Siambr · Gareth Beer
Written questions
6 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 1 of 1.
WQ101134 · Tabled · No answer published
Will the Cabinet Minister press for postponement of the closure of Ysgol Bancffosfelen in Carmarthenshire?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
WQ100386 · Tabled · Answered
What proportion of the £200,000 funding for community-focused schools will be allocated to schools in Sir Gaerfyrddin?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Work is underway to finalise the programme with delivery partners. I will provide further details on participating local authorities, schools and funding allocations in due course.
WQ100383 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister commit to auditing all Welsh Government net-zero expenditure to redirect those funds into direct relief for off-grid rural residents in Carmarthenshire?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
Since we came into government, we have been reviewing spending line by line, to make sure it matches the priorities people told us mattered. Our Draft Budget that we will present to the Senedd in November will be the result of that work – directing funding to where it will make the biggest difference to people’s lives.
We are already providing direct relief for off-gas grid households in Wales. Low-income households who are eligible for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) and their main heating is provided by heating oil or Liquid Petroleum Gas are eligible for a £200 payment. In addition, support has been made available through the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) with eligible households able to receive up to £750 towards heating oil with access to this support available up to twice in a rolling 12-month period.
WQ100336 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to review the governance arrangements and clinical oversight of the Welsh Gender Service in light of recently published data indicating higher rates of surgical referrals by the Welsh Gender Service than comparable services elsewhere in the UK?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Substantive response
WQ100335 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to tackle agricultural sewage and other sources of pollution affecting the River Tywi and other rivers in Carmarthenshire?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Improving the health of the River Tywi and rivers across the whole of Wales is a priority for the Welsh Government. We are working with Natural Resources Wales, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, farmers, local authorities and environmental organisations to tackle pollution from all sources.
Natural Resources Wales has powers to investigate suspected pollution incidents and take enforcement action where necessary. Where pollution incidents occur, the Welsh Government expects regulators to investigate and, where appropriate, take enforcement action to ensure those responsible are held to account. Through initiatives such as the Better River Quality Taskforce and the West Wales Nutrient Management Board, we are bringing together key partners to identify and deliver actions to address nutrient pollution and improve water quality across the Tywi, Teifi and Cleddau catchments.
Addressing agricultural pollution, sewage discharges and other pressures on our rivers will require sustained action across government, regulators and delivery partners over many years. The Welsh Government remains committed to improving water quality, restoring nature and supporting the long-term recovery of Wales’ rivers.
WQ100289 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on when cataract recovery funding for 2026-27 will be released to health boards?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Funding to support cataract and wider planned care recovery forms part of the additional £145 million investment recently announced for NHS Wales. This includes £100 million to reduce waiting times and £25 million to strengthen surgical and diagnostic capacity, including activity that will support improvements in ophthalmology services.
The first phase of planned care funding has now been released to Health Boards following assessment of their delivery plans. Allocations are linked to clear expectations regarding reductions in long waiting times, increased activity, improvements in productivity and delivery against agreed trajectories.
Further funding releases will be considered as part of ongoing discussions between Health Boards, NHS Wales Performance and Improvement and Welsh Government officials. This will ensure that investment is directed towards schemes which can demonstrate additional capacity, sustainable improvements and measurable benefits for patients.
Improving access to cataract services remains a priority. Ophthalmology has been identified as a key specialty within the wider planned care recovery programme, and Health Boards are expected to use the additional investment to increase activity, reduce waiting times and support regional approaches to delivering eye care services.
The Welsh Government and NHS Wales will continue to monitor delivery closely to ensure the funding achieves the intended improvements in access to cataract treatment and other planned care services.
Official verbatim record: each question and answer as the Record prints it. Answers are signed with a job title, as published.