Written Assembly Questions tabled on 13 May 2015 for answer on 20 May 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
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister provide details of each Welsh Government department to whom Mr Goldstone has provided advice, either on a contractual or consultancy basis, and the total remuneration he has received for these services since 1 April 2011? (WAQ68669)
Answer received on 21 May 2015
First Minister (Carwyn Jones): Further to my response to WAQ68661 the additional figure you requested for 2011/12 is £472.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): With regards to the discussions held between Welsh Government officials and Conwy County Borough Council relating to the beach replenishment works at Llandudno North Shore Beach, will the Minister provide details of the nature of the talks and the names of those with whom they have entered into dialogue? (WAQ68670)
Answer received on 21 May 2015
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): I have provided details on these discussions previously, most recently in WAQ68631. I am content that all procedures have been followed correctly.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Have the Minister received any observations from within the sector that the timescale for the Arts and Creative Learning Plan may be unrealistic? (WAQ68675)
Answer received on 19 May 2015
The Deputy Minister for Culture Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates): There have been some comments surrounding the proposed timetable for the Creative Learning Plan but these have been few in number.
This is an extremely important and ambitious programme and it will play a vital role in the educational and cultural development of children and young people in the years ahead.
I recognise that the timetable is challenging which is why we are taking a phased approach to the implementation of the Plan, beginning with the Lead Creative Schools element in September. We will, of course, be monitoring, evaluating and reviewing progress throughout the process.
To ask the Minister for Finance and Government Business
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to WAQ68660, will the Minister confirm details of any remuneration received by Mr Goldstone or other companies in relation to advice that he has provided to her department on a consultancy basis; giving figures for each of the last three financial years? (WAQ68668)
Answer received on 21 May 2015
The Minister for Finance and Government Business (Jane Hutt): Mr Goldstone has not provided any advice to my Department in the last three financial years.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm total remuneration paid to Mr Goldstone or other companies in relation to health advice that the Welsh Government has received from him on a consultancy basis, giving figures for each of the last three financial years? (WAQ68667)
Answer received on 21 May 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): Mr Goldstone has not received any remuneration payments in relation to health advice in the last three years.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): In the light of the fact that self-harm rates in children in Wales has reached a five year high, what action is the Welsh Government taking to support those at risk of harming themselves? (WAQ68671)
Answer received on 21 May 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) quality standards changed in June 2013 to recommend that all children under 16 are assessed differently following self-harm. The increase in recorded levels of self-harm may reflect a change in clinical practice as a result of the new quality standard.
The Welsh Government expects all children to have access to services to meet their clinical and emotional needs following any episode of self-harm, in line with NICE guidelines.
Talk to Me 2, the Welsh Government's updated strategy to reduce suicide and self-harm, was subject to public consultation between December 2014 and March 2015. It will be launched in July.
Ongoing work includes:
- School-based counselling is available in every secondary school and in year six in primary schools;
- Around 10,000 individuals across Wales have completed Mental Health First Aid and Young Mental Health First Aid training. Around 5,000 have accessed the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) practical training for care-givers seeking to prevent the immediate risk of suicide;
- The Samaritans will receive more than £300,000 Welsh Government funding to continue its work in Wales;
- Community Advice and Listening Line (CALL) has been extended.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement detailing the specialist care available in Wales for sufferers with Bechet's disease? (WAQ68672)
Answer received on 21 May 2015
Mark Drakeford: Bechet's disease is a rare disease. Our strategy for rare diseases is set out in our rare disease implementation plan.
http://gov.wales/topics/health/nhswales/plans/rare/?lang=en
To ask the Minister for Public Services
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the steps being taken to ensure full transparency in the public appointments process of the non-statutory Public Services Staff Commission? (WAQ68673)
Answer received on 19 May 2015
The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews):
Ministerial appointments to the Public Services Staff Commission will be made in accordance with the Commissioner's Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies based on merit, fairness and openness. Although appointments to the Commission will not be regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, I recognise that it is important to comply with the Code. A copy can be found here:
http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/the-code-of-practice/
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): With reference to WAQ68645, will the Minister provide further detail on the public appointments process for the Public Services Staff Commission, to include the terms of reference? (WAQ68674)
Answer received on 19 May 2015
Leighton Andrews:
Full details on the public appointments process for the Public Services Staff Commission can be found on the Welsh Government website:
The application process closes on 31 May. The person specification sets out the criteria for the appointments. Interviews will be held in July, and I expect to confirm the appointments in September.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): When will schools be able to begin applying for the Arts and Creative Learning Plan? (WAQ68676)
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): When will the application process be finalised for the Arts and Creative Learning Plan? (WAQ68677)
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): What is the last day for applications to be considered for the Arts and Creative Leaning Plan? (WAQ68678)
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): How many schools does the Minister anticipate will take part in the Arts and Creative Learning Plan for Wales? (WAQ68679)
Answer received on 19 May 2015
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis):
I am delighted to advise that the first strand of the Arts and Creative Learning Plan – the Lead Creative Schools scheme – will be open for applications from schools from 3 June. A prospectus will be published, describing the scheme and how schools can apply. Information sessions for schools are being held across Wales during May and June.
The closing date for the first round of the Lead Creative Schools Scheme is 17July. Schools will be notified in September on whether or not they have been successful. Project planning will then take place in participating schools during the autumn term.
There is capacity for up to 80 schools to join in the first round. During the course of the 5-year plan, the scheme has the capacity to reach around a third of schools in Wales.
Other aspects of the Arts and Creative Learning Plan scheduled for roll out in 2015 and 2016 will of course be available to all schools in Wales. I am committed to improving opportunities for the arts and creative learning in our schools and to working in partnership with the Arts Council of Wales to achieve this.