MCYS reviewing scope and adequacy of its childcare subsidy schemes

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is reviewing the scope of and adequacy of its childcare subsidy schemes, following labour Member of Parliament Halimah Yacob's call to raise the income ceiling from the current $1,800.

Howver MCYS Minister of State Yu-Foo Yee Shoon told Parliament yesterday that the ministry, however, has no plans to introduce more subsidies beyond what is already provided for under the Student Care Fee Assistance Scheme, as student care fees are "still generally affordable". She said the number of child beneficiaries has increased over the last three years with the income ceiling raised from $1,500 to $1,800.

But Mdm Halimah wants it further increased to $2,500 - so that more families can qualify and be encouraged to have more children - a suggestion which Mrs Yu-Foo said the ministry will consider.

MP Josephine Teo (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) recounted the incident of a sole breadwinner whose subsidy was stopped by the student care centre as soon as he got a pay increase of $200. This made him feel as if he had not received a pay raise.

"Could MCYS perhaps look at tiering the subsidy so that the families feel that they still have improved circumstances and not have the subsidy taken away?" asked Ms Teo. Mrs Yu-Foo said it would be considered.

ORIGINAL SOURCE