Question 1

About $116 million in ComCare assistance was provided in Financial Year 2014 (FY14) from 1 Apr 2014 to 31 Mar 2015. According to the latest ComCare Annual Report published by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), this is an increase of more than 10% in ComCare assistance disbursed compared to $102 million in the previous FY.

In FY14, the number of households helped under the Short-to-Medium term assistance (SMTA) scheme saw the largest increase at 13%, from about 24,300 to 27,500 households. This increase occurred in the context of more Social Service Offices (SSOs) being set up, leading to greater access to services.

In conjunction with the release of the ComCare Annual Report, MSF has also published a ComCare Trends Report covering the years FY2012-FY2014. The report highlights the profiles of the households assisted under ComCare over the past three financial years.

As noted in the Trends Report, the typical profile of households on Short-to-Medium term and Long term assistance has remained relatively unchanged over the past three years. Households on Short-to-Medium term assistance were mostly headed by persons who were middle-aged (40s-50s) and married. Households on Long Term assistance were mainly elderly one-person households who were aged 65 and above.

Commenting on the FY14 ComCare Annual Report, Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Tan Chuan-Jin said, "The Government remains committed to supporting low-income Singaporeans and their families. More such families are receiving ComCare assistance as the setting up of the Social Service Offices has improved our outreach. MSF will continue to review our social assistance policies, programmes and service delivery to ensure that they remain relevant and responsive to evolving needs. We will also strengthen collaboration with community partners to serve those in need."

Adapted from Ministry for Social and Family Development Press Release, 17 Dec 2015

There has been much discussion in the media with regards to the ComCare Fund. Many issues in relation to the ComCare Fund have been debated in the discussions. The two articles provided reflect some of the discussions regarding this issue in Singapore.

In about 750 words, write a synthesis essay on the ComCare Fund. You will need to narrow this broad topic. You must formulate a thesis about this issue and provide evidence that will support your thesis. You are not required to take a stand in this essay. Relevant information for you to gather would be:

• Issues (economic, social, educational and etc.) surrounding the ComCare Fund
• Evidence for the ComCare Fund
• Evidence against the ComCare Fund
• Improvements to existing measures

Attachment:- COR.rar