Answers issued to Members on 15 July 2009

[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Contents

Questions to the First Minister

Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Questions to the Minister for Heritage

Questions to the First Minister

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Since may 2007 how much has the Welsh Assembly Government spent on overseas visits and could you provide me with details on i) location; ii) attendees; iii) subsistence; iv) accommodation; and v) additional costs? (WAQ54516)

The First Minister (Rhodri Morgan): Since May 2007 £109,911 has been spent on overseas visits. The information we hold is shown in the following table. We hold overall costs, not the detailed breakdown requested.

Overseas Visits - May 2007 to June 2009

Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the continuation of the small school grant and the value of small schools to the community? (WAQ54538)

The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (Jane Hutt): We undertook, in One Wales, to continue the funding in support of small and rural schools and have met this undertaking. In 2009/10 a total of £4.1 million is again available to local authorities to support joint working, teaching heads and to promote the community focus of small schools. It is for local authorities to decide on the pattern of schools to serve all their communities and the appropriate size of school needed in each area.

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): How many alcohol related deaths have there been in Wales for each year since 1999 and will the Minister provide a breakdown by LHB area in addition to an age profile of the victims? (WAQ54545)

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): The definition of alcohol-related deaths can be found at the following Office for National Statistics web page:

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=14496&Pos=&ColRank=1&Rank=272

The table below shows the number of alcohol related deaths in Wales in age groups since 1999.

Alcohol-related deaths for normal residents of Wales by age group, 1999 to 2007

Further data broken down by LHB area is provided on the NPHS website at:

http://howis.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=719&pid=28657

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): How many people present at A&E departments with alcohol related conditions in each year since 1999 and will the Minister provide a breakdown by LHB area? (WAQ54546)

Edwina Hart: Since April 2009 data on whether an attendance at A&E units is alcohol related have been collected for the Emergency Department Data Set (EDDS). There are no published data yet from this source

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): How many people present at A&E departments with injuries sustained as a result of domestic violence in each year since 1999 and will the Minister provide a breakdown by LHB area? (WAQ54547)

Edwina Hart: No data are routinely collected at present but there is an action in our draft strategic action plan which states: 'Ensure that A&E departments have information systems which are capable of identifying repeat attenders, and particularly repeat attenders who are injured. This will enable appropriate and timely referrals to be made.’

Huw Lewis (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney): Will the Minister provide an update on the review of the use of 0844 / 0845 telephone numbers by GP practices? (WAQ54548)

Edwina Hart: I have recently received a briefing from my officials on the potential options, but after giving it careful consideration, I have asked officials to undertake further work before I decide on what action I want taken. I hope to be in a position to make a decision on the way forward very soon.

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on community-based treatment for glaucoma patients? (WAQ54549)

Edwina Hart: On 24 June I announced the ophthalmic diagnostic centre pilot that would evaluate the feasibility of diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma in the community. The pilot and opening dates of the clinics still apply.

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide an update on the new optometry contract? (WAQ54550)

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): When will the new optometry contract be ready to be introduced? (WAQ54551)

Edwina Hart: A review of the delivery of eye care in Wales concluded that an improved patient pathway should be introduced. This has been agreed with Optometry Wales. The current economic difficulties have had an adverse impact on implementation. I have not yet decided when the contract will be introduced.

Questions to the Minister for Heritage

Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd): Will the Minister provide a breakdown, by location, of where Welsh Athletics are currently providing support programmes for Welsh athletes? (WAQ54524)

The Minister for Heritage (Alun Ffred Jones): The Sports Council work closely with Welsh Athletics to provide support for athletes across Wales.

One example is the Talent Cymru programme aimed at 14-19 year olds. This scheme provides financial assistance and other support to athletes who have been identified by Welsh Governing Bodies, in this case Welsh Athletics, as having the potential to meet the UK Pathway or Elite Cymru criteria.

Welsh Athletics also employ several specialist coaches to work with high performance athletes and have established Area Development Centres in Swansea, Deeside and Cardiff. A series of psychology workshops is also being held in Cardiff, Swansea and in North Wales which will commence in August. In addition, through the North Wales Regional Institute of Sport, identified athletes have access to physiotherapy services based in Llanrwst and Wrexham.    

The list below provides details of the athletes who are receiving support under Talent Cymru.