Written Assembly Questions tabled on 28 April 2015 for answer on 6 May 2015
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 Minister for Education and Skills
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to increase the number of bricklaying apprenticeships in Wales? (WAQ68644)
Answer Received 01 May 2015
The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Julie James): The Welsh Government has allocated the 2015 contract values on the basis of an 8% increase in construction apprenticeships, including bricklaying.
Additionally, I have recently agreed a further £600,000 to support apprentices in the construction sector, thereby responding to the increase in demand.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister publish her plans for the future of staffing within Finance Wales? (WAQ68633)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): What discussions has the Minister had with Finance Wales on its future shape and structure? (WAQ68634)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister set out how Finance Wales will adapt its work ahead of the establishment of a Development Bank for Wales? (WAQ68635)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): What discussions has the Minister had with the Bank of England over the establishment of a Development Bank for Wales? (WAQ68636)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): What plans does the Minister have for the staffing structure within the Development Bank for Wales? (WAQ68637)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): When does the Minister expect the Development Bank for Wales to be fully established and functional? (WAQ68638)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): What targets will the Welsh Government put in place for the Development Bank for Wales in order to measure its success and support for businesses? (WAQ68639)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister publicise all costs related to the creation of the Development Bank for Wales a) as of 24.4.15; and b) upon establishment? (WAQ68640)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Does the Minister have any specific plans to make public the finances and accounts of the Development Bank for Wales for scrutiny once established? (WAQ68641)
Answer Received 01 May 2015 (WAQ 68633/34/35/36/37/38/39/40/41)
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): I have recently updated Members on the Access to Finance review and the Development Bank in the Chamber. I have also answered more detailed questions during the Enterprise and Business Committee meeting on 23 April, the transcript of which can be accessed through the following link: http://senedd.assembly.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=1307
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Given that the staff of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board lost the equivalent of 324 years of productivity due to stress-related illness between January 2013 and January 2015, what steps is the Welsh Government taking to tackle the causes of such conditions across the Welsh NHS? (WAQ68642)
Answer Received 13 May 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): I will write to you and a copy of the letter will be put on the internet.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to assist in the development of faster Legionnaire's Disease testing? (WAQ68643)
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government provides funding to Public Health Wales to run the diagnostic microbiology laboratory responsible for Legionnaire's disease testing.
Laboratory diagnosis of Legionnaire's disease is achieved by testing for legionella urinary antigen or by culture of respiratory specimens.
The legionella urinary antigen test is available 24/7 and samples are normally batched and tested within 24 hours. The speed of culture for legionella from respiratory samples is determined by the growth characteristics of the organism and typically takes between 48 hours and five days.
Public Health Wales has evaluated molecular tests for legionella which would rapidly detect legionella in respiratory samples. These would not give faster results than the urinary antigen test but could give better performance in terms of sensitivity and specificity.
The Welsh Government also invests in programmes to support research and development aimed at improving healthcare, including supporting work to further develop molecular and genomic testing for microbiology in Wales.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Does the Welsh Government have plans to require all GP practices to offer facilities to book appointments online and, if so, when does it anticipate that all patients can benefit from such facilities and will their adoption by GP practices be mandatory? (WAQ68647)
Answer Received 5 May 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The changes to the GP contract for 2015-16 and 2016-17 include a commitment to consider making it a contractual requirement for GP practices to make more appointments and repeat prescriptions available via My Health Online.
It is anticipated that all patients will be able to benefit from such facilities following completion of the GP IT refresh programme in July 2015.
Currently, 98% of GP practices across Wales can offer My Health Online.
To ask the Minister for Public Services
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister explain the rationale behind the delay in establishing a non-statutory Public Services Staff Commission? (WAQ68645)
Answer Received 5 May 2015
The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews): Consultation responses to the Government's White Paper on establishing a non-statutory Public Services Staff Commission strongly supported public appointments to the Commission from the outset as opposed to Ministerial appointments. As set out in my Written Statement of 24 March I am initiating a public appointments process this Spring, with appointments confirmed by the Autumn.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What consideration has been made as regards the adoption of the UK Government's early closure timetable for local government accounts and the challenges this may pose to auditors and voluntarily merging authorities? (WAQ68646)
Answer Received 5 May 2015
Leighton Andrews: The UK Government's provisions to bring forward the timing of closure of accounts apply to Authorities in England only. In making any proposals to bring forward the dates in Wales, we would take into account the implications for local authority mergers and consult key stakeholders as appropriate.