(CMR) Members of the Progressives declined to vote on all 11 supplementary items for which additional funding totaling $68.8 million was requested during the convening of the Cayman Islands Finance Committee on Tuesday, 26 September.
The additional funding, which the Finance Committee approved, was requested under Section 12 of the Public Management and Finance Act (2020 Revision) for the Year Ending 31 December 2023.
All supplementary appropriations were passed after 10 members of the Government voted in favor. All members of the Opposition present abstained from voting. Member of Parliament Moses Kirkconnel was absent. Also absent was Dwayne Seymour, who recently resigned from the PACT Government.
The additional funds will see the expenditure for this financial year reaching $1 billion and 30 million.
One of the most significant supplementary approvals was $21.8 million for tertiary medical care at local and overseas institutions. Just over $9.3 million was approved for the medical care of indigent persons and $8.8 million for health insurance for civil service pensioners.
Approximately $2.2 million was requested for primary education services, which include hiring 14 mathematics specialist teachers and occupational and speech therapists who have been outsourced. Another $6.8 million was requested for secondary education services. Also, for education, $3.6 million was requested for services, including to cover expenses for additional bus routes.
Almost $7 million in additional funding was approved for local and overseas scholarships and bursaries. Some 822 students, an increase of 102, were awarded scholarships and bursaries this year.
Additional funding was also approved for the Regiment and the Cayman Islands Fire Service, as well as for drivers and vehicle licensing.
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