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Written Assembly Questions tabled on 17 April 2015 for answer on 24 April 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 Minister for Natural Resources

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh Government's initiatives relating to the welfare of equines on the Gelligaer and Merthyr Commons? (WAQ68596)

Answer Received 28 April 2015

The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): Whilst there are no specific Welsh Government initiatives relating to the welfare of equines on the Gelligaer or Merthyr Commons the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework which was published at Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in July 2014 sets out our vision for continuing and lasting improvements in standards of animal health and welfare for kept animals, including equines wherever they are in Wales

The Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014 received Royal Assent on 27 January 2014  in response to calls for urgent action by local authorities, equine charities and the Police to tackle the issue of fly grazing, abandonment and straying.

The Act, which is one of a number of tools available to local authorities in Wales, provides more effective legal powers to tackle the problem of fly grazing, abandonment and straying.

In addition, local authorities continue to engage with the local commoners association and interested parties with an aim to agree a proactive approach to elevate concerns raised by members of the public about the equine health and welfare concerns on common land in South East Wales. 

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister state the amount of Welsh Government funding provided to Conwy County Borough Council for the roll-out of recycling Trollibocses to residents across the borough? (WAQ68599)

Answer Received 24 April 2015

The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): None.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's consideration of extending the deadline of 31 March 2015 for claims relating to the monies allocated to Conwy County Borough Council for coastal repairs at Llandudno West Shore, Deganwy Promenade and Conwy Morfa? (WAQ68600)

Answer Received 24 April 2015

Carl Sargeant:  Conwy County Borough Council have confirmed that the works at Llandudno West Shore, Conwy Morfa and Deganwy have been completed. 

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister confirm how much Welsh Government funding is available for the Jobs Growth Wales scheme in the current financial year? (WAQ68590)

Answer Received 28 April 2015

The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Julie James): The Welsh Government Budget for the Jobs Growth Wales Programme in 2015/2016 is £9.3m. We are currently working with the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) to progress an application for additional funding for the successor Programme which will add ESF to the Welsh Government budget.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister publish the total Pupil Deprivation Grant allocation for each Assembly constituency for the following years: i) 2012-13; ii) 2013-14; iii) 2014-15; and iv) 2015-16? (WAQ68594)

Answer Received 24 April 2015

The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis):  We have no plans to publish the allocations by Assembly constituency.  I refer to my answer to you (WAQ 68585) on 14 April, which provides a link to the published Pupil Deprivation Grant school level allocations for 2015-16 and to the answer I gave to Aled Roberts AM (WAQ 67681) on 9 September 2014 which lists the allocations for 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 by local authority. Allocations by Assembly constituency can be derived from the published information, as required. 

To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Minister outline the financial support the Welsh Government has pledged to the Pontio Arts Centre and whether the financial aid is in the form of a loan or grant? (WAQ68586)

Answer Received 28 April 2015

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates): The Welsh Government has provided a number of separate grants in support of the Pontio Arts & Innovation Centre, Bangor. These are outlined in the following table.

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Minister state how much financial support the Welsh Government has provided to the Pontio Arts Centre to date? (WAQ68587)

Answer Received 28 April 2015

Ken Skates: To date, the Welsh Government has provided £26.04 million in funding to the Pontio Arts & Innovation Centre.

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Minister outline any conditions placed on the financial support the Welsh Government is providing to the Pontio Arts Centre? (WAQ68588)

Answer Received 28 April 2015

Ken Skates: Welsh Government funding in respect of the Pontio Arts & Innovation Centre was provided with appropriate, standard conditions of grant. For example, WEFO issued standard offer letters for the innovation and regeneration elements of the project, which ensure that funds are used in accordance with the business plan that underpins the grant offer letter.  As Pontio is a substantial capital investment, the grant offer letter also includes conditions ensuring that the innovation activities conform to our expectations, that information is provided on the construction activities, that equipment is used for the purposes of the project, the Euro exchange rate is fixed for EU regulation purposes and income generation is treated in line with EU rules.

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Welsh Government provide additional funding to the Pontio Arts Centre in the event of the project running over budget? (WAQ68589)

Answer Received 28 April 2015

Ken Skates: Bangor University are responsible for meeting any cost overruns arising from the construction of the Pontio Arts & Innovation Centre.

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): What are the Welsh Government's current proposals for the development of the A55/A494 at Aston Hill? (WAQ68595)

Answer Received 21 April 2015

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): We are currently procuring technical advisors to investigate two options: i) a highway improvement focusing on the existing A494, which includes the section from the River Dee Bridge to Ewloe; and ii) a route which uses the A458 Flintshire Bridge.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister state the total amount of Welsh Government funding given to Ideoba and detail the assessment of risk made prior to the investment decision? (WAQ68597)

Answer Received 21 April 2015

Edwina Hart: Welsh Government funding awarded to Ideoba is commercial in confidence.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to increase the number of passengers travelling to and from Cardiff Airport? (WAQ68598)

Answer Received 21 April 2015

Edwina Hart: Route development is a matter for Cardiff Airport.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on any funds being provided to support the anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt 600 on the 25th October 2015? (WAQ68601)

Answer Received 24 April 2015

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates): Monmouth County Council applied for Welsh Government support through the Regional Tourism Engagement Fund for two projects.  One of these was for a series of events around Agincourt 600 which received £6,000.

This has helped support work undertaken by community groups to create a number of special events, including a free touring exhibition, official tapestry, medieval fayre, lectures, a pageant and parade, battle re-enactments and archery competitions. These will take place throughout the year in the build-up to the battle's anniversary on 25 October.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister publish all correspondence (including but not exclusive to emails and notes of telephone or video conference conversations) between the Welsh Government (including but not exclusive to the Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and other officials) and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in relation to proposed changes to Women's Clinical Services in North Wales within the last 6 months? (WAQ68591)

Answer Received 24 April 2015

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):  The nature of this request means that it is best dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act. You will receive a response within the prescribed time limits.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Can the Minister provide a breakdown of all NHS reconfigurations (to include hospital closures) that have taken place since 2011? (WAQ68592)

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Can the Minister provide a breakdown of all NHS reconfigurations that are scheduled to take place within the next 12 months? (WAQ68593)

Answer Received 24 April 2015 (WAQ 68592/93)

Mark Drakeford: Information about NHS reconfigurations, which will include changes to how hospital wards are used and where GP services are located to more major service changes to community and hospital services, such as the South Wales Programme and consultations in North and West Wales, are held by health boards.