Written Assembly Questions tabled on 19 May 2015 for answer on 27 May 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): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to work with the police to reduce the number of dog attacks on sheep in north Wales? (WAQ68693)
Answer received on 29 May 2015
Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): I am aware the North Wales Rural Crime team are working closely with the National Sheep Association and farming unions in Wales to raise awareness of the public on dog attacks on sheep. We have worked with the UK Government and the police on anti-social behaviour aspects of dog control and I have asked the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales to raise awareness of these issues.
It is the responsibility of dog owners everywhere to ensure their dogs are under control when near livestock. The RSPCA and other bodies have been asked to undertake a review on responsible ownership and they are due to report in the Autumn with their recommendations.
To ask the Minister for Finance and Government Business
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What is the Welsh Government's intention for the Landfill Communities Fund and its availability to environmental bodies subsequent to its devolution in 2018? (WAQ68695)
Answer received on 29 May 2015
The Minister for Finance and Government Business (Jane Hutt): The consultation on Landfill Disposals Tax closed on 19 May. I am delighted that nearly 300 responses were received and over half of these were in relation to community wellbeing and the future of the Landfill Communities Fund in Wales.
I was really pleased to see support for how the Welsh Government could enhance community wellbeing and I will be considering responses on this issue along with those to other aspects of the consultation over the summer. I will make a further announcement later this year.
To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 does not result in the exacerbation of homelessness among armed forces veterans? (WAQ68692)
Answer to follow
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on whether Welsh Government funds are given to the London Welsh School? (WAQ68698)
Answer received on 29 May 2015
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): The Welsh Government provides £90,000 grant funding to support the running costs of the London Welsh School per academic year.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on when the broadband services received by residents of Garth Road, Glan Conwy are due to be updated as part of the Superfast Cymru broadband network? (WAQ69694)
Answer received on 29 May 2015
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Julie James): Aberconwy cabinet 22 which serves premises in Garth Road, Glan Conwy has already been enabled under the Superfast Cymru programme. Those premises can receive superfast broadband speeds, in some cases up to 49Mbps. The switch to superfast from "normal" broadband will not in general happen automatically, consumers will have to actively choose to transfer to a superfast connection once the service is available to them. Anyone wishing to take up the service in an area once the service is enabled should contact their ISP or use a comparison website to identify a suitable provider.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the conversations held between the Welsh Government and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board as regards the safety of the north Wales GP out-of-hours service? (WAQ68696)
Answer received on 29 May 2015
Deputy Minister for Health (Vaughan Gething):
Ongoing monitoring of out-of-hours services takes place through discussions between senior Welsh Government officials and health board chief executives and the provision of out-of-hours services is routinely addressed on the unscheduled care daily conference calls as part of the service planning and assurance process.
Following an independent review of the service, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is taking action to address the issues raised.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister ensure that county councils provide event organisers for agricultural shows and events with appropriate notice with regard to E.coli O157 infection? (WAQ68697)
Answer to follow