The Disabled People's Association appreciates the setting up of a trust-fund scheme that will benefit children with disabilities. The Government's action will help families secure a good future for such children.

We are also happy that the scheme is focusing on the middle- and lower-income families. It is reassuring that an endowment fund is being considered to help beneficiaries whose accounts may gradually dry up.

We are concerned that a proposed minimum sum of $5,000 - for parents to open an individual trust account for their child - might be difficult for some families to raise, especially those in the lower- income bracket. We hope that a mechanism will be put in place to help them save small amounts over a period of time to open an account.

Also, people with disabilities who belong to Singapore's ageing population need assistance. The new CPF Life annuities scheme seems to cater exclusively to able-bodied workers.

Leo Chen Ian
President
Disabled People's Association