THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE ARTICLE which appeared in the February 8, issue of The Gleaner, entitled, "Unpaid judgement debts soar," is grossly inaccurate. What was outlined by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice to the Public Accounts Committee last Tuesday (February 7) on this matter is as follows:
The Ministry of Justice inherited judgement debts as of 2002. (It is relevant to note that the Ministry was established as a discrete entity in November 2001.)
Some $146.4 million was paid out in the financial year 2002-2003.
A further $63.6 million was paid out in fiscal 2003-2004.
In fiscal year 2004-2005, the ministry disbursed still another $105.4 million in judgement debt payments.
Judgement debt payments at the end of December 2005, which is within the current financial year 2005-2006, stood at $166 million. The Ministry of Justice has an approved budget of $200 million for judgement debt payments during the current fiscal year.
Contrary to what was stated in The Gleaner that the Ministry of Justice "has managed to pay $166 million in damages for the period 2002-2004", aggregate payments of judgement debts were $210.1 million for that period and $481.5 million between 2002 and the third quarter of the current financial year, inclusive of judgements awarded in 2002.
I am, etc.,
MICHAEL COHEN
Snr. Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Justice
