More than 1,000 of the island’s 4,600 public officers will be eligible to retire next year, the Minister of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation told MPs yesterday.

Providing details on his ministry’s budget, Diallo Rabain added that the Government has plans to address the issue.

He told the House of Assembly: “We are moving forward with leadership and development at the executive level and looking into the creation of a public service institute.

“We will also have allocated targeted funding to create specialised training for those hard-to-fill roles that are critical to our operations.”

Mr Rabain added that the public service will host its inaugural career fair in June to connect Bermudians with job opportunities across every ministry.

He said: “Ultimately, this fair is more than just recruitment, it’s about building a modern, energetic workforce that is ready to serve Bermuda for the next generation.”

The minister also highlighted how $100,000 has been allocated to co-ordinate the relocation of the mail processing centre on Kindley Field Road.

He said: “The Government currently pays $300,000 a year in rent for Bermuda’s mail processing centre.

“We’ve allocated $100,000 specifically for technical research and planning needed to move this operation.

“This funding will provide the engineering and logistical road map to get us out of a rental premises and into a permanent, government-owned home.

“This is a common sense investment that will save the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.”

A total of $15.39 million has been allocated to the Cabinet Office for the 2026-27 fiscal year, an 11 per cent increase from $13.83 million last year.

Funding for the post office also is also expected to go up from $10.13 million to $10.4 million and the Government is providing a $25,000 contribution for hurricane relief in the Caribbean.

Mr Rabain explained: “This is mutual aid. We stand by our Caribbean neighbours in times of crisis and in return we ensure that the same support is there for Bermuda if we face a major disaster.

“This is about building the strong, vital ties that keep island nations safe.”