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Written Assembly Questions tabled on 12 January 2015 for answer on 19 January 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 First Minister

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's latest voluntary redundancy scheme? (WAQ68199)

Answer received on 15 January 2015

The First Minister of Wales (Carwyn Jones):  Staffing within the Welsh Government is a matter for the Permanent Secretary. I have asked him to write to you separately with the information you have requested.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): How much money has been put aside in the Welsh Government's budget for severance payments related to its latest voluntary redundancy scheme? (WAQ68200)

Answer received on 15 January 2015

Carwyn Jones: Staffing within the Welsh Government is a matter for the Permanent Secretary. I have asked him to write to you separately with the information you have requested.

To ask the Minister for Natural Resources

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What discussions has the Minister had regarding the rights of Welsh egg producers to switch distributors more easily? (WAQ68185)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans):  It would not be appropriate for Government to intervene in any contractual arrangements between egg producers and packers/distributors.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on  the allocation of single farm payments in Wales, including information on the percentage of a) applications that are paid on the first day of the 'paying window' and b) how much of the money is paid by the end of the first week? (WAQ68190)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Rebecca Evans: Farmers with Single Payment Scheme entitlements, who have eligible agricultural land available to them and submit a valid Single Application Form, are allocated payments. 90% of Rural Payments Wales customers were paid £180m on 1 December 2014 and 92% of customers were paid £186m by the end of the first week.

Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East): Will the Minister provide a list of all the applications to extract shale gas via hydraulic fracturing within south-east Wales? (WAQ68206)

Answer received on 22 January 2015

The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): There have not been any applications to extract shale gas via hydraulic fracturing within south-east Wales.

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Minister had regarding the promotion of wind energy in Llanidloes? (WAQ68207)

Answer received on 15 January 2015

The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): I have had no discussions on this specific matter.   

To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister make a statement on any action she has taken against local authorities that have failed to establish Gypsy-Traveller sites? (WAQ68183)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths): Welsh Ministers do not currently have the powers to compel Local Authorities to provide Gypsy and Traveller sites. The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 will place a duty upon Local Authorities to provide Gypsy and Traveller sites where there is an identified unmet need and give Ministers the power to direct them to provide these sites. We expect to commence this section of the legislation in spring 2016.

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Further to the creation of Communities First clusters, what evaluation has been undertaken of the new arrangements and their impact outcomes for the programme? (WAQ68184)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Lesley Griffiths: Communities First Evaluation – Ipsos Mori

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): When funding has been withdrawn from an organisation that has previously received such funding from the Minister's department, what appeals process, if any, is in place? (WAQ68189)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Lesley Griffiths: Grant awarded to an organisation is paid in accordance with the terms and conditions attached to it.  However, there is no guarantee of future funding once a particular grant period has expired.  In terms of any appeals process in relation to decisions on the allocation of funding, complaints can be made through the Welsh Government complaints procedure, or decisions of the Welsh Ministers may be subject to judicial review. 

To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What are the projected total costs associated with roadworks at Gileston Bends and will the Minister provide a detailed breakdown of this expenditure? (WAQ68195)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Spend to date, and projected spend to the completion of the project, is as follows:

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm that the roadworks at Gileston Bends in the Vale of Glamorgan are still on course to be completed early in 2015 and by what date? (WAQ68196)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Edwina Hart: I am advised that work will be completed mid February 2015.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Further to WAQ68099, will the Minister detail with which suppliers her officials have been discussing contactless ticketing systems? (WAQ68197)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Edwina Hart: My officials regularly meet with a number of suppliers in the field of contactless ticketing.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister state what steps she has taken to ensure the concerns of residents are taken into consideration by local authorities regarding the provision of safe cycling routes in Wales? (WAQ68216)

Answer received on 15 January 2015

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): In October I published statutory guidance for the Delivery of the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013.  This guidance sets out the processes and procedures that local authorities should follow to meet their duties under the Act. It includes advice on levels of consultation that local authorities should undertake with local residents to ensure their concerns are fully considered ahead of implementing walking and cycling routes in their areas. 

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister state how the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 has encouraged participation in activities such as cycling, running and walking? (WAQ68217)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Edwina Hart: The Active Travel Act came into force on 25 September 2014.  The Act requires Welsh Ministers to monitor and report on levels of walking and cycling annually and I intend to publish the first report in autumn this year.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy):  What steps has the Minister taken to ensure Local Authorities in Wales respond appropriately to the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013? (WAQ68218)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Edwina Hart: In October 2014  I published statutory guidance for the Delivery of the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013.  This guidance sets out the processes and procedures that local authorities should follow to meet their duties under the Act. (37)Answer received on 20 January 2015

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline the total amount spent on the Education Begins at Home campaign since its inception? (WAQ68186)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): The total spend to date on the campaign is £194,500 (inc VAT) which has paid for two television advertising campaigns, cinema campaign, direct communications to all parents with children in school, supporting public relations and pre and post campaign evaluation activities. 

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline at how many cinemas the Education Begins at Home campaign advert has been shown and how much has been spent on this aspect of the campaign? (WAQ68187)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Huw Lewis: This cinema advertisement has appeared in 47 cinemas across Wales and has cost £12,660 (inc. VAT).  The family focus package was purchased ensuring that those attending the cinema to see the advertisement were parents with children

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline how he plans to measure the success of the Education Begins at Home campaign? (WAQ68188)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Huw Lewis: A full evaluation will be undertaken at the end of this year's campaign which will measure the effectiveness of the all aspects of the activity – television and cinema advertising, public relations, social media reach, media coverage and the community roadshows that will take place throughout January and February.
This is a long-term behaviour change campaign but we have already seen very positive results in recall and message penetration which we have measured through pre and post campaign research activities with parents. 

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): How will the Minister ensure that the changes to the weighting of marks for GCSE Physical Education do not affect students who struggle academically but excel athletically? (WAQ68191)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Huw Lewis: A revised GCSE in Physical Education will be taught in Wales from September 2016. WJEC is currently seeking stakeholder opinion on proposals in relation to the revised assessment model, including a 60:40 and 50:50 split between external and non-examination assessment (which will assess practical skills), with 50:50 being the preferred option. These proposals will ensure academic rigour while maintaining a balance between practical and theoretical aspects. 

These weightings are in relation to the assessment of the revised GCSE Physical Education.  The delivery of the course will continue to include a strong practical element.

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on how he intends to ensure that pupils are engaging in more physical activities in school? (WAQ68192)

Answer received on 22 January 2015

The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): I understand the importance of delivering high quality physical activity to give young people the skills they need to maintain their health over a lifetime.

The findings from the most recent School Sports Survey in 2013 showed we are making good progress in encouraging children and young people to be physically active at school. The School Sport Survey, which canvassed the opinions of almost 110,000 young people in Wales, shows that the number of young people in Wales regularly taking part in sport has increased by 50% since 2011 -. from 27% in 2011 to 40% in 2013.

The size of this survey provides the clearest picture we have ever had and show that the long-term interventions we have put in place are making a difference. They also indicate where we need to collectively focus our efforts in the future. Young people are telling us that enjoyment, ability and confidence are the factors that most affect whether they are hooked on sport. Someone who enjoys school sport is significantly more likely to be hooked on sport, than those who do not enjoy it. The results demonstrate that we’re on the right track, but that there is still some way to go with particular groups of people, such as those in poverty, BME communities, and young women, all of whom have lower levels of participation in sport.

On 18 March 2014, with the then Minister for Culture and Sport, I launched the Physical Literacy Programme for Schools (PLPS), in response to the wider findings of the Schools and Physical Activity Task and Finish Group which was chaired by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.　

The PLPS, which is being delivered by Sport Wales and supported by £1.611m grant funding from the Welsh Government in 2014-15, is focussed on bringing about a change in pupil’s attitudes towards physical activity. The aim is to deliver a sustained increase in physical literacy and physical activity amongst school-aged children in Wales to help get them hooked on sport for life and to adopt healthy lifestyles. It also aims to ensure the regular monitoring of pupil’s progress towards physical literacy. Included within the PLPS is a Targeted Intervention Support Programme for Schools (TISPS), which looks to support schools in deprived areas.　

Under the TISPS, schools participating in Schools Challenge Cymru and others with high free school meal numbers will be assisted to identify a specific range of interventions aimed at increasing engagement in physical activity and to agree specific targets/milestones within school action plans.

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister provide guidance as to how long free school breakfasts should be provided during a school day? (WAQ68193)

Answer received on 15 January 2015

The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): The Free Breakfast in Primary Schools (FBIPS) statutory guidance document, published in June 2014, recommends that:

"Breakfast should normally be delivered as a short period before the start of the school day (e.g. 30 minutes) to achieve the primary purpose of providing sufficient time to enable those children who attend, to choose their breakfast, eat it without rushing and start normal school activities."

This allows local authorities to establish free breakfast clubs in their maintained schools which are appropriate for their individual needs.  Free breakfast clubs can be longer, or shorter, in duration than 30 minutes, but it is for the individual schools and local authorities to determine. 

I have provided a link to the full FBIPS statutory guidance document below, for your convenience;

http://learning.wales.gov.uk/resources/browse-all/free-breakfast-in-primary-schools/?lang=en

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Given the widespread concern regarding childhood obesity and the role schools play in encouraging pupils to engage in physical exercise, will the Minister make a statement as to the reasoning behind changing the weighting of GCSE physical education to 70% theory and 30% practical? (WAQ68194)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Huw Lewis: A revised GCSE in Physical Education will be taught in Wales from September 2016. A 70:30 split between external assessment and non-examination assessment has not been proposed for this reformed qualification in Wales. WJEC is currently seeking stakeholder opinion on proposals in relation to the revised assessment model, including a 60:40 and 50:50 split between external and non-examination assessment, with 50:50 being the preferred option. 

These weightings refer to the assessment model and the split between external assessment and non-examination assessment (which will assess practical skills). The delivery of the course will continue to include a strong practical element.

Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): What steps is the Welsh Government taking towards removing barriers of access for those looking to upskill or access part time education, in light of budget pressures caused by UK Government funding cuts? (WAQ68212)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Julie James): The budget pressures are challenging and we have had to make difficult decisions about how to implement reductions.  In recognition of the importance of further education in the drive to reduce the number of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) and in increasing the skill levels of young people before they enter the world of work, we have protected basic skills provision at current year levels. 

Further Education Institutions in Wales have still been allocated funding to support the provision of part-time education and officials will be working closely with the sector to minimise the impacts of any reductions and to ensure that the part time offer is prioritised to deliver the best possible outcomes for learners.
In addition to the part-time offer at Further Education Institutions the Welsh Government offers a number of programmes, with the support of European Social Funds, such as 

• ReAct, which addresses the needs of people who have been made redundant, or are under notice of redundancy, through a series of measures designed to remove barriers to obtaining new employment and;

• Essential Skills in the Workplace, which raises levels of basic skills in the workplace through the provision of Essential Skills Wales qualifications in Communication, Application of Number and ICT up to and including level 2.

Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to promote co-investment by employers through funding training? (WAQ68213)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Julie James: In July 2014, the Welsh Government published the Skills Implementation Plan which sets out how we will respond to the skills needs of businesses and individuals over the next 10 years. The Framework for Co-investment in Skills was published in November 2014 and identifies those government-led investments which will continue to provide support for employers in taking responsibility for the skills needed of their employees. The Framework provides the foundations for working with employers to influence their investment in skills, and for monitoring the level of investment so that we maximise the impact of available resources. Implementation of the Framework will commence from April 2015.

Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to secure additional funding for the Sector Priorities Fund Programme (SPFP)? (WAQ68214)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Huw Lewis: The Sector Priorities Fund Programme was funded through the 2007-2013 European Union Structural Fund round and closed as planned on 31^st December 2014.

In order to respond to the needs of businesses and individuals going forward in July 2014, the Welsh Government published the Skills Implementation Plan. This plan sets out how we will respond to the skills needs of both businesses and individuals over the next 10 years.

The plan focusses on establishing an integrated approach to employment and skills support through a national, regional and local delivery model. Sector Skills Councils will have an opportunity to help shape and improve the quality and impact of skills delivery across the regions as the plan develops.

Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd): What is the Welsh Government doing to reduce incidences of self-harm in Welsh schools? (WAQ68215)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

Huw Lewis: Since September 2010 all secondary schools in Wales have offered counselling services, supported by £13m grant funding between 2008-09 and 2012-13 for the development of this service.  From April 2013 local authorities have been required, under the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act to make reasonable provision of counselling services for children and young people aged between 11 and 18 in their area and pupils in year 6 of primary school. At the same time £4.5m was transferred to the Revenue Support Grant for the continued support of this service.
In instances where the support required goes beyond what can be provided by school counselling services, our Mental Health Wales Measure has supported improved access to services and has ensured that specialist assessment and advice is available for children as well as adults. Help is also available from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) if the level of need is higher.
We are currently consulting on the second phase of our strategy Talk to me 2 which seeks to reduce suicide and self harm for people of all ages. 

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm the Welsh Government's position on the use of Duodopa for the treatment of Parkinson's disease? (WAQ68198)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):  In August 2007 the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) appraised co-careldopa (Duodopa®) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.    They were unable to recommend it for routine use within NHS Wales due to the lack of clinical and cost effectiveness data presented by the manufacturer of Duodopa®.  AWMSG invited the manufacturer to resubmit further clinical data to enable a review of their decision: to date the company has not responded.

The treatment can be made available via the Individual Patient Funding Request process if the clinician can demonstrate the patient would receive significantly more benefit from the treatment than normally expected from other patients with the same condition.

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline what action he will be taking to ensure that it is a requirement of all health boards to report their waiting times for surveillance colonoscopy procedures for patients at higher risk of developing bowel cancer? (WAQ68201)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline what action he is taking to ensure people who are at higher risk of developing bowel cancer and require surveillance colonoscopy are seen within eight weeks of their planned recall appointment date? (WAQ68202)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister confirm which health boards are on target to meet the recommendation made in the endoscopy and colonoscopy task and finish report that no patient should wait more than eight weeks for treatment? (WAQ68203)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): What assessment has the Minister made of the capacity required to meet the projected demand for colonoscopy-related activity over the next five years? (WAQ68204)

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): What assessment has the Minister carried out on the projected demand for colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy-related activity in Wales over the next five years? (WAQ68205)

Answer received on 22 January 2015 (WAQ68201-05)

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):  Waiting times for screening colonoscopy are collected from health boards via the Bowel Screening Wales Informatics System (BSIMS) and reported through the Public Health Wales performance reporting mechanisms.

Bowel Screening Wales does not keep separate waiting lists for initial and surveillance colonoscopy, so the waiting times reported reflect waits for colonoscopy for both groups of participants. Public Health Wales calculate monthly the surveillance activity required and build this in to their planning.

I announced an additional £4million funding for diagnostic services for this year. This will also help in reducing waiting times. The health boards have given assurance they will deliver a maximum waiting time for diagnostic tests of eight weeks by the end of March 2015.
In addition, £1.8million has been allocated to improve the environment of endoscopy units in several key hospitals in Wales. This investment in infrastructure will improve waiting times and patient capacity on an all Wales basis. The Endoscopy Implementation Group will also assess future capacity issues for the service.

With regards to projected demand for flexible sigmoidoscopy, the Wales Screening Committee is monitoring the outcome from the pilot flexible sigmoidoscopy programme in England, and has asked Public Health Wales to assess the feasibility of trialling flexible sigmoidoscopy in Wales. The latter is scheduled to be discussed at the next meeting of the committee.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the treatment available for people suffering from musculoskeletal conditions in Wales? (WAQ68209)

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What steps is the Minister taking to prevent the increase of musculoskeletal conditions in Wales? (WAQ68210)

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What engagement has the Minister and his department had with the North Wales Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance regarding the implementation of the Service Development and Commissioning Directives for Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions? (WAQ68211)

Answer received on 20 January 2015 (WAQ68209-211)

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): Early assessment and access to timely treatment as close to home as possible are key to minimising the impact of musculoskeletal conditions. Health boards are working to ensure services meet the needs of their communities.  The schemes to self refer to physiotherapy services continue to be rolled out across Wales.  This includes the provision of walk in centres so patients get quicker access to services without the need for GP referral.

Several health boards, including Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have introduced a Clinical Musculoskeletal Assessment and Treatment Service where extended scope physiotherapy practitioners work as part of a multi-disciplinary team alongside other health care professionals. This ensures patients are placed on the most appropriate treatment pathway, and where appropriate are diverted away from orthopaedic clinics, releasing capacity and reducing waiting times.

A number of initiatives have taken place across Wales to prevent and reduce the impact of musculoskeletal conditions. These include work focussed interventions as part of the Welsh Government's "Healthy Working Wales" programme.  Supporting people with musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace is also a key element of the European Social Fund bid being developed to strengthen the Department for Work and Pensions' Fit for Work occupational health service in Wales.  

In addition, the National Exercise Referral Scheme funded though Public Health Wales offers GPs and other primary care practitioners the opportunity to refer patients to exercise programmes. The benefits of this programme include increased muscular strength, stronger joints and possible delay in the onset of osteoporosis. 
Last year, the North Wales Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance Network Group contributed to a review of the Service Development and Commissioning Directive for Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions. The Network will be invited to participate in any further work that arises from the review.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on extending the Wales Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme to men aged over 65 years old? (WAQ68220)

Answer received on 22 January 2015

Mark Drakeford:  The Wales Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (WAAASP) was launched in May 2013 and offers screening to male residents of 65 years-of-age in Wales. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programmes have been established in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In all four nations, programme planning was for screening to be offered to all 65-year-old men initially, with the facility to allow self-referral for men aged over 65 who wished to be screened once the programme was established. In January 2014, WAAASP established a Task and Finish Group to consider the implementation of the extension of the programme to men over 65 and living in Wales, who request AAA screening (self-referrals). The recommendations of that Group will be considered at the next meeting of the Wales Screening Committee.

To ask the Minister for Public Services

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on what plans are in place to ensure that all vacant posts within a local authority are filled by means of a recruitment process that does not preclude those from outside a particular local authority from applying? (WAQ68208)

Answer received on 15 January 2015

The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews):  Under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, an Authority must advertise the vacancy externally when it proposes to appoint a Chief Officer to be remunerated in excess of £100,000.   Recruitment and employment procedures for other Local Authority staff are a matter for individual Local Authorities.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister detail what negotiations have taken place between his department and Conwy County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council regarding any financial incentives to be provided by the Welsh Government relating to their voluntary merger proposals? (WAQ68219)

Answer received on 20 January 2015

The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews): We are currently considering the Expressions of Interest received. The Prospectus outlines the Welsh Government support that may be offered to respective Local Authorities should an Expression of Interest be progressed to the next stage.