Siân Gwenllian: Will the Minister provide an update on support for women refugees from Afghanistan in Wales?
Siân Gwenllian: 3. Will the First Minister provide an update on the use of personal protective equipment in care homes in Arfon? OQ56933
Siân Gwenllian: It's still not clear what the situation is in terms of those providing care in the community and the use of one part of PPE, namely the gowns. Many have been in touch with me given their concerns that they are being treated as second class in relation to their colleagues in clinical settings, because they don't have to wear gowns. This is one message that I received:
Siân Gwenllian: 'When we try to keep positive clients out of hospital and protect others in the community, we are refused a vital piece of PPE'.
Siân Gwenllian: Can you confirm what the situation is exactly as to why workers are being treated differently, and will you reconsider this? In the words of my constituent once again, this is what she said:
Siân Gwenllian: 'Social care is already at crisis point. The recruitment and retention of care staff is at an all-time low, and this will only compound the situation further as staff will feel they're not being protected, and will seek alternative employment'.
Siân Gwenllian: 1. What further action will the Government take in response to serious disruption to education early in the new school term due to an increase in COVID-19 cases? TQ567
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you for that answer. I do believe that you need to show sympathy with the concerns of parents and young people and staff, and show that you are listening and considering action, if it's necessary—that is, you're willing to tighten the rules, if necessary. Explaining the rationale in terms of who should isolate and who should go to school would be a help, and constituents tell me that...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much to both committees for your thorough work in looking at all of these issues. The work carried out by your committee, not only with this Bill but all of the legislation that is coming towards us very quickly, is so crucially important. We cannot allow these issues to go beneath the radar. It's crucial that they are carefully scrutinised and I can see that you are doing...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you, Llywydd. I was very pleased to see that the number of positive COVID tests in schools had reduced significantly over the past week—and I'm sure you yourself were also pleased with that—a reduction of 44 per cent. But schools continue to be in a very vulnerable position, of course, with some classes with as many as 50 per cent having tested positive for COVID. The Welsh...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you. That would be very useful, and I'm sure you would agree with me that ventilation in school buildings is crucially important, particularly now, given that people are being infected with more than one illness, which can make the problem worse. I'd like to ask you about another problem on safety in schools, namely the issue of asbestos, and what's your response to the recent finding...
Siân Gwenllian: You will appreciate that the unions particularly are asking for urgent action on this issue, and are hoping for some news to that end from you soon. As a result of the pandemic, we know that schools, staff and pupils have been under huge pressures and stresses. A recent report by the National Academy for School Leadership in Wales highlights how the pandemic has affected the well-being of...
Siân Gwenllian: Formally move.
Siân Gwenllian: What assessment has been made of the impact of COVID-19 on the Welsh-language skills of primary school children?
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this report. I would like to focus on specific aspects of the report, namely those that need urgent attention and those that haven't received attention yet this afternoon. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask the Minister for her comments, accepting of course that the full official response isn't available yet. Turning first of all to children...
Siân Gwenllian: 4. Will the Minister make a statement on measures to tackle illegal fishing? OQ57024
Siân Gwenllian: A group of local fishermen has contacted me about alleged poaching that is taking place, and the lack of enforcement of fishing byelaws. The allegation is that there has been a significant decline in the enforcement teams of Natural Resources Wales, leaving only a team of 15 to do this work the length and breadth of Wales. The group of fishermen has said that this is insufficient to safeguard...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much. The main reason we decided to table our amendment to the motion today was to highlight the fact that the issue of teacher retention is more complex and multifaceted than issues around staffing and personnel alone; it is broader than the scope of this motion. Of course, personnel and staffing issues are important, and we shouldn't forget that recruitment campaigns are also...
Siân Gwenllian: Will you take an intervention?
