The Government is yet to appoint a new head for the Access to Information (ATI) Unit, although the post has been vacant for more than a year.

Cassey Daley, director of the Human Resource Division at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), who admitted to The Gleaner that the process of hiring was not usually this lengthy, denied a claim that the Portia Simpson Miller-led administration was dragging its feet on the matter.

"That is absolutely not the case," she declared. While revealing that her unit was responsible for the hiring of persons, Miss Daley made it clear that sole autonomy does not rest with the department she oversees.

When pressed for a reason why the hiring process has taken more than a year, Miss Daley instructed The Gleaner to seek the answer from Pat Sinclair-McCullough, Permanent Secretary at the OPM, via a formal letter.

However, she explained that three persons had been shortlisted for the post, which was made vacant in July 2005 after the then director, Aylair Livingstone, opted not to renew her contract.

Miss Daley also said that interviews would begin shortly.

The ATI Unit, set up to monitor the Access to Information Act, falls under the Jamaica Archives and Records Department of the OPM. Joan Archibald is currently acting as director.