The first thing you need to do is decide which Public Authority you are going to send your request to. If you are not certain about which Public Authority has the information you are seeking you should call the ATI Unit or visit their website. Information on the various Public Authorities and their subject matters are available in a publication entitled Guidelines on the discharge of functions by Public Authorities under the Access to Information (Jamaica) Act 2002
Once you have narrowed down the possibilities, you might want to call the ATI Desk of those Public Authorities for more specific information. The ATI telephone numbers for MOFP are 932 5077 -8. Email ati@mof.gov.jm
Your request must “reasonably describe” the records you are seeking. This means the description must be specific enough that a government employee familiar with the Public Authority’s files will be able to locate the records within a reasonable amount of time and without an unreasonable amount of effort.
You don’t have to explain why you want the information you are seeking – but this explanation might be necessary if you want the Public Authority to waive its fees or comply more fully with your request.
The more precise and accurate your request, the more likely you are to get a prompt and complete response
Make Requests For Personal Files As Specific As Possible
Be sure to include :
NB Keep Records Of Your Verbal And Written Correspondence
Be sure to keep a copy of all correspondence to and from the Public Authority. You’ll need it if you write an appeal or go to court later.
If the information you request is in a written form, the Public Authority can let you know when and where you can see the document or provide you with a copy. If you have asked for access to information that is not in written form, such as video tapes, sound recordings or photographs, arrangements will be made for you to hear or view the material.
Unless the Public Authority shows that “exceptional circumstances” exist, and that it is actively trying to meet your request, you have the right to appeal your request to the responsible Minister or to an Appeal Tribunal established to pursue your request.
The ATI Act requires a Public authority to acknowledge receipt of the public’s request within 10 working days from the recorded date of the request and 30 workings within which to grant, refuse or defer access the document or to extend the period to grant access to another 30 days.
All Public Authorities covered by the ATI legislation have a responsibility to deal with your request as soon as possible. You will be contacted if any difficulties arise. They must advise you in writing within 30 working days that the information is available, or if your request has been deferred or refused. This period may be extended by a further 30 days if special circumstances apply, such as the need to consult with a third party.
Yes, if you believe any information held by the Public Authority about you is incomplete, incorrect, misleading, or out-of-date, you have the right to request that it is corrected.
To a gain access to a Public Authority’s records it
Ministries and public bodies that must grant you access to information under the ATI Act include:
There are nine legal categories that are exempted under the ATI Act, sections 14 -22 of the law. These are:
Although the goal of ATI is ready access to government records, the Act clearly states specific areas of exemption as Parliament has recognized that some confidentiality is necessary for the government to function. ATI Exemptions;
There are nine legal categories that are exempted under the ATI Act, sections 14 -22 of the law. These are:
No. Access will be granted to official documents other than those classified as exempt documents. Exemption of an official document will not apply after a 20 years period. However the Minister may specify a shorter or longer period.
You can ask for any kind of personal or non-personal information. Personal information must be related to you, this includes your employment records, health, welfare and superannuating records, and examination and training records. Non-personal information includes government policy documents, research materials, information about how the Ministry, agency etc. operates, what actions it has been taking, how it has been spending its money, and what statistics and other information it has collected on any subject. Citizens routinely request and receive records relating to public health, environmental hazards, consumer product safety, government spending, labor relations, business decisions, taxes, foreign policy, and the economy.
Information requested can be in the form of reports, certificates, computer printouts, maps, films, photographs, tape recordings and video recordings.
A Public Authority is a Ministry, Department, Executive Agency or other agency of government, a statutory body, a Parish Council, the Council of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation, any government company which is wholly owned by government or any agency of the government in which the government holds more than 50% shares or any other body or organization that the Minister declares that this Act is applicable to.
The ATI Act is a piece of legislation that gives you the right to gain access to information held as records by Government Ministries, Agencies and Departments, and other public bodies except for those exempt documents so designated.
The MLA is designed to ensure that interest charged on loans by lending institution does not exploit the “public”. Therefore, those lending institutions not specified by MLA may seek exemption on an annual basis from provision of the Act
Companies seeking exemption from the provisions of the Moneylending Act are required to submit a letter of application to the Financial Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, accompanied by the following information and documentation in duplicate:
No, an exemption is not necessary for operations to take place. However, the companies involved in the business must recognize the importance of this Act in carrying out their activities.
No, the division is not responsible for the regulation of any financial institutions.
The objectives are to:
Any monies which have remained in the possession or under the control of a bank for a period of 15 or more years may be categorized as an unclaimed balance. The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service under the Banking Act is only responsible for publishing unclaimed balances in the newspaper. Any query about such balances must be made to the relevant banking institutions or the Accountant General’s Department where such funds are recoverable.
A EAP is a service sponsored by the Employer, and is designed to provide assistance, within a confidential framework, to employees who are experiencing personal problems that may be negatively affecting their job performance. These may include but are not limited to:
PSEAP, means therefore, that employees within the Public Sector are being provided with confidential support, through an EAP that will assist in resolving any conflicts which may adversely impact on their lives.
Identification may include, but is not limited to the following:
The PSEAP will provide individual counselling services which will include assessment and referral.
All Public Sector employees, regardless of their status, job title or responsibilities.
The EAP service will be provided by a pool of trained counsellors, selected from within the Public Sector, as well as a pool of external resource persons.
The service will be provided at the following site: Ministry of Finance & the Public Service 30 National Heroes Circle Kingston 4 Telephones: 932-5000-1.
ABSOLUTELY! This is a confidential service. Your right to privacy is guaranteed.
PSEAP is a free service. If, however, a referral is made to an external facility, the cost will be borne by the employee.
Because it is the Law and if we want to enjoy the basic rights of Citizens and receive adequate social benefits we must make our contribution so that the Government can govern efficiently and effectively.
Any offences under the customs laws may be prosecuted and any penalty or forfeiture imposed may be sued for, prosecuted and recovered in a court of law.
If any duties are outstanding as a result of a concessionary arrangement, the full duties will have to be paid, the goods will be forfeited and you are subject to penalties amounting to not less than treble the import duties payable on the goods nor more than treble the value of the goods.
If you attempt to deceive the officers of customs, the goods are liable to be forfeited and you will incur penalty of not less than treble the import duties payable on the goods nor more than treble the value of the goods.
You are subject to arrest and prosecution for each offence and/or a penalty of not less than treble the import duties payable on the goods nor more than treble the value of the goods; and all goods in respect of which any offence is committed shall be forfeited.
If you make a false declaration on a Customs Document you can be prosecuted and arrested and liable to a penalty not exceeding Five Hundred thousand Dollars or treble the value of the goods to which the offence relates, whichever is greater.
As much as possible. Information specific to the breach being reported and the persons involved. What, where, when, how and who. Even if you do not have all the details just tell us what you know, we will do the rest.
Yes. The information which we require is related to the offence and the offender not the provider.
Yes. Our aim is to foster and engender an environment which promotes the identification of breaches to minimize fraud and corruption.
No. The functions of both Divisions are separate and have different mandates – The RPD deals primarily with breaches related to Loss of Revenue and enforcement of the relevant Revenue Laws, The Public Service Regulations and The Staff Orders whilst the FID deals primarily with financial crimes, money laundering and asset recovery.
Primarily through the identification, and investigation of acts, both internally and externally which are or may be detrimental to the collection of the revenue needed to help sustain the economy, including instances of bribery and corruption.
The RPD is responsible for protecting the Government’s Revenue by Minimizing corruption within the Revenue Agencies and improving tax collection and enforcement of Revenue Laws.
Travelling officers in central government who are permanently appointed and their substantive post attracts traveling.
Returning residents are granted a waiver of the import duties on personal and household effects. They are also granted a discretionary waiver of 50% of the SCT payable on motor vehicles they import. They have to make an application to the Ministry of Education to access this relief along with documentation from the Customs Department that they have met the requirements for consideration as Returning Residents.
Articles of Incorporation are submitted to the Commissioner, TAAD for a determination to be made if its objects are exclusively charitable.
Seven (7) Working Days upon receipt of all requisite documentation.
The income tax threshold (otherwise known as the ‘nil rate’) is currently $320,736.00. Effective July 2009 to December 2009.
Motor Cars as defined in Section 11 of the Road Traffic Act; (ii) Cars with engine displacement not exceeding 3000 cc for cars using gasoline and 3200 cc for cars using diesel fuel; (iii) Maximum CIF Value of US$25,000 with full duties/SCT/GCT payable on the excess thereof.
Fill out the form (can hyperlink this word). The following documents should be attached to the form:
After three (3) years. If the vehicle is disposed of in any way before the three years, the officer is required to pay the duties forgone.
Every five (5) years.
No, the concession is only given to officers who have entered in a contract for three years or more. In the case where the contract is three years, the benefit in this case must be used within the first three months of the contract.
Copies of these Publications can be downloaded from the Ministry’s website.
Annual Reports must be submitted to the portfolio Minister within four (4) months after the end of the financial year.
Five days after the end of each month, along with a projection for the next month to provide early warning and facilitate necessary action.
The PED monitors Self-Financing Public Bodies (Selected and non-Selected).
As much as possible. Information specific to the breach being reported and the persons involved. What, where, when, how and who. Even if you do not have all the details just tell us what you know, we will do the rest.
Yes. The information which we require is related to the offence and the offender not the provider.
Yes. Our aim is to foster and engender an environment which promotes the identification of breaches to minimize fraud and corruption.
No. The functions of both Divisions are separate and have different mandates – The RPD deals primarily with breaches related to Loss of Revenue and enforcement of the relevant Revenue Laws, The Public Service Regulations and The Staff Orders whilst the FID deals primarily with financial crimes, money laundering and asset recovery.
Primarily through the identification, and investigation of acts, both internally and externally which are or may be detrimental to the collection of the revenue needed to help sustain the economy, including instances of bribery and corruption.
The RPD is responsible for protecting the Government’s Revenue by Minimizing corruption within the Revenue Agencies and improving tax collection and enforcement of Revenue Laws.
The Scholarships and Assistance Unit, Public Service Establishment Division, manages the GOJ Civil Service Training Programme and acts as Point of Contact for the various donor Agencies and Countries offering technical assistance to the Government under bilateral and multilateral agreements. In this regard, this office is responsible for disseminating information on training and study opportunities as they become available.
The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service is committed to providing excellent service. Please let us know how we can assist you.
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Stay in the know with everything going on at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.