Number of Website Portals Digitally Providing Government Services to the Public and Avenues for Singaporeans to Access Such Services
Prime Minister's OfficeSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the accessibility and quantity of government digital service portals, with Dr Tan Wu Meng inquiring about mobile functionality and support for citizens without computing devices. Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean replied that there are approximately 600 government domains, which are being grouped into common portals like LifeSG and GoBusiness to improve user convenience. Although all websites are designed for mobile and desktop access, complex tasks requiring extensive input are restricted to desktops, and users are notified of this upfront. For digital inclusion, the Home Access and Mobile Access for Seniors schemes provide subsidies for hardware and broadband to low-income households and seniors. Furthermore, citizens can access government services via internet-accessible devices at Citizen Connect Centres and Our Tampines Hub or utilize offline options at physical service counters.
Transcript
1 Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Prime Minister with regard to website portals digitally providing government services to the public including those operated by subcontractors (a) how many of such portals currently exist; (b) what proportion provide identical functionality when accessed by smartphones and mobile computing devices as compared to desktop computers; and (c) what avenues are provided for Singaporeans to access such services who are not in possession of a computing device.
Mr Teo Chee Hean (for the Prime Minister): There are about 600 website domains belonging to Government agencies. They provide informational and transactional services to the public, including those operated by subcontractors. For greater convenience, Government digital services are being grouped together for easier access through common access portals such as LifeSG and GoBusiness.
All Government websites are required to be designed for access from both desktops and mobile computing devices such as tablets or smartphones. However, there are functionalities and services that cannot be delivered on a smaller screen effectively, such as those requiring extensive input and documentation (e.g. filing of Form IR21 for tax clearance). These functionalities and services will be disabled for access via mobile devices, and users will be informed upfront that the service is not available on mobile devices and thus best accessed from desktop devices.
Eligible members of the public may apply to IMDA's Home Access (HA) scheme, which subsidises broadband connectivity and a computing device for low-income households; or the Mobile Access for Seniors scheme, which subsidises personal mobile phones and plans for lower-income seniors. Alternatively, members of the public may access Government digital services in-person at PA's Citizen Connect Centres located at selected Community Centres, and at Our Tampines Hub's Public Service Centre, where internet-accessible devices are available for public use. For members of the public who are unable to make use of online services, offline options remain available at physical counters.