Cabinet to review, OK public-sector reform proposals
Published:Thursday | April 7, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter
CABINET IS expected to sign off on a raft of key proposals aimed at radical reform in the public sector within days.
Chief executive officer of the Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU), Patricia Sinclair McCalla, told The Gleaner that the recommendations of Parliament's Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) would be reviewed by Cabinet this week.
Last year, the PAAC had deliberated on the Public Sector Master Rationalisation Plan and submitted its recommendations to Parliament.
"The prime minister has scheduled a meeting for this week to treat with the report submitted to Parliament by the PAAC," Sinclair McCalla pointed out.
The PSTU head explained that once Cabinet signed off on some of the recommendations, the implementation process would begin shortly after.
"We have submitted an implementation plan for consideration and until the prime minister signs off, we are not in a position to comment on it," she said.
But while the PSTU awaits Cabinet's stamp of approval, Sinclair McCalla said parallel activities were taking place.
"We have been meeting with those entities that are being considered for devolution of authority in developing the management accountability framework," she added.
pension, leave changes
At least two recommendations are being considered for early implementation.
The Government will make a decision on pension reform and adjustments to leave entitlements within the public sector early in the new financial year.
Sinclair McCalla said the prime minister had asked that the Public Sector Monitoring Committee review leave arrangements and pension reform.
And the PSTU is now working with consultants to look at how the Government should treat with motor vehicle and driver's licences.
Members of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee have raised serious concerns about the lack of proper checks and balances at the Inland Revenue Department.
In February, director general of Tax Administration, Viralee Latibeaudiere, called for a revamp of the driver's licence system, suggesting that the process is fraught with corruption and other chronic problems.