Approximately $253 million in grants was spent under the Rehabilitation Programme to assist 5,648 families for the first 11 months of the 2022/2023 fiscal year. In addition, under the Special Economic Relief Programme (SERP), grant payments totalling $169 million were made to just under 17,000 persons who were not registered under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH)....

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), provided income support of $9.5 billion to 130,000 families during fiscal year 2022/23. Of this amount, approximately $2 billion was spent on back-to-school grants for PATH students. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate...

The Government will be spending more on social programmes in the next fiscal year, as the most vulnerable and poor must be protected. This was emphasised by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, at the opening of the new male ward at the Westmoreland Infirmary in Savanna-la-Mar, on April 26. He said the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc and brought...

Citizens are being advised that the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) may still be contacted during a major disaster, even if cell phone signals have been disrupted. This was revealed by Public Relations Officer at the JFB, Emeleo Ebanks, during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ at the Agency’s head office in Kingston. “If the cell service goes, you...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is reminding business persons that Consumption Taxes for the month of March are due on Friday April 28, 2023, to include GCT, SCT, TCT and GART. This is in keeping with the requirement for these taxpayers to make their monthly Consumption Tax Returns and payments on the last working day of the month, after the end...

The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) will be undertaking several activities during fiscal year 2023/24 to facilitate the use and protection of intellectual property locally. The initiatives include launching a technology innovation support centre as well as a women’s innovation network. This was disclosed by Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, under which JIPO falls,...

The National Housing Trust (NHT) must be commended for not only building houses for the private market but also for being significantly involved in social housing projects, says Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. Speaking at the opening of the new male ward at the Westmoreland Infirmary on April 26, the Prime Minister said that the NHT is also...