis Tan requested clarification on the Government’s reluctance to provide the breakdown of foreign domestic worker numbers by nationality.
Sam Tan Chin Siong replied that disclosing the breakdown of foreign domestic workers by nationality was “not in Singapore’s interest” as the data may “create sensitivities” in Singapore and in the countries of origin.
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TUNNELLING WORKS AND GROUND CAVE-IN AT BUKIT BROWN TOMB
Daniel Goh asked whether the contractor had knowledge of ground conditions and had exercised adequate supervision of tunneling operations.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that mixed ground conditions and poor judgment by the machine operator were to blame for the localised depression. The operator failed to follow correct protocol and has since been replaced.
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NON-COMPLIANCE TO APPROVED OPERATING PROCEDURES AT SMRT
Daniel Goh asked whether the Government had inspected SMRT for workplace safety from 2002 to 2016 and why system failures went undetected and uncorrected for so long.
Lim Swee Say stated that the Government conducted ten inspections at various SMRT depots from 2002 to 2015, examining work-at-height and falling object hazards. He added that compliance with established work procedures and a system of safety checks and audits could have averted the March 2016 fatal accident.
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INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED ON FOREIGN WORKERS ACCOMMODATION
Daniel Goh asked how many foreign workers housing inspections have been conducted in the past three years, and found unacceptable and if follow-up actions have been taken to ensure errant employers comply with regulations.
Lim Swee Say said that close to 4,000 inspections were done from 2014 to 2016 and in total about 4,000 employers and/or dormitory operators were issued with warnings, composition fines, or prosecuted.
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