Question NW2348 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
20 July 2022 - NW2348
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether, with reference to the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State, his department spent any money on artists during the COVID-19 period; if not, what was the budget then used for; if so, what (a) the total amount of the budget was spent in support of artists during the specified period and (b) is the breakdown of the (i) relevant information and (ii) circumstances around the specified budget expenditure?
Reply:
There were no funds directly spent on PACOFS during the COVID-19 period by the Department.
Budget allocated for COVID relief by the Department since 2020 to date is R808 Million that has so far benefitted 59 224 creatives and athletes.
Out of these initiatives 8355 jobs were retained and 29 211 new jobs created in the sector.