Past Instances where Funds from Co-operative Societies Liquidation Account were Used to Support Co-operative Movement

47 Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether there have been past instances whereby funds from the Co-operative Societies Liquidation Account (CSLA) were used under section 88 of the Co-operative Societies Act to support the co-operative movement; (b) whether there are future plans to use the CSLA funds to support the co-operative societies in Singapore; and (c) if so, what are they.

Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: Under the Co-operative Societies Act, the Co-operative Societies Liquidation Account (CSLA) may be utilised generally for the furtherance of co-operative principles and for the benefit of the co-operative societies (co-ops), such as provision of training grants. Most recently, the CSLA is used to fund the Empowering Communities Fund, which aims to empower co-ops to drive community initiatives and projects to assist and support vulnerable communities and for co-ops to do their part to complement the Government's efforts in strengthening Singapore's social compact.