New drop—in programme for disabled: Chan Chun Sing

SINGAPORE: The Social and Family Development Ministry will pilot a new drop—in disability programme at existing community facilities.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing said the programme will cater to those who do not require full day care, but social interaction and recreational activities for a few hours a day, a few times a week.

Four pilots will be carried out at different locations this year.

Plans have already been announced to develop more community—based facilities.

There are currently 19 day activity centres which provide 950 places for the adult disabled who need full day care.

By 2020, there will be 29 centres offering about 1,450 places.

The first five new centres will be up within the next five years.

For adults with disabilities who need residential care, Mr Chan said there are plans to provide an additional 2,400 residential places by 2020.

Mr Chan said: "We are also looking at new sources of manpower to see whether we can open up more opportunities for people to contribute part—time services to this community. At the same time, in order to ensure that our manpower supply is robust, we will also need to explore alternative sources of manpower beyond the traditional countries that we have been working with."

— CNA/xq/ck