Is Government spending enough on social services?

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http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/govt-spending-enough-social-services-20131224

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said more social spending does not mean better results ("More govt not always better govt: PM Lee"; last Friday).

Yes, it is wise not to waste money on Western-style welfare programmes. But is the Government spending enough?

We are told there is a "many helping hands" approach to social services.

The work of voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) like the St Andrew's Mission Hospital is exemplary, but these organisations need to have many helping hands.

Funding for VWOs is unpredictable; their only stable source of funding is the portion co-funded by the Government.

Can Singapore afford to provide more financial support for its VWOs? Yes, it can, judging by our billion-dollar infrastructure projects in recent years.

Our coming of age can be better demonstrated if the Government can guarantee the continued funding of social services that are already well established.

Funding for such services will never go to waste because they are serving real needs.

John Yeo Kee Chiang