Heledd Fychan: I do not, in any way, want to distract from the opportunities presented by Wales qualifying for the world cup; it is a fantastic showcase—it's the biggest showcase we've ever had, and I think it's right that we are investing in this. I do, however, want to put on record that I do not believe that the world cup should be taking place in Qatar. I absolutely disagree with that decision. I was...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you to the Minister for the opportunity to discuss this important report today. I'd like to associate myself with the comments made by the Minister and Sam Kurtz in terms of Aled Roberts. Certainly, I think all Members here would agree that his work was respected and admired across the Senedd. The progress outlined in this report is testament to his excellent advocacy for the Welsh...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Llywydd. On 8 September this year, 2,000 artists and arts workers were selected for the basic income for the arts pilot scheme in Ireland. Each artist or practitioner will receive €325 per week for three years as part of a research project that will collect data from participants to assess the impact of the scheme on their creative output and their well-being, with the aim of...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Deputy Minister. That is very encouraging to hear. The current inflationary crisis is not only impacting individuals and households in the form of the cost-of-living crisis, but also many businesses, particularly those in the culture sector, who are experiencing a cost-of-business crisis. For example, Betsan Moses, the chief executive of the National Eisteddfod, warned that the...
Heledd Fychan: May I thank Vikki Howells for submitting this question? Obviously, we share the same region, and I've also had a number of constituents raise the concerns here. I would like to associate myself with all of her comments and questions, and it's certainly a really concerning time as it's such a valuable business, as you've outlined, Vikki. On a slightly different point, the loss of this factory...
Heledd Fychan: Trefnydd, I'd like to request a statement, please, with an update from the Minister for health on changes to the Welsh ambulance service and what this means in practice for patients. Over the weekend, I was contacted by a number of constituents concerned by the changes now being implemented to the Welsh ambulance service, with rapid response vehicles no longer operating from Gelli in Rhondda....
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Counsel General. That's one stance that is contrary to what we feel as a party, and we will also be opposing today. Minister, as you will already know, Plaid Cymru opposes the use of legislative consent motions as a matter of principle. We believe that decisions on devolved matters should always be debated, scrutinised and approved by Senedd Cymru, the Welsh Parliament, rather than...
Heledd Fychan: 1. How is the Welsh Government supporting learners in South Wales Central whose access to education has been affected by the cost-of-living crisis? OQ58751
Heledd Fychan: How is the Welsh Government ensuring that transport costs do not impact learners' attendance in school?
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister, I know that you recently visited Llanishen High School, where the cost of transport was raised with you as one of the barriers that has an impact on the attendance of pupils. This is an ongoing problem that's been raised with me, and something that you have previously said that you are working with the Deputy Minister for Climate Change on. However, I understand from the...
Heledd Fychan: Diolch, Llywydd. I would like just to respond to that point. I think it is a positive thing if young people know their rights in the workplace, and I do not share the concerns. We all go as politicians to schools, and are able to talk about our values and differences as political parties, and this is part of that education process.
Heledd Fychan: After a decade of austerity, schools have made all of the savings that they can, and headteachers are warning that the only things left to cut will have a direct and significant impact on children and young people. A new survey by NAHT Cymru shows that the majority of schools say that they will have to make teachers redundant or terminate contracts due to a funding crisis. Around 73 per cent...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister, and as those conversations continue, we'd be grateful for updates, like those you do give, in terms of the vital support that is needed so that neither learners nor staff are detrimentally impacted, as far as possible. Last night, Rhieni dros Addysg Gymraeg held a meeting in Rhondda Cynon Taf. They drew attention to the case of Jenna and David from Gilfach Goch, who face...
Heledd Fychan: As was referenced by Rhun ap Iorwerth, we do welcome the fact that the Welsh Government has increased the number of nursing student places in Wales, with the exception of 2019-20, where the number remained static. It is very much welcome. But, unfortunately, the exodus of nurses leaving the NHS shows no sign of slowing down, and clearly seems to be increasing, as many nurses are leaving the...
Heledd Fychan: Trefnydd, I'd like to ask for a statement, please, from the Minister for Economy. We've regularly raised the opportunity that Wales has in competing in the world cup in Qatar in terms of our international profile, and the fact that we are now seeing people Googling during the game against the US, wanting to know more about our country, and knowing about what's important to us and our values,...
Heledd Fychan: I would just like to start, perhaps, by reflecting on Logan Mwangi's former headteacher's words about him, calling him 'a gorgeous little boy' with a 'cheeky smile' who 'loved to talk'. Often, we forget about Logan himself. We've all seen pictures of him, but to hear about his personality and how he was happy at school, contrary to what his mother was saying, was behaving in school and...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you, Deputy Minister, for your statement today. I'd like to echo the points that you've already made on those people who aren't currently commemorated. Certainly there are places that aren't commemorated. It's important that we look at the broader context to ensure that anything we have does reflect contemporary Wales. Of course, we have all been welcoming...
Heledd Fychan: With players, staff and supporters of the Cymru men's football team preparing to leave Qatar to return home, I wanted to take the opportunity today to convey our thanks to all of them, together with the Red Wall who supported them here in Wales. Although our journey has come to an end and there is a natural sense of disappointment, there is also so much to celebrate, and that's what I'd like...
Heledd Fychan: They can be sure, as can the women's team, that, whatever the results are in the future, the Red Wall will be there to celebrate and support as it has throughout this journey. Together stronger. Thank you, team Cymru. [Applause.]
Heledd Fychan: 'We go again in March.'
