Written Assembly Questions tabled on 4 December 2015 for answer on 11 December 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 the Economy, Science and Transport
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister provide a per annum breakdown of the funding provided to companies over this Assembly term as an incentive to bring jobs to Wales and the number of new jobs created as a result? (WAQ69555)
Answer received on 9 December 2015
The Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Funding is awarded to overseas investors to bring new jobs into Wales and safeguard jobs. It is therefore not possible to separate the amount of funding directly attributed to the creation of new jobs over the course of this Assembly term.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What programmes and policies does the Welsh Government have to support those in the teaching profession who suffer from mental ill health to remain in work or return to teaching? (WAQ69553)
Answer received on 16 December 2015
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis):
There are a number of statutory provisions in force. For example all employers should ensure the health and safety and welfare of their employees, so far as is reasonably possible, including establishing appropriate arrangements to support teachers who are absent through mental ill health to get back to work. The responsibility for the employment of individuals in schools lies with local authorities and governing bodies and I understand that all local authorities in Wales provide a confidential occupational health and counselling service that is open to all employees, including teachers.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to promote good mental health in the teaching profession? (WAQ69554)
Answer received on 16 December 2015
Huw Lewis:
The responsibility for the employment of individuals in schools lies with local authorities and governing bodies. The Welsh Government has recently published the "National model for regional working: revitalising people management in schools" guidance document, which sets out responsibilities for developing employment policies for adoption by schools. One such responsibility is that of specialist human resource advice to support headteachers and governing bodies seeking to help address a wide range of people management activities including provision of policies to promote good mental health. The Welsh Government works closely with all stakeholders, including local authority HR advisors and the education unions to address underlying issues relating to sickness absence.