Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei mayoral candidate Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday released his women and children’s policy, promising to give subsidies of up to NT$30,000 (US$950) to city residents who have children.
He proposed a NT$20,000 subsidy for parents who have their first baby, and in an effort to increase the city’s birthrate and ease the burden on parents, a second newborn in the family would be eligible for a NT$30,000 subsidy.
Su also promised to give a monthly subsidy of NT$2,500 to families with one child under the age of six. Family with two or more children would receive a NT$2,500 monthly subsidy for their first-born child and NT$3,000 for every additional child.
The DPP candidate presented the policy after a similar subsidy plan was presented by Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) in May.
In Hau’s subsidy plan, Taipei residents who have a child would be eligible for a NT$20,000 subsidy from Jan. 1. The city government would offer the subsidy for a newborn if either parent’s registered household has been in Taipei City for more than one year. Families with children under five years old and an annual net income below NT$1.13 million would receive a monthly subsidy of NT$2,500.
Su described Hau’s birth subsidy plan as an irresponsible strategy to attract voters’ support by “paying the bill once and leaving,” and insisted that his women and children’s policy would include other measures, including raising the quality of childcare service.
“The money is of course an incentive, but not the only one. Our policy is more comprehensive and will more effectively encourage an increase in the birth rate,” he said.
Hau defended his birth subsidy plan yesterday, saying the city would also enhance the after-school care of students as a way to ease the burden on parents. He also ridiculed Su for copying the content of his policy.
“I am happy to see that Mr Su is following our footsteps and presenting a similar subsidy plan,” he said.
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