MDDI's Response to PQ on Indicators of Success and Criteria for Expanding GovTech's FirstDate Pilot Beyond the Public Service

Parliament Sitting on 3 November 2026

Question for Written Answer

57. Mr David Hoe asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information in respect of the Government Technology Agency's (GovTech) FirstDate pilot (a) what indicators will be used to assess whether matches lead to meaningful interactions or relationships; (b) whether subsequent phases can include staff of autonomous universities and Government-linked companies; and (c) what evaluation criteria will guide the expansion of the pilot beyond the Public Service.

Answer

FirstDate is a ground-up GovTech pilot testing whether matching based on shared values and preferences, with fewer introductions at a time, can encourage more meaningful interactions. The pilot will be evaluated based on participation, match acceptance rates, and voluntary participant feedback. It is currently limited to eligible public officers. No decision has been made on whether to launch or expand FirstDate beyond the pilot stage.