Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698830809565.pdf (Singapore)
THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE FIRST SESSION ORDER PAPER MONDAY, 14 MARCH 2016 No.9 1.30 pm 1 QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER* *1.

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) whether the Ministry uses governance standards as one of the selection criteria in appointing partners and course providers of SkillsFuture programmes.

*2.
*2.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) (a) why are secondary schools directed not to take in transfer pupils whose PSLE scores do not meet their cut-off points; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider allowing schools with vacancies to effect these transfers on a case by-case basis if the point difference is not significant.

*3.
*3.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB will allow second or third-time buyers of HDB flats to take HDB loans if they cannot qualify to borrow from the banks; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider reviewing this policy to help.this group.

*4.
*4.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) in the past one year, what is the number of requests received from HDB flat owners who have purchased a BTO/resale flat to extend the six-month period they have to dispose of their existing HDB flat; (b) what is the percentage of such requests against the total number of BTO/resale flat transactions for the same period; and (c) for the next three years, what is the projected number of such flats that need to be disposed.

*5.
*5.

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for Transport with the proposed 2020 island-wide ERP system (a) whether this will result in a system where ERP is based on road usage during office hours; (b) if so, whether there are plans to review the annual road tax and COE system to offset any additional costs to motorists under the new system; and (c) what is the implication for transport operators of goods lorries, taxis, movers and delivery businesses.

No.9 14MARCH2016 2 *6.


Miss Cheng Li Hui: To ask the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will consider allowing parents to use their Retirement Account savings for their children's full-time subsidised diploma/degree courses at Approved Educational Institutions.

*7.
*7.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwaug: To ask the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will consider requiring employers to pay work permit holders through an electronic payment system given that this is already required of employers ofS Pass holders.

*8.
*8.

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in light of the recent discovery of radicalised Bangladeshis in Singapore, what are our follow-up efforts and strategies in identifying more of such activities or groups with high potential or likelihood of such ideologies within our midst.

*9.
*9.

Mr Darryl David: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether all male permanent residents who complete their National Service get to be offered Singaporean Citizenship automatically, and, if so, how soon after completing NS are they offered it; and (b) how many such cases are there every year.

*10.
*10.

Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the Minister for Health what are the measures available to help Singaporeans who are on non-subsidised rates to obtain subsidised rates at public hospitals if they were previously on employer provided healthcare insurance which has since expired.

*11.

Mr Lim.
*11.

Mr Lim.

Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for Health whether patients in hospitals as at 1 November 2015 are able to claim for benefits under MediShield Life even though they were warded in hospitals before MediShield Life took effect on that date.

*12.
*12.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what is the current status ofthe shortage of pre-school teachers; (b) what efforts are being taken to attract more applicants to join the profession; and (c) how has the shortage affected the operations of childcare centres.

*13.
*13.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many childcare operators have applied for the Partner Operator (POP) scheme; and (b) what is being done to get more childcare operators to join the Scheme.

No.9 14 MARCH 2016 3 *14.

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources what preventive measures are in place to ensure that essential services are not affected by flash floods.

*15.
*15.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether the Ministry will·consider extending the smoking prohibition at any playground or exercise area to also include any area within a radius of 5 metres from the outer edge of the playground or exercise area.

*16.
*16.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for Transport in view of the increasing number of elderly living in Toa Payoh East-Novena who are less mobile and have poorer eyesight whether the Ministry will consider prohibiting the use of electric bicycles on designated pedestrian walks and traffic light crossings in Toa Payoh East-Novena for the safety of the elderly and young children.

*17.
*17.

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what are the criteria for installing elevators for (i) overhead pedestrian bridges and (ii) within train stations to street level; and (b) whether elevators at such locations can be installed for neighbourhoods which have a higher percentage of elderly residents.

*18.
*18.

Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) whether he can provide an update on (i) the enhanced tracking efforts for international students who are receiving tuition grants in our polytechnics and.
publicly-funded universities; (ii) the number of international students who have not served their grant obligation upon graduation to date and the amount of tuition grants given to them; and (iii) the number of these students who have not served their grant obligation for more than three years after graduation.

*19.
*19.

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs how much training are police officers given in recognising mental health presentations and what is their course of action if they encounter such cases in carrying out their duties.

No.9 14 MARCH 2016 4 *20.


Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) whether there is training provided for school teachers, educators and school counsellors on recognition and initial handling of psychological and mental health-related presentations amongst students.

*21.
*21.

Assoc Prof Daniel Gob Pei Siong: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) whether school counsellors are or should be required to conduct psychological assessments of suicide risks of students being investigated by the police and whether school counsellors should be required to be present when students are being interviewed by the police on school premises.

*22.
*22.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minis~er for Finance whether the Ministry will consider requiring environmental audits according to international best practices to be done on firms in which GIC and Temasek Holdings have a financial interest and which firms can potentially be contributing to the haze problem.

*23.
*23.

Miss Cheng Li Hui: To ask the Minister for Finance (a) of the estimated 450,000 persons in the Pioneer Generation group, how many of them have been contacted by the Pioneer Generation Ambassadors (PGAs) so far, (b) how many senior citizens are not included in the Pioneer Generation Package; and (c) whether the PGAs can be tasked to reach out to them as well to help them understand MediShield Life.

*24.
*24.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) to date, how many single parents have successfully applied for a home under the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST); (b) for cases where applicants had financial difficulties, how many were reviewed by HDB and what were the outcomes of the review; and (c) are there sufficient flats and temporary housing to meet the demand by single parents.

*25.
*25.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) in each of the past five years, what is the number of divorcees who have (i) applied to either purchase a BTO flat or a flat in the Sale of Balance Flats scheme, or to rent a HDB flat and (ii) purchased a resale flat; and (b) what has been the success rate.

No.9 14 MARCH2016 5 *26.


Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Prime Minister (a) whether any Government studies have been undertaken on the feasibility of online voting for overseas Singaporeans using SingPass which can overcome security and secrecy concerns relating to postal voting; (b) if so, whether they can be made available; and (c) if such studies do not exist, whether the Government can share with Singaporeans the obstacles preventing these studies from being undertaken.

*27.
*27.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) (a) how many allied educators are currently employed in primary and secondary schools; (b) what is the average, highest and lowest number employed respectively; and (c) how many of these educators are trained in handling students with special needs.

*28.
*28.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) (a) what are the criteria for the disbursement of the Opportunity Fund Grant to schools, including the polytechnics; (b) what type of co-curricular activities are covered by this Fund; and (c) to date, what is the number of students who have benefitted from this Fund.

*29.
*29.

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth what permissions and safeguards are there to govern businesses or individuals who claim to collect public donations on behalf of charitable causes.

*30.
*30.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there is a requirement for land sites released for nursing, step-down and long-term care facilities to have a minimum number of beds to be provided.by the tenderer and, if so, why; and (b) whether these facilities need to maintain a minimum proportion of rooms with four beds or more for their patients to receive Government means-tested subsidies for intermediate and long- term care services and, if so, what is this proportion.

*31.
*31.

Miss Cheng ~i Hui: To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider legislating two days of eldercare leave per year for employees.

*32.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs what is the status and progress of the installation of CCTVs at all HDB void decks and common areas.

No.9 14 MARCH 2016 6 *33.


Mr Darryl David: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the replacement fee for Identity Cards (ICs) can be waived for those citizens whose ICs have been damaged through fair wear and tear over time; and (b) whether such waivers can be based on a specified period such as one fee waiver for every 1 0-year period.

*34.
*34.

Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether there are any more lifts that are eligible for the Selective Lift Replacement Programme (SLRP); and (b) whether HDB has any plans to expand the scope of this programme to include lifts that prematurely become obsolete before HDB's recommended 28-year replacement and/or upgrading guidelines in the interests of passenger safety.

*35.
*35.

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry will consider (i) giving further incentives to building owners or developers to provide spaces for community facilities such as childcare centers, eldercare centers, libraries, and community clubs near transport nodes; and (ii) asking HDB to do the same at Town Centres that are near to transport nodes.

*36.
*36.

Mr Zainal Sapari: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what is the percentage of motorcycles registered under the Open Category COE in 2015; and (b) whether the Ministry can consider (i) increasing the supply of Category D or motorcycle COEs so as to reduce their COE prices; and (ii) allowing five-year renewals for motorcycle COEs.

*37.

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for National Development whether he can provide an update on the plan to link up Orchard Road malls by a network oflink~ays.
*38.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) whether the Ministry will consider introducing a module in schools to learn about consumer education.

*39.
*39.

Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Prime Minister (a) for each of the years from 2007 to 2012, how many undergraduate scholarships were offered by PSC, DSTA and A*STAR for local students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses overseas; and (b) how many of these scholars ended up breaking their bonds.

I '' : i i ! ''

No.9 14 MARCH 2016 7 *40.


Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for National Development what assistance plans does HDB have in place with regard to mortgage payments by those in their late 40s or 50s who have been retrenched, particularly where the husband and wife both lose their jobs at the same time.

*41.
*41.

Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what are the measures that HDB has put in place to (i) ensure the quality of Home Improvement Programme (HIP) upgrading works; (ii) minimise disamenities to residents undergoing HIP; and (b) what are the penalties imposed on contractors performing substandard HIP work.

*42.
*42.

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for Transport whether there is a plan to build covered walkways from MRT stations to public hospitals such as KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

*43.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether NParks has a maintenance schedule for the nature parks such as that for repairing foot paths and lights; and (b) whether there are any plans to upgrade the foot paths and facilities at the Bukit Batok Nature Park.

*44.
*44.

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Cbye: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number of power sub-stations that are built near to residential estates; (b) whether studies have been conducted to assess the impact of electro-magnetic fields emitted from the sub-stations on the health of human bodies; and (c) what measures are in place to minimise potential health hazards to residents living near these sub-stations.

*45.
*45.

Ms Tin Pei Ling: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the Ministry's assessment of the long term viability of shops and businesses in HDB heartlands; and (b) if rents can be maintained for shops and businesses in mature and aged HDB estates during tenancy renewal.

* Members may postpone their Questions to a later sitting day if their Questions are not reached by the end of Question Time.

The postponement forms are available at the Chamber entrances.
To ensure timely notice of such postponements, Members should submit their notices to the Clerk by 4.00 pm.

Questions will be given a written answer if no such notices are received by the Clerk.· No.9 14 MARCH 2016 8 ORDERS OF THE DAY Economic Expansion Incentives (Relief from Income Tax) (Amendment) Bill [Bill No.

9/2016]- (Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade))- Second Reading.

Tobacco [Bill No.

10/2016]- (Minister for Health)- Second Reading.


(Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Amendment) ·Bill 1.

2.

3.

Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill [Bill No.

I 112016]- (Minister for Social and Family Development)- Second Reading.

MEMORANDUM Matter proposed to be raised on the Motion for the Adjournment (Standing Order No.

2(8)(b)): Dr Tan Wu Meng (Jurong) Ensuring People-Centric Design in Pedestrian Lin.kway Planning.

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER 1.

2.

3.


Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Prime Minister (a) whether the Government will consider legislating (i) a second week of paternity leave for fathers and (ii) an increased share of maternity leave that mothers can share with their husbands; and (b) what are the measures or incentives that the Government is further considering to implement to improve the participation rate by companies to provide paternity leave.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Prime Minister (a) whether the Government will be reviewing childcare leave policies; (b) whether it will consider increasing the amount of extended childcare leave; and (c) whether it will consider pegging the amount of childcare leave to not only the age of the children but also the number of children one has.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Prime Minister (a) what is the trend of corruption in Singapore over the past five years; (b) whether the trend is expected to rise in the near future; and (c) why is there a need to set up the Corruption Reporting Centre at Whitley Road.

!

I I ~ l !· No.9 14 MARCH 2016 9 4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.


Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the Prime Minister whether the Public Service Division will consider (i) extending parent-care and childcare leave schemes to include family care for other immediate family members such as siblings, grandparents and children above 12 who require care and attention; and (ii) increasing the total number of days of such leave.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for Transport for each of the years from 2010 to 2015, what is the number of accidents involving e bikes that have been reported.

Assoc Prof Daniel Gob Pei Siong: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) how many companies have benefited from the Developmental Grant under the Work-Life Grant since the scheme was started; (b) how many of the companies are SMEs; and (c) how many of the companies have formalised the Flexi-Work Arrangements.
Assoc Prof Daniel Gob Pei Siong: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) how many companies have benefited from the Flexi-Work Arrangements Incentive under the Work-Life Grant; (b) how many of the companies are SMEs; and (c) how many Singaporean employees are utilising Flexi-Work Arrangements in these companies.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs if he can provide a breakdown of the number of new citizens each year between 2006-2015 listed according to their previous nationality prior to becoming Singapore citizens.

Ms Foo Mee Har: To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the basis upon which the yearly Medisave claim limits are set; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider allowing Singaporeans suffering from chronic illnesses to fully fund their medical bills using their Medisave.
Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) (a) in each year from 2010 to 2015, how many Singapore start-ups that have received Government grants have managed to successfully exit via IPO, merger or acquisition; (b) whether the exits, as a percentage of funded start-ups, on par with the ratios seen in other cities that are hotbeds of start up activity.

No.9 11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.
14 MARCH 2016 10 Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Finance (a) how many Government bodies have outsourced their IT, HR, customer contact centre or other functions to private sector shared service providers; and (b) in cases where the outsourced facility remains in Singapore, whether Government agencies routinely take into consideration the salaries of those employed in such outsourced facilities versus the salaries earned by civil servants performing the same function before the outsourcing as one consideration in awarding the outsourcing tender.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for Finance whether the Ministry will consider (i) extending the Wage Credit Scheme beyond 2017 in light of the global economic slowdown and (ii) increase the quantum of 20% co-funding by the Government.
Assoc Prof Daniel Gob Pei Siong: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) in each of the last five ·years, how many applications for personal protection orders have the Family Justice Courts received; (b) how many orders have been issued; and (c) what is the breakdown of the orders issued in terms ofthe family relationship between the complainant and respondent.
Assoc Prof Daniel Gob Pei Siong: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) in each of the last five years, how many cases of family violence have the Family Services Centres and the Family Violence Specialist Centres handled; and (b) what is the breakdown of the cases in terms of the family relationship between the abuser and victim.
Mr Alex Yam Ziming: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the breakdown of categories of exceptions made for sole tenancy of public rental housing over the last five years, (b) how many rentals of single-tenanted flats are due to disputes between tenants; and (c) whether there is a potential loophole where tenants create a living atmosphere that is detrimental to potential co-tenants.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for National Development in each of the past five years (a) what is the estimated population of stray dogs, stray cats and wild monkeys respectively; (b) what is the number of stray dogs, stray cats and wild monkeys respectively which have been culled; and (c) what is the number of stray dogs, stray cats and wild monkeys respectively which have been trapped and subsequently re-homed or relocated.

No.9 14 MARCH 2016 11 17.

18.


Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) for each ofthe years from 2013 to 2015, what is the lowest and highest amount of funding given to schools, broken down by primary, secondary, and independent schools.

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) how many hours of Physical Education lessons do school children have currently and whether this is adequate.

PAPERS PRESENTED 2016 S.L.


93 Planning (Deferment of Payment of Temporary Development Levy by Charities) Rules 2016 Date Presented 2 March 2016 S.L.

94 Planning Levy) (Amendment) Rules 2016 (Temporary Development ..... 2 March 2016