Plans to set up more ServiceSG centres across Singapore

Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on plans to set up more ServiceSG centres across Singapore

Parliament Sitting: 29 Feb 2024

Mr Yip Hon Weng: To ask the Prime Minister whether the Public Service Division can share what are the plans (i) to set up more ServiceSG centres across Singapore and to involve more partnering agencies in the initiative and (ii) to require that at the same time for Ministries and agencies to set aside physical counters for seniors requiring assistance to access public services.

Oral Reply by Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education and Minister-in-charge of the Public Service

1. The Public Service is committed to ensuring that Government services continue to be accessible and inclusive for all as more Government services digitalise. We have put in place schemes and initiatives to bridge the digital divide, by enabling digital access and accessibility, and upskilling citizens on digital skills and knowledge.

2. We have significantly expanded the number of ServiceSG Centres to better serve the community. Since its inception in 2021, ServiceSG has set up 7 centres. These centres are located at Our Tampines Hub, One Punggol, Bukit Canberra, Kampong Chai Chee Community Club, Nee Soon Central Community Club, The Frontier Community Club, and Keat Hong Community Club. The ServiceSG Centres have also expanded their service offerings in partnership with more than 25 agencies, providing almost 600 services to citizens.

3. We will continue to expand the network of centres to prioritise areas with higher demand and concentration of citizens, particularly seniors, who require support with multiple digital transactions. In line with this, two new centres will be established at Woodlands Civic Centre and Bukit Merah town central by the end of 2024.

4. Presently, all our agencies with physical service centres primarily offer in-person assistance on an appointment-only basis. This approach allows citizens to schedule visits at their convenience for transactions that cannot be completed online, thereby reducing the frustration of long queues or wait times. While agencies encourage citizens to make appointments for face-to-face consultations, they do exercise discretion in assisting less digitally savvy and vulnerable individuals who walk in without making appointments. Trained service ambassadors are also present at these service centres to assist less digitally literate individuals in triaging their needs and completing their transactions.

5. Seniors can also walk into ServiceSG Centres and no prior appointment is needed.