Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this concerns the Public Service Excellence Award. With regard to part (a) of the question, I wish to inform the House that the Public Service Excellence Award was introduced in October 2006, with the following objectives – (a) recognising and rewarding innovative efforts of Ministries/Departments and their respective divisions or units; (b) encouraging innovation and excellence in public service delivery, and (c) promoting a performance-orientated, customer-centric, accountable and environmentally conscious public service. With regard to part (b) of the question, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that the Public Service Excellence Award (PSEA) was open only to ministries and departments and their respective divisions or units when the competition was launched. However, with a view to providing equal opportunities to all public institutions to compete on a level playing field, in 2021, the PSEA Framework was reviewed, and the scope of participation was broadened with the creation of three distinct categories of awards, namely, Ministries and Departments,

54 Disciplined Forces and local authorities. Furthermore, in 2023, parastatal bodies were also included as a separate category. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (c) of the question, it is to be pointed out that the Rodrigues Regional Assembly is structured around different commissions, and as such, Rodrigues has its own specificity. Accordingly, it is considered that it would be more appropriate and advisable for the Rodrigues Regional Assembly to organise similar competitions among the different commissions at its own level. Of course, my ministry will extend all the necessary support and guidance to the Rodrigues Regional Assembly in that endeavour.

Thank you! Next question, Third Member for Pamplemousses and Triolet! ST MARTIN PIG FARMS – LEASE APPLICATIONS, PRODUCTION & INSPECTIONS