Committee of Supply 2025 debate, Day 3: Baey Yam Keng on grants for clean coffee shop toilets

Coffee shops are privately operated commercial premises but patrons and non-patrons can use their toilets, providing a public service to the community. This is particularly important for an ageing population. Instead of building public toilets in the community, the government could tap on coffee shops, which are natural gathering points for residents. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng, who highlighted the importance of coffee shops in parliament on Tuesday (Mar 4), announced that the government will set aside S$5 million each for their toilet renovation and deep cleaning. Coffee shop operators can apply to the National Environment Agency for funding of up to 95 per cent of their toilet renovation costs, capped at S$50,000 per coffee shop. They can also apply for up to 95 per cent funding of their two-year deep cleaning contract costs, capped at S$25,000 per coffee shop. More information will be provided to coffee shops to help them understand the recommended design features to qualify for the grant. Successful grant applicants will also receive on-site training for their in-house cleaners to improve their cleaning effectiveness and efficiency.