Demand and Supply of Dedicated Transport Services for Children with Disabilities

5 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) in the last five years, whether there has been an increase in the demand for dedicated transport services for children with disabilities to access (i) the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC), (ii) Special Education (SPED) schools, (iii) Day Activity Centres (DACs), (iv) Sheltered Workshops (SWs) and (v) Special Student Care Centres (SSCCs); and (b) if so, whether the demand has been completely met by registered school bus operators.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Our public transport has catered well to many persons with disabilities. Not all persons with disabilities require dedicated transport services to access Special Education (SPED) schools or disability services.

SPED schools and disability service providers will make suitable transport arrangements for persons with disabilities who require dedicated transport services. The Government defrays the cost of such dedicated transport services through the Enabling Transport Subsidy.

Over the past five years, the number of persons with disabilities who have tapped into the Enabling Transport Subsidy for dedicated transport services has increased by an average of 6% annually. This can be attributed to the increase in enrolment in SPED schools and disability services.