Contingency funding of $550 million has been allocated for weather related risks in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure. To be used specifically for natural disasters and infrastructure rehabilitation, this allocation is in keeping with the Fiscal Responsibility Framework Regulations, contained in the Financial Administration and Audit Act (FAA Act). In the meantime, another contingency provision of $100 million has been...

The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) will host an information fair on Wednesday, April 27 at Mandela Park in Half Way Tree. The event, which is scheduled to start at noon, will have over 14 exhibitors including the National Family Planning Board; the National Council on Drug Abuse; Office of the Children Registry; the Child Development Agency; and National Integrity...

A sum of $1.6 billion has been allocated in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives, towards the continuation of the Integrated Support to the Jamaica Social Protection Strategy project. The project, which commenced in November 2015, is being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)....

Fishing communities across the island are to receive additional support in building resilience against climate change. This is through an allotment of $12.9 million to the Promoting Community-based Climate Resilience in the Fisheries Sector project in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries. As contained in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the allocation...

A total of $200 million will be spent this fiscal year to continue construction and improvement work, at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Lathbury Barracks, at Up Park Camp. This is contained in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives. Anticipated targets for this fiscal year include continuing construction on the first and second three storey...

A total of $3 million has been allocated to the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Local Offender and Deported Persons Programme, to complete outstanding payment activities. As outlined in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the programme seeks to: reduce the rate of re-offending among local offenders and deportees; improve the rehabilitation and reintegration of deportees...

A total of $1.2 billion has been allocated to the Ministry of National Security, to purchase vital equipment needed for the maintenance of law and order. This is contained in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives. The Estimates were recently tabled by the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw. Of the...

The Government has set aside $510 million in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives, to boost the operations of the Jamaica Defence Force. Of the total amount, $350 million will be given to the Coast Guard, to facilitate the refitting of offshore patrol vessels. Another $100 million will be allocated to the Air Wing, to...

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) operations are to be expanded in Montego Bay, St. James, and Portmore, St. Catherine, this fiscal year, with an allocation of $1.91 billion. The money has been allocated to the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, to support expanded investment in the sector. BPO, which involves subcontracting various business-related operations to...