Parliament Briefs: Weather to blame for 'popping tiles'

Last month's cold snap is likely to blame for the higher-than-normal number of reported cases of "popping tiles" in HDB flats.

Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee said the high number of cases was "likely due to the unusually cold weather over a prolonged period and temperature fluctuations".

The Housing Board had previously said the high number was "consistent with the experience of previous years" where there seemed to be more tiles dislodged during "colder months". Last month saw the longest cold spell in a decade, with temperatures sometimes dipping to 21 deg C over a five-day stretch due to a monsoon surge.

Alongside the cool weather came 700 reported cases of dislodged tiles in HDB flats in the first half of January - a third of the total reported in the whole of 2016.

The $40 off-peak monthly travel pass scheme, which was cancelled last December, had "failed miserably", said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan in Parliament yesterday.

The scheme, which allowed elderly commuters with the pass to make unlimited bus and train rides during off-peak hours on weekdays, was a two-year trial intended to encourage users to shift their travel to off-peak periods.

But fewer than 200 commuters made the switch, said Mr Khaw, and the scheme was discontinued by the Public Transport Council this year.

Tree failure incidents hit record low The number of tree failure incidents last year was the lowest on record, at 406.

This is a 60 per cent decline from 2012, Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee told Parliament yesterday.

He said the National Parks Board is adopting various strategies to reduce tree fall incidents.

They include increasing tree inspection frequency, pruning trees to improve their structure and balance, and developing new modelling techniques to understand the impact of adverse environmental conditions, such as strong winds and heavy rainfall, on the structural integrity of trees.

The Government is looking at measures to pave the way for private housing developments that want to let elderly residents age in place.

In a written response to Non-Constituency MP Daniel Goh, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said his ministry is "reviewing the Development Control guidelines to provide more clarity on retirement housing developments".

He added that the Government will continue to explore more new models in both public and private housing, and share more details when ready.

By the year end, healthcare workers will be able to refer to guides setting out the roles, skills, competencies and training required for their jobs.

Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor said yesterday that Healthcare Skills Frameworks are being developed by her ministry and SkillsFuture Singapore to help organisations hire, pay and promote staff based on competency rather than academic qualifications or grades.

Nurses, allied health professionals, pharmacy technicians and support care staff are among those who will come under the new frameworks.