After a week of heated debates following the presentation of the 2010 National Budget on February 8, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport’s expenditure was approved after intense questioning by Opposition members. Earlier, estimates were approved by the House for the Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Public Works.
During the consideration of the Ministry’s current and capital estimates, members of the opposition sought clarification from Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony on how the monies will be spent.
People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Deborah Backer, in her opening question, wanted to know whether the 44 employees contracted by the Ministry are employed by written or oral contracts and the duration of the contracts.
Minister Anthony stated that the individuals employed by the Ministry have written contracts and they vary from one to three years.     He pointed out that under contracted employees there are individuals who are employed for one year and above.
The Minister was further asked by Backer whether there is any contracted employee who is over the age of 60 and how many of the 44 contracted employees are over that age.
Dr. Anthony said there are persons over 60 employed by his Ministry. With regard to how many of the contracted employees are over  60 , the Minister told the National Assembly that he does not have the information at hand but will provide it after the deliberations.
The Minister was questioned about security services employed by the Ministry and buildings secured by the service.
Minister Anthony said that the Brans Security Service has been employed by the Ministry for its locations at the Culture Ministry’s Head Office, the Carifesta Sports Complex and its Annex in Middle Street.
In relation to training, including scholarships, PNCR member Vanessa Kissoon asked the Minister to explain what type of training will be done under the Ministry and who will benefit.
Minister Anthony replied that the training will be conducted for the students of the Burrowes School of Art and also for dance and drumming workshops. He said approximately $1.5M will be expended on the National School of Dance and $3.5M for the Burrowes School of Art.
PNCR member Judith David-Blair wanted to know  whether monies he spoke about would be allocated to the interior regions that have culture groups.
In response, Dr. Anthony said persons who were trained at the Burrowes School of Art and the National Dance School are recruited from all across the regions adding that persons from the interior are provided with stipends.
With regard to the rehabilitation of buildings, PNCR member Africo Selman asked the Minister to indicate which buildings are identified for maintenance under the Ministry’s Administration.
The Culture Minister pointed out that there are several buildings slated for maintenance, and these include the Umana Yana on which the Ministry is projected to spend $970,000, Walter Roth Museum $1.3M, Museum of African Heritage $350,000, National Museum $1.6M, National School of Dance $1.4M, National Archives  $1, 050,000, Burrowes School of Art, $1.2M and the National Cultural Centre $1.5M.
With regard to the $100M allocated for sports and art development fund, Alliance for Change (AFC) member David Patterson sought to find out the number of persons who will access that fund and the intended beneficiaries for this year.
Minister Anthony replied that the fund can be accessed through his Ministry.
The Minister was further asked to provide the National Assembly with a calendar of national events provided for in the budgetary allocation.
Dr. Anthony said that there are a number of events that the Ministry would organise and facilitate, which include Mashramani, Black History Month, Independence celebrations, Arrival Month celebrations, Museum Week, Emancipation celebrations, and a number of outreaches to various regions during Heritage Month.
Minister Anthony was then questioned by AFC member Sheila Holder as it relates to subsidies and contributions to local organisations. The AFC member wanted to know whether the Minister requires any reports on the performance of these entities to which the Ministry provides subventions in an effort to upgrade the operations of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The Culture Minister explained that the Ministry normally provides an allocation to the Theatre Guild and has not received any report from the organisation since it had been experiencing some problems. He assured that his Ministry will be provided with reports on a regular basis as the organisation has overcome those hurdles.
The AFC member further asked if the Culture Ministry receives reports from Rupununi Weavers’ Society and the National Trust.
In response, Minister Anthony said that the former is no longer functional and that the National Trust has requested the Auditor General to conduct audits and assured that he will be receiving the reports shortly.
This year, the Culture Ministry has been allocated $392.5M to upgrade sports infrastructure including the completion of an Olympic sized swimming pool, upgrade of Colgrain Pool, a new athletics track and tennis and squash courts.