Written Assembly Questions tabled on 4 March 2014 for answer on 11 March 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 5 working days before they are to be answered. In practice, Ministers aim to answer within 7/8 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 Culture and Sport
Aled Roberts (North Wales): With reference to the Premier League School Sport programme, will the Minister clarify whether the £60,000 being provided by the Welsh Government is “new money” or if existing all-Wales projects are being curtailed in order to support the scheme? (WAQ66523)
Aled Roberts (North Wales): With reference to the Premier League School Sport programme, if the £20,000 per year being provided by the Welsh Government is being transferred from existing projects, can the Minister list the schemes where funding will now be curtailed or cancelled? (WAQ66524)
Answer received for publication on 12 March 2014 (WAQ66523-4)
The Minister for Culture and Sport (John Griffiths): The Welsh Government investment to support our Premier League clubs to obtain funding from the Premier League School Sport Programme will be allocated over a three year period. This funding will not affect any of the existing programmes which are in place to increase rates in sport participation.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Aled Roberts (North Wales): What terms and conditions are in place in Welsh universities which prevent students from graduating or enrolling onto the next academic year if they owe non-tuition fee debts? (WAQ66526)
Answer received for publication on 12 March 2014
The Minister for Education and SKills (Huw Lewis):The Welsh Government does not hold such information centrally.
However, I am aware that the Office of Fair Trading has written to over 170 universities and higher education institutions urging them to review their rules and practices to ensure compliance with consumer protection law. The OFT will continue to work with sector representatives such as Universities UK to ensure their members’ compliance with this law.
Notwithstanding their autonomy, I expect Welsh universities/colleges to comply with their legal obligations. Their Charter and Statutes should provide important and stable safeguards for both staff and students according to principles of good governance. In terms of student debt, Student Finance Wales has a generous student support package in place, including a non repayable tuition fee grant plus a debt write-off facility of up to £1,500 of the maintenance loan. Details can be found on www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
Aled Roberts (North Wales): What approaches have now been made to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills so that national occupational standards can be drawn up for the Education Welfare Service in Wales? (WAQ66527)
Answer received for publication on 11 March 2014
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Ken Skates): Welsh Government Officials approached the UK Commission for Employment and Skills about the national occupational standards for the education welfare service in Wales. It was agreed that Skills for Justice would be the best placed sector body to undertake this activity due to the fact that it has already established and sustained effective links with both the Welsh Local Government Association and numerous Local Authorities in Wales. Skills for Justice will be required to submit a formal bid for this piece work to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills on or after April 1, via the in-year Universal Services funding stream.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What proportion of the £50m additional in year funding for the Welsh NHS will be invested in primary care services? (WAQ66522)
Answer received for publication on 13 March 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): As set out in the published supplementary budget documentation, the £50m is to be held within the Health and Social Services MEG, as a contingency measure. No decisions as to the distribution have yet been made.
Aled Roberts (North Wales): Further to the Deputies Minister’s recent written statement on Integrated Family Support Services, will the Minister provide an expected date for the receipt of the final evaluation report covering the period to March 2013? (WAQ66525)
Answer received for publication on 11 March 2014
The Deputy Minister for Social Services (Gwenda Thomas): The final evaluation report on Integrated Family Support Services, covering the period to March 2013 will be published on 28th March 2014.