Answers issued to Members on 22 July 2009
[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
Contents
Questions to the First Minister
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport
Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Questions to the First Minister
Michael German (South Wales East): Please list any meetings, conversations or written communications you or your officials have had with the UK Government regarding the proposed closure of the Forensic Science Laboratory in Chepstow? (WAQ54560)
The First Minister (Rhodri Morgan): The FSS announced on the 8th June 2009 that a 90 day consultation period would commence across its UK sites. The consultation process is due to end in early September. Decisions have not yet been made and suggestions that redundancies and the closure of any centre, including Chepstow, have been decided are inaccurate.
I discussed the matter with the Secretary of State for Wales on the 29th June who undertook to raise the matter with the Home Secretary.
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport
Jenny Randerson (Cardiff Central): Will the Minister reveal how many miles of road works are planned for Welsh roads for July, August and September this year? (WAQ54559)
The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): Information on the extent of roadworks on the all-Wales road network is not held centrally.
On the trunk road and motorway network there will be approximately 25km of essential maintenance and repair work being carried out in August. Off peak working hours will be used, as far as is practicable, to reduce disruption to road users. In July there have been approximately 36km, including works by utilities, most of which were completed by 17 July. Our 3 Trunk Road Agencies are currently planning roadwork programs in September.
In addition Assembly Government project work includes the ongoing 13km for M4 Widening at Cardiff and the A40 Penblewin-Slebech Improvement scheme over a length of 5km.
Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister give an update on her latest actions in response to recommendations made by the Enterprise and Learning Committee’s report on Dyslexia in Wales? (WAQ54570)
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (Jane Hutt): In order to proceed with the accepted recommendations, I have made available £118,000 over the next two financial years to:
a) Conduct a literature review of current practices and approaches to supporting children and young people with dyslexia.
b) Audit and benchmark current practice across Wales.
The information gathered will inform our future work in this area to improve support to learners identified as having specific learning difficulties and in meeting the recommendations of the Committee.
Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister give an update on progress towards reaching the 4TWh target for renewable energy by 2010? (WAQ54569)
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing (Jane Davidson): The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to making Wales a leading provider of green energy. Our 2008 Renewable Energy Route Map proposed that Wales could produce as much electricity as we currently consume from renewable sources within 20 years, 50% from marine, 30% from wind and the remainder mainly from sustainable biomass.
The evaluation of the Route Map responses, will inform the development of an overarching Energy Strategy for Wales in late 2009. This Strategy will outline the contribution expected from a range of sources of renewable energy for the period beyond 2010 as well as setting out wider energy issues concerning the security of supply.
We currently estimate that over 2TWh of the electricity consumed in Wales is generated from renewable sources—hydro, wind, landfill gas, anaerobic digestion of sewage and biomass. We are confident that considerable additional capacity will be provided over the coming years and the 2020 7TWh target will be significantly exceeded.
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): Who will have responsibility for administering the new Dental Contract? (WAQ54571)
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): The responsibility for the management of NHS dental contracts lies with Local Health Boards. These arrangements have been in place since the new dental contract was introduced in April 2006 and will continue following the restructuring of NHS Wales.
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of changing facilities for nurses in Welsh hospitals? (WAQ54577)
Edwina Hart: There are currently varying levels of changing facilities in hospitals in NHS Wales. A scoping exercise will inform requirements for changes to current estate. New NHS build or refurbishments will include the provision of staff changing facilities.