Cwestiynau Ysgrifenedig y Cynulliad a gyflwynwyd ar 23 Hydref 2014 i'w hateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

R - Yn dynodi bod yr Aelod wedi datgan buddiant.
W - Yn dynodi bod y cwestiwn wedi'i gyflwyno yn Gymraeg.

(Dangosir rhif gwreiddiol y Cwestiwn mewn cromfachau)

Mae'n rhaid cyflwyno Cwestiynau Ysgrifenedig bum diwrnod gwaith o leiaf cyn y maent i gael eu hateb. Yn ymarferol, mae'r Gweinidogion yn ceisio ateb rhwng saith ac wyth diwrnod, ond nid yw'n orfodol iddynt wneud hynny. Cyhoeddir yr atebion yn yr iaith y'u cyflwynir ynddi, gyda chyfieithiad i'r Saesneg o ymatebion a roddir yn y Gymraeg.

Gofyn i'r Prif Weinidog

Angela Burns (Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro): Sut y mae'r Gweinidog yn bwriadu cynyddu nifer y siaradwyr Cymraeg yng Nghymru os gwneir toriadau i'r gyllideb addysg yn 2015-16? (WAQ67906)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Y Prif Weinidog o Cymru (Carwyn Jones): The Welsh Government is committed to developing Welsh-medium education in Wales as a key means of increasing the number of Welsh speakers. Our Welsh-medium Education Strategy outlines how we approach this and provides both short and long term targets, against which we can measure our progress. The latest annual report detailing the progress made in 2013-14 was published on 17 July.

The budget cuts will have a minimal impact on the implementation of the Welsh-medium Education Strategy. Funding is being prioritised to areas where the greatest impact can be achieved and some activity will be completed over a longer period of time. As the Welsh language is a cross cutting theme; in addition to the budget specifically allocated to implementing the Strategy, other budgets within the Department for Education and Skills support the development of Welsh within the education system. Although not easily quantified the total monetary support for the Welsh language in education is significantly higher.

The Welsh Education Strategic Plans (WESPs), which we have made a statutory requirement on all local authorities, are designed to improve the planning, delivery and standards of Welsh-medium education. Local authorities will need to prioritise provision and make best use of resources available to support Welsh-medium learning and implement their WESPs.

Funding previously offered via the Welsh in Education Grant will form part of the Education Improvement Grant, providing one funding stream for schools from 2015-16, with the aim of delivering a simplified grant system that will lead to more flexibility around funding and ultimately better outcomes for our learners.

In addition, work is continuing to improve the teaching of Welsh second language in schools, which will increase the number of pupils that can use Welsh outside the classroom, in their communities and in future employment. Professor Graham Donaldson is currently undertaking a review of the National Curriculum and assessment arrangements in Wales. Any potential changes to the Welsh second language curriculum will reflect the Welsh Government's commitment in the Welsh-medium Education Strategy to improve standards in Welsh second language to enable young people to become competent Welsh speakers in the future.

The Welsh Government is also committed to supporting those who can speak Welsh to find opportunities to use Welsh in their daily lives. In August 2014, I published the Welsh Government's response to Y Gynhadledd Fawr, through a policy statement – A living language: language for living – Moving Forward (Bwrw Mlaen). This policy statement clearly sets the Welsh Government's agenda in relation to the Welsh language over the next three years.

The emphasis in Bwrw Mlaen is on action and delivery to support and strengthen position of the Welsh language. The document identifies four themes for action of the next three years:

• The need to strengthen the links between the economy and the Welsh language.
• The need for better strategic planning for the Welsh language.
• The use of Welsh in the community.
• The challenge of changing linguistic behaviour.

Gofyn i'r Gweinidog Cymunedau a Threchu Tlodi

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu beth yn union y mae'n ei wneud i fynd i'r afael â gwahaniaethu ar sail oedran yn y gweithle yng Nghymru? (WAQ67918)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Y Weinidog Cymunedau a Threchu Tlodi (Lesley Griffiths): Given the cross cutting nature of equality and inclusion, action to tackle discrimination for all protected characteristics including age is mainstreamed and embedded across Welsh Government. This reflects the commitment of all Ministers to tackle barriers to equality and take concerted cross-portfolio action to make Wales a fairer and more inclusive place.

The Welsh Government's Strategy for Older People represents our cross Government vision to challenge discrimination and negative stereotypes of ageing.

The Welsh specific equality duties strengthen the approach to tackling discrimination in the workplace for all those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, including on the grounds of age.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gydag Age Cymru ac eraill sydd â diddordeb mewn cysylltiad â mynd i'r afael â gwahaniaethu ar sail oedran yng Nghymru? (WAQ67919)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Lesley Griffiths: Age Cymru are represented on the Budget Advisory Group for Equality. The Finance Minister and I met the Group on 23 October to discuss equality considerations when making spending decisions.

Age Cymru are also represented on the newly established Hate Crime Independent Advisory Group, of which I am the Chair. This Group was established to advise me on progress of the implementation of ‘Tackling Hate Crimes and Incidents: a Framework for Action’. The Independent Advisory Group met for the first time on 16 October.

Gofyn i Weinidog yr Economi, Gwyddoniaeth a Thrafnidiaeth

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad yn amlinellu sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda Croeso Cymru a Visit Britain i sicrhau nad yw Cymru'n parhau i gael ei marchnata am lai na'i gwerth fel cyrchfan i dwristiaid? (WAQ67920)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Y Ddiprwy Weinidog Diwylliant, Chwaraeon a Thwristiaeth (Ken Skates) Wales is not undersold. The Great Britain Tourism Survey for the first six months of 2014 shows that the total volume of overnight trips made by GB residents to Wales (4.24 million) was up by 7.8% compared with the first six months of 2013; and well ahead of the results for GB as a whole (4.8% down). The amount which visitors spent while in Wales is also up by 2.1% while GB as a whole is down by 3.8%. Furthermore, the International Passenger Survey, undertaken by the Office for National Statistics, indicated that international visits to Wales (415,000) were 21% up during the first half of 2014 compared with 2013, while visits to the UK as a whole were 9% up.

Gofyn i'r Gweinidog Addysg a Sgiliau

Eluned Parrott (Canol De Cymru): Faint oedd y gyllideb a faint a gafodd ei wario ar y Rhaglen Recriwtiaid Newydd ar gyfer blynyddoedd ariannol:

(a) 2010/11;

(b) 2011/12;

(c) 2012/13; a

(d) 2013/14 (WAQ67904)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Y Ddirprwy Weinidog Sgiliau a Thechnoleg (Julie James): The following table illustrates the budget and spend for the Young Recruits Programme for the years requested:

* As the programme commenced in 2010-11, no formal budget was allocated as part of the routine annual budget setting process. Rather, it was funded from the wider Work Based learning budget.

In each full year, due to the success of the programme, the budget was exceeded. The additional funds have come from the wider Work Based Learning budget.

Eluned Parrott (Canol De Cymru): Faint oedd y gyllideb a faint a gafodd ei wario ar y rhaglen Twf Swyddi Cymru ar gyfer blynyddoedd ariannol:

(a) 2010/11;

(b) 2011/12;

(c) 2012/13; a

(d) 2013/14 (WAQ67905)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Julie James: The Jobs Growth Wales Programme commenced in April 2012. The original programme budget was £75 million over 3 financial years (2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/2015). This amount includes a European Social Fund (ESF) contribution.

Programme expenditure in 2012/2013 was £15,296,828 and in 2013/2014 was £24,574,431, including ESF. The Programme continues to deliver in the current financial year.

Angela Burns (Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro): Pa feysydd addysg a gaiff eu blaenoriaethu yn dilyn toriadau yng nghyllideb 2015-16? (WAQ67907)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Y Gweinidog Addysg a Sgiliau (Huw Lewis): The areas of prioritisation for Education and Skills are set out in the draft budget 2015-16 narrative. These continue to be set around the priorities for Government – Jobs and Growth, Educational Attainment, Supporting Children, Families and Deprived Communities and Health and Wellbeing.

Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro (Angela Burns): A wnaiff y Gweinidog nodi pob manylyn o wariant ychwanegol sydd wedi'i wneud ers cyllideb 2014-15? (WAQ67908)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Huw Lewis: There has been an increase in the resource budget of £12.3m, consistingof:

• £12.1m transfer from reserves for the Schools Challenge Cymru Programme
• £0.168m transferred in from the Department for Education for the funding of students in Wales on Initial Teacher Training courses with the Open University.

An increase is also expected to be required in the Annually Managed Expenditure budget as a result of revised student loan forecasts. This will be detailed in the Second Supplementary Budget.

Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro (Angela Burns): O ble y daeth yr arian ychwanegol a gafodd ei wario ar y gyllideb addysg ers cyllideb 2014-15? (WAQ67909)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): There has been an increase in the resource budget of £12.3m, consisting of:

• £12.1m transfer from reserves for the Schools Challenge Cymru Programme
• £0.168m transferred in from the Department for Education for the funding of students in Wales on Initial Teacher Training courses with the Open University.

An increase is also expected to be required in the Annually Managed Expenditure budget as a result of revised student loan forecasts. This, including the source of funding, will be detailed in the Second Supplementary Budget.

Gofyn i'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol

Simon Thomas (Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog nodi'r camau a gymerwyd i sicrhau bod ymgynghoriad y Gronfa Byw'n Annibynnol ar gael i holl aelodau'r cyhoedd? (WAQ67901)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol (Mark Drakeford): Bilingual standard, everyday and easy read versions of the public consultation document on the Independent Living Fund (ILF) were made freely available on the Welsh Government's website on the day the consultation commenced. Alternative formats, such as large print, are also available on request.

We planned to provide a copy direct to all 1,686 ILF recipients in Wales, but the ILF are of the view that they are unable to provide us with the necessary contact details. They believe that they would have had to obtain each recipient's consent to provide us with that information.

As an alternative we provided the ILF and local authorities in Wales with a standard letter asking them to forward this to their clients. This letter provided a brief summary of the consultation, where it could be located on the Welsh Government's website and provided contact details should recipients wish to request a copy of any of the consultation documents we have issued. Over 50 recipients have so far contacted us as a result to request hard copies of the consultation document.

Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru (Simon Thomas): Pa gamau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cymryd i sicrhau y gall defnyddwyr y Gronfa Byw'n Annibynnol ymateb i'r ymgynghoriad presennol ynghylch dod â'r gronfa i ben? (WAQ67902)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Mark Drakeford: Bilingual standard, everyday and easy read versions of the public consultation document on the Independent Living Fund (ILF) were made freely available on the Welsh Government's website on the day the consultation commenced. Alternative formats, such as large print, are also available on request.

We planned to provide a copy direct to all 1,686 ILF recipients in Wales, but the ILF are of the view that they are unable to provide us with the necessary contact details. They believe that they would have had to obtain each recipient's consent to provide us with that information.

As an alternative we provided the ILF and local authorities in Wales with a standard letter asking them to forward this to their clients. This letter provided a brief summary of the consultation, where it could be located on the Welsh Government's website and provided contact details should recipients wish to request a copy of any of the consultation documents we have issued. Over 50 recipients have so far contacted us as a result to request hard copies of the consultation document.

Simon Thomas (Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am argaeledd gwybodaeth sy'n ymwneud â'r ymgynghoriad ynghylch dod â'r Gronfa Byw'n Annibynnol i ben? (WAQ67903)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Mark Drakeford: Bilingual standard, everyday and easy read versions of the public consultation document on the Independent Living Fund (ILF) were made freely available on the Welsh Government's website on the day the consultation commenced. Alternative formats, such as large print, are also available on request.

We planned to provide a copy direct to all 1,686 ILF recipients in Wales, but the ILF are of the view that they are unable to provide us with the necessary contact details. They believe that they would have had to obtain each recipient's consent to provide us with that information.

As an alternative we provided the ILF and local authorities in Wales with a standard letter asking them to forward this to their clients. This letter provided a brief summary of the consultation, where it could be located on the Welsh Government's website and provided contact details should recipients wish to request a copy of any of the consultation documents we have issued. Over 50 recipients have so far contacted us as a result to request hard copies of the consultation document.

Angela Burns (Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro): Faint yw'r gost flynyddol i'r GIG o ran offer y gellir ond eu defnyddio unwaith? (WAQ67910)

Angela Burns (Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro): A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi manylion unrhyw bolisi neu broses ailgylchu sydd gan y GIG ar gyfer offer y gellir ond eu defnyddio unwaith? (WAQ67911)

Angela Burns (Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro): Faint yw'r costau penodol sy'n gysylltiedig ag ailgylchu offer y gellir ond eu defnyddio unwaith a gaiff eu defnyddio gan GIG Cymru? (WAQ67912)

Angela Burns (Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro): Pa opsiynau amgen sy'n cael eu hystyried gan Lywodraeth Cymru i atal gwastraffu offer y gellir ond eu defnyddio unwaith a gaiff eu defnyddio gan y GIG? (WAQ67913)

Angela Burns (Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro): A wnaiff y Gweinidog nodi'r rhesymau pam na chaiff offer y gellir ond eu defnyddio unwaith eu casglu a'u rhoi i'r rhai y gallai fod eu hangen neu y gallai eu defnyddio? (WAQ67914)

Angela Burns (Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro): Faint fyddai'r gost flynyddol i'r GIG sterileiddio offer y gellir ond eu defnyddio unwaith? (WAQ67915)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014 (WAQ67910-15)

Mark Drakeford: I will write to you and a copy of the letter will be put on the internet

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am y camau y mae ei adran yn eu cymryd i sicrhau bod y rhaglen frechu bresennol yn erbyn llid yr ymennydd i blant yn cael ei gweithredu'n effeithiol? (WAQ67917)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol (Mark Drakeford): My Department, working with, and through the Wales Immunisation Group, Public Health Wales and health board immunisation co-ordinators, oversees a number of steps to ensure children are up to date with all scheduled vaccinations including public information campaigns, promotion of vaccinations in relevant settings and outreach programmes. Uptake of the MenC vaccine by two years of age is currently above the target of 95%.

Gofyn i'r Gweinidog Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): A wnaiff y Gweinidog nodi (a) union nifer yr Awdurdodau Lleol sydd wedi cwblhau'r broses Werthuso Swyddi a (b) union nifer y rhai nad ydynt? (WAQ67916)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Y Weinidog Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus (Leighton Andrews): 20 Authorities have completed job evaluation and achieved single status. Those Authorities which have settled their equal pay liabilities may still have claims being progressed through the legal system or could be subject to further claims as a result of emerging case law.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What discussions has the Minister had with Age Cymru and other interested parties with regards to combatting age discrimination in Wales? (WAQ67919)

Derbyniwyd ateb ar 30 Hydref 2014

Y Weinidog Cymunedau a Threchu Tlodi (Lesley Griffiths): Age Cymru are represented on the Budget Advisory Group for Equality. The Finance Minister and I met the Group on 23 October to discuss equality considerations when making spending decisions.

Age Cymru are also represented on the newly established Hate Crime Independent Advisory Group, of which I am the Chair. This Group was established to advise me on progress of the implementation of 'Tackling Hate Crimes and Incidents: a Framework for Action'. The Independent Advisory Group met for the first time on 16 October.