Written Assembly Questions tabled on 15 February 2017 for answer on 22 February 2017
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
Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the UK Government on the prospect of a hard border between Wales and Ireland, and has the Welsh Government sought an assurance that any infrastructure necessary to police and monitor the border will be paid for by the UK Government? (WAQ73004)
Answer received on 22 February 2017
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): In Securing Wales' Future, we discuss the importance of our ports which form key arterial routes between Wales and Ireland and make clear that the interests of these areas must be taken into account and protected in respect of any changes to border arrangements.
We have emphasised the importance of this issue at the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations, where we have stated that introducing border controls between the UK and the Republic of Ireland would be deeply damaging. The UK Government has said repeatedly that the border issue is one of their main concerns but it is as yet unclear how these concerns will be turned into a clearly defined policy. I do not want to speculate on what infrastructure could be required in the future, though I am clear that any such infrastructure would be for the UK Government to pay for.
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): Will the First Minister make a statement on the extent of the use of co-operative principles across his Cabinet's portfolio responsibilities? (WAQ73007)
Answer received on 23 February 2017
Carwyn Jones: The Welsh Co-operative and Mutuals Commission Report published in February 2014, recommended and received cross Government support and action as borne out by the Review of the Implementation of the Recommendations in 2015. The Programme for Government 'Taking Wales Forward 2016 – 2021' builds upon the Commission's recommendations in many priority areas.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales): What relationship does the Welsh Government have with ferry operators between Wales and Ireland and how does it intend to strengthen relationships in future to secure Welsh interests? (WAQ73003)
Answer received on 17 February 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): The Welsh Government already has a close relationship with Stenaline and Irish Ferries, both individually and through their membership of the Welsh Ports Group where discussions continue to focus on Brexit.
I met with representatives of Irish Ferries in December to discuss specifically the potential impacts of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union.
We will continue working closely with the ferry operators with the mutually held objective of continuing to develop business and encourage an increase in throughput, of passenger and freight traffic, through the key ports in Wales of Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock.
Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Welsh Government's economic department had with the Irish Government and its economic agency, the IDA, to ensure that every opportunity is sought to secure investment between the two nations across the Irish Sea trade routes following Brexit? (WAQ73005)
Answer received on 27 February 2017
Ken Skates: A number of productive discussions have been held with the Irish Government, the Irish Ambassador to the UK and representatives of the IDA since June 2016, including a successful trade mission to Dublin within the last six months. Next week, officials will also be hosting a reception at the Residence of the UK Ambassador to Ireland to celebrate St David's Day. The economy is a key element of any discussions with Ireland due to the long established and fruitful relationship of trade and investment between our two countries.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Further to WAQ72072, will the Cabinet Secretary outline how much of this funding will be allocated to address the lengthy delays in knee and hip replacement surgery waiting lists within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board? (WAQ73006)
Answer received on 21 February 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): The additional funding has been provided to support the delivery of improvements in performance across the heath board, not just in orthopaedics. We have made clear our expectations of what we expect the health board to achieve by the end of March; this includes improvements in all RTT specialities.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the importance of allotments and community gardening to the Welsh Government's health and well-being strategies and to community cohesion and social inclusion? (WAQ73008)
Answer received on 21 February 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The benefits to individuals of traditional allotments and community gardens are clear. They help promote physical activity, build closer community relationships and reduce social isolation. In many cases this leads to dramatic improvements in people's quality of life.
Taking Wales Forward sets out our ambition to embed healthy living throughout our programmes and to place a focus on health at the core of everything we do. Supporting and encouraging people to take small steps to improve their lifestyle and reduce the risk of preventable illness remains a priority.
Welsh Government's community cohesion work is described in our Community Cohesion National Plan. The work spans a spectrum from work in communities to foster inclusion, tolerance and respect, to work to prevent discrimination, victimisation and extremism.
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): Further to the announcement today that the Welsh Government is investing £104 million to heat Wales' most vulnerable households, will the Cabinet Secretary outline the potential impact of this for constituents in Ogmore? (WAQ73009)
Answer received on 20 February 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The Welsh Government's investment of £104 million over the next four years will improve the energy efficiency of up to 25,000 homes across Wales. Constituents in Ogmore will be able to access free, impartial advice and support to help them reduce their energy bills under the Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme. For households who meet the eligibility criteria, the support provided includes a whole house assessment for a package of free home energy efficiency improvements.
Bridgend County Council will also have the opportunity to bid for grant funding for area-based home energy efficiency schemes in Ogmore under Welsh Government Warm Homes Arbed. My officials have held a number of events with Local Authorities to discuss proposals for the new round of Arbed funding and have offered support to Local Authorities to help them develop high quality bids.