The investigative capacity of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is to be strengthened with the $167.2 million expansion of its Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). Details of the allotment are outlined in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The proposed project will, this fiscal year, see the expansion and upgrading of the METAMORPHA...

The Government is taking action to improve and construct courthouses in sections of the island. In this regard, $345 million has been earmarked in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, currently being reviewed by the Standing Finance Committee of the House, to execute the project. Major components of the project include: creation of the Justice Square judicial complex; establishment of Regional...

The Government will be spending $14.9 million on the Caribbean Hotel Energy and Action Project in the 2014/15 fiscal year. Details of the project are included in the Estimates of Expenditure, to be considered by the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament from April 8 to 10. The project seeks to improve the competitiveness of the Caribbean hotel industry; move towards...

Court facilities at the Hagley Park Road complex in Kingston are slated to be upgraded by year end, at a cost of $100 million. As outlined in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the project seeks to provide court facilities that are conducive to the delivery of the services being provided by the Ministry of...

Phase three of institutional strengthening at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is slated to be undertaken this year with a $32.6 million allocation in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure. The proposed budget is being reviewed by Standing Finance Committee of the House or Representatives. The exercise, being funded by the European Union (EU), seeks to improve the Institute’s capacity...

The Government has budgeted $18 million for initiatives under the National Child Diversion Programme, which deals with children involved in conflicts with the law, outside of formal judicial proceedings. The funds have been set aside in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, currently being reviewed by the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives. Financed by the United Nations International...

The investigative capacity of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) will be strengthened this fiscal year. This is being made possible through an allocation of $100 million to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Accountability Programme (Support to INDECOM) in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, currently being reviewed by the Standing Finance Committee of the House. The allocation will also facilitate...

A sum of $22.4 million has been allotted to the Office of the Prime Minister in the 2014/15 budget, to complete works under the Basic Needs Trust Fund project (BNTF6). The programme, which ran from June 2009 to December 2013, was implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), with financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Its overall objectives...

Another 150 school inspections are to be carried out this fiscal year, funded by a budget of $940 million, under the Education System Transformation Programme (ESTP). This follows the 801 inspections undertaken across the island by the National Education Inspectorate (NEI) last year. The NEI inspects, assesses and reviews the quality of education services and standards in public schools. The ESTP...