Parliamentary Q&A for 8 November 2016 sitting

HELP FOR TEACHERS TO COPE WITH STRESS

Faisal Manap asked about the dispute resolution mechanisms for teachers and parents, and how MOE addresses work-related stress faced by teachers.

Ng Chee Ming said that there are professional counsellors within MOE who provide counselling support and stress management workshops. He also said “measures have been put in place to support and guide schools in teacher work allocation.”

Read the full exchange here.

 

DISCONTINUATION OF HARDSHIP SCHEME FOR HAWKERS

Faisal Manap asked whether the Ministry will consider reinstating the hardship scheme for subsidised stalls in markets and hawker centres managed by NEA.

Masagos Zulkifli said no, and that is “not tenable” to help these stalls in financial difficulty and “believe they will automatically succeed.” Other help schemes are available.

Read the full exchange here.

 

SKILLSFUTURE CREDITS FOR OVERSEAS COURSES NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH SINGAPORE TRAINING PROVIDERS

Dennis Tan queried whether SkillsFuture Credits can be used for overseas courses that are not available through training providers in Singapore.

Low Yen Ling said that in general, overseas courses are not included due to their “lack of presence here” that make it difficult to audit or check these training providers for quality. However, they are open to exceptions subject to evaluation.

Read the full exchange here.

 

NUMBER OF CITIZENS AND PERMANENT RESIDENTS UNABLE TO PAY MEDISHIELD LIFE PREMIUMS

Png Eng Huat asked how many citizens and PRs were not able to pay their MediShield Life premiums and the main reasons cited.

Chee Hong Tat replied that as at September 2016, around 51,000 residents have outstanding premiums due, amounting to $12.8 million. Reasons were not provided.

Read the full exchange here.

 

INVESTIGATIONS INTO ‘PENNY STOCK’ CASES

Leon Perera asked how robust Singapore’s safeguards are against securities frauds, given the recent investigations relating to the “penny stock” case.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that SGX, MAS and CAD “work closely together” in investigating suspected fraud in our capital markets and taking enforcement actions. SGX is the “frontline supervisor”, monitoring trading activities and conducting preliminary assessments of possible market misconduct.

Read the full exchange here.

 

CONSUMERS PURSUING COMPLAINTS AGAINST MERCHANT

Leon Perera queried what kind of consumer protection assistance is available for a complainant who wishes to pursue a complaint against a merchant and were there cases where the complainant was rejected.

S Iswaran replied that CASE has a set of tiered fees for its services, ranging from negotiation to mediation, that are published online. CASE has not rejected any requests for assistance, “except where the requests are beyond the ambit of consumer protection laws.” These include business-to-business disputes, application for accident claims and investment contracts.

Read the full exchange here.

 

SCALING WATER CONSERVATION TAX (WCT) TO ALLOW FOR MINIMUM HYGIENE STANDARDS

Leon Perera asked whether the Ministry can consider removing the water conservation tax for households on a quantity of water consumption deemed necessary for minimum hygiene standards.

Masagos Zulkifli replied that WCT is levied as a percentage of water tariff to “reinforce the message that water is precious from the very first drop.” Instead, the government provides “appropriate cash grants” to help defray their utilities expenses.

Read the full exchange here.

 

STATISTICS ON RENUNCIATION OF SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP

Leon Perera asked for data on Singaporeans who renounced their citizenship from 2005 to 2015, and the reasons for emigration.

Teo Chee Hean replied that an average of 1,200 Singaporeans renounced their Singapore Citizenship each year from 2005 to 2015. The most frequent reasons given include “family-related”, “preference for a different lifestyle or environment” and “career or business-related reasons”.

Read the full exchange here.