Written Assembly Questions tabled on 18 July 2016 for answer on 27 July 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 Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the effects of Pokemon Go on the transport network in Wales? (WAQ70740)
Answer received on 27 July 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): No specific assessments have been carried out on the transport network in respect of Pokemon Go.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What schemes does the Welsh Government run or support to encourage the uptake of sports and participation in exercise amongst older people? (WAQ70738)
Answer received on 26 July 2016
The Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): The Welsh Government wish to see more people of all ages taking part in sport and physical activity and have channelled investment across many levels. For example, we are continuing to support Free Swimming across Wales for those aged 60 plus and are also supporting the Let’s Walk Cymru scheme which is run by the Ramblers. They report that they have over 14,000 walkers registered under the programme which is proving particularly popular with those aged 55 plus.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the availability of bowel cancer testing kits for over 75 year olds in Wales? (WAQ70739)
Answer received on 26 July 2016
Rebecca Evans: Bowel cancer screening is offered in Wales up to the age of 74, as recommended by the National Screening Committee. Population screening is not without risks, so there needs to be a balance between the benefits and harms of the screening test being offered. For bowel screening, the additional risks from any follow-up investigations (i.e colonoscopy, and its possible complications) are considered to outweigh the potential benefits in an older population. Consequently bowel cancer testing kits are not offered to those aged 75 and over in Wales.
The UK NSC reviews evidence for screening programmes on a three yearly basis or sooner if new evidence becomes available. If future review processes recommend any changes we will obviously reconsider our current position.
Anyone who is experiencing bowel problems or concern at any age should seek advice from their primary care services, for example by consulting their GP, who can refer them for further investigation if necessary.
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister confirm that education courses for people diagnosed with diabetes will remain a priority in any review of Together for Health: A Diabetes Delivery Plan? (WAQ70734)
Answer received on 27 July 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): Yes, structured diabetes education will remain a priority in the refreshed diabetes delivery plan.
Sian Gwenllian (Arfon): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure the health and safety of lone Rapid Response workers? (WAQ70741)
Answer received on 27 July 2016
Vaughan Gething: It is the responsibility of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust to ensure the health and safety of its staff at all times, in accordance with its Health and Safety Policy.
A standard operating procedure has been established for the utilisation of rapid response vehicles (RRVs), which includes actions for operatives and contact centre staff in respect of single-crewed RRVs such as an initial assessments of potential danger and maintaining regular contact between the contact centre and lone operatives.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the NRW "Flood Investigation Report: Llanrwst Flooding December 2015"? (WAQ70735)
Answer received on 26 July 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): Following heavy rainfall on Boxing Day 2015, three properties were flooded in the village of Llanrwst. The flood alleviation scheme in the Conwy Valley performed well, however, demountable defences in Llanrwst were not installed in time leading to the unfortunate flooding of these properties.
Natural Resources Wales were asked to lead a review into what happened and have recently published their report into the flooding on their website. The report sets out 18 recommendations and lessons learnt, alongside an action plan for addressing these. At time of publication of the report, 4 of the actions had already been completed.
I am satisfied this report and the actions put in place will address these recommendations and lessons are being learnt for the future.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister confirm when the results of the NRW investigation and hydraulic modelling exercise regarding flooding in the Conwy Valley will be published? (WAQ70736)
Answer received on 26 July 2016
Lesley Griffiths: Natural Resources Wales has appointed JBA Consulting to carry out hydraulic modelling work in the Conwy Valley area. This will allow NRW to run a number of scenarios to help review future flood risk management in the valley. This modelling work has already commenced and it is expected the final report will be delivered in early 2017.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Further to WAQ70017, will the Minister confirm how changes to the maximum discount available in relation to the right to buy and right to acquire has impacted on social housing stock in Wales, to include stock numbers? (WAQ70737)
Answer received on 26 July 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children (Carl Sargeant): Between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016, our social housing stock was reduced by the sale of 359 dwellings via the Right to Buy and Right to Acquire.
This is an increase of 26 per cent on Right to Buy and Right to Acquire sales in 2014-15.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Sian Gwenllian (Arfon): In the last Assembly, there were many cuts to the Welsh Language Commissioner's budget, and further cuts would make it very difficult for the Commissioner to achieve her responsibilities. Does the Government agree that this budget must be safeguarded? (WAQ70730)W
Answer received on 26 July 2016
The Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language (Alun Davies): The budget planning process for forthcoming years will be undertaken over coming months. This will include budget proposals for the Welsh language policy area, including the Welsh Language Commissioner’s allocation.
Sian Gwenllian (Arfon): Following the opening of the Qualifications Wales consultation on keeping the Welsh second language GCSE, will the Minister make a statement on Professor Sioned Davies' recommendations regarding developing one qualification by 2018? (WAQ70731)W
Answer received on 27 July 2016
Alun Davies: As the independent regulator of qualifications in Wales, it is Qualification Wales' role to ensure the availability of valid qualifications for learners currently following the statutory Welsh Second Language curriculum. Their consultation, which closed on 15 May, sought views on changes to the Welsh Second Language GCSE for teaching from September 2017. The introduction of the new GCSE in 2017 will take place alongside the withdrawal of the Welsh Second Language GCSE short courses.
Qualifications Wales has recently published its subject criteria for GCSE Welsh Second Language and the qualification will reflect the priorities set out in One Language for All and Successful Futures, with more emphasis on speaking, listening and using the language. It will further align the Welsh Second Language GCSE with the Welsh Language (first language) GCSE in preparation for introducing a single Welsh language continuum as part of our new curriculum. My ambition is that by 2021 all schools will be using the new curriculum to underpin learning and teaching for children and young people aged 3-16.
Sian Gwenllian (Arfon): What steps are the Government taking to ensure that every local authority measures and addresses the demand for Welsh (medium) education, and also contribute to the national targets? (WAQ70732) W
Answer received on 27 July 2016
Alun Davies: Welsh in Education Strategic Plans and Assessing Demand for Welsh Medium Education (Wales) Regulations 2013 have established procedures whereby local authorities must carry out a Welsh medium education assessment of the whole county or a particular area as the Welsh Ministers determine.
Childcare Sufficiency Assessments allow Local Authorities to measure the need for childcare in a given area. These assessments will assist in identifying where there are gaps and, in consultation with parents and communities and where appropriate, put plans in place to address need.
Local Authorities activities to meet targets are addressed in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plans including those set for the number of 7 year olds taught through the medium of Welsh.
Sian Gwenllian (Arfon): What preparatory work has the Government undertaken to implement your manifesto promise to establish a use of Welsh fund and invite businesses to invest in the Welsh language? (WAQ70733) W
Answer received on 26 July 2016
Alun Davies: The Welsh Government is currently working with partners, including the Welsh Language Commissioner, to enhance the way businesses engage with the Welsh language, including making the Welsh more visible, workforce planning and signposting businesses to relevant support services.
The manifesto commitment to establish a language use fund will be a key consideration in budget setting for the coming years and officials have begun to map out potential priority areas for future investment.