Increase in ComCare Assistance Cases

15 Mr Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Social and Family Development whether there has been an increase in ComCare assistance cases compared to last year.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social and Family Development (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for Social and Family Development): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) disbursed ComCare assistance to about 39,200 unique households in financial year (FY) 2016, a slight decrease from around 39,500 unique households assisted by ComCare in FY2015.

Mr Speaker: Mr Seah Kian Peng.

Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade): I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the answer. Some clarifications.

First, the slight drop, it goes against the revised criteria where the ComCare Assistance has been tweaked. In fact, the criteria have all gone up. So, I am a little bit surprised that the numbers have come down somewhat.

I would also like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether the Social Service Offices (SSOs) which have been in operation for some time, whether the fact that they do not operate during weekends, is that something which should be reviewed as a way to reach out to the people who may need help, particularly during weekends?

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: I thank Mr Seah for the supplementary questions.

Let me answer the second question first. The SSOs which have been developed over the years have come to a situation whereby the numbers have stabilised and we are able to reach out to be more accessible to fellow Singaporeans. If we look at the trends, there seem to be indications that because of the increase in accessibility and because of the nature that we work where it becomes pervasive, the numbers that we have seen, in fact, not only stabilised, but have decreased this year.

And even though we made some changes to the criteria, nevertheless, there are areas whereby, because of the changes in the criteria, such as student care, the help that we give, there was an increase in the number of those who received help. Also, because of the increase in numbers as well as the criteria that are given, we are happy to be able to help our fellow Singaporeans.

With regard to the issues that the Member asked relating to weekends, again, the Member will realise that because of this SSO availability, and also we see more and more grassroots organisations able to reach out to residents better, and we also received residents calling our ComCare number 1800-222-0000, it is something that I want to encourage every Member here to memorise and see how we can facilitate the process, just give a call and see how we can help fellow Singaporeans. So, while the numbers have decreased, it also shows that we have come to a situation whereby we are able to reach out and the numbers have stabilised in terms of the number of SSOs.

We are in a position to be able to help Singaporeans when they need it. Also, we want to make sure that the lifestyle of caring becomes pervasive and it is a norm among Singaporeans. When I look at the figure, I feel very happy because while in terms of the situation that we have here, but yet we are able to reach out to fellow Singaporeans and make sure those who cannot find a job, we help them to find a job, and those who need help, we get not only our ComCare avenues to help, but get the community to help each and every one Singaporean.

Mr Speaker: Mr Leon Perera.

Mr Leon Perera (Non-Constituency Member): Just a quick supplementary question. In the same vein, when we talk about making sure ComCare is available to everyone who needs it, will the SSOs work with applicants or potential applicants to overcome issues, like they are not able to go down and bring documentation, because that is usually one of the steps in the process that they have to go down to the SSOs with documentation. Some of them, of course, are not very mobile or have chronic conditions. Some of them have to take leave from work to do so. So, would the SSOs try to overcome that by, for example, having a phone conversation and exchange of documents some other way, by mail or email, or will they consider even making house visits in certain cases where it is absolutely necessary?

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: I thank the Member for the question. It is a very important question because, like what I have shared with Mr Seah earlier, it is not only the role of the SSOs, I am happy to see community leaders, grassroots leaders, working together with Government agencies to help our fellow Singaporeans. Let us, say, in my area, if there are residents who have issues, who even cannot go to the SSO, my grassroots leaders and fellow residents will come and assist in the process. And SSO officers also do house visits. It is something that I want to assure the House that we will do all we can to help fellow Singaporeans.