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During the 2013/14 fiscal year, the intake from the Gaming Industry was $4.583 billion, an increase of 11 per cent over the previous fiscal year. This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for the Public Service in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Hon. Horace Dalley, during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on...

Minister with Responsibility for Public Service in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Hon. Horace Dalley, says great strides are being made with respect to economic reform and public sector modernisation. Making his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, July 8, Mr. Dalley said among the areas where successes have been realised are...

Legislation to expunge the criminal records of persons convicted for possession of, or smoking small quantities of ganja was passed in the Senate on Friday, July 3. Under the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) (Amendment) Act, convictions for possession of two ounces or less of ganja, or for smoking ganja, or possession of pipes or other smoking utensils, will not...

The creation of a 10-year Strategic Development Plan forms part of recommendations outlined in an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded technical study conducted on Jamaica’s health care system. The study, which focused on the ‘Reform and Financing of Jamaica’s Health System’, aims to assist the Health Ministry to provide increased access by persons to affordable and quality health care. This was...

Residents of Portmore, St. Catherine, are benefitting from Government’s investment in infrastructural projects, including major expenditure on water supply, roads, and waste facilities. Over $1 billion was spent on developing water systems for the area, while work has commenced on the $2.3 billion Portmore Sewage Project, which will benefit some 200,000 residents of the Municipality. “The (water) project involved the...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is to continue its work to rehabilitate fire hydrants island-wide, within the next few weeks, with the assistance of a $13 million grant from the Japanese Government. This, as the JFB intensifies its hydrant maintenance programme. Currently, only 65 per cent of fire hydrants are working. State Minister for Local Government and Community Development, Hon....

The Government spent $62 million during the 2013/14 financial year to undertake the refurbishing of infirmaries across the island. Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, made the disclosure on Wednesday, June 25, during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral debate in the House of Representatives. He informed that a new ward...

The Government has increased its budgetary support to all local authorities for their homeless programme to $21 million, up from the $16 million provided in the 2013/14 fiscal year. This was disclosed by Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral debate in the House of...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is to receive an ambulance this financial year to assist with the execution of its pilot Emergency Medical Service (EMS). This was disclosed by State Minister for Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on June 25. “We are mindful that...

A total of $171.3 million has been budgeted for the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) to acquire additional vehicles and equipment, and to repair those currently being used, during the current fiscal year. This was disclosed by State Minister for Local Government, Hon. Colin Fagan, during his 2014/15 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on June 25, under the...

Mr Speaker, residents of Portmore are now experiencing improved distribution in water supply. As Member of Parliament, I have lobbied hard for significant improvements in this area. I am therefore pleased, Mr Speaker, that over J$1 billion dollars were spent on the development of new water sources for South East St. Catherine. The project involved the construction of 10 kilometres...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Colin Fagan, says the Government remains committed in moving along the process of creating a University Town in the general Liguanea/Papine area. Mr. Fagan said significant work has been advanced by various stakeholders, such as the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), Members of Parliament, Papine Development...