Siân Gwenllian: I wanted to share with the Senedd some information about a new and beautiful short film that breathes new life into one of our nation's legends. Pupils of Ysgol Gynradd Rhosgadfan in my constituency have made the film, and it was shown at the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, and it enjoyed an enthusiastic reception. The children and their parents had an opportunity to see the film on a...
Siân Gwenllian: There is increasing evidence that reconfiguration of the vascular services has led to a significant deterioration in provision for people in north Wales. It would have made sense to locate the new hub in Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor—that's what a sensible reorganisation would have been, namely building on the unit of excellent quality that was there. As you said, there is another review in the...
Siân Gwenllian: 2. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Health and Social Services about vascular services for patients from Arfon and all parts of north Wales since the reconfiguration of these services? OQ57541
Siân Gwenllian: I hope your connection improves as I move forward. The pandemic has highlighted the deep inequalities that exist within my constituency between communities and between families. For example, inappropriate housing is a problem in certain parts of Arfon—houses that are too small for the needs of the families living in them, houses that are damp and difficult to heat. And, of course, this has...
Siân Gwenllian: 6. Will the Minister make a statement on the lessons learned about social inequalities as a result of the pandemic? OQ57412
Siân Gwenllian: I understand that the Football Association of Wales have announced that league of Wales games—adran and ardal games—will be postponed for the time being as 50 supporters isn't going to be sufficient to make those games financially sustainable. Now, this will create huge frustrations for both players and supporters alike, but will also create cash flow problems for clubs. So, can you...
Siân Gwenllian: Will the First Minister make a statement on the timetable for the establishment of the new Bangor dental academy?
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’m pleased to hear that the programme announced today will ensure that every child and young person in Wales will have a book to keep. I was reminded recently of the pleasure I got from reading a book called Luned Bengoch as a child—a book that has just been re-issued and is now available once again in the shops. I had huge pleasure in...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you very much for the statement. As we know, and as you've mentioned, it's wonderful to construct new buildings that make effective and efficient use of energy, but we do also need to retrofit our current stock of buildings in order to reduce emissions in a meaningful way, as part of efforts to tackle climate change. And I can't emphasise this...
Siân Gwenllian: Will you take an intervention?
Siân Gwenllian: I hear what you say in terms of the numbers that are currently on initial teacher training courses increasing, and that's good to hear, but the problem is that one out of all three leave after five years, and it's that that's causing the major problem. It's about the retention of teachers; that's the main problem, and surely that's what you should be focusing on.
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: 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: 4. Will the Minister make a statement on measures to tackle illegal fishing? OQ57024
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: Formally move.
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: 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: 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...
