David Rees: Item 4 this afternoon is topical questions, and the first question is from Heledd Fychan to be answered by the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language. Heledd Fychan.
Mick Antoniw: ...focus on youth justice, because that is the most glaring area where there is such a jagged edge. Youth justice, whilst it remains non-devolved, devolved services, nevertheless, such as housing, education and healthcare, do play such a fundamental role in diverting young people away from the criminal justice system in Wales, and, as you say, they are key to enabling prevention and early...
Janet Finch-Saunders: ...Welsh Government and the parliamentary resources therein on making the best of the powers that we do have? In other words, sorting out our failing health service, sorting out the low standards in education—
Peredur Owen Griffiths: ...deadline, and mine for another three years, has caused considerable distress to residents due to concerns over air quality and noise pollution. The site is located just meters away from homes, schools and playgrounds. Can the Counsel General confirm whether article 67, section 26A of the Coal Industry Act 1994 gives Welsh Ministers the ultimate responsibility for approving bids for coal...
Hannah Blythyn: ...in practice. And can I also pass on my thanks and recognition to Ollie for speaking so candidly about this and sharing the experiences of young people, which, sadly, is still happening, not just in schools but in different settings across Wales? It makes me particularly sad, because I was bullied at school because—I think I've said in here before—other children saw something in me that...
Jane Hutt: ...the future. Obviously, those options actually apply to all young people in Wales. The young person’s guarantee is crucially important—18 to 25-year-olds, every young person, a job, training, education, apprenticeships, setting up a business. We heard all of those things from our care-experienced young people. That’s what they want to do. That’s what they will be able to do. I think...
Julie James: ..., I would like to pay tribute to the young people of Wales who have spoken so passionately to me about environmental protection and the issue of single-use plastic. Through our engagement with Eco-Schools and Plastic Free Schools, we will highlight to all schools in Wales the impact of plastic pollution and how that relates to the new schools curriculum for Wales that supports our children...
Janet Finch-Saunders: ...actions required as a result of this Bill. Many of us here in the Senedd know that, quite often, when laws are passed here, the implications that are passed down to local authorities to enforce, educate—. Often, no extra resources are provided. When I speak to council leaders or their finance chiefs, it is a fact that they are sometimes concerned about laws that are made here, because of...
Delyth Jewell: ...referenced in the explanatory memorandum. The amendment would require both the affordability of reusable products—those products that may replace those that are prohibited—and also to advise on education and promotion of the prohibition. It would, again, ensure that these things were on the face of the Bill. To deal with the affordability issue firstly, we've talked in committee at...
Janet Finch-Saunders: ..., again. However, knowing the number of prosecutions, I believe, can help to see whether enforcement has been successful. You know I've raised concerns about local authorities and their ability to educate and play an advocacy role. However, there will be times where prosecutions are required, and it's only by knowing the numbers—. All of us can put FOIs in and find out how many...
Julie James: ...cotton buds for forensic purposes, as relevant devices used for medical purposes or to be used by a health professional for medical purposes, or for cotton buds to be supplied for diagnostic, educational or research purposes. As previously noted in Stage 2, our policy intention is to capture cotton buds used in a domestic setting and which are potentially disposed of incorrectly by being...
Carolyn Thomas: ...of maybe a highway resurfacing contract through local authorities and also possibly active travel contracts, and then that could be used for medical appointments and access to free swimming through schools, where I know transport has been raised as an issue—accessing swimming. Thank you.
Jeremy Miles: ..., it will be attractive and efficient, and everyone understands what it does. And that’s the way, I think, that we will be able to give assurance to the teachers, but also a system that works for schools and local authorities as well. But I think that the promotional aspect is very important, and when it comes to the period of appointing the body, we will want to collaborate with you on that.
Janet Finch-Saunders: ...of the essence in making sure that we keep our children safe. The updated UK guidance on scarlet fever outbreaks says antibiotics can be used to help stop new cases of strep A in settings such as schools, but that a decision should be taken by local outbreak control teams on a case-by-case basis. I think it's really important that we have a joined-up approach across all parts of the UK so...
Mark Drakeford: ...Wales had an opportunity to vote in an election when all those things that Member read out were in a manifesto that was put in front of them. So, I think that having 45,000 more people offered free school meals in Wales would be a priority for people in Wales. I think the expansion of high-quality childcare to 2-year-olds will be a priority for people in Wales. I think the actions we have...
Mark Drakeford: ...for reminding me of that. Let me say this to him. He's offered one solution this afternoon. It's a solution that my party will not adopt; let me be as clear as I can with him about that. Compulsory education for everybody through the medium of Welsh is not the answer to the Welsh language in Wales. It will alienate people who are sympathetic to the Welsh language; it will set the language...
Huw Irranca-Davies: ...to place refugees and asylum seekers in places without any advance notice with the communities or with Welsh Government or the local community involved, with the health board in the area, with the education authority in the area, because this is about the care of those individuals, for which those services need to be in place there. So, we need the UK to work far better than this right...
Mark Drakeford: ...s mental health. We have invested significantly in mental health support from early intervention to specialist services. We have also introduced statutory guidance to embed mental well-being in schools and we are implementing the NEST/NYTH Framework across Wales.
Jeremy Miles: ...guidance on a breadth of digital resilience issues. This critical area has continued to evolve. It now hosts over 400 resources to support children and young people, as well as their families and school communities. Through 'Keeping safe online', schools have access to an extensive offer of bilingual teaching resources, as well as training opportunities, and these cover a range of topical...
Andrew RT Davies: ...across the whole of Wales. They were important partners in delivering some of the Welsh Government's decisions and support measures that were put in place in social care, for example, and in education. The health service is structured quite differently in Wales, because of decisions that the Welsh Government have taken, to how it is structured in England. Those are unique positions that...
