The Ministry of Finance and Planning will continue implementation of the Caribbean Criminal Asset Recovery Programme (CCARP), for which just over $35 million has been allocated in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House. The programme, which commenced in January 2013, is designed to support strengthening of the Financial Investigations Division (FID) by providing technical assistance to build...

The Government has allocated $370.2 million in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure towards the implementation of the Public Sector Transformation and Modernisation Programme. The Estimates were tabled in the House of Representatives on Thursday, February 19 by Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips. One of the main objectives of the programme include increasing the capacity and...

Completion of the Joint Select Committee’s review of the Integrity Commission Bill is one of several key legislative engagements slated to be undertaken during 2015/16. This was announced by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, while delivering the Throne Speech, under the theme: ‘Partnership for Development: Inclusive Growth…Expanding Opportunities’, during the 2015/16 State Opening of Parliament on...

A Department of School Services (DSS) is slated to be established in the new fiscal year, to coordinate activities and provide a stronger focus on school improvement and accountability. The DSS is aimed at improving the quality of education and output from the system. This was disclosed by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, while delivering the...

The 2015/2016 session of Parliament began on Thursday, February 19, at Gordon House, with the traditional pomp and pageantry. It marks the earliest start to the country’s Parliamentary year and presentation of the annual budget, which normally takes place at the beginning of April. The ceremonial opening was highlighted by the delivery of the Throne Speech by Governor-General, His Excellency,...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, says the Government is committed to honouring its obligations to Public Sector workers. Among these are:  the annual performance increment of 2.5 per cent; the third tranche of the Health Sector reclassification;  and the final one-off payment to each Public Sector worker in the amount of $25,000, arising from the 2012/15...

Several key pieces of legislation, aimed at enhancing and improving Jamaica’s national security and justice systems, are included on the legislative agenda for the new 2015/16 Parliamentary year. This is outlined in the Throne Speech delivered on Thursday, February 19, at Gordon House, by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen. Notable among the legislation are: the Caribbean...