Written Assembly Questions tabled on 7 October 2015 for answer on 14 October 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 Natural Resources
David Melding (South Wales Central): What measures is the Welsh Government taking to improve the quality of Welsh data on fuel poverty to match programs on data quality in Scotland and England? (WAQ69236)
Answer received on 13 October 2015
The Minsiter for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant):
Welsh Government is currently examining the long term options for strengthening the evidence and data that currently exists on housing conditions and fuel poverty levels in Wales.
In the short term we have commissioned the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to undertake research to estimate and project near term fuel poverty levels in Wales. The project commenced in October 2015, and we expect the findings to be made available in early 2016.
In addition we have commissioned the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to undertake a separate research project which aims to build an increased understanding of the individuals or households who are on a low income and are most at risk of the effects of living in a cold home. The project will also look at defining which of these individuals or households are the most in need of the support that can be offered through home energy efficiency improvements, and which routes these vulnerable individuals currently take to access help and support. The project commenced in August 2015, and we expect its findings to be made available in early 2016.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on what action the Welsh Government is taking to ban the use of live animals in circus performances? (WAQ69239)
Answer received on 15 October 2015
The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): Anybody using live animals in circuses should comply with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. However, the Welsh Government is looking at the policy in relation to the use of wild animals in circuses as we share the concerns expressed by many of the public.
Despite previous commitments from Defra to take forward primary legislation to ban the use of wild animals in circuses, and numerous promises from the Secretary of State, it is now clear the UK Government shows no appetite for action. We are therefore considering whether it may be appropriate for the Welsh Government to act alone.
We are commissioning an independent review of the available evidence about the welfare of wild animals used by travelling circuses. That will help inform whether legislation may be appropriate and if so, the form it might take. We will consult all parties with an interest in this issue before making a final decision.
We are also in discussion with the Welsh Local Government Association, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Police and Local Authorities to monitor public safety and animal health and welfare standards in travelling circuses.
To ask the Minister for Public Services
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What is the Welsh Government doing to help protect older people from telephone, cold-calling, post and email scams? (WAQ69243)
Answer received on 15 October 2015
The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews):
Consumer protection is not a devolved matter and we therefore have no powers to enforce No Cold Caller Zones or to protect people from financial scams.
However we have provided funding to Local Authorities to increase the number of No Cold Caller Zones in Wales which help to protect vulnerable people from scams. We also provided funding to support Age Cymru's scams awareness project and we have developed our own information and advice service to tackle cold calling and scams around energy efficiency.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the current closure of Surf Snowdonia? (WAQ69238)
Answer received on 15 October 2015
The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Ken Skates): Surf Snowdonia has proved very popular since its launch and we welcome the further investment over coming winter months and are assured the attraction will return in time for 2016 season.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
David Melding (South Wales Central): What steps has the Welsh Government taken to ensure patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or other interstitial lung diseases are referred to specialist nurses as established by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)? (WAQ69236)
Answer received on 21 October 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The Respiratory Health Delivery Plan outlines how patients diagnosed with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) should be managed by a multidisciplinary team working to NICE guidelines.
Health boards and the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee are working together through the Respiratory Health Implementation Group to develop approaches to treating patients with ILDs in line with these guidelines.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): will the Minister outline the total budget for therapies for tinnitus and related conditions for each health board in Wales? (WAQ69240)
Answer received on 21 October 2015
Mark Drakeford: It is for health boards to determine their spending on services for tinnitus and related conditions based on their assessment of local needs.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's specific provision for the treatment of hyperacusis? (WAQ69241)
Answer received on 15 October 2015
Mark Drakeford: The management of hyperacusis involves counselling and, in some cases, de-sensitisation involving the use of small noise generators.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How is the Minister working to encourage ENT specialists and audiologists to talk to patients about the psychological results of hearing loss and hearing-related conditions? (WAQ69242)
Answer received on 15 October 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The Welsh Government is working with all stakeholders, including ENT specialists and audiologists, to scope services for people who experience hearing related problems. We will be consulting on a national plan which will bring together all actions into one place. How to improve service provision for patients support needs for the psychological results of hearing loss will be addressed as part of the plan.