The Social Development Sector consists of 6 Ministries: MOE, MITA, MND, ENV, MOH, and MCDS.

This sector will continue to account for $13.4 billion or 44% of government expenditure in FY2004, forming the largest component of government spending.

The government aims to achieve the following objectives in Social Sector:

In FY2004, the Social Sector agencies will work towards their goals by allocating their expenditure to emphasise the following:

To maintain a high standard of healthcare, the Government will provide MOH with an increased budget of $2.24 billion to subsidise Singaporeans’ healthcare costs through 13 public hospitals and healthcare institutions, 17 polyclinics and 64 voluntary organisations.

New measures will be put in place at the healthcare institutions for prevention, containment and control of SARS and other disease outbreaks.

As part of the efforts to develop Singapore’s human capital to the maximum, MOE will allocate $5.68 billion in FY2004 to subsidise education from primary school to university.

To provide more education options for our people, MOE will be implementing a broader mix of programmes, types of schools and pathways to university education, including integrated programmes, alternative qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate, and privately funded schools. MOE will also support the development and operation of specialised independent schools such as the Sports School set up by MCDS.

To ensure adequate social support to help Singaporeans in need regain their independence, MCDS will set aside $52 million for social assistance and institutional care for needy Singaporeans, as well as intervention programmes for children from families at risk. MCDS will also set aside $22 million to cater to the needs of persons with disabilities through the provision of childcare centres offering integrated childcare programme for children with special needs aged 2-6 years, Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children Centres for young children with disabilities aged 0-6 years old, and VWO services for people with disabilities.

The government will continue to support and encourage marriage and childbirth, putting aside funds to support and encourage married couples to have more children through family support programmes such as the Baby Bonus, 3^rd child maternity leave, childcare subsidies and tax rebates and reliefs.

To provide affordable quality public housing, MND will spend $422 million to subsidise public housing. Another $666 million has been set aside to upgrade older housing estates through various estate renewal programmes.

MND will maintain the Garden City environment. $23 million will be allocated to develop new parks and park connectors, and redevelop existing parks to provide optimal greenery, parks and recreational space for the public.

$48 million will be allocated to the operations of Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority to ensure safety of our food supply, and to combat global threats of food-related disease.

ENV will allocate $695 million to construct the new Changi Water Reclamation Plant together with Phase I of the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System. Another $208 million will be set aside to enhance our living environment and maintain the quality of our air and water.

The Government will provide support to the arts and culture sector to enrich the lives of Singaporeans. MITA will allocate $112 million to organise arts and museum events, groom local artistic talents/groups, produce arts education and heritage outreach programmes, and redevelop existing museums and heritage sites (such as the Singapore History Museum, Asian Civilisations Museum). MITA will also allocate funds to support a network of regional and community libraries for 37 million library visitors.