“PRACTICAL CONSTRAINTS” IN ORDER TO KEEPING DATA UP-TO-DATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
The time lag issue affected about a few, 100 households or even about 0. 3 per cent of all households living in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, noted Ms Indranee.
There were another twenty three cases of U-Save rebates given although there were no Singapore citizens in the household, “due to errors in agencies’ databases”.
“While we try to make an effort to keep our information updated as soon as possible, you can find practical constraints, ” said Ms Indranee.
To look for the eligibility of families for the U-Save discounts, the data included the identities of the proprietors and occupiers associated with HDB flats, the quantity and types of properties they own, along with their citizenship and living status.
“The relevant authorities agencies have processes in place to keep their particular databases updated. For additional assurance, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) also engages another auditor to conduct an annual audit for the allotment logic regarding U-Save rebates, to make sure that households are given the correct amount of rebates, ” added Ms Indranee.
“For the U-Save payments that were the subject of AGO’s report, no errors were detected during these prior checks. ”
RECOVERY ASSOCIATED WITH REBATES
MOF has begun recovering the particular rebates given to ineligible households, said Microsoft Indranee.
She added that this ministry is dealing with data agencies to tighten its functional processes to ensure the technique latest available information to administer the GST Voucher U-Save plan.
A home’s eligibility is determined “on a pre-determined cut-off date”, Ms Indranee said, adding those who do not be eligible on that time will not be eligible for the relevant round of discounts.
“However, should their situations change after that date such that they subsequently meet the eligibility criterion, they will be included in the later disbursements of the rebates, provided they remain eligible on the next cut-off day, ” she additional.
Responding to Person in Parliament Tan Wu Meng’s (PAP-Jurong) query on whether there are eligible households who missed out on the U-save rebates, Ms Indranee said there were no system flaws resulting in this.
“Any feedback or appeals regarding entitled households who might not have received their rebates is investigated to ensure that eligible households aren’t left out, ” the girl added.