Written Assembly Questions tabled on 25 June 2014 for answer on 2 July 2014
R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self identifying Question no. shown in brackets)
Written Questions must be tabled at least five working days before they are to be answered. In practice, Ministers aim to answer within seven/eight days but are not bound to do so. Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.
To ask the First Minister
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): What are the 25 most visited websites by a) Welsh Government staff and b) Welsh Government Ministers so far in 2014? (WAQ67307)
Answer received on 8 July 2014
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): The Welsh Government keeps a log of internet activity for a 90 day rolling period.
The reporting software does not differentiate between Ministerial and staff access, the information that we have is an aggregated view across the Welsh Government. Using the internet helps enhance digital skills more generally, and in addition to access for work purposes, Welsh Government policies allow staff to make use of the internet during hours that they are not working. Access is provided to social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, which are a core part of our approach to communicating and engaging on Welsh Government business.
For the period of 4 April to 3 July 2014, the 25 most visited websites by Welsh Government are:
www.bbc.co.uk
To ask the Minister for Culture and Sport
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on what actions the Welsh Government is taking to replace the broken coastal path at the Conwy Morfa in Aberconwy? (WAQ67311)
Answer received on 2 July 2014
The Minister for Culture and Sport (John Griffiths): I understand the Coast Path at Conwy Morfa is still passable. I have asked officials to discuss the matter further with Natural Resources Wales at the next Wales Coast Path Development Programme project Board.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Mike Hedges (Swansea East): What is the Welsh Government doing to encourage and promote adult continuing education in Wales? (WAQ67308)
Answer received on 1 July 2014
The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Ken Skates): The Welsh Government is currently facing extremely difficult times as our funding from the UK Government has been reduced by an unprecedented degree. In order to protect schools and the health service, we have had to reduce the amount we spend on post-16 education by more than £40 million. The main impact of the reduction is in adult learning, as it is essential that we maintain provision for full time learners in sixth forms or colleges. Part time adult learning will see a reduction of 37.5% in the next academic year.
We know that Adult Community Learning (ACL) classes are very popular but we are in the position of having to prioritise where our funds are spent. We have asked providers to prioritise delivery of Adult Numeracy, Adult Literacy, Digital Literacy, and ESOL classes for 2014/15.
Welsh Government funding will no longer be used to support the delivery of leisure and recreational courses. Providers may continue to deliver these courses, but will do so on a full cost recovery basis.
The Welsh Government remains wholly committed to ACL; particularly with regard to the role it plays in tackling poverty in our society, and we will be working with other sectors to ensure that we are making the most of what we have available to us.
Adult Learners’ Week for 2014 has just ended and involved a number of activities across Wales aimed at encouraging adults into learning. We fund NIACE Cymru to deliver an annual campaign of engagement activities, which has proved successful in the past.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the reductions to adult and community learning funding and how these will affect the provision of adult learning IT and digital inclusion courses in north Wales? (WAQ67309)
Answer received on 1 July 2014
Ken Skates: The Welsh Government is currently facing extremely difficult times as our funding from the UK Government has been reduced by an unprecedented degree. In order to protect schools and the health service, we have had to reduce the amount we spend on post-16 education by more than £40 million. The main impact of the reduction is in adult learning, as it is essential that we maintain provision for full time learners in sixth forms or colleges. Part-time adult learning will see a reduction of 37.5% in the next academic year.
We know that Adult Community Learning (ACL) classes are very popular but we are in the position of having to prioritise where our funds are spent.
We have asked providers to prioritise delivery of Adult Numeracy, Adult Literacy, Digital Literacy, and ESOL classes for 2014/15. Therefore, we would not expect to see a reduction in digital inclusion courses in North Wales.
Welsh Government funding will no longer be used to support the delivery of leisure and recreational courses. Providers may continue to deliver these courses, but will do so on a full cost recovery basis.
The Welsh Government remains wholly committed to ACL; particularly with regard to the role it plays in tackling poverty in our society, and we will be working with other sectors to ensure that we are making the most of what we have available to us.
To ask the Minister for Finance
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): How many copies of the following newspapers have been purchased by the Welsh Government in the financial year 2013-14: a) the Daily Telegraph b) the Sun c) the Times d) the Morning Star e) the Guardian f) the Independent g) the Express and h) the Daily Mail? (WAQ67304)
Answer received on 8 July 2014
The Minister for Finance (Jane Hutt): The Welsh Government’s Library Service subscribed to the following hard copy newspapers on behalf of Welsh Government staff in the financial year 2013-14:
Monday to Friday
| Newspaper Title | No. of copies | Weekly Total | Annual Total |
| Daily Telegraph | 4 | 20 | 1040 |
| Sun | 1 | 5 | 260 |
| Times | 5 | 25 | 1300 |
| Morning Star | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Guardian | 4 | 20 | 1040 |
| Independent | 3 | 15 | 780 |
| Express | 1 | 5 | 260 |
| Daily Mail | 1 | 5 | 260 |
Saturday
| Newspaper Title | No. of copies | Weekly Total | Annual Total |
| Telegraph | 2 | 2 | 104 |
| Times | 2 | 2 | 104 |
| Guardian | 2 | 2 | 104 |
| Independent | 2 | 2 | 104 |
Sunday
| Newspaper Title | No. of copies | Weekly Total | Annual Total |
| Telegraph | 2 | 2 | 104 |
| Times | 2 | 2 | 104 |
| Independent | 2 | 2 | 104 |
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): How much has the Welsh Government spent on stationery in each year since 2009? (WAQ67305)
Answer received on 1 July 2014
Jane Hutt: The table below shows the Welsh Government spend on stationery since 2009.
| Year | Spend (£) |
| 2009 | 1,940,009.71 |
| 2010 | 916,823.00 |
| 2011 | 329,646.55 |
| 2012 | 384,569.54 |
| 2013 | 423,666.32 |
| 2014 to date | 200,283.64 |
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): How much has the Welsh Government spent subsidising staff meals in its canteen in each year since 2010 and what is the subsidy per meal? (WAQ67306)
Answer received on 2 July 2014
Jane Hutt: The total annual subsidy for catering outlets across Welsh Government’s administrative estate for each full financial year beginning 2010/11 is detailed below. Information is not held on the cost of subsidy per meal.
| Financial Year | Annual Subsidy |
| 2010/11 | £261,975 |
| 2011/12 | £282,989 |
| 2012/13 | £405,909 |
| 2013/14 | £422,829 |
Year-on-year increases reflect the extended scope of the contract from five sites at contract commencement to ten sites by 31 March 2012. The cost of catering these sites has reduced substantially under the new contract arrangements effective from 7 April 2014.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister provide an update on the availability of Down’s syndrome screening for expectant mothers in Wales? (WAQ67301)
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister explain the delay in the introduction of Down’s syndrome screening for expectant mothers in Wales? (WAQ67302)
Answer received on 30 June 2014 (WAQ67301/2)
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): In terms of combined Down’s syndrome screening, the screening test is being implemented in a phased manner across Wales and is already being offered in north Wales.
Implementing this screening test is complex and has proved challenging for health boards. The additional work impacts on midwifery, obstetric and radiology capacity and is being facilitated by the roll-out of the upgraded radiology information management system software. These logistics have taken some health boards time to work through.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What consideration has the Minister given to the introduction of an appeals process for NHS penalty charges? (WAQ67312)
Answer received on 2 July 2014
Mark Drakeford: For patients claiming incorrectly for free or reduced cost NHS dental treatment an appeal process already exists. This is administered by the NHS Business Services Authority as part of their wider role in making payments to dentists for work undertaken on NHS contracts and handling claims for free dental treatment.
Penalty charges also apply to optometry but there is currently no appeals process in place. Welsh Government is considering the development of an ophthalmic appeals process.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the number of veterans who have used the All Wales Health and Wellbeing Service prior to its rebranding? (WAQ67316)
Answer received on 8 July 2014
Mark Drakeford: Since the Service launched in April 2010, it has seen over 1,115 referrals. The Veterans’ NHS Wales
report will shortly publish its annual report which provides more detail. It will be available on the Veterans’ NHS Wales
website.
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Government Business
Elin Jones (Ceredigion): Will the Welsh Government be providing extra funding to local authorities so they can meet any financial obligations resulting from the employment appeal tribunal verdict in the case of Whittlestone v BJP Home Support Limited (UKEAT/0128/13/BA) and, if so, how will it be funding these obligations? (WAQ67317)
Answer received on 2 July 2014
The Minister for Local Government and Government Business (Lesley Griffiths): It is a matter for Local Authorities as employers of care workers to meet any additional salary costs arising from this verdict. Local Authorities are also commissioners of care services and are accountable for ensuring such services are delivered within the law. The Welsh Government has provided statutory and non-statutory guidance for such commissioning.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources and Food
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on progress and actions taken to date on the coastal defence works required following the tidal surge and storm conditions earlier this year at the Deganwy Promenade Aberconwy? (WAQ67310)
Answer received on 1 July 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources and Food (Alun Davies): Following the winter storms, I provided £64,400 grant funding to make emergency coastal protection work to the promenade at Deganwy.
This work included reinstatement of approximately 100m of the sea wall/promenade and shingle to replenish material lost during the storms in order to rebuild the protection levels to 26 residential and commercial properties and the rail link.
The local authority have confirmed that work to clear shingle and make the area safe, reinstate windblown sand fences and clear drainage infrastructure has been completed. Work to import shingle to replenish material lost during the storms is due to commence in September once planning approval and the appropriate marine licence has been obtained.
In addition, the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport provided £425,000 for the reconstruction of the promenade and discussions regarding the work are currently ongoing between Conwy County Borough Council, Officials in the Welsh Government Tourism Department and Welsh Water. The Minister for Culture and Sport also provided £14,031 to reinstate the coastal path which is due for completion on 7 July 2014.
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline what contingency there is to make up any shortfall in the Natural Resources Wales budget during the current and forthcoming financial years? (WAQ67313)
Answer received on 1 July 2014
Alun Davies: There is no specific contingency provision in my budget to manage any potential shortfall in NRW for this year or future years.
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline the budget allocation for staffing Natural Resources Wales for the current financial year, 2015/16 and 2016/17? (WAQ67314)
Answer received on 1 July 2014
Alun Davies: This is a matter for NRW.
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline the total budget allocation to Natural Resources Wales for the current financial year, 2015/16 and 2016/17? (WAQ67315)
Answer received on 1 July 2014
Alun Davies: The 2014/15 Remit Letter for Natural Resources Wales advised that they will receive £101.8 million in Grant in Aid from my Department.