Recurrent expenditure for the Prime Minister’s Office for 2015 is listed in budget documents as $638.7 million. That includes $24 million concerning “expenses for the PM’s establishment.” A $60,000 allocation under the OPM has also been made for the Divine Echoes Steel Orchestra, which was created under the previous Patrick Manning People’s National Movement (PNM) government but was disbanded by the People’s Partnership Government.
Expenditure in the Attorney General’s Ministry includes $130 million for fees, including for forensic investigations ($58m), local attorneys ($27m), foreign attorneys ($22m) and issues concerning foreign witnesses ($14m).
The Finance Ministry’s recurrent expenditure includes $167 million for contracted services, including analytical services for Standards and Poor’s and Moody’s rating matters, provision for legal counsel advisers ($150m), World Bank advisory services, consultants and a $263,000 cost for monitoring of radio and TV stations.
Other contracted services by the ministry involve $25 million. This included container examination stations at various locations and technical help from the US Customs/Border Protection. Recurrent expenditure for the Housing Ministry in 2015 includes $594.2 million for the Cepep programme, which was increased by $58 million over the 2014 figure. The Housing Development Corporation also received a $38 million increase with an expenditure allocation of $400 million.
Recurrent expenditure for the Works Ministry includes $58.7 million for Nidco’s repayment on the Trinidad Rapid Rail system project. Works Minister Suruj Rambachan said that would likely pertain to the feasibility study on the issue by the former PNM government, which had initiated the idea. Similar sums have been paid towards the matter over 2013 and 2014.
Recurrent expenditure for the Integrity Commission is also increased for 2015 to $26 million. Sums under the Gender Ministry include funding for the St Michael’s School for Boys ($10m), St Jude’s Home for Girls ($8m) and St Mary’s and St Dominic’s Homes, each $13m. Ministers will elaborate on budget contents in upcoming debate.
