Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 6 November 2009
[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W]
signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
Contents
Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
To ask the Minister
for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Jenny Randerson: What progress is the Minister making on cataloguing the number and purpose and value of Specific Education Grants, as recommended by the National Assembly’s Finance Committee. (WAQ55088)
Answer
issued on 05 November 2009
A list of specific education grants will be published on the Assembly Government’s internet site, as recommended by the Finance Committee, following the announcement of the final local government revenue settlement for 2010-2011 in December 2009.
To
ask the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): What action is the Minister taking to ensure a fully integrated and cross departmental approach to the development of a Strategic Action Plan to address violence against women. (WAQ55084)
Answer
issued on 06 November 2009
We have recently completed a formal 12 week consultation on a new Strategic Action Plan to address violence against women and domestic abuse. The plan includes action on areas across a range of Ministerial portfolios and was endorsed by Cabinet. My officials are currently working with other relevant Ministers’ officials, the Home Office and other partner agencies to agree amendments to the Plan as a result of the responses to the consultation.
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): What assessment has the Minister made of the benefits of a gender specific approach to the Welsh Strategic Action Plan to address violence against women. (WAQ55085)
Answer
issued on 06 November 2009
I set out my views on this issue at the 14 October debate in Plenary and at the Communities and Culture Committee meeting on domestic abuse on 21 October 2009.
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): What funding is the Minister dedicating to ensure sustainable frontline support services for women who have been victims of violence. (WAQ55086)
Answer
issued on 06 November 2009
On 6 October 2009 I announced that additional funding of £1m will be made available from 1 April 2010 help support the delivery of the new violence against women and domestic abuse action plan. This is a 33 per cent increase on the existing revenue budget. On top of this the Welsh Assembly Government spends around £10 million a year on refuges and other services to support people fleeing domestic abuse.
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): What action is the Minister taking to tackle the postcode lottery of support for victims of all forms of violence against women. (WAQ55087)
Answer
issued on 06 November 2009
In the Plenary debate on 14 October 2009 I set the details of how much more has been done in recent years to support victims of violence against women. I also provided many examples of the services that are now available across Wales to support victims.
The new strategic action plan, backed by the £1 million of additional funding announced in draft budget aims to further improve services—this includes targeting resources to areas where there has previously been gaps.