Ensuring Correct Use of Dormitory Transition Scheme Grants
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Dr Choo Pei Ling’s inquiry regarding measures to ensure the responsible use of Dormitory Transition Scheme (DTS) grants and safeguards against potential fund misuse. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng stated the grant defrays retrofitting costs for dormitories to meet interim standards by 2030, specifically for ensuite toilets, partitions, and isolation facilities. Funding is applied at a piece rate for required works only, excluding existing facilities that already meet standards or those that exceed specified requirements. The Ministry of Manpower ensures compliance by evaluating eligibility and requiring certifications from Qualified Persons after all retrofitting works are finished. Grant disbursement occurs only after the Ministry of Manpower conducts a final inspection to confirm the dormitory has successfully met the mandated DTS interim standards.
Transcript
79 Dr Choo Pei Ling asked the Minister for Manpower regarding the Dormitory Transition Scheme (DTS), (a) what are the measures to ensure that operators utilise the funding DTS grant responsibly and in line with the intended objectives of DTS; (b) what are the safeguards against misuse or abuse of these funds; and (c) whether there will be regular inspections and audits during the retrofitting processes.
Dr Tan See Leng: The intent of the Dormitory Transition Scheme (DTS) grant is to help dormitories defray the costs of retrofitting to meet DTS interim standards by the end of 2030. The DTS grant will apply to only three specific categories of retrofitting works, such as building an ensuite toilet, installing room partitions and building isolation facilities. Each category will be funded at a piece rate, which has been set in consultation with the industry.
The grant amount for each dormitory will be based on the extent of retrofitting works required to meet the DTS interim standards. The DTS grant will not cover existing facilities that already meet the DTS interim standards or additional facilities that go beyond these requirements.
To ensure that the DTS grant is utilised for its intended purpose, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will evaluate the retrofitting works to check if they qualify for funding, and disburse the grant only after the dormitory has completed all the retrofitting works and obtained the necessary certifications from their Qualified Persons. MOM will also conduct an inspection to ensure that the dormitory meets the DTS interim standards before the grant is disbursed.