Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, again. One aim of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2016 is to improve the well-being of carers who need support. Following this, a carer of any age has the same rights to be assessed for support as the person they care for. These assessments are undertaken by social services. However, the total number of social service staff for children and young people has not...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, that's very encouraging. Thank you, Deputy Minister. I believe that our grant would go a long way in helping to ensure that young carers can continue in education. This is key, but there is more still that we can do. Indeed, it is a frightening fact that YoungMinds suggest that 68 per cent of young carers have been bullied at some point because of tackling their home...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. I think my questions are—thank you. Diolch, Llywydd. May I welcome you to your first questions, I believe, Minister? I look forward to working with you, as we go forward, in this portfolio. I know, from my time with you in committee, that you're very genuine in your working. Right, there are at least 370,000 carers in Wales, which is more than the population of Cardiff. And...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Okay. As the First Minister with ultimate responsibility for all portfolios—[Interruption.]
Janet Finch-Saunders: Okay. As the First Minister with ultimate responsibility, is it not time now that you started to take more of a hold on what's going on in this health board, and perhaps look at a better way of managing the direct interventions into this health board?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, First Minister, and I do actually appreciate the acknowledgment about further work required, but, let's be honest, direct interventions by your Welsh Government into the Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board were implemented in June 2015, pending a number of vast improvements that were required. In reality, patients across north Wales are still seeing increased waiting time...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on health service waiting times across north Wales? OAQ53374
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Llywydd. As you'll be aware, during the Commission consultation there was a majority agreement that the Assembly should change its name. However, the consultation also disclosed the fact that there is concern about the cost of the changes, and you yourself, Llywydd, addressed us on 13 June 2017 by advising that, and I quote, 'The Commission…will plan the change so as to minimise...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 4. How will the Assembly Commission fund any additional costs associated with the potential name change of the National Assembly for Wales? OAQ53318
Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the Minister make a statement on the financial support available to groups using and promoting the Welsh language?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Do you not agree, Minister, that the landscape so famously described in those beautiful lyrics has the potential of offering more to Wales, and indeed, that the sound of the streams and the rivers would be even sweeter when the water they guide has had the best opportunity possible to create green energy, to be used in our homes, and to help to reduce our energy bills? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Janet Finch-Saunders: 'Old land of the mountains, the Eden of bards, / Each gorge and each valley a loveliness guards; / Through love of my country, charmed voices will be / Its streams, and its rivers, to me.'
Janet Finch-Saunders: Bethesda. However, as in the rest of Wales, hydro is simply not flourishing. 'Why?' is the question. I'm aware that the Welsh Government already offers loans, grants, and technical support for the development of hydro schemes, such as through the local energy service, the rural community development fund, and sustainable production grant scheme. All sounds very positive, but the reality is...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Making the most of rainy days in Wales—when many people think of Wales, one thing that comes to mind is its reputation as being accustomed to many rainy days. Indeed, according to the Met Office, 'Wales has an essentially maritime climate, characterised by weather that is often cloudy, wet and windy but mild'. Snowdonia, in the north, is the wettest...
Janet Finch-Saunders: It is a privilege today to participate in what really could be a historic moment for our older people in Wales, and indeed our future generations. Whilst Wales is home to less than 1 per cent of the world’s population, the Bill brought forward today by my colleague, Darren Millar AM, could really be a global game changer. It would set an important precedent for other nations to follow—the...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the Minister outline how local authorities take the provision of health services into account when discussing planning applications?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the Minister make a statement on the operational activity of the Welsh fishing fleet?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Yes, I'm coming to my questions now, Deputy Presiding Officer. You have a greater issue on your plate, as it seems that Wales continues to struggle to retain staff, regardless of their nationality. Indeed, the concerns of Oxford university's Nick Fahy include that there is a danger staff might relocate to England. Personally, I think this is unsurprising, as I already know that it's happening...
Janet Finch-Saunders: On 23 June 2016, the people of Wales and, indeed, the UK voted by a majority to leave the European Union—the largest number of people ever voting across the UK since records began. Now, I have always believed, as I do today, that politicians, irrespective of party, have a fundamental duty to ensure that the will of our people is delivered. The legal default position, of course, is a 'no...
Janet Finch-Saunders: First Minister, sex attacks and other similar offences against an individual are horrific examples of the darkest and most disturbed corners of our society, be the victim a man, a woman or a child. Such treatment is abhorrent, illegal and most certainly immoral. In addition to sex attacks, though, we have a worryingly high known rate of domestic abuse and sexual violence across England and...
