Written Assembly Questions tabled on 23 June 2015 for answer on 30 June 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 First Minister
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government breaching its Welsh language scheme in advertising for a new Children's Commissioner? (WAQ2368)W
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): The Welsh Language Commissioner recently conducted an investigation into the appointment of the Children's Commissioner for Wales under section 17 of the Welsh Language Act 1993. We accept the report and the Commissioner's recommendations. Officials have met with the Commissioner to discuss our implementation of her recommendations. We have since updated our public appointments guidance to ensure that the need for Welsh language skills are considered from the start of the process.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the rules regarding state aid as it impacts upon LEADER 2014-2020 programme in Powys? (WAQ68834)
Answer received on 7 July 2015
The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): The LEADER Guidance for Local Action Groups explains that the LEADER will not "provide aid or other assistance that would constitute State aid in respect of a business, enterprise, undertaking or 'economic operator' receiving such support". This is in line with the recommendation of the LEADER Task and Finish Group and as the Groups are not going to run grant schemes there is no requirement for State aid cover to be in place.
It also states that: "The LEADER measure cannot be used to provide capital or revenue grants or other forms of direct or indirect assistance to commercial businesses". Provision to support this type of activity is made elsewhere in the Rural Development Programme for which state aid cover will be secured by Welsh Government and the Groups are able to access that provision.
My officials have offered to discuss any State Aid concerns with the 'One Powys' Local Action Group.
To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty
Peter Black (South Wales West): What is the membership of the joint taskforce set up to respond to the Review of Independent Living Adaptations? (WAQ68835)
Peter Black (South Wales West): Will the Minister provide the date on which the joint taskforce, set up to respond to the Review of Independent Living Adaptations, has met? (WAQ68836)
Peter Black (South Wales West): When is the next scheduled meeting of the joint taskforce set up to respond to the Review of Independent Living Adaptations? (WAQ68837)
Peter Black (South Wales West): When is the joint taskforce, set up to respond to the Review of Independent Living Adaptations, due to report to the Welsh Ministers? (WAQ68838)
Answer received on 2 July 2015
The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths):
Following the Plenary Debate on the 3rd of February, as the first phase towards developing an enhanced system for adaptations, my officials met with health and social care officials to discuss the Review's Recommendations. The key features of the new approach and what we aim to achieve have formed the basis of a detailed paper which will be discussed with our key stakeholder organisations. This group will meet this month and membership will include:
- Welsh Government (including Housing Policy, Homes and Places and Health and Social Services officials)
- Local Authorities
- Community Housing Cymru
- The WLGA
- Housing Associations
- Care & Repair
- Older Persons Commissioner
- Relevant professional bodies e.g. College of Occupational Therapists
My aim is to have the enhanced system designed and agreed, and ready to be rolled out before the end of this term of Government.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister detail what Welsh Government money has been used in the set-up or promotion of the LinksAir route from Cardiff Airport to Norwich? (WAQ68828)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Could the Minister confirm the future viability of the LinksAir route from Cardiff Airport to Norwich? (WAQ68829)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister detail what research was undertaken to check the viability or feasibility of the LinksAir route from Cardiff to Norwich? (WAQ68830)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister detail what discussions the Welsh Government had with LinksAir prior to the announcement of the Cardiff to Norwich route? (WAQ68831)
Answer received on 29 June 2015
Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): The decision taken by LinksAir to suspend the Norwich route is a commercial decision taken by the airline. Cardiff International Airport Limited (CIAL) is operated and managed by its own Board which is responsible for commercial matters, including discussions with airlines.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline what NHS bursaries and travel allowances are available to Welsh students studying social care courses in England? (WAQ68832)
Answer received on 7 July 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):
Welsh students studying social work are provided bursaries through the Care Council for Wales. The purpose of the bursary is to provide an incentive to prospective students so future demand for social workers is met in Wales. As such, the bursaries are available to Welsh students studying social work in Wales only.
Lindsay Whittle (South Wales East): What steps is your department taking to reduce the rates of women over the age of 50 being diagnosed with advanced stage cervical cancer? (WAQ68833)
Answer received on 2 july 2015
Mark Drakeford:
The Welsh Government is working with Public Health Wales to increase uptake of cervical screening in women aged 25 and 64 in Wales.
Uptake of cervical screening in Wales is 78.6% for women aged 25 to 64 (2013-14) – nearly eight out of 10 eligible women have had a smear test (with an adequate result) in the past five years.
Public Health Wales has set up a screening engagement team to raise awareness, promote informed choice and encourage people to make an informed decision about taking part in screening.
Targeted support is provided to primary care practices where coverage does not meet targets. Cervical screening is also promoted as part of the annual Screening for Life campaign and during European Cervical Cancer Prevention week through social media and community events.
Through our Cancer Delivery Plan, the Welsh Government has prioritised early diagnosis of cancer. The cancer implementation group is involved in work which will help to identify patients earlier, including a five-year primary care oncology programme to help GPs and nurses develop expertise in cancer diagnosis and management.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What is the membership of the Welsh Government Shape of Training advisory group? (WAQ68839)
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What is the remit of reference of the Welsh Government Shape of Training advisory group? (WAQ68840)
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Are there minutes available from the meetings of the meetings of the Welsh Government Shape of Training advisory group? (WAQ68841)
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): How will the Welsh Government ensure that the work of the Shape of Training advisory group, the Jenkins NHS Workforce Review, and the 10 year national workforce plan for the NHS, is joined up? (WAQ68844)
Answer received on 2 July 2015
Mark Drakeford:
The Shape of Training Wales group was set up as the Wales Greenaway Review Group, following the publication of Professor Sir David Greenaway's report in October 2013. When it first met on July 10, 2014, it was clear the Shape of Training report's recommendations needed further detailed work before the group could carry out any activity.
The UK steering group agreed a series of workshops would be held across the UK to explore how the recommendations could be taken forward. The Wales group decided not to meet again until those workshops had been completed and there was greater clarity about how work would be taken forward.
Agreement has been reached on the next phase of activity at both a UK and Wales level and on this basis the group has been reconvened as the Shape of Training Wales group. It includes representation from the Welsh Government, British Medical Association, General Medical Council, NHS Employers, Wales Deanery, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges Wales, Cardiff University, Swansea University, Public Health Wales, Royal College of General Practitioners and Workforce Education Development Service.
The group met on June 16 and agreed to expand its membership to include a representative for doctors in training and a lay patient representative. The minutes from this meeting – the group's first – have been circulated to members for comment together with draft terms of reference.
The Shape of Training Wales group's agenda will be shared with the NHS workforce review and will help inform the national workforce plan for NHS Wales.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What are the timescales for the Jenkins NHS Workforce Review and when will the final report and its recommendations be made public? (WAQ68842)
Answer received on 2 July 2015
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford):
The review will be led by a small panel of experts, academics and other professionals who are familiar with the areas of investigation and are independent of Welsh Government.
The panel's first monthly meeting was held on May 5. It will gather evidence from stakeholders during the summer and autumn and will report in 2016.
A written report will be made to Welsh Minsters, which will then be published.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What is the remit for the 10 year national workforce plan for the NHS and who is leading on this at Welsh Government and NHS Wales? (WAQ68843)
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): How will the Welsh Government ensure that all relevant stakeholders, including professional bodies, are consulted during the development of the 10 year national workforce plan for the NHS? (WAQ68845)
Answer received on 2 July 2015
Mark Drakeford:
The remit for the workforce plan is broadly that agreed by the National Assembly on February 11. It will include the actions needed to train and recruit sufficient doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in both health and social care to ensure future demands on these services can be met. It will also take account the work of the NHS Workforce Review, led by David Jenkins.
This work is being led by Julie Rogers, director of workforce and organisational development. It will require the proactive involvement of employers, senior managers, trade unions, representative and professional bodies and staff from across NHS Wales. It will draw on existing and emerging evidence and independent expertise where appropriate.
My officials will map the stakeholders to be involved and set out a schedule for engagement. Wherever possible, established fora will be used, including the Welsh Partnership Forum and the Workforce Partnership Council.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the current risk of avian flu and its derivatives to the human population and what monitoring is in place? (WAQ68846)
Answer received on 7 July 2015
Mark Drakeford: The current risk of avian influenza in Wales is low. There has been no reported sustained community transmission of avian influenza and its derivatives in the human population anywhere in the world.
High vigilance is maintained for the possibility of cases in both the bird and human population and Wales maintains links to worldwide surveillance systems.