Written Assembly Questions tabled on 7 May 2014 for answer on 14 May 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 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 Economy, Science and Transport
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to WAQ66760, will the Minister confirm whether Cardiff Airport or the WGC Hold Co Board are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and, if so, is it the Welsh Government or the Minister’s department that handles these requests and the subsequent release of information? (WAQ66991)
Answer received on 13 August 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): All publically owned authorities are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The handling of requests received by the Airport would be a matter for the Airport.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to WAQ66752 and 66753, what is the direct cost to the Welsh Government of supporting the Holyhead to Cardiff route, providing annual costs for each of the last four financial years? (WAQ66992)
Answer received on 13 May 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): The Arriva Trains Wales North-South Express Service in its current formation has run since September 2012. The annual revenue costs since that time have been £2.850m and £2.690m
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to WAQ66764, how many of the original 11 Technium buildings were amalgamated with the Economy, Science & Transport trading portfolio and what capital value was attributed to each upon transfer? (WAQ66993)
Answer received on 13 May 2014
Edwina Hart: Of the original 11 former Technium buildings, on closure of the Technium programme in 2011, 9 buildings were transferred out of that programme’s management arrangements and into normal management arrangements consistent with the rest of the Economy Science and Transport portfolio. As these buildings were part of the Economy Science and Transport trading portfolio no formal capital transfer was required. 2 of the buildings were not owned or managed by Welsh Government.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to WAQ66764, of the original 11 Technium buildings how many were sold or transferred to a body other than the Economy, Science & Transport trading portfolio and how much money was raised in the sale or transfer of each? (WAQ66994)
Answer received on 13 May 2014
Edwina Hart: 5 former Technium buildings have been sold or transferred raising a total receipt of £6,150,000
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline what checks are in place to ensure that staff at Ysbyty Gwynedd's Hergest Unit and Bodelwyddan's Ablett Unit are abiding by and fully understanding the requirements of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010? (WAQ66989)
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline when the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 was fully adopted and implemented by (a) Ysbyty Gwynedd's Hergest Unit and (b) Bodelwyddan's Ablett Unit? (WAQ66990)
Answer received on 15 May 2014 (WAQ66989/90)
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): It is the responsibility of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCU) and their partners to ensure that staff atboth the Hergest and Ablett units are abiding by and understand the requirements of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 (‘the Measure’). I have noted the Royal College of Psychiatrists report of October 2013 which commented on the improvement in Measure related training for staff in the Hergest Unit . As well as work that was being undertaken to clarify the Care co-ordination role for both in patients and those receiving services in the community.
As part of its duty to review the Measure, the Welsh Government has put in place a number of monitoring requirements. These are outlined in detail in the Duty to Review Interim Report and in the ‘Together for Mental Health annual report’ which are attached. In addition, a performance paper was published in December 2013 and a further update is due for publication in June 2014, this gives further health board specific information.
This information can be found at:
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/health/reports/performance/?lang=en
BCU produced its legally required ‘scheme’ detailing the provision of its new local primary mental health services under Part 1 of the Measure in October 2012, and has confirmed that these are operating in all parts of the health board area.
There are tier 1 targets for mental health services set within the NHS national framework which monitor specific aspects of all LHBs’ performance with regard to the Measure and these are returned to Welsh Government each month.
This includes monitoring whether relevant patients have a care and treatment plan (in relation to which a target of 90% has been set by the Welsh Government). As of March 2014,BCU reported that over 92% of their patients had such a plan.
Part 2 services commenced in June 2012, and in its stocktake of these services, BCU confirmed that it has arrangements in place to ensure the competence of its care co-ordinators. Equally, assurance has been given that Part 3 services are in place; Welsh Government receives data on the number of requests for re-assessment each month.
The health board has also confirmed that patients in all of their hospitals have access to Independent Mental Health Advocacy. The Part 4 performance six monthly returns confirm that 100% of hospitals have advocacy provision available. We do not hold data on individual wards or units within health boards.
To ask the Minister for Housing and Regeneration
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister provide a list of the maximum amount of Discretionary Housing Payment available to each local authority in Wales to help people cope with housing benefit changes? (WAQ66987)
Answer received on 14 May 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): This is a question for Department for Work and Pensions.
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister provide a list of the local authorities that have applied for Discretionary Housing Payments and the amount requested in each case? (WAQ66988)
Answer received on 14 May 2014
Y Gweinidog Cyfoeth Naturiol (Carl Sargeant): This is a question for Department for Work and Pensions.