Written Assembly Questions tabled on 19 January 2016 for answer on 26 January 2016
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 the Economy, Science and Transport
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Why has the Welsh Government not included the Vale of Glamorgan and Ebbw Vale lines in the plan for South Wales Metro system? (WAQ69684)
Answer received on 25 January 2016
The Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): The scope of Metro includes all the lines in and north of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan line, the Ebbw Valley and Maesteg branches, the Marches line to Abergavenny and the South Wales mainline.
We have outlined some of the programmes we think will deliver this vision, and these are illustrated on the Welsh Government website at http://gov.wales/topics/transport/public/metro/?lang=en
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much does the Welsh Government propose to allocate for attracting inward investment in 2016/17? (WAQ69685)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much has the Welsh Government spent annually for the last three financial years on attracting inward investment? (WAQ69686)
Answer received on 26 January 2016
Edwina Hart: Spend to attract inward investment is incurred by a number of teams across the Welsh Government. In most cases, this is not identified separately within their budget lines. Therefore it is not possible to provide the information in the format requested.
William Graham (South Wales East): Will the Minister detail progress toward building a footbridge between Devon Place and Queensway, Newport, which was an element of the £4 million funding package announced in April 2014? (WAQ69692)
Answer received on 26 January 2016
Edwina Hart: Newport Council made a decision to review the existing scheme given the recent redevelopment work in the city.
As a result, in 2015, the Council put on hold the original plans and commissioned two studies to look at options for a DDA compliant footbridge and to identify necessary active travel improvements that would link the north of the railway station to the regenerated city centre. The studies are due to be concluded by the end of March 2016.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Over the course of the 4th Assembly, which motorway and trunk road projects and developments have been in receipt of European financial support, and how much European funding did each project receive? (WAQ69693)
Answer received on 26 January 2016
Edwina Hart: We have received a £78.5 million contribution from the European Regional Development Fund for the A465 Heads of the Valleys Dualling Project Section 3 (Brynmawr to Tredegar). We are also programmed to receive approximately £2.94 million for two Intelligent Transport Systems through the EasyWay project.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on training for disabled people before they start using mobility scooters to ensure their and other people's safety? (WAQ69681)
Answer received on 26 January 2016
Edwina Hart:
There is no statutory requirement for mobility scooter users to undertake training and the Welsh Government does not have powers to introduce one.
To ask the Minister for Finance and Government Business
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the future of Academi Wales? (WAQ69687)
Answer received on 2 February 2016
The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews): Academi Wales as the centre for leadership excellence is a key enabler across Welsh Public Services and delivers excellent work. Academi Wales's remit will continue to focus on developing current and future leaders whilst supporting delivery of One Welsh Public Service and other governmental priorities. The Academi Wales brand is recognised across Wales and the wider UK and is an asset to Public Services in Wales.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): With regards to the £13.8 million funding for hepatitis C medicines, will the Minister outline how many individuals have commenced treatment for hepatitis C following that announcement and how much of the funding has been allocated to date? (WAQ69688)
Answer received on 26 January 2016
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):
In September 2015, the Welsh Government made £12m available to support health boards to begin treating patients with a new generation of interferon-free treatments for hepatitis C. Approximately 360 patients eligible all-Wales access protocol have started treatment.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Has budgetary provision been made to accommodate implementation of recent NICE guidance for interferon-free hepatitis C medicines in the next financial year? (WAQ69689)
Answer received on 2 February 2016
Mark Drakeford:
I expect health boards to continue the implementation of the NICE guidance for hepatitis C medicines in 2016-17 in line with their statutory responsibilities. This will be funded from the NHS revenue allocation.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister outline whether health boards have been provided with targets for the number of individuals with hepatitis C that they are expected to treat? (WAQ69690)
Answer received on 26 January 2016
Mark Drakeford:
Health boards have not been provided with targets. NHS Wales has developed an all-Wales clinical access protocol, managed by a virtual panel of blood borne viral leads from each health board. This ensures people with the most urgent clinical need receive first access to these new forms of treatment regardless of where they live.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister outline whether it is expected that health boards will be able to treat a larger number of individuals with hepatitis C following the completion of the medicines procurement process to reflect any reduction in the cost of relevant medicines? (WAQ69691)
Answer to follow