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...

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...

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...

The Senate, on February 13, passed a Resolution requiring the Supreme Court to make the final determination on which Opposition Senators are duly appointed as members of the Upper House, following the ruling in the case: ‘Williams versus Holness’. The matter has arisen based on last week’s Constitutional Court ruling that the removal of Arthur Williams and Dr. Christopher Tufton...

A Bill to amend the Dangerous Drugs Act, to decriminalize ganja for medicinal, religious, scientific and therapeutic purposes, was passed in the Senate on Friday, February 6, with five amendments. Piloted by Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, the Bill seeks to make the possession of small quantities of ganja, amounting to two ounces or less, a non-arrestable...

The Government is expected to make an announcement regarding the issuing of licences for the development of casino resorts by the end of March. Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 3, Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, said five applications have been received to date, two of which were deemed suitable for further...

The Civil Service Establishment (General) Order Resolution 2014 was approved by the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, February 3. In piloting the legislation, Minister with Responsibility for Public Service in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Hon. Horace Dalley, noted that the Order indicates changes that have been made in the civil service establishment since 2013. He explained that part one refers...