MPs broke down the Government’s midyear budgetary provisions during the final sitting of the House of Assembly for the calendar year.

The $21.8 million supplementary estimate for 2025-26 was passed on Friday after being announced this month.

Allocations were aimed at government responsibilities that require more funding than anticipated.

The largest supplementary expense was the Ministry of Health’s need for $11 million to cover a salary boost for the staff of the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

Craig Cannonier asked what the plan was to fund the BHB in a more “sustainable” way.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said that a working group has been created between the board and the health ministry to see how best to create a long-term payment goal.

The Ministry of Finance received $1 million to boost the Government Employee Health Insurance scheme.

David Burt, the Premier and Minister of Finance, pointed out that GEHI did not cover mental health or substance abuse treatment.

He added: “If we have substance abuse policies in the Government of Bermuda but we do not provide the treatment and assistance for those persons to get treated for them, then we’re selling our employees short in my view and this is something I want to rectify.

“There are people who actually leave the Government to take less pay just for better benefits and some of those things relay around better health insurance and health insurance coverage.”

A $250,000 supplement was allocated to a digital finance strategy, which Mr Burt explained would go towards consultancy, partnerships and funding products.

The Ministry of National Security was allocated $2.1 million to cover costs accrued by police and customs.

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, explained that $1 million would go towards filling vacant or unfunded posts, which include frontline officers and recruiting ten new officers.

He added that $410,000 would be used to purchase new vehicles, while an additional $250,000 would be used to address “critical gaps” in Bermuda’s maritime security.

He said $350,000 would go towards customs finding additional scanners to place around Bermuda’s ports of entry.

Mr Weeks said that fixing the damage to Gibbs Hill radar, which was incurred during Hurricane Humberto and Hurricane Imelda, would also be covered under the allocation.

The Ministry of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation sought $2.25 million for its midyear allocation.

Diallo Rabain, the minister, said that $500,000 would go towards a central digital platform for licences, payments and transfers.

He added that another $55,000 would be spent on electoral reform, chiefly for public engagement, outreach to overseas Bermudians and consultancy.

Mr Rabain told the House that $60,000 would go towards the Safebuilt artificial intelligence to assist the Department of Planning in evaluating building permit drawings.

He emphasised: “This solution will not replace the dedicated staff but rather help them evaluate applications more quickly and efficiently, with the end goal of serving the public.”

Other initiatives on the table would be a youth digital safety workshop for adults and funding the Department of Information and Digital Technology.

Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, asked for $650,000 to help his ministry host more events.

He told MPs: “National events provide a vital and pivotal role in maintaining Bermuda’s cultural identity.”

The Ministry of Public Works and Environment requested $300,000 to hire a seven-person roadside management team to cut away excessive foliage.

The team, according to minister Jaché Adams, would work alongside the already existing 13-member team for works and engineering.

He said that the team would not equate to extra manpower but instead fill in an existing space.

The Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors was allocated $1.17 million.

The boost, according to its minister, Tinée Furbert, will cover key social service needs and bolster programmes for children, seniors and people with disabilities.

She added that funds will go towards the hiring of temporary resident care officers in the Department of Child and Family Services.

The ministry’s headquarters was further allocated $586,000.