Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 8 March 2010

[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Contents

Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport

Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government

To ask the Minister for the Economy and Transport

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): For each of the last three years, what was the total budget for International Business Wales and can the Minister provide an estimate of its budget for future years. (WAQ55724)

Answer issued on 16 March 2010

The budget for 2007/08 was £12,069,000; in 2008/9, it was £6,975,000, reflecting the transfer of the international marketing programmes budget to consolidate the marketing budget within DE&T, and an internal reprioritisation of resources; and in 2009/10, it was £5,975,000, reflecting the transfer of the Creative Business Wales function and budget to Technology and Innovation.

Future budgets will be determined by the findings of the ERP and the conclusions that we reach.

To ask the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline any achievements attributable to the Advancing Equalities Fund over the past year. (WAQ55720)

Answer issued on 11 March 2010

The Advancing Equality Fund was launched in September 2009 predominantly for core and project funding for the financial year 2010/11.  The fund commences from 1 April 2010, the applicants were advised of the outcome of the bidding process on 15 February 2010.  A small portion of funding was also made available for small in year grants for 2009 amounting to £57,622 awarded to 13 organisations Listed below.

The previous fund was the Promoting Equality Fund.

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline reasons for delays in administering the Advancing Equalities Fund prior to the announcement of successful bids pm 14 February 2010. (WAQ55721)

Answer issued on 11 March 2010

I am aware that there have been delays in administering the Advancing Equalities Fund prior to the announcement of the successful bids.  I am also aware that a complaint has been made on this issue under the Code of Practice for Funding the Third Sector.  The complaint is currently being investigated by my officials.

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): What consideration has the Minister given to funding an independent advocacy body for women’s’ equality in Wales. (WAQ55722)

Answer issued on 11 March 2010

Independent advocacy bodies working for equality of opportunity for each of the equality strands in Wales are important, including working for equality of opportunity for women in Wales.  There are no plans currently to fund any specific independent equality advocacy body - all funding for equality core and project funding is through the Advancing Equality Fund which is open to competition and a formal bidding process; the outcome of the Advancing Equality Fund for 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 was announced on 15 February 2010.

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline the importance of gender equality in Wales. (WAQ55723)

Answer issued on 11 March 2010

Gender is one of the equality strands, and as such it is important that the Welsh Assembly Government promotes gender equality in Wales, and advances equality more generally.