Written Assembly Questions tabled on 15 July 2014 for answer on 22 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

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on developing the tourism potential of Welsh historical battlefields? (WAQ67445)

Answer received on 29 July 2014

Minister for Natural Resources, Culture and Sport (John Griffiths): A substantial body of information has now been collected on the key sites and this will inform the creation of an online inventory of historic battlefields in Wales. This will help support the management and protection of these important sites, raise public awareness and provide opportunities for improved on-site interpretation. For example, Cadw has recently installed new interpretation and art work at the site commemorating the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd at Cilmeri. There are further opportunities to work with partners at a handful of other sites where there is good evidence for key battlefield locations, such as Bryn Glas, Pilleth and at St Fagan’s.

Perhaps the greatest potential lies in the opportunity for developing the stories that link historic battles or sieges with locations that are already tourism destinations. For example, Harlech Castle, and it association with the Wars of the Roses and the song ‘Men of Harlech’, and Kidwelly Castle and the story of Princess Gwenllian. Many of these sites and opportunities feature in the Pan Wales Heritage Interpretation Plan, which seeks to bring alive the stories of historic sites across Wales, making the key connections and increasing the enjoyment and understanding of visitors.

Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): What is the Welsh Government’s involvement with the Red Squirrels Trust Wales project to cull grey squirrels in Gwynedd? (WAQ67460)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

John Griffiths: Welsh Government is aware of grey squirrel control measures undertaken by a number of bodies and individuals in different areas of Wales.

We have had no direct involvement in the Red Squirrels Trust grey squirrel eradication work.

Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): What involvement has the Welsh Government had with the Red Squirrels Trust Wales (previously the Friends of Anglesey Red Squirrels Trust) and, in particular, the eradication of grey squirrels from Anglesey? (WAQ67461)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

John Griffiths: Welsh Government is aware of grey squirrel control measures undertaken by a number of bodies and individuals in different areas of Wales.

We have had no direct involvement in the Red Squirrels Trust grey squirrel eradication work.

Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): What method of humane destruction does the Welsh Government recommend for grey squirrels? (WAQ67462)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

John Griffiths: Grey Squirrels can be run into a sack and killed by a single sharp blow to the head. Alternatively, they may be shot whilst in the cage, using a suitable weapon. Shooting should only be undertaken by an experienced, competent person.

Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): Does the Welsh Government consider that the ‘sack’ method of killing grey squirrels is a legal method under current legislation? (WAQ67463)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

John Griffiths: The dispatch of a cage trapped Grey Squirrel which is run into a sack and then killed humanely by a single blow to the back of the head with a blunt instrument is legal.

Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): What investment has the Welsh Government made in a) squirrelpox vaccine development and delivery; and

b) development of immunocontraception for grey squirrels as measures to conserve red squirrels in Wales? (WAQ67464)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

John Griffiths: a) Over the last two financial years, £50,000 has been allocated to work supporting squirrel-pox vaccine development. Funding comes from the joint Wales and England research budget managed by Defra.

b) As part of a research programme the Welsh Government has previously licenced the capture and release of grey squirrels in Clocaenog Forest to trial the use of contraceptive implants.

To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide details of the Welsh Government's involvement with AB Internet in Wales, which was launched by the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 19 June? (WAQ67447)

Answer received on 18 July 2014

Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): This is a UK Government led project. However, following the announcement of AB Internet’s successful bid, my officials met with them and DCMS and proposed a number of potential deployment areas in Wales for consideration. These are difficult to reach areas outside the Superfast Cymru intervention area, where the market has failed to provide superfast broadband.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many dogs have been put to sleep by local authorities in Wales under breed-specific legislation since May 2011? (WAQ67449)

Answer received on 22 July 2014

Edwina Hart: The Welsh Government does not hold this information centrally.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline what action the Welsh Government is taking to combat falling beef prices and what engagement she is having with key stakeholders to address this problem? (WAQ67451)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

Edwina Hart The Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries announced on 21 July, her intention to hold a beef sector event that will bring together key industry stakeholders to discuss the current situation across the supply chain.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How is the Welsh Government utilising the cultural links between Wales and Patagonia to promote tourist opportunities from Argentina and Chile to Wales? (WAQ67452)

Answer received on 18 July 2014

Edwina Hart: Tourism officials are meeting Mr Jeremy Wood, a representative of the Welsh community in Patagonia in Wales next month to explore ways in which we can create opportunities for Patagonians to visit Wales.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister detail how much the Welsh Government has spent on the Sêr Cymru programme since it was officially launched in September 2012? (WAQ67453)

Answer received on 22 July 2014

Edwina Hart: A significant amount of the Sêr Cymru budget has been expended in attracting world class research stars to Wales and in establishing our three research networks.

Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): How many passengers used the airline service between Anglesey Airport and Cardiff Airport in each year since 2010? (WAQ67454)W

Answer received on 13 August 2014

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): There were 9,829 passengers in 2011, 8,694 in 2012 and 8,536 in 2013.

Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): How many services between Anglesey Airport and Cardiff Airport were cancelled in every year since 2010? (WAQ67455)W

Answer received on 13 August 2014

Edwina Hart: We are advised that in 2011 eight services were cancelled, two services in 2013 and twelve services in 2013.

Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): How many air services between Anglesey Airport and Cardiff Airport were delayed by an hour or more in every year since 2010? (WAQ67467)W

Answer received on 22 July 2014

Edwina Hart: We do not hold information on the length of individual delays.

Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon): Does the Welsh Government support the culling of grey squirrels already present in an area in order to facilitate the reintroduction of red squirrels after a long period of absence? (WAQ67468)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

John Griffiths:The Welsh Government supports the approach to grey squirrel management set out in the ‘Conservation Plan for Red Squirrels in Wales’ (2009) as developed by the Wales Squirrel Forum and Wales Squirrel Partnership.

William Graham (South Wales East): Will the Minister provide an update on the Wales Technology Seed Fund, including the number of businesses that have applied to it, the businesses that have been successful and the equity stake in each business? (WAQ67469)

Answer received on 18 July 2014

Edwina Hart: The Wales Technology Seed Fund only became operational in June. Finance Wales has received 24 enquiries worth around £2.4m, which are being actively considered, but no investments have been made to date.

William Graham (South Wales East): Will the Minister provide an update on the SME Investment Fund and micro-business loan funds? (WAQ67470)

Answer received on 18 July 2014

Edwina Hart: To date, the Wales SME Fund has supported 41 businesses, investing £11.9m directly and attracting £11.4m of further private sector funds. The Fund has created and safeguarded 973 jobs.

To date, the Wales Micro Business Loan Fund has supported 87 businesses, investing £1.96m directly and attracting £2.3m of further private sector funds. The Fund has created and safeguarded 545 jobs.

William Graham (South Wales East): Does the Welsh Government hold up-to-date data on Finance Wales's engagement with small businesses and the number that have applied for support through the organisation? (WAQ67471)

Answer received on 18 July 2014

Edwina Hart: The Welsh Government receives regular updates on key performance data from Finance Wales, as part of its oversight of their operations.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): In relation to funding for the forthcoming rural development plan, will the Minister confirm how much of the Welsh Government's own money will be used to complement money from European Union funding streams? (WAQ67446)

Answer received on 18 July 2014

Edwina Hart: I am responding as the Rural Development Programme budget falls within my portfolio. It is proposed that the Welsh Government co-finances the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme at £400m over the life of the programme.

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister detail the outcome of the consultation that has been undertaken on the Non-Domestic Rating (Definition of Domestic Property) (Wales) Order 2010, relating to the classification of self-catering premises being classed as non-domestic properties? (WAQ67466)

Answer received on 18 July 2014

Edwina Hart: The responses to the consultation relating to this Order have been published on the Welsh Government’s website. They are currently being analysed by my officials and the analysis will inform what action should be taken in relation to any potential changes to the legislation.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on paediatric first aid training for nursery staff in Wales? (WAQ67465)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

In Wales, there is a range of provision for children aged 0-5, across a variety of settings.

1. In schools, responsibility for health and safety is shared between the local authorities and the schools themselves. The duty of carrying out a risk assessment rests with the employer. The employer varies between the different categories of schools. In voluntary aided and foundation (including foundation special schools), it is the governing body. In community (including community special schools, voluntary controlled and maintained nursery schools) it is the local authority.

In practice, most local authorities and schools will have put in place arrangements so that the task of carrying out risk assessments will be delegated to the head teacher. Professional Standards for HLTAs in Wales also state that the head teacher, ‘should ensure that each member of the support staff is aware of his/her responsibilities relating to health and safety and the duty of care towards the pupils. This could include the provision of training in first aid and the safe use of equipment within the school – of particular importance for those undertaking practical work with pupils’. First aid provision in schools is routinely checked by Estyn as part of a school inspection.

Welsh Government’s guidance document Access to Education and Support for Children and Young People with Medical Needs provides advice to Local Authorities and all maintained schools, including nurseries, on meeting the educational needs of children and young people with medical needs.This places a responsibility on maintained schools to have arrangements in place for dealing with emergency situations, which should be part of their first aid policy and provision. All maintained schools will need to assess their medical needs training requirements on a regular basis and work with health partners to ensure that these are maintained and met, and this includes staff receiving basic first aid training.

We are currently considering proposals to review the Access to Education and Support for Children and Young People with Medical Needs guidance document, which will include strengthening our expectations on basic first aid training. It is anticipated this will commence later this autumn.

2. Non-maintained settings are subject to the Child Minding and Day Care Regulations (Wales) 2010 S.I. 2010 / 2574., regulation 24 of which states that ‘at all times, at least one person caring for relevant children has a suitable first aid qualification’. In addition to this, registered settings must have regard to the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Child Care (2012) WG 14782 2012.. The standards relating to paediatric first aid training are set out below:

Standard 10: Healthcare

10.13 In non-domestic settings, the service complies with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 in relation to the employees.

10.14 At all times, at least one person caring for the children must have a current first aid qualification in first aid for infants and young children. In calculating the ratio of adults to children, the ratio of trained persons to children should never fall below 1:10. Such persons caring for the children should be trained in first aid and hold a qualification in first aid for infants and young children. All first aid qualifications should be kept up to date.

10.15 Child minders must have undertaken training in first aid for infants and young children. All first aid qualifications should be kept up to date.

To ask the Minister for Finance

Elin Jones (Ceredigion): Will the Minister provide a breakdown of funding announced as a result of the Ceredigion winter storms per Ministerial budget and actual spend to date on each budget allocation? (WAQ67450)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

Minister for Finance (Jane Hutt):  In response to the flood damage caused by the winter storms, the Welsh Government announced a £10.6m package of support. As well as repairs to flood defences, this package provided funding for wider restoration costs including support for tourism businesses, repairs to the Wales coastal path and a scheme for fishermen to replace lost equipment. In addition, local authorities have been able to apply to the Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme to claim for eligible costs.

In relation to flood damage in Ceredigion, the amount paid to date from the Welsh Government to Ceredigion County Council through these various measures is nearly £930,000. This figure is expected to increase over the coming months as further work is completed and the relevant claims are finalised.

The table below provides a breakdown by Ministerial budget of the funding allocations and payments made to date from the Welsh Government to Ceredigion County Council. Payments against each allocation are subject to the terms and conditions of the specific grant. Funding allocations are focused on ensuring that the necessary repairs are undertaken and are therefore based on evidence of need.

*Since the funding allocations were announced, there has been a change in Ministerial portfolios which means that £7,200,000 for repairs to flood defences now sits within the portfolio of the Minister for Natural Resources, Culture and Sport and the £250,000 to provide support for fishermen now sits within the portfolio of the Minister for Economy Science and Transport. Applications from individuals are currently being processed in relation to providing fishermen with replacement equipment.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Rhodri Glyn Thomas (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): Will the Minister provide the number of patients on NHS dentistry waiting lists for each health board? (WAQ67444)

Answer received on 24 July 2014

Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):  Information on the number of patients waiting to access General Dental Services is not collected centrally and does not form part of the Waiting Times Directive. This information will be held by those local health boards who chose to operate a data base of patients seeking NHS dentistry in areas where access may not be so widely available.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What assessment has the Minister made of the number of in-patient falls on hospital wards? (WAQ67456)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

Mark Drakeford: In-patient falls on hospital wards are captured through reporting by each NHS organisations to the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS) to ensure themes are identified to drive improvements. The vast majority of these incidents result in no harm to patients.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide a breakdown of the number of GP surgeries that have closed across Wales in the last five years? (WAQ67457)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government does not collate information on the number of GP surgeries which have closed.

The Welsh Government does, however, publish workforce data relating to General Medical Practitioners. Attached is the link to the latest statistical release

http://wales.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/general-medical-practitioners/?lang=en

This statistical release includes data on the number of GP partnerships (general practices) operating in Wales at a specific point in time and includes any partnerships which have merged with other partnerships and any partnerships which have subsequently closed. Over the five year

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide a breakdown of the number of former NHS dentists that have transferred to private practice in the last five years? (WAQ67458)

Answer received on 23 July 2014

Mark Drakeford: This information is not collected centrally. However the latest workforce data for the year ending 31 March 2013 showed there were 1,392 general dental practitioners with NHS activity recorded. This compares with 1,141 at March 2007 and 1,310 at March 2010.

The number of dentists currently registered with Health Inspectorate Wales on a wholly private basis is 108.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide a breakdown of the number of whole-time equivalent nurses per health board and the number of whole-time equivalent healthcare support workers? (WAQ67459)

Answer received on 24 July 2014

Mark Drakeford: The latest management information recorded on ESR Data Warehouse as at May 2014 show that there are a total of 22070.3 whole time equivalent registered nurses and a total of 9706.5 whole time equivalent healthcare support workers including pre registration nurse learners, post 1^st level nurse learners, nursing assistants/ auxiliaries and healthcare assistants.

The Table below summarises the breakdown of WTE registered nurses and WTE healthcare support workers per LHB/ Trust in Wales, provided by the ESR DW, as at May 2014.

Breakdown of WTE RNs and HCSWs per LHB/ Trust in Wales – May 2014 - ESRDW

To ask the Minister for Local Government and Government Business

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline what statistics the Welsh Government holds on the use of fixed penalty notices in each local authority area? (WAQ67448)

Answer received on 29 July 2014

This information is not held centrally.