Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday indicated that paternity leave may finally get the nod. He said that though the government has previously rejected the idea, it may be time for a change.

"We have said no for a long time, but I think it is time we change to signal the importance of the father's role and your shared responsibility for raising children," he said.

He added: "So please use the paternity leave for the purpose it was given."

Paternity leave was one of the many suggestions that have been put forward since the National Population and Talent Division began a consultation on the population issue in July.

Other ideas put forward including having flexible work arrangements, giving priority to couples with young children for public housing, creating a Medisave account for each child at birth and to improve the Baby Bonus scheme.

It was unlikely, however, that suggestions to increase the maternity from four to six months would be taken up. He said the current length of maternity leave was about right.