MPs call for more holistic approach to delivery of aid

SINGAPORE — A rethink of how social assistance is delivered is needed to ensure that vulnerable families with multiple problems receive more coordinated help and that the “upstream” causes are looked at, said Members of Parliament (MPs) at the start of the Committee of Supply debate for the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

Referring to the 18 or more tiered assistance schemes available, Nominated MP Laurence Lien asked whether this “kueh lapis” approach would create silos, when more holistic intervention is needed.

He also questioned whether the MSF was “too laden” with the downstream consequences of social problems such as poverty and debt, whose root causes are overseen by other ministries. “How does the ministry tackle problems holistically when it often may not have the upstream tools?” he asked, adding that a dedicated agency to look after vulnerable families with complex challenges could be set up.

MP Denise Phua (Moulmein-Kallang GRC) also called for a system where various community groups on the ground are “better linked” so that “those with needs will not be over-served, under-served or worse, fall through the cracks and not served at all”. “I had convened a meeting of more than 10 voluntary and government social service providers ... Most of the helping hands were either unaware of each other’s programmes or are reluctant to work with each other,” she said.

Twenty-six MPs rose to speak yesterday on issues ranging from the needs of people with disabilities to more support for single parents in raising their children. Several sought clarity on plans for the childcare sector for the coming year, while Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC) and NMP Mary Liew drew attention to the need for more resources for special needs children.

“Very often, mothers with special needs children are unable to take on full-time jobs, due to a lack of schools that provide full-day care, and there is a lack of resources within schools to provide individual attention for these children,” Ms Liew said.

There were also calls for the legal system to better protect the elderly against abuse and abandonment, with Dr Lily Neo (Tanjong Pagar GRC) noting that many abused elderly may not report it for various reasons, such as feeling ashamed. “The perpetrators (of elderly abuse) must be brought to task with better provision of deterrents in place and laws that have more teeth to prosecute,” she said.

Ms Tin Pei Ling (Marine Parade GRC) asked if the Government could consider allowing neutral third parties to apply for maintenance on behalf of seniors whose children are unwilling to care for them even though they have the financial means. “Proper guidelines” such as the neutral party showing proof of neglect or abandonment could be established, she added.

“Of course, there are cases that are complex and the children may have very valid reasons for wanting to keep their parents at arm’s length,” Ms Tin said. “These should be considered, but this cannot happen if there is no opportunity to do so.”

The debate continues today.