Cabinet to accept recommendations in public sector master rationalisation plan

KINGSTON — Cabinet has signaled its intention to accept the majority of the recommendations on the restructuring of the public sector contained in the master rationalisation plan.

The move follows a detailed review of proposed changes to the respective ministries, departments and agencies under the plan.

Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Project, Hon. Daryl Vaz, addressing yesterday April 20 post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, said that at the recently held one-day Cabinet Retreat, the recommendations were deliberated on by the Ministers.  

He said that there are still some areas that require more extensive discussions before a final sign-off is given, and the Cabinet will address those shortly.

The Information Minister said that various activities, in preparation for implementation of the recommendations, are in progress “and actual implementation will begin in the near future."

He said it is “going to be critical that the implementation of those decisions start taking effect early in the new financial year, which could be as early as May."

The Public Sector Master Rationalisation Plan was tabled as a Green Paper in the House of Representatives by Prime Minister, Hon. Bruce Golding on July 20, 2010, to invite public comment.

Since then, a number of organisations, public and private sector institutions, as well as individuals, have submitted their recommendations and comments to the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC), a sub-committee of Parliament.

As part of the process of engagement, the Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU) met six times with the PAAC to hear the submissions and to have the opportunity to respond to the recommendations and comments presented. 

By CHRIS PATTERSON, JIS Reporter