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Written Assembly Questions tabled on 12 August – 19 August 2015 for answer on 26 August 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

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the First Minister disclose the amount of money the Welsh Government has spent on funding Constructing Excellence in Wales over the course of the body's lifetime? (WAQ69104)

Answer received on 4 September 2015

The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant):

Constructing Excellence in Wales has received £7,106,540 in funding from the Welsh Government since 2003.

To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister disclose the annual budget of the Voluntary Active Merthyr Tydfil and Gellideg Foundation Group for each of the last three years, including a figure for a) salaries and b) other administrative costs in 20-12/13; 2013/14; and 2014/15? (WAQ69100)

Answer received on 28 August 2015

The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths):

The annual budget of Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil and the Gellideg Foundation Community Association will be published in their respective accounts as independent organisations.

Welsh Government Infrastructure Grant for Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil for each of the last three financial years is set out below.

Communities First funding for Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil under the transitional arrangements from the previous phase of the Programme to the current phase for the financial year 2012/13 is set out below.

Communities First funding for Gellideg Foundation Community Association under the transitional arrangements from the previous phase of the Programme to the current phase for the financial years 2012/13 and 2013/14 is set out below.

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is the Lead Delivery Body (LDB) and grant recipient.  Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil and Gellideg Foundation Community Association both receive Communities First funding which is paid LDB and not directly from Welsh Government.  

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister explain the difference between GCSE and A-level exam results statistical releases for September and November and how the method for calculating the two sets of statistical releases differs? (WAQ69098)

Answer received on 24 August 2015

The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Julie James):

The statistical release published in September shows provisional figures for examination results in Wales, while the November release shows the final data. The calculation of the two releases is based on the same methodology. Both these releases are published as National Statistics under the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

The Welsh Government collects Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 exam results and vocational awards for the academic year from awarding organisations for all schools in Wales, and this data is summarised in the provisional release in September.

Immediately after publication of the provisional release, a checking exercise is undertaken, where schools and local authorities have an opportunity to assess their provisional results for accuracy, and supply amended information where applicable. Data from awarding organisations is also refreshed, to include any remarks or late awards. This is a critical stage to ensure the data used within, for example, national categorisation is accurate and agreed.

Any amendments from this checking exercise are fed into the final statistical release.

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): What discussions has the Minister had regarding the funding arrangements for the London Welsh School over the next three years? (WAQ69105)

Answer received on 28 August 2015

The Deputy Minister for Skills  and Technology (Julie James):

The Minister has not had any discussions regarding the funding arrangements for the London Welsh School. However, the First Minister has agreed to provide £90,000 grant funding to the London Welsh School, per academic year, up until 31 August 2018. This is in line with the Welsh Government's aim to see the Welsh language thrive and to promote and facilitate the development of the language within and outside of Wales.

To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Does the Welsh Government have any plans to develop a programme similar to the Fit for Nuclear programme in England, which provides grants to help English manufacturers to get ready to enter the civil nuclear supply chain? (WAQ69099)

Answer received on 25 August 2015

The Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart):

This is an Industry led programme and is open to all UK companies.  We are currently looking at the most cost effective way that we can support and develop the nuclear supply chain complimenting existing provision through the Business Wales and Smart Innovation programmes.  

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What information was supplied to the Welsh Government by Cardiff Airport indicating the likely impact on existing airlines of the establishment and support provided to Flybe's new route network? (WAQ69101)

Answer received on 24 August 2015

Edwina Hart: Discussions and consideration of commercial matters are the responsibility of the Airport.

Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): What are the expected start and finish dates for the Eastern Bay Link Road in Cardiff, which is being funded by the Welsh Government? (WAQ69108)

Answer received on 24 August 2015

Edwina Hart: Advance works to clear the site started this month. The main works are scheduled to start this November and finish in February 2017.

Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline details of the work and business case requirements that communities and local authorities will need to complete over the next few years to be considered for funding from the Welsh Government for a new rail/metro station as part of the South Wales Metro project post 2020? (WAQ69109)

Answer received on 24 August 2015

Edwina Hart: Details of funding application requirements for Metro related projects will be published at the appropriate time.

To ask the Minister for Finance and Government Business

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the use of procurement cards by Welsh Government Ministers? (WAQ69102)

Answer received on 24 August 2015

The Minister for Finance and Government Business (Jane Hutt):  Ministers do not have procurement cards.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Following her answers to WAQ69067 and WAQ69068, will the Minister publish a total procurement card spend for the last three financial years? (WAQ69103)

Answer received on 25 August 2015

Jane Hutt:  The total procurement card spend for the last three financial years; FY2012-13 to 2014-15, is £4,430,574.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Aled Roberts (North Wales): What procedures have been put in place since 31 July 2015 to ensure the continued operation of the National Adoption Register in Wales? (WAQ69097)

Answer received on 25 August 2015

The Deputy Minister for Health (Vaughan Gething): Following the  unfortunate demise of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) we have further strengthened our infrastructure to support adoption in Wales. Welsh Government is working closely with a number of partners to ensure that the National Adoption Register and other key services, continue to operate effectively.  The Minister expects to make an announcement shortly about the new arrangements we are putting in place.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What assessment has the Minister made of the impact that the Chancellor's announcement on increases to the minimum wage and the so-called living wage will have on the care sector in Wales? (WAQ69106)

Answer received on 4 September 2015

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):

Following the budget announcement about the “national living wage” in July, the Welsh Government’s initial assessment is that the cost of this to the sector could be significant.  We are looking to develop a rigorous assessment of this impact and we will be able to make this available in due course.  In order to take this work forward, the UK Government has asked the Low Pay Commission to undertake a number of consultation exercises.  The first of these is underway and Welsh Government will ensure that the practical consequences of this policy are captured and fed into the consultation process.   Welsh Government continues to support the concept of a living wage as a route to addressing some of the issues associated with low pay and income poverty. It encourages employers in the public, third and private sectors to consider becoming living wage employers. Our focus remains on the Living Wage Foundation’s living wage and not the lower, alternative formulation referred to by the UK Government.  I announced on 7 July that the Welsh Government is commissioning research into factors which affect the recruitment and retention of home care workers and whether these factors impact upon the quality of home care.  This will inform future policy options on sustaining this vital workforce in Wales.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What discussions has the Minister had with the Westminster Government regarding the level of care home fees in light of the Chancellor's announcement on the so-called living wage? (WAQ69107)

Answer received on 4 September 2015

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):

No discussion on this matter have been initiated by the Westminster Government either prior to, or since the announcement.

Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the availability of HIV testing in Wales? (WAQ69110)

Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): Does the Welsh Government have any plans to consider funding an 'at home' or 'by post' HIV testing system which is offered in many parts of England jointly paid for by the NHS and with several charities and local councils? (WAQ69111)

Answer received on 25 August 2015

Mark Drakeford: Public Health Wales provides the Welsh Government with expert advice regarding the availability of HIV testing in Wales. HIV testing is currently available in Wales through:

• all GP practices
• sexual health clinics
• Terrence Higgins Trust in Cardiff and Swansea (HIV testing service in non clinical setting)

• antenatal clinics
• drug services
• inpatient services
• outpatient services

The number of HIV tests accessed through services in Wales has increased significantly over the last three years with over 427,000 tests being carried out between 2010 and 2014.

The Welsh Government is currently working with key partners and stakeholders to assess the need and the feasibility for a free HIV postal testing service in Wales.