Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much. We are very grateful, of course, to the teachers and the other staff in our schools in this period. They are also key workers and their role is expected to change as they move forward, and we appreciate that great flexibility that is going to be needed now. So, could I ask you about the teachers and the assistant teachers? What will be their role in the new arrangements...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you. I just want to return to a couple of things that haven’t been answered. I've asked them already—I’m sorry, I’ve asked you a lot of questions, I know—but I think this is important. What are the guidelines for the schools that have already closed? We know that there is a list of schools that have told parents that they’ve already closed this week. Will they be expected to...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The measures announced yesterday are without precedent but are crucial if we are to prevent the further spread of coronavirus. Any steps that will ensure that there is no additional pressure on our health service are to be welcomed in this time of crisis. This is not a national holiday, it is a national crisis, and each and every one of us has a...
Siân Gwenllian: May I turn now to the important questions that do arise? First of all, the new guidance published yesterday stating that people should not travel unless it is to carry out essential work or when it is not possible to work from home. This therefore means that many people working freelance will continue to travel and to work, likewise those in the building profession, mechanics and dozens of...
Siân Gwenllian: May I say first of all that I identify entirely with the comments made by Dawn Bowden? It is hugely important that we do share our concerns and it’s important that we express that emotion that we are bound to feel. That is so important at a time such as this. So, I thank you for sharing some of your concerns with us today, but we will get through this. We will get through this...
Siân Gwenllian: Move.
Siân Gwenllian: Move.
Siân Gwenllian: Today, 15 doctors who are leading health clusters across Wales have sent a robust letter to you, asking for far stricter restrictions in terms of second homes. Will your Government listen to the voices of these clinicians who are calling for a ban on the use of second homes in Wales in order to prevent a second wave of this virus? It’s terrible to think of such a thing after weeks of...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. There was an incident earlier this afternoon when we heard the Minister for health being insulting towards a fellow Member who was asking entirely valid questions in the name of scrutiny and of holding the Government to account. Has the Minister made a request to you to make a statement about that incident and will you look into this to see whether any...
Siân Gwenllian: This crisis has brought to the fore a fundamental problem at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor in my constituency. For some weeks, I've been aware that a problem has arisen with the capacity of oxygen flow in Ysbyty Gwynedd and that, in turn, could restrict the ability of the hospital to deal with the COVID crisis. Resolving this is being given priority by the British Oxygen Company, and I'm grateful...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff in our educational establishments, to parents, pupils and students for responding so responsibly to this crisis and for being so flexible in dealing with a new way of learning and teaching. One of the greatest challenges is to try and ensure that no child suffers as a result of this crisis,...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much for providing clarity on that final point. May I ask you about the health condition arising in some children as a rare response, but a very dangerous response, that is suspected to be related to coronavirus? Can you confirm whether there have been any cases in Wales, and, if there have been, or if any do emerge, what would the implications of that be on your plans to...
Siân Gwenllian: For.
Siân Gwenllian: Could you tell us what discussions are ongoing on having a hub for prisoners in Bangor, in my constituency? I am given to understand that there is a proposal in place to create a hub in Bangor for prisoners who come originally from all parts of north Wales and are released early because of the current crisis. Now, neither myself nor the MP for Arfon in Westminster have received any official...
Siân Gwenllian: Business improvement districts, such as the Bangor BID in my constituency, are crucial to the work of regenerating the shopping areas of a number of towns and cities across Wales. Their work will be extremely valuable in dealing with the huge problems facing our high streets as a result of the current crisis. Now, £6 million is to be allocated to BIDs in England, in terms of providing...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much, Minister, and thank you for your work in bringing individuals back to Wales, and for your assistance with some of my constituents in Arfon in that regard too. I'm going to focus on an important aspect of your portfolio, namely the Welsh language. Research work by the University of St Andrews has come to the conclusion that the current pandemic could have a far-reaching...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much. I will turn now to two other issues that aren’t related to the COVID crisis, you’ll be pleased to hear, perhaps. What’s your view on the statutory instrument on the census, which is currently going through Westminster, in terms of gathering data on the number of Welsh speakers? The likelihood is that a sampling system will be used for those who are unable to...
Siân Gwenllian: It's three weeks since GPs across Wales urged you to prohibit the use of second homes and to tighten up enforcement rules in order to safeguard public health, but you have not acted to date. Surely by this point we do need action, given that we are approaching the Whitsun holiday and in light of the change in rules and emphasis in England. So, I would like to ask you what further measures you...
Siân Gwenllian: What additional support can you offer scientists at Bangor University who are carrying out research into levels of the virus in the sewerage network? Although it isn't infectious at that point, this approach can be used to measure how much COVID-19 exists within a city or a town environment. And do you agree that this approach and this research in measuring COVID levels could be very useful...
Siân Gwenllian: In favour.
