USE OF CAREGIVERS TRAINING GRANT
Daniel Goh asked how much specialised caregivers receive on average and whether the MOH will consider increasing the grant quantum for specialised caregivers.
Gan Kim Yong replied that the average annual utilisation by these caregivers was $116 per grant recipient in FY2015 and there are currently no plans to increase the grant quantum.
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CASES OF FRAUD IN PRODUCTIVITY AND INNOVATION CREDIT SCHEME
Sylvia Lim queried investigations for fraud under the PIC scheme and about related court convictions.
Heng Swee Keat replied as of the end of 2015, IRAS investigated 488 cases for fraud under the PIC scheme. To date, eight cases, involving a total of $213,000 of cash payouts, have been prosecuted. Three cases are pending trial.
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DEFERMENT OF COLLECTION OF KEYS FOR BTO FLATS
Sylvia Lim asked about Singaporeans who purchased BTO flats, but defer collection of keys due to inability to sell their existing flats.
Lawrence Wong replied that less than two-thirds of flat buyers deferred collection. HDB can extend temporary loans for those with financial difficulties.
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LOCATION OF MERGED SCHOOL AT BEDOK NORTH SECONDARY SCHOOL
Pritam Singh asked whether MOE will consider locating the merged school of Bedok North Secondary School (BNSS) and Damai Secondary School (DSS) at the premises of BNSS due to better transportation links and existing facilities.
Janil Puthucheary explained that the school will be relocated to DSS, with significantly better and newer facilities than are available at BNSS.
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FREE PARKING AT CAR PARKS
Leon Perera asked if Government would consider setting a goal for the non-HDB car parks to offer free parking on Sundays to encourage family bonding and stimulate heartland businesses.
Desmond Lee said demand needs to be managed. There are different stakeholders who need car parks, such as season parking ticket holders.
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INSTALLATION OF BARRIERS AT VOID DECKS AND OTHER COMMON SPACES
Daniel Goh asked whether there are guidelines on the installation of barriers in void decks, walkways and other common spaces.
Desmond Lee replied, TCs have to comply with BCA’s Codes for barrier-free accessibility. They must not be obstructed, removed, altered or made unusable.
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ADEQUACY OF PLACES FOR HOME CARE AND CENTRE-BASED CARE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY
Daniel Goh asked about the number of places for home care and centre-based care services for the elderly and referrals received by the Agency for Integrated Care in 2015.
Amy Khor explained that there was an increase of 80% in the number of home care places, and a 67% increase from the number of day care places, since 2011.
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RECOGNITION OF EXPERIENCE OF EX-TEACHERS WHO REJOIN TEACHING SERVICE
Daniel Goh asked how many ex-teachers rejoined the education service in 2015, and how they are recognised for experience and skills developed.
Janil Puthucheary replied, 49 former teachers rejoined in 2015. MOE takes into consideration their relevant work experience after leaving service.
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TOWN COUNCILS WITH LARGEST NUMBER OF FLATS ELIGIBLE FOR UPGRADING
Pritam Singh asked which three Town Councils have the largest number of flats eligible for upgrading under the Home Improvement Programme, if there are plans to increase nominations there.
Desmond Lee said, Aljunied-Hougang, Jurong-Clementi and Nee Soon. MND will complete selection of all remaining HIP-eligible flats by 2018.
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DIRECT BUS SERVICES TO GEYLANG SERAI MARKET BEFORE HARI RAYA PUASA AND HARI RAYA HAJI
Dennis Tan asked whether LTA will consider planning for two direct bus services from Bedok to the Geylang Serai market in the month before Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji.
Ng Chee Meng replied that from previous years’ experience, existing bus services are sufficient to cater to the festive crowds.
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ONLINE VOTING USING SINGPASS FOR SINGAPOREANS BASED OVERSEAS
Dennis Tan asked whether any Government studies have been undertaken on the feasibility of online voting for overseas Singaporeans using SingPass.
Chan Chun Sing said Internet voting poses challenges like authenticating voters, preventing impersonation, ensuring voting secrecy, system reliability issues and security risks.
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NUMBER OF ALLIED EDUCATORS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Leon Perera asked about the number of allied educators in Primary and Secondary schools, and the number trained to manage special needs students.
Faishal Ibrahim says, MOE employs over 2,200 allied educators, including over 400 who support students with mild learning disabilities
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ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS ON FIRMS THAT ATTRACT GIC OR TEMASEK HOLDINGS’ INTEREST
Leon Perera asked if MOF will require environmental audits for firms that GIC and Temasek Holdings invest in, and may be contributing to the haze problem.
Indranee Rajah says, individual investments are the responsibility of the Temasek and GIC management.
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PUNISHMENT FOR SAF OFFICERS INVOLVED IN EXERCISES THAT LEAD TO DEATHS OR INJURIES
Dennis Tan asked about disciplinary action of two SAF officers whose negligent actions led to the training death of an NSF in 2012.
Ng Eng Hen says the SAF officers were punished with fines and delays in promotion amounting to half their annual salaries.
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MONIES DISBURSED FROM MALAY-MUSLIM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND
Faisal Manap asked about funds disbursed from the Malay-Muslim Community Development Fund (MMCDF) from 2013-5, beneficiaries, and purposes.
Yaacob Ibrahim says, nearly $10 million from 2013-5, benefiting 53 Malay-Muslim Organisations (MMOs) in 2013, 51 in 2014, 62 in 2015.
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APPROACH IN TACKLING HOMELESS CASES
Faisal Manap asked how many homeless cases MSF identified annually from 2005-15, studies done, and MSF’s strategy in tackling this problem.
Faishal Ibrahim says, an average of 300 cases annually. Families with divorce and financial difficulties who sell their flats to clear debts tend to become homeless. MSF partners with other agencies and community organisations to support the homeless.
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COMPENSATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICEMEN INJURED DURING SERVICE
Faisal Manap asked about assistance schemes for NS men who suffer a recurrence of injuries sustained during service; whether there is a limit.
Maliki Osman says, medical expenses covered at Government medical facilities for as long as treatment is required. Compensation and support for permanent disability provided.
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APPEALS FOR PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS AND INTERIM RENTAL HOUSING
Faisal Manap asked for the no. of appeals received by MND from MPs for public rental flats and interim rental housing from 2013-5, and how they are assessed.
Lawrence Wong said, 8,700 applications for public rental flats are received annually. 6,900 were successful, 510 received assistance for interim rental housing. HDB assesses each appeal on its own merit, and with a FSC and social service agencies.
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ROLE OF DISTRICT MAYORS GIVEN TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICE OFFICES
Faisal Manap asked about the role of district mayors in Community Development Councils (CDC), their relevance, and the mayor’s annual income.
Chan Chun Sing said, the mayor chairs the CDC, strengthens a community’s social infrastructure, mobilises local resources to support national schemes, advises the People’s Association, and receives $660,000p.a.
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DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES RELATED TO HEPATITIS C OUTBREAK AT SGH
Leon Perera asked for the names of the SGH and MOH staff disciplined in connection with the Hepatitis C hospital infection cluster in 2015, penalties and/or warnings they received, and reasons for disciplinary action in each case.
Gan Kim Yong replied, disciplinary action included warnings, stern warnings and financial penalties. These may negatively affect a person’s career. The greatest penalty is the pain and regret from this incident.
Read the full exchange here.