Gareth Davies: I appreciate that answer, Minister. The vast majority of problems facing today's Wales can be addressed by having more scientists, engineers and mathematicians. Mathematicians have devised better surgery scheduling in order to eliminate cancelled operations. We need more doctors, radiographers and lab technicians in order to tackle our horrendous waiting lists, and if we are to address...
Gareth Davies: Minister, one of the key areas of work that needs to be addressed in our Welsh language strategies is the provision of Welsh-medium medical training, particularly up in north Wales. The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol have been doing invaluable work here in south Wales supporting doctoral students and providing subject grants to Cardiff and Swansea. Minister, what discussions have you had with the...
Gareth Davies: It's been six months since you unveiled plans to grant a tree for every household in Wales. In the intervening months, there's been scant detail on this, and I have been inundated with queries from my constituents asking how they can get hold of their trees for planting. So, Deputy Minister, how and when do you plan to inform households on how they can get hold of their trees and how do you...
Gareth Davies: 4. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's tree-planting schemes? OQ58043
Gareth Davies: 7. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to encourage more young people to study STEM subjects? OQ58062
Gareth Davies: Trefnydd, I'd like to call for a statement from the Deputy Minister for Social Services on the support for unpaid carers in Wales, which you might have seen as a headline on BBC Wales news today. A recent report from the Carers Trust Wales highlights the challenges faced by Wales's 370,000 unpaid carers, and it's worth remembering that figure—370,000. Carers Trust Wales recommends that...
Gareth Davies: Thank you very much for your statement today, Minister.
Gareth Davies: And now the premature statement, and I'm glad that I'm on the ball this afternoon. And I welcome the shift in emphasis from managing systems towards delivering better outcomes for those reliant on our health and care systems, namely every single one of us, and I sincerely hope that this framework will help the shift in focus towards better outcomes for the citizens of Wales and, at the same...
Gareth Davies: I didn't realise I was down for a supplementary. But on your point on the abolition of the profit-making children's services in Wales, it actually makes up 80 per cent of the sector, First Minister. So, with that in mind, are you able to change that policy to make it more reflective of the private sector, which makes up such a fair chunk of the sector in Wales? Thank you.
Gareth Davies: Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. I'm glad that you mentioned Rhyl rugby club. The success of Rhyl rugby club seems to go on and on and the community assets there are fantastic. Would you agree that funds for the town centre and Welsh Government funding into the Queen's buildings need to be accelerated in order to assist with the high street development and also to enhance the potential that Rhyl has...
Gareth Davies: Thank you for that answer, Deputy Minister. I'm pleased to see that the BBC today is reporting your rejection to pass on the £1,000 bonus for care workers onto all care home staff, including those who work as cleaners and in the kitchens. Top-quality care doesn't just depend on our excellent carers. Without a whole host of supporting roles, care will suffer. And it's a team effort—a team...
Gareth Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. And I thank you for accepting this important topical question this afternoon.
Gareth Davies: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on the exclusion of auxiliary care home staff from the care home and home care workers' bonus payments? TQ620
Gareth Davies: It's a pleasure to take part in our debate this afternoon. I would like to put on record my thanks to all the community pharmacists for the amazing work they did and continue to do during the pandemic and beyond. The arrival of COVID on these shores exacerbated the issues that have been facing primary care for years. We simply haven't been training enough GPs to meet the health and care needs...
Gareth Davies: Thank you for that answer, Deputy Minister. Our reliance on imported fuel and even energy leaves us vulnerable to external threats. Vladimir Putin has, for years, used the threat of cutting supplies to apply pressure on its European neighbours. Even now, with EU nations sanctioning the Russian federation, they are still pumping billions into Putin's war machine, because they need the gas and...
Gareth Davies: 4. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure energy security? OQ57890
Gareth Davies: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Deputy Llywydd, and thank you for your statement this afternoon, Minister. I was contacted by a constituent this morning who was enquiring about sponsorship, as he wants to sponsor a mother and her son from Ukraine. And the issue he's had is that he hasn't had any access to any information regarding that, from either Welsh Government or Denbighshire County Council. So, my...
Gareth Davies: They've doubled in that time.
Gareth Davies: Thank you for that answer, Minister. My constituents have been promised this improvement to community health for years and years—nearly for a decade now. You keep telling us, time and time again, that the restoration of the Royal Alex is always just around the corner, without a spade going in the ground or anything tangible for the residents of Rhyl and Prestatyn to see. When I raise this...
Gareth Davies: 6. Will the Minister provide an update on the north Denbighshire community hospital? OQ57839