ANOTHER $700 million will be spent on new ways to encourage Singaporeans to marry and to have babies. In all, the Government will spend $1.6 billion a year, announced Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
These include:
1) Government matchmaking agencies SDU and SDS will be merged. They now cater to graduates and non-graduates respectively.
By joining forces, they can offer members more activities and choices, and hopefully more pairing-ups, marriages and children.
2) SDU will certify private dating agencies that meet its quality standards. These will be given an 'SDU Trust' mark.
This will give the 'best of both worlds' for those who 'don't want the government to know that they're dating but also want quality assurance', said Mr Lee.
<font size="+2"><font color="ff0000">3) Childcare leave, introduced in 2004, will be extended from two to six days a year. It can be claimed by either parent.
4) Parents will get one week of unpaid infant-care leave a year, until the child turns two. It can be claimed by either parent.</font></font>
5) Family-friendly companies will be recognised and thanked publicly. The 'special effort' will be led by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and the Manpower Ministry.
Mr Lee applauded those employers that make flexible arrangements for mothers and have positive attitudes.
'When you go, they don't make a sour face and they don't make you feel that a little black mark willl be recorded in your annual confidential report,' he said. 'It makes a big difference. And with a bit of effort and imagination, you can do a lot.'
6) Maternity leave will be extended by another month, giving mothers a total of four months leave.
Like with the third month leave, the Government will pay for the new extra month. It can be taken any time in the first year of the child's birth.
7) Baby Bonus will be increased for first-time parents. Details will be given later.
Financial considerations cannot be the motive for having children, stressed Mr Lee. 'I think if you suggest to a couple that you know I give you a bit of discount, how about having more kids, I think many will be very indignant at this, and rightly so.
'But it's right for us to help women to lighten the burden of having children.'
8) Tax incentives will be improved to encourage mothers to work.
9) Childcare sector to get a big boost.
More centres will be built to give quick access to one.
They will be more affordable because the subsidy for a child will be increased.
Their standards will be raised.
Said Mr Lee: 'Before they reach school, the first six years, those are critical and you want to have the peace of mind that they are being looked after well.'
10) The Government will 'substantially' give support to kindergartens that meet the Education Ministry's criteria.
Besides better-trained teachers, they will get better syllabuses, a higher-quality environment and be better run, so that kids grow up much more confident, said Mr Lee.
This is particularly for those whose backgrounds aren't so ideal at home. 'They will be able to make it in kindergarten and start from a more equal starting point when they go to school.'
11) Financial aid will be given to couples seeking in-vitro fertilisation treatment to fulfill their desire to have a baby.
12) Couples with many children will get more support.
Incentives such as tax relief and childcare subsidy will be extended to the fifth child onwards. Now, they stop at the fourth child.
Said Mr Lee: 'There are not many of them but I hope the incentives will encourage those who can afford it to have more.'
