Disbursements from Open Door Fund

20 Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many awards under the Open Door Fund have been disbursed each year since the fund was launched; (b) what is the average quantum of the disbursal; and (c) what results have been reported in terms of the number of persons with disabilities hired in cases where the funds have been applied.

Mr Tan Chuan-Jin: In 2014, the Open Door Fund (ODF) was enhanced and renamed the Open Door Programme (ODP). The ODP is supported by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Social and Family Development and administered by SG Enable. It encourages the employment of persons with disabilities, through a range of initiatives, including apprenticeships, training, job and workplace re-design. Since 2014, 140 companies have applied for ODP support for the employment of persons with disabilities. The average claim per company is $3,000.

Besides the ODP, there are other initiatives to promote the employment of persons with disabilities. For example, SG Enable works with voluntary welfare organisation partners to provide job placement and support services for persons with disabilities. Collectively, they have placed about 650 persons with disabilities in employment over the past two years, some with the support of the ODP.