Written Assembly Questions tabled on 9 October 2014 for answer on 16 October 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
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Further to WAQ66533, will the Minister make a statement as to the expected completion date of works to repair flooding and storm damage from December 2013 to the area known as "Conwy Morfa", including the broken and damaged coastal path? (WAQ67875)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): Work is anticipated to start in early November 2014 to provide protection to the exposed historic tip by importing shingle and to the required protection profile.
Conwy Morfa – Coastal Path: Natural Resources Wales has confirmed that it is satisfied that the route as it is currently is suitable for walkers.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Further to WAQ66533, when will the much needed storm damage repairs and coastal defence works to Deganwy Promenade be completed and why have these works not been carried out to date? (WAQ67876)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): Beach replenishment works have been completed at the northern end of Deganwy promenade.
Further repairs to Deganwy Promenade have been delayed following additional information from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) regarding diversion works to their infrastructure.
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport has recently approved a further £69,988.32, in addition to the £325,000 grant approved, to support the additional work required at Deganwy promenade.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister list the major sporting and cultural events that have been organised and attracted to Wales over the last 5 years and state how much money the Welsh Government committed to each event? (WAQ67852)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates): Since the launch of 'Event Wales: a Major Events Strategy' in 2010, we have committed major events grant funding amounting to £20 million to support a wide range of major sporting and cultural events.
I will write to you regarding the individual events in due course.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much Welsh Government money has been committed towards attracting the Moto GP event to Wales? (WAQ67853)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Ken Skates: The Welsh Government has not provided any money specifically to attract Moto GP to Wales.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much Welsh Government money was spent on attracting and organising Wales Rally GB on an annual basis since its inception? (WAQ67854)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Ken Skates: As I have previously stated, the Welsh Government will provide up to £1.5m per annum to support the staging of the Rally in 2014 and 2015, subject to evaluating the impact of the events against agreed targets
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much Welsh Government money or Sport Wales funding has been paid to the WRU over each of the last 5 years, together with its purpose? (WAQ67855)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Ken Skates: Welsh Government investment in rugby through the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is provided by Sport Wales. The WRU has received (and has been offered for 2014-15) the following grant funding in the last 5 years:
| Exchequer | Lottery | Total | |
| 2014/15 (10 months) | £925,000 | £ 54,167 | £979,167 |
| 2013/14 (12 Months) | £400,000 | £125,000 | £525,000 |
| 2012/13 (12 Months) | £400,000 | £ 10,000 | £410,000 |
| 2011/12 (12 Months) | £400,000 | £ 0 | £400,000 |
| 2010/11 (12 months) | £161,000 | £ 12,000 | £173,000 |
The funding has been used to increase participation opportunities, coach education and development and the Women's Rugby 7s performance programme. In 2014-15, additional funding has been offered to the WRU to deliver their new strategy and to deliver increased development outcomes based on strengthening school and community rugby.
The WRU has also received from Welsh Government various amounts of funding over the last 5 years for purposes that sit outside my portfolio, for example under the Heads of the Valleys Programme.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much Welsh Government money or Sport Wales funding has been paid to the FAW over each of the last 5 years, together with its purpose? (WAQ67856)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Ken Skates: Welsh Government investment into football is primarily delivered through Sport Wales who channel their funding via the Welsh Football Trust. The Trust was formed by the FAW to identify and nurture talented youngsters, more and better qualified coaches and to increase participation rates amongst both boys and girls. The Welsh Football Trust has received the following funds from Sport Wales, over the past five years:
| Exchequer | Lottery | Total | |
| 2013/15 (19 months) | £1,470,656 | £78,000 | £1,548,656 |
| 2012/13 (12 Months) | £954,300 | £78,000 | £1,032,300 |
| 2011/12 (12 Months) | £915,000 | £66,000 | £981,000 |
| 2010/11 (12 Months) | £1,015,000 | £23,000 | £1,038,000 |
Additionally, Sport Wales invested £50k into a one off research post directly to the FAW during 2011/12 and allocated £750k (lottery) to support the development of the national football facility in Newport, together with Welsh Government funding of £400k during 2012/13.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide information on how many Welsh Government grants (including figures) were provided to residents in the Vale of Glamorgan who installed a service provided by Konek-T Broadband? (WAQ67870)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Julie James): The Broadband Support Scheme has supported 80 broadband installations at a total grant value of £78,539 in the Vale of Glamorgan. There have been no installations for Konek-T under the Access Broadband Cymru scheme.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, will the Minister detail the specific criteria on which Step One data measures will be based for primary schools? (WAQ67858)
Answer received on 16 October 2014.
Y Gweinidog Addysg a Sgiliau (Huw Lewis): A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, what weighting will Step One have in the overall categorisation for primary schools? (WAQ67859)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Y Gweinidog Addysg a Sgiliau (Huw Lewis): A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, will the Minister detail the specific criteria on which Step One data measures will be based for secondary schools? (WAQ67860)
Answer received on 16 October 2014.
Y Gweinidog Addysg a Sgiliau (Huw Lewis): A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, what weighting will Step One have in the overall categorisation for secondary schools? (WAQ67861)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Huw Lewis A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, will the Minister detail the specific criteria on which Step Two categorisation will be based for primary schools? (WAQ67862)
Answer received 16 October 2014
Huw Lewis A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, what weighting will Step Two have in the overall categorisation for primary schools? (WAQ67863)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Huw Lewis A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, will the Minister detail the specific criteria on which Step Two categorisation will be based for secondary schools? (WAQ67864)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Huw Lewis A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, what weighting will Step Two have in the overall categorisation for secondary schools? (WAQ67865)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Huw Lewis A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, will the Minister detail the specific criteria on which Step Three categorisation will be based for primary schools? (WAQ67866)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Huw Lewis A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, what weighting will Step Three have in the overall categorisation for primary schools? (WAQ67867)
Answer received 16 October 2014
Huw Lewis A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, will the Minister detail the specific criteria on which Step Three categorisation will be based for secondary schools? (WAQ67868)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Huw Lewis A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): With regard to the National School Categorisation System, what weighting will Step Three have in the overall categorisation for secondary schools? (WAQ67869)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Huw Lewis A Ministerial Written Statement was issued on Thursday 25 September, introducing the new National School Categorisation System:
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/natschoolcat/?lang=en
It includes detail of the performance measures to be used in the primary school model. It also refers to a further announcement that will be made later in October with the detail of the performance measures to be used in the secondary school model. The weighting of Step One and Two, which will be combined to form Step Three of the Categorisation, will be equal. A guide to Categorisation for schools and a guide to Categorisation for parents will be made available prior to the publication of Categorisation in January.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister detail any Welsh Government guidance surrounding the ability of Welsh NHS patients to access treatment in other EU countries and will he also provide the number of such procedures and total cost for each of the last three years (including the year to date)? (WAQ67857)
Answer received 16 October 2014
Mark Drakeford: Welsh Government guidance was issued to the NHS in October 2013 on implementing the Directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare, in Wales, and can be accessed through the following link
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/health/guidance/guidance/?lang=en
In addition a National Contact Point has been established, in line with the Directive, via NHS Direct, to provide information to Welsh patients considering accessing treatment within another European Economic Area (EEA) country. A link to this website is as follows
http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/travelhealth/NCPs/
Information on the numbers of patients who have accessed treatment in another EEA country is not held centrally.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister explain the reason(s) why the Welsh Government has blocked a visit by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) to conduct a comparative study into the NHS in Wales? (WAQ67873)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
Mark Drakeford (The Minister for Health and Social Services): The Welsh Government has blocked no such visit. The failure of the Secretary of State at the Department for Health to confirm his willingness to adhere to recognised conventions in the report’s publication has necessitated a delay in a visit to Wales by the OECD. We remain committed to participating in an OECD review of healthcare quality in Wales.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm when the Welsh Government will co-operate with OECD on the study into the NHS in Wales? (WAQ67874)
Answer received 16 October 2014
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government has been in co operation with the OECD since April of this year and continues to do so.
To ask the Minister for Public Services
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the status of the Intermediate Care Fund, which has gone from £15million to nothing, as was announced in the Provisional Local Government Settlement 2015-16? (WAQ67871)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews): The Provisional Local Government announcement is consistent with the 2014-15 Welsh Government Budget which set out provision for £15 million of capital funding for the Intermediate Care Fund for 2014-15 only.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement as regards the rationale behind the drop in Flying Start funding from £11 million to £2 million as announced in the Provisional Local Government Settlement 2015-16? (WAQ67872)
Answer received on 16 October 2014
The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews): The capital funding tables published as part of the Provisional Local Government Settlement included the estimated provision for the programme of capital works associated with the Flying Start programme. For 2015-16, this was originally estimated at £2 million as it was anticipated that the majority of the work would have been completed. However revisions to the profile of capital projects mean an additional £4.95 million was allocated in the Draft Welsh Government Budget. This update will be reflected in the Final Local Government Settlement tables published in December.