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Cabinet is expected to sign off on an agreement to purchase a property in St. Elizabeth to accommodate the new "time out" facility for disruptive students. Minister of Education, the Hon Andrew Holness, gave an assurance on Wednesday (August 18) when he addressed the Jamaica Teachers' Association's 46th Annual Conference at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort, Ocho Rios, St. Ann....

The Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament (PAAC) has invited written submissions from members of the public concerning the "Public Sector Master Rationalisation Plan - Recommendations for the Restructuring of Ministries, Departments and Agencies", currently being reviewed by the Committee. Individuals or organisations may express their views on the document, in writing: by email to clerk@japarliament.gov.jm or by hand...

Cabinet is expected to receive a preliminary report Monday from Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, on the social interventions necessary to address the dislocation experienced by residents of Tredegar Park, St. Catherine. This follows the August 13 attack on the community by armed thugs, which claimed the lives of eight persons. Mr. Vaz,...

Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, has informed that Cabinet has approved the adoption of the National Plant Health Policy. "This policy seeks to address the gaps and failures in the current plant health system, in light of the requirements of international treaties and agreements, of which Jamaica is a signatory, and food safety...

Cabinet has approved the award of six contracts totalling $219,876,444 by the Health Corporation for the supply of medical sundry items for the country's health sector. This disclosure was made by Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, at the July 28 post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. The supply companies are Shanghai Import and...

The House of Representatives has approved the refinancing of euro 204.4 million loan to the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) from Bandes Venezuela, on lent to the National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC) for the construction of Highway 2000. Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who moved the resolution, told the House Wednesday (July 28) that the loan was originally...

Member of Parliament (MP) for East Central St. Andrew, Dr. Peter Phillips, has called for a tightening of the Government's procurement process. Speaking during his contribution to the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on July 27, Dr. Phillips said that all contracts, including sub-contracts, should be listed on a website "for all to see" and fit and...

A Bill amending the Tourist (Duty Free) Shopping System Act, which allows persons arriving at the international airports to make duty free purchases on their arrival into the country, was passed in the Senate on Friday July 23. Attorney General, Minister of Justice and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator the Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, who piloted the Bill,...

A resolution to extend the State of Emergency, which has been in effect since May 23, was not approved in the House of Representatives Tuesday (July 20). The resolution, brought by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, sought to extend the state of emergency in the parishes of Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine to August 21, 2010. The...

Cabinet has approved the Development Applications Approval Process 'Flow Charts', and the Procedures Manual for all profile of applications in the business process. Speaking at the weekly post Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House on July 15, Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, that the approval will ensure a quicker response time for...

The Senate has approved a Bill protecting the Child Development Agency (CDA) and its employees from any action flowing from a 2005 blunder, in which the Child Care and Protection (Children's Homes) Regulations were gazetted before being approved by Parliament. The Bill effectively validated and confirmed acts done "in good faith" by the CDA and any person having official duties...

Cabinet has approved additional amendments to the Financial Audit and Administration Act (FAAA) and the Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunication and Special Projects in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz "The existing Acts outline the broad parameters for achieving fiscal responsibility and fiscal prudence, and the proposed amendments will strengthen...