Llyr Gruffydd: ...Mike Hedges is quite right in saying that COVID has changed everything. We know that. And as he said, last year’s budget is certainly not going to work this year. I acknowledge that investment in education, of course, is one of the most powerful tools that we have in addressing the economic recovery that we will need to stimulate after all that has happened. It’s right to say that this...
Llyr Gruffydd: ...provides an interesting snapshot of views and we have as a result identified a number of areas that we would like to focus on. Comments received from the engagement indicated the health service and education were key areas of priority, with one participant stating that more initial investment in health and education was needed to help catalyse a culture of healthier lifestyles to reduce...
Llyr Gruffydd: ...where planned funding could not be used, but also a reduction in funding for certain bodies, such as Natural Resources Wales—and we heard mention of that earlier this afternoon—and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. Now, whilst the committee accepts that responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has involved making difficult decisions, the committee is keen to ensure that the...
Llyr Gruffydd: .... It was relief, recover, reform. And Congress subsequently invested in programmes that put the unemployed in work, and work that served a purpose to society, such as constructing roads, building schools, hospitals et cetera. And those underlying ideas are just as valid today. But first we have to resist that urge to cut spending—this can't be the start of austerity mark 2, because we...
Llyr Gruffydd: ...chemicals associated with the plants, such as formaldehyde. Because of this, local residents are worried that their long-term health is going to suffer, but particularly their children in nearby schools as well. So, when will this Government make sure that the health and safety of the residents of places such as Chirk are protected by improving monitoring for both chemicals and the smaller...
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you for your response. I know that you're very aware of the situation that arose at Ruthin School in my region. And before saying any more, I think we should thank Kelly Williams, the Daily Post journalist who did so much to expose the situation there and to bring it to the attention of the wider public, and also to help bring matters to a head. And now that some of those heads that...
Llyr Gruffydd: 5. Will the Minister make a statement on the safeguarding of children who attend private schools in Wales? OAQ55064
Llyr Gruffydd: ...change to the extent that we should. And finally, one of the rivers in the Conwy Valley that flooded was Afon Cae Person, and that river, of course, did have an impact on Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy. The school was closed yesterday; the maths and technology block is still closed today for the clean-up and decontamination. This is a private finance initiative school. Now, the council therefore has...
Llyr Gruffydd: ...pollution monitoring, it took 48 hours for residents living across the road from the burning plant to be advised to close their doors and their windows. It took 48 hours to advise children at the school across the road not to play in the yard. And it took 48 hours to get monitoring equipment there from Swansea to assess the air quality. Now, this is a community that's had more than its...
Llyr Gruffydd: ...moved up from Swansea. Now, local residents deserve a robust response from Welsh Government on this, and, at the moment, I'm afraid they're not getting it. Also, could we have a statement from the education Minister in the wake of a highly critical report by Care Inspectorate Wales into Ruthin School, which was published recently? The report says, and I quote: 'The leadership, management...
Llyr Gruffydd: ...complex requirements, high-tech assets or innovative projects are not deemed appropriate to deliver through MIM. Projects that are considered to be stable over time such as the building of roads, schools and hospitals are more appropriate for MIM funding. The committee was satisfied that appropriate projects had been chosen to be delivered through MIM and recommended that the Welsh...
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you. The initial guidance provided to schools back in April stated that there would be further practical guidance available by September. Well, we're five months later and, as far as I can see, we still haven't seen those. Now, I accept what you said about ministerial responsibility around this, but the point I want to make is that the Siarter Iaith should be far more prominent and...
Llyr Gruffydd: ...should deal with, when we see it? But, if you are intent on pursuing support for this kind of technology, then should we not at the very least be banning incinerators from being built anywhere near schools, hospitals, residential areas and the like?
Llyr Gruffydd: ..., then money might not be an issue at all in the next financial year, but I will believe that when I see it. But what I'm asking, of course, is: what are you doing to give earlier assurances to schools as to what they can expect for next year, and also longer term assurances, because working on a year-to-year basis is problematic, isn't it? You can have better strategic planning from...
Llyr Gruffydd: 7. Will the Minister make a statement on the implications of delaying the publication of the Welsh Government's 2020-21 budget on school funding? OAQ54747
Llyr Gruffydd: ...particular needs, maybe, who aren't as able to use public transport for different reasons, need to be in our minds in that respect. Parents with children as well, many of whom have to factor in the school run—and there's a whole other debate about tackling school runs—but they need to be considered as well. And, of course, not being able to afford a parking levy would potentially...
Llyr Gruffydd: There’s no doubt, of course, that Extinction Rebellion and the school strikers have transformed the narrative around the climate emergency that we’re currently facing. And I agree with you entirely that we should congratulate and support those people for their efforts. But, of course, Plaid Cymru did table a motion here a fortnight ago doing exactly that in the context of the school...
Llyr Gruffydd: ..., and other committees. When he mentioned that he had three priorities, I was afraid that he was going to say, 'Blaenau Gwent, Blaenau Gwent and Blaenau Gwent', but he didn't, to be fair to him. 'Education, public transport and climate change' is what he said. And, of course, that's the point. Every Member will have their three priorities, I'm sure, as we've heard from others today, and...
Llyr Gruffydd: ...Since our leaders are behaving like children, we will have to take the responsibility they should have taken long ago'. And that is exactly what they are doing this Friday in taking part in these school strikes. So, let’s make it clear that we as a National Assembly for Wales are with our young people on that journey, and let’s support Plaid Cymru’s motion today.
Llyr Gruffydd: I think we have to put missing the odd day of school into perspective. Before, back in the day—I can see the education Minister in her seat there, looking at me attentively and wondering what I'm going to say next. But, before my election to this Assembly, back in the day, I used to be a youth worker. Of course, we know there's a youth work curriculum, and, yes, formal education is very...
