Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 28 May 2010

[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Contents

Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills

To ask the Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): How many Careers Wales centres are currently operating in Wales. (WAQ56024)

Answer issued on 04 June 2010

There are 45 Careers Wales High Street centres that provide a placement and referral service to 16 and 17 year olds in the labour market and guidance services to adults.  The six Careers Wales companies also deliver services through a variety of community outlets. On-site services are also provided in every secondary school and Further Education College in Wales.   

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): How does the provision of careers services in Wales compare with that in other parts of the UK. (WAQ56025)

Answer issued on 04 June 2010

Careers Wales: a Review in an International Perspective (May 2009)  authored by Professor A G Watts, is the most recent published assessment of how careers services in Wales compare with provision in other parts of the UK and elsewhere.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What action has been taken since the Careers Wales: a Review in an International Perspective report last year. (WAQ56026)

Answer issued on 04 June 2010

A further more detailed external review of the relationships between Careers Wales and adjacent service providers commenced in December 2009 and is nearing completion. The resulting report will then be considered alongside an internal analysis of options available for unifying Careers Wales; and I will announce the outcome in due course.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What is the cost of the Careers Wales Association, broken down by year since 2001. (WAQ56027)

Answer issued on 04 June 2010

The information you requested is not held centrally. The Careers Wales Association (CWA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the 6 Careers Wales companies, which each provide statutory all-age career services under a contract with the Welsh Ministers. The CWA has a role in facilitating collaborative working between the companies, developing and hosting Careers Wales Online and promoting the establishment of national standards.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What are the current staffing levels of the Careers Wales Association, broken down by centre. (WAQ56028)

Answer issued on 04 June 2010

The information you requested is not held centrally. The Careers Wales Association (CWA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the 6 Careers Wales companies, which each provide statutory all-age career services under a contract with the Welsh Ministers. The latest staffing figures (Full-Time -Equivalent) available for each Careers Wales company as at 30 November 2009 were:

Careers Wales Cardiff and Vale                             144

Careers Wales Gwent                                             148

Careers Wales Mid Glamorgan and Powys           203

Careers Wales West                                               245

Careers Wales North East                                      109

Careers Wales North West                                     140

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): How many Careers Wales centres have been in operation, per year, since its inception in 2001. (WAQ56029)

Answer issued on 04 June 2010

The information you requested is not held centrally.

Nerys Evans (Mid and West Wales): Further to his answer to WAQ56002, for what reasons will a number of the school reorganisation proposals be determined by the First Minister, and, if this is due to a potential conflict of interest, on how many other occasions has this happened. (WAQ56030) W

Answer issued on 04 June 2010

I have declared a potential perceived conflict of interest in relation to the Canton primary school reorganisation proposals. Where conflicts of interest arise, it becomes necessary for one of the other Welsh Ministers to take decisions, in this case the First Minister.

Such conflicts do not arise with great regularity, but the First Minister has determined one proposal this year on behalf of the Welsh Ministers, in relation to a school closure of Penrhiwfer Infant School which is within the local authority area that covers my constituency.