The Government has allocated $3.1 million in the 2014/2015 Estimates of Expenditure for the Wind Powered Irrigation Feasibility Assessment Project. The Estimates of Expenditure are to be considered by the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament from April 8 to 10. The objectives of the project are to conduct a wind assessment in the Pedro Plains area of St. Elizabeth by...

Some $7.4 million has been allotted in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure for the establishment of a Latin America Energy Organization (OLADE) Caribbean Sub-regional office in Jamaica. The project aims to facilitate deeper integration among member countries in the Caribbean and provide greater access to products and services offered by OLADE. As at February 2014, a sub-regional office was established...

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...

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...

As it continues to strengthen the multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS infection rates in Jamaica, the Government has budgeted $506 million for the Transitional Funding Mechanism programme. As contained in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure currently before the House of Representatives, existing gains consolidated, and activities scaled up to reduce transmission of new HIV infections, while mitigating the impact. The project,...

A sum of $262.5 million has been set aside in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives, to bolster the Ministry of Health’s capabilities to deliver critical services. The larger share of the sum, $162.5 million, will go towards the Disease Prevention and Control project, with the main objectives being to provide financial assistance through a...

A sum of $15 million has been allocated in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure for the Enhancing the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Regulatory Environment in Jamaica project. The proposed budget, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on April 3 by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, will be reviewed by the Standing Finance Committee...