Written Assembly Questions tabled on 9 July 2014 for answer on 16 July 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 Natural Resources, Culture and Sport
Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): Given that your predecessor said that the shoreline management plans are absolutely essential, when will be the Welsh Government be in a position to confirm and publish them? (WAQ67393)W
Answer received on 29 July 2014
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement regarding any discussions his department has held with Llanelli football club? (WAQ67394)W
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Minister held regarding the facilities that are available for playing football in the Llanelli area? (WAQ67395)W
Answer received on 18 July 2014 (WAQ67394-5)
John Griffiths: Together with my officials I work with Sport Wales, Football in Wales and a range of other partners regarding football facilities across Wales, including Llanelli and the wider area.
To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on funding for Funky Dragon? (WAQ67396)W
Answer received on 29 July 2014
The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Jeff Cuthbert): I will write to you and a copy of the letter will be put on the internet.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What action has the Welsh Government taken to notify Welsh farmers about the implications of the changes to the slaughter derogation on electronic identification for sheep under 12 months old in England from January 2015? (WAQ67397)
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): When will the Welsh Government announce the outcomes of the March 2014 consultation on EIDCymru? (WAQ67398)
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the implications for Wales and Welsh farmers of the changes to the slaughter derogation on electronic identification for sheep under 12 months old in England from January 2015? (WAQ67399)
Answer received on 15 July 2014 (WAQ67397-9)
The Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (Rebecca Evans): The Welsh Government has engaged throughout this process with the Welsh Livestock Identification Advisory stakeholder group (LIDAG) and has disseminated information about the slaughter derogation policy change in England and its potential impact on Welsh keepers.
Our intention is to communicate the Defra slaughter derogation policy changes to all sheep keepers in Wales alongside the distribution of the Annual Inventory forms in December 2014.
I will be issuing a written statement detailing the outcome of the EIDCymru and slaughter derogation consultation shortly, along with the summary of responses. This will take into consideration the potential consequences of different slaughter derogation policies in the other administrations and the impact on cross border trade.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What guidance is issued by the Welsh Government to local health boards in relation to the provision of eye treatment? (WAQ67387)
Welsh Government issued guidance on the use of Eyela for Wet AMD in 2013 and also issued the Together for Health: All Wales Eye Health Care Delivery Plan in September 2013.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Does the Welsh Government have a target waiting time for cataract procedures and, if not, what does the Minister deem to be an acceptable waiting time for a cataract procedure? (WAQ67388)
Answer received on 15 July 2014
Mark Drakeford: There is no specific waiting time target for cataract procedures.
Patients referred to the hospital eye service should receive an appointment in line with the 26 week referral to treatment waiting time target.
We expect all patients to be seen in a timely manner, and in order of their clinical need, which is a decision for the relevant clinician to make.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many optometrists and eye care specialists are employed in a) Wales and b) each individual health board, giving figures for each of the last 5 years? (WAQ67389)
Answer received on 15 July 2014
Mark Drakeford: Optometrists are not directly employed by health boards. They are independent contractors providing NHS primary care services.
Please find below tables providing the numbers of optometrists and eye care specialists for the years 2009-2013:
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister clarify whether his announcement today that NHS staff will be paid the living wage will apply to social care staff, and staff employed by companies contracted to provide services to the NHS? (WAQ67392)
Answer received on 22 July 2014
Mark Drakeford: I will write to you and a copy of the letter will be published on the internet.
To ask the Minister for Housing and Regeneration
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What guidance is issued by the Welsh Government to Housing Associations in Wales in relation to tenants and tenancy agreements? (WAQ67390)
Answer received on 18 July 2014
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What official guidance does the Welsh Government issue in respect of the way housing associations spend money on property refurbishments, specifically in the leasehold sector? (WAQ67391)
Answer received on 18 July 2014
Carl Sargeant: The Regulatory Framework and Delivery Outcomes. The Council Tenants and Leaseholders stock transfer charter.