Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 16 February 2010

[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 Rural Affairs

To ask the Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning

Nerys Evans (Mid and West Wales): When is the Welsh Assembly Government likely to make a decision regarding the Cardiff school reorganisation plan. (WAQ55613)

Answer issued on 18 February 2010

The Welsh Assembly Government has no responsibility for determining local authority strategies or plans for school reorganisation. However, the Welsh Ministers have a statutory role, under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, in determining disputed school organisation proposals.

The following proposals, published by Cardiff Council and/or the governing bodies of the relevant voluntary aided schools, have received objections during the statutory objection period and have been referred to me for approval:

• the discontinuation of Lansdowne Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Tan Yr Eos, the transference of Ysgol Gymraeg Treganna into the current premises of Lansdowne Primary, and increases in the capacities and age ranges of Radnor Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Treganna;

• the discontinuation of Rumney and Llanrumney High Schools and the opening of a new secondary school on the site of Rumney Recreation Ground;

• the discontinuation of Llanedeyrn High School, the transference of St Teilo’s Church in Wales High School to the current site of Llanedeyrn High School and an increase in its capacity, and the establishment of a new Welsh medium secondary school on the current site of St Teilo’s.

• the establishment of an Autism Centre at Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School.

Decisions will be taken as soon as practicable.

To ask the Minister for Rural Affairs

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): In 2009, how many Welsh fishermen have been financially helped, both in total number and total financial amount through a) money from the European fisheries fund and b) the monies that are allocated by the Welsh Assembly Government to support this fund. (WAQ55611)

Answer issued on 10 March 2010

The Welsh Assembly Government has awarded in excess of £5.5 Million to the commercial sea fishing, aquaculture and angling industries in Wales, through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) programme.

In 2009, £3,452,027 of European Fisheries Fund and £1,682,636 Welsh Assembly Government match funding was contributed by EFF towards projects in Wales. Beneficiaries include the Cardigan Bay, and South & West Wales Fisherman’s associations with a combined membership of approximately 200 members. In addition projects were approved from the RNLI supporting safety training for fishermen, and Menter y Busnes providing business advice, which is available to 1000 Fishermen in Wales.

Financial assistance has been provided to the 3 main rivers trust representatives in Wales:  Carmarthen Rivers Trust, The Wye and Usk Foundation, and Afonydd Cymru.  These were under measures to improve the migratory fishing habitats and spawning grounds in Wales.  This will benefit all the Anglers and associated tourism industries on these river catchments.

Please see the following table to see all the projects approved in Wales:-

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/foodandfisheries/fisheries/europeanfundforfisheries/effpublications/effapprovedprojects2010/?lang=en

Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister list the cost of the advert which appeared on page 6 of the Country & Farming supplement of the Western Mail on 12th January 2010. (WAQ55612) Transferred for answer by the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport

Answer issued on 16 February 2010

The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): The advert cost £657.44 excluding VAT.

The key driver for this exercise was to provide an opportunity for the general public to bid for land where there is known local interest in grazing, particularly as the land had not been publicly available since 16 August 2005.