Heledd Fychan: What steps is the Welsh Government taking to capitalise on the Cymru men’s football team’s qualification for the 2022 World Cup as part of its international strategy for Wales?
Heledd Fychan: Thank you to Jane Dodds for tabling this very important question. Like you, I was very moved and disturbed by the documentary. I think Niall's comments really stuck with me saying, 'Prison would have been better for me.' Prison better than somewhere that they were supposed to be safe. I would also like to echo the calls for an independent review of children's social work. I think this is...
Heledd Fychan: Minister, I would like to thank you for the statement today. As you know, we are excited but supportive of a new curriculum and, as was highlighted by the fifth Senedd's committee report, with Lynne Neagle as Chair, it is very much an opportunity for it to be the biggest change since the dawn of devolution in terms of our education system, and there's much to welcome. I think some of the...
Heledd Fychan: Well, it was possible with Junior Eurovision, and such rules can be changed, because why shouldn’t we celebrate the diversity? There is a call to begin looking at that, because we should be able to compete, and there are ways and means of ensuring that that is possible. If it’s possible with Junior Eurovision, it’s possible to change the rules for us to be at Eurovision too, and I am...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Llywydd, and I thank the Conservatives for bringing this debate forward today and state our support for it. I would also like to echo the comments of Tom Giffard in saying that we agree, that we also regret that this competition cannot be held in Ukraine because of the illegal ongoing attacks by Russia. We don’t want to take advantage of the fact that Ukraine is going through...
Heledd Fychan: May I begin by thanking the committee for their work on this important report? I think that it's very difficult to read, but it reflects the casework that we all receive, and I think it's very important that we remind ourselves very often that there are people behind every statistic, and, although we see that there is a plan in operation, that doesn't make it easier for those people who are...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister. I realise that the #PawsPreventProtect social media campaign mainly runs over the festive period and that it is quite seasonal and limited, focused on responsible pet purchasing. It is obviously a successful campaign, but quite limited. By contrast, in England, they have Petfished, a long-running pet buying awareness campaign, while in Scotland, the Scottish Government...
Heledd Fychan: 1. What consideration has the Welsh Government given to providing regular public awareness campaigns on responsible pet ownership to counteract the risk of a rise in animal abandonment as a result of the cost-of-living crisis? OQ58257
Heledd Fychan: I too would very much like to welcome this. I don't think we talk about fun enough in this Senedd sometimes, and it is good to see that emphasis on children and young people needing to be able to enjoy, as well as learn, and be supported. My concern is very similar to Gareth Davies's in terms of, yes, there will be something for everyone, but can everyone access? I accept that last year had...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister, for the statement. I think there are two things that parents like to hear about children in school: one is that they are developing to their utmost and are supported in doing that; and, secondly, that they are happy at school. And I very warmly welcome the one emphasis in this change, that we are not just looking at academic progress, but also at well-being and the pupil...
Heledd Fychan: So, First Minister, how is the Welsh Government going to help parents and carers who can't afford public transport?
Heledd Fychan: Thank you. With the cost-of-living crisis placing additional pressures on parents and carers, more people are contacting my office with regard to the impact of the cost of transport on attendance. This was emphasised further when Ruben Kelman, a Member of the Youth Parliament for Cardiff North, contacted me a week ago, sharing the results of a survey at Llanishen High School, where parents...
Heledd Fychan: 'Over the last few months, I have analysed what bills can be delayed in paying, so my daughter can attend school. It's soul destroying. Please help us parents.'
Heledd Fychan: 2. First Minister, how does the Welsh Government ensure that the cost of public transport does not adversely affect the attendance of primary and secondary pupils? OQ58258
Heledd Fychan: May I thank Jenny Rathbone for tabling this very important discussion? Obviously, it is hugely concerning. As someone who was previously a councillor in Rhondda Cynon Taf, I was particularly concerned by the high levels of school exclusions, and particularly among young boys. It seemed to be a problem that wasn't being addressed. I know now, from casework coming in to my office, in terms of...
Heledd Fychan: As we all know, community groups play an important and vital role in their communities and I'd like to begin by thanking, from the bottom of my heart, every community group that is active in the region that I represent. And although a number of community groups receive support from local authorities, a number of them face challenges too. What I would like to see personally as a result of this...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister. You will be aware that, in 2021, ColegauCymru commissioned a report that noted that many learners who volunteer since 2020 have missed out on practical opportunities to apply their learning, with the majority coming from sports courses. Given that Volunteers Week happened at the beginning of this month, do you agree, Minister, that we must ensure that these opportunities...
Heledd Fychan: 10. How is the Welsh Government supporting learners who have missed vital volunteering opportunities as a result of the pandemic? OQ58219
Heledd Fychan: Thank you. Trefnydd, yesterday I visited Rhondda food bank and I have had many headteachers contacting me, gravely concerned about families in the region that I represent, and specifically concerned about what the situation will be over the summer. Clearly, the Minister and the First Minister have announced that there will be support available in terms of free school meals for families that...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister. I was pleased to hear you saying about the weekend, because it's one thing to talk about international bands coming here to Wales, but when our national team is playing in our capital city, I would hope that we could have public transport so that everyone in Wales could come to support their national team, if they chose to do just that. I think there's also a point about...
