(Fertility schemes implemented late so... ) "Too early to review fertility schemes": DPM Wong

(Fertility schemes implemented late so... ) "Too early to review fertility schemes": DPM Wong
By Evelyn Choo | Posted: 18 February 2011 1541 hrs
SINGAPORE: Schemes to boost Singapore's fertility rate will be reviewed when the time is right, said Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng.
 Mr Wong said this in response to a question in parliament from MPs, who wanted to know what new strategies the government will pursue to increase the fertility rate among Singaporeans.
The country's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) hit an all-time low of 1.16 last year.
Mr Wong, who is also the minister in charge of population issues, said it is too early to assess the effectiveness of the current schemes, as they have only been in place for two-and-a half years.
The schemes include the Baby Bonus package, increased maternity and childcare leave, as well as higher childcare subsidies.
"I think the issue is far more complex than putting in more money or encouraging people to have babies," Mr Wong said.
"And as Mr Hri Kumar pointed out, we have certainly seen a change in values and mindset in the way people perceive marriage and having children.
"We know some people who can well afford to have many children, but they have very few. And some who can't afford to have children, and they have many. So when we deal with human beings, talking about emotions and peoples' needs, I don't think there's a single answer to deal with this issue."
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...111547/1/.html
-CNA/wk


End-notes/ References:
- 'A first class government': "Unless there is a first class political leadership and judiciary, the Civil Service, however capable and dedicated will not be able to function properly." PM Lee [ST23Mar2007] ... A first class government that 'pilfers' public funds to fund its private partisan activities under the guise of the PA:
- 'How PAP uses taxpayer-funded grassroots for political gain': "The People’s Association (PA) [pict][URL], ..Like all other stat boards, it receives a yearly grant from the government to run its programmes and cover operational costs.. It spent a total of $320 million last year. However unlike most stat boards, whose chairmen are usually the permanent secretary of the parent ministry or some other senior civil servant, PA’s chairman is none other than the Prime Minister [pict]. .. No other public sector board in Singapore has so many “Men in White” on it...The de facto leader of all the CCCs, CCMCs, RCs and NCs in each constituency is known as the “adviser to the grassroots organisations (GROs)”. ... In PAP constituencies, PA always appoints the elected MP as the adviser. But in opposition wards, PA appoints the PAP candidate who lost in the last election, not the opposition MP" [G Giam, 10Oct2009].

- '‘Adviser over MP’ raises many questions': "PAP MPs are appointed as advisers to the grassroots organisations in their wards by the People’s Association (PA). In the two opposition wards, the PA picked the PAP candidates who contested but lost in the wards in the last two polls as the grassroots advisers." [ST, 22Oct2009][alt link].

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