Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 12 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 Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government

To ask the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): What is the current position regarding the Welsh Assembly Government's Consultation on Federated Schools which ended late last year, and when can an announcement on the outcome be expected. (WAQ55114)

Answer issued on 11 November 2009

I intend to consider the consultation outcome and drafts of the regulations and supporting explanatory memorandum soon, with the intention that the regulations will be made around Christmas - New Year.

To ask the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Peter Black (South Wales West): How much of the £500,000 allocated to local authorities under the pilot scheme for first time buyers has been spent so far. (WAQ55108) Transferred for answer by the Deputy Minister for Housing

Answer issued on 12 November 2010

The Deputy Minister for Housing (Jocelyn Davies): I refer you to my answer to WAQ55096.  The situation in June 2009 was that £200,000 had been spent.   We are expecting to receive further expenditure information in the next monitoring round.

Janet Ryder (North Wales): Will the Minister explain why the plans for 47-51 Clwyd St, Ruthin, have been called in and explain the delay in processing this scheme, which threatens the provision of affordable homes in the town. (WAQ55109)

Answer issued on 13 November 2009

You should by now have received my response to your letter of 19th October, dated 11 November, which provides a response to your questions.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on waiting lists for consultant gastro-enterologists in regards to the management of coeliac disease. (WAQ55106)

Answer issued on 13 November 2009

I expect all patients to be seen and treated in order of their clinical priority. This is determined by the consultant to whom the patient has been referred by their GP. All organisations are currently working towards the achievement of a maximum wait of 26 weeks from GP referral to the start of treatment by December 2009.

Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on the development of a pilot scheme for pharmacy led prescribing for coeliac patients. (WAQ55107)

Answer issued on 13 November 2009

It is the responsibility of the Local Health Boards to assess the health needs of their resident populations and to plan and provide such services to meet that need.

Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North): In light of calls in Scotland to scrap the merits payment scheme for consultants, will the Minister tell me whether she intends to reform the consultant contract in Wales. (WAQ55110)

Answer issued on 16 November 2009

I have no plans to make fundamental changes to the consultant contract in Wales but I have recently written to the Secretary of State for Health and the Health Ministers in the devolved administrations suggesting ways in which the merit payment scheme should be improved.

Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North): In the last three financial years, how many of the requirement letters served by the Welsh Assembly Government on care providers were repeat letters from previous years. (WAQ55111)

Answer issued on 13 November 2009

Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales do not issue requirement letters.

To ask the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): How much money has the Welsh Assembly Government allocated to the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme in its draft budget. (WAQ55112)

Answer issued on 18 November 2009

The Assembly Government has allocated up to £20 million to fund rates relief for small businesses rates relief.  The majority of this rates relief is funded from the non domestic rating pool within the Wales Consolidated Fund but the £20 million provision includes £7 million within the Social Justice and Local Government budget plans for both 2009-10 and 2010-11 to fund the Assembly Government’s "One Wales” commitment to enhance small business rate relief in Wales.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): How much has the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme cost the Welsh Assembly Government in the last two years. (WAQ55113)

Answer issued on 18 November 2009

Between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2009 the small business rates relief scheme has cost the Assembly Government over £31 million.