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18 posts
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1. Survey studies have shown that the majority of Singaporeans desire marriage and to have children. Resident marriages have hovered around
22,000 annually in the past 5 years, while resident live-births are 36,000. However, our nation’s total fertility rate (TFR) remains relatively low at 1.26 children per resident female. Faced with the pressures of a competitive society, singles are postponing marriage to a later age and married couples are having fewer children and also having them later.
2. To support Singaporeans’ aspirations of starting and raising families, the Government introduced the first Marriage and Parenthood (M&P)
package in 2000, and enhanced it in 2004. Some of the enhanced measures in 2004 included the Baby Bonus, which was extended to the first and the
fourth child, and the extension of maternity leave from 8 weeks to 12 weeks. There are also the Parenthood Tax Rebate, which offers $10,000 for
the second child and $20,000 each for the third and fourth child; and the infant care subsidy of $400 per month for infants (first to fourth child) enrolled in infant care programmes at child care centres.
3. Noting the trends in marriage and fertility rates, and desirous to explore how families’ can be further supported, the National Family Council (NFC) would be organising a focus group discussion to hear your views on these issues. The NFC is a people sector-led Council formed on 1 May 2006 to serve as the bridge between the people and Government in policies and programmes related to the family. I am the current chairman of the Council which comprises 16 members from the public.
4. For the proposed focus group discussion, the NFC would in particular like to gather feedback on the 2004 marriage and parenthood measures and
how this can be further enhanced or revised, if necessary. Areas for discussion could include marriages, work-family and childcare support. The
session will be chaired by the National Family Council.any one interest!!!!
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