Written Assembly Questions tabled on 5 March 2014 for answer on 12 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 Economy, Science and Transport
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm what she considers a sufficient sum to invest to develop an acceptable earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), whilst confirming Cardiff Airport’s current EBITDA? (WAQ66528)
Answer received for publication on 11 March 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Cardiff International Airport Limited is operated at arms length under the management of its own Board. The Board’s business plan ensures a commercial return based on market conditions and potential growth. The 2012 Financial accounts have been lodged, and the 2013/14 will be lodged in accordance with Company Law.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of EU Laws on the ability to provide adequate funding to Cardiff Airport? (WAQ66529)
Answer received for publication on 11 March 2014
Edwina Hart: The airport is operated at arms length with an investor who is prepared to take a medium to long term view on their investment. All investments therefore are made on an MEOP basis as required by EU State Aid Guidance for support to airports. Last week the EC published new guidelines on the State Aid support for airports, these new guidelines will assist in the decision relating to any future MEOP investment made by the Welsh Government.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What interest rate is the Welsh Government charging on the £10m loan it granted to Cardiff Airport? (WAQ66530)
Answer received for publication on 11 March 2014
Edwina Hart: The loan interest rate which the airport is being charged is a commercial matter, and has been calculated in accordance with EU State Aid guidelines.
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): How much Welsh Government support has been given to Tata Steel in each of the last 10 years? (WAQ66531)
Answer received for publication on 11 March 2014
Edwina Hart: This information is commercial in confidence.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister explain the reasons for the pilot on flexible access to the Foundation Phase in four Welsh local authorities? (WAQ66532)
Answer received for publication on 12 March 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): I have set up these pilots to respond to some concerns received from parents/carers about the flexibility of the Foundation Phase. These concerns include the way the hours are allocated and the number of sessions/days the Foundation Phase is offered in some places which do not always fit well with work commitments and the availability of wrap-around childcare.
The Welsh Government has, therefore, agreed to pilot options to explore ways in which flexibility of access to Foundation Phase provision might be increase, taking place from January 2014 until July 2015 and aiming to:
test flexibility options across the Foundation Phase in maintained and non-maintained settings;
identify issues that may arise for local authorities and settings as a result of providing or trying to provide greater flexibility;
consider how those issues can be addressed; and
create a better understanding of whether increased flexibility makes a difference to parents ability to access the Foundation Phase for their child.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources and Food
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister indicate the total amount of funding support requested by Conwy County Borough Council for Coastal flooding / Storm damage repairs in Aberconwy? (WAQ66533)
Answer received for publication on 12 March 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources and Food (Alun Davies): The table below show the areas within your constituency of Conwy which have been awarded funding following the recent storms.
Location Conwy | Amount requested | Grant Rate* | Grant Award |
Conwy Morfa | £249,400 | 50% | £124,700 |
Deganwy | £64,400 | 100% | £64,400 |
Llandudno North Shore | £1,514,500 | 100% | £1,514,500 |
Llandudno West Shore | £43,050 | 100% | £43,050 |
Llanfairfechan | £57,550 | 100% | £57,550 |
Morfa Madryn | £1150 | 50% | £575 |
Penrhyn Bay | £19,050 | 50% | £9525 |
Total Grant |
|
| £1,814,300 |
*Grant eligibility has been extended due to exceptional circumstances. 100% grants were awarded where defences protected people and homes with lower rates in other areas not normally eligible for Flood and Coastal Risk grants.
In addition Conwy were awarded £451,530 from the tourism infrastructure fund.