Jane Dodds: No, I won't—cash payments is overwhelming, and I'd urge the First Minister to work with those of us who are trying to campaign for a universal basic income to establish a more comprehensive pilot than is currently being proposed. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Jane Dodds: Minister, I wanted to ask a question in relation to access to NHS dentists in the Hywel Dda area. Hywel Dda Community Health Council undertook some mystery shopping exercises earlier this year, and found that some practices told us that they had long waiting lists for NHS care—some up to three years long. Out of the 45 practices they spoke to, less than 50 per cent were accepting new NHS...
Jane Dodds: Trefnydd, I find myself, unusually, sharing common ground with the Conservatives—[Members of the Senedd: 'Oh']—when I was disappointed to hear that the Government would continue to press ahead with NHS COVID passes in Wales, or COVID passports. Minister, the Scottish Parliament were afforded the opportunity to debate the merits of this decision before they introduced similar measures....
Jane Dodds: May I also join with the other representatives in thanking you very much for the statement? And the Welsh Liberal Democrats welcome the detail that you've set out—particularly pleased to hear about the more proportionate regulatory framework for farmers and also that you're going to embark on a programme of engagement and consultation. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn. This must be, though,...
Jane Dodds: Just to follow on from my colleague Rhys ab Owen's question, I also am very interested in the issue of the criminal justice system and the over-representation of those with protected characteristics, particularly black and minority ethnic prisoners. Twenty-six per cent of the prison population in England and Wales are from a minority ethnic group. That's compared to 16 per cent of the entire...
Jane Dodds: Can I firstly thank Russell George for bringing forward this very important debate? I know as well as he does about the long-standing challenges faced by the residents of Montgomeryshire in accessing health services. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn. Like other speakers, I would also like to record my thanks and my appreciation and gratitude to all of our health workers, ambulance drivers,...
Jane Dodds: The model of work we use now has barely changed since the days of the male breadwinner factory of the 1950s. It's a model that means that women are far more likely to give up work to take up caring responsibilities, and women currently do an average of 60 per cent more unpaid work than men. Is this really the way that we want to live? People face burnout, experience in-work stress and mental...
Jane Dodds: 5. What steps are being taken to improve the availability of NHS dentists across Wales? OQ56917
Jane Dodds: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Gweinidog. Dentistry remains one of the most difficult areas of primary care delivery right at the moment—respiratory issues in the pandemic time. Also, on top of that, there have been long-standing issues relating to the provision of NHS dentistry. I've put out a survey and heard back from around 350 people across mid and west Wales concerning the situation with regard...
Jane Dodds: Clearly, there is real resonance across the Chamber in term of what people are saying. I've been here with my pen, actually, striking out quite a bit of what I'm going to say, you'll be very pleased to hear, Dirprwy Lywydd. I also want to acknowledge that many of us in this Senedd have been directly affected by dementia. My mother actually died of dementia and my father died of Alzheimer's. I...
Jane Dodds: Of course I will; thank you.
Jane Dodds: Thank you, Mark; thank you for that intervention. Of course I will join with you; anything that improves and enhances the delivery of services to both those who suffer from dementia and their carers in a rural area such as Mid and West Wales—I'd be very happy to join with you and others in supporting that moving forward. Over 17,000 people are affected by dementia in rural Wales, yet there...
Jane Dodds: Prif Weinidog, I just really wanted to ask a very brief question about support to our town centres. As I'm sure you would agree, during the COVID period, many small shops have been absolutely vital to our communities. And therefore, I'd just be really interested in how you will be supporting our town centres, going forward. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Jane Dodds: Just a brief contribution on this. I agree entirely with the Minister and I'm very grateful to you for what you've said.
Jane Dodds: I am disappointed but not surprised to hear of the UK Government's failure to yet again—yet again—engage with Welsh Ministers on a matter that is clearly devolved to us here in Wales. The rushing of this Bill through the House of Commons is typical of the UK Government's contempt for the devolved nations. Wales is embarking on the largest set of educational reform since the second world...
Jane Dodds: We have supported the cautious approach taken by the First Minister to date, and I am pleased that I live in Wales, because this Government's approach to coronavirus feels so much safer than that of the Conservative Government in Westminster. I also want to be clear that the responsibility taken by the Welsh public in relation to wearing masks, keeping their distance, being clear that they...
Jane Dodds: Thank you. Well, you ventured out there, and well done you. I am also grateful to your officials, Minister, for sending me information and also for meeting with me this morning. Finally, I am astounded at the Conservative position on this in Wales, because I do understand that Boris Johnson is keen on looking at this to be introduced across England. So, the situation there kind of perplexes...
Jane Dodds: Will the Member take an intervention?
Jane Dodds: Thank you. I'm very grateful. Is it the case that at the Green Man Festival all the workers and all of the volunteers also were required to produce proof of vaccination?
Jane Dodds: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I also put on record, on behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, our best wishes to Andrew R.T. Davies in his recovery and thank him for his very bold and clear statements in terms of his mental health? Minister, I'd like to thank you for bringing forward this very important debate and issue. The mental well-being of our children and young people is so...
