Janet Finch-Saunders: Despite the Minister's assurance at Stage 3 that, in reality, parents who take up the offer would, weekly, receive 15 to 20 hours of childcare, meaning a maximum additional charge of £13.25 per week, this still adds up to £636 per year. Therefore, we still support the position of Care Inspectorate Wales, which noted that additional charges could make the offer unaffordable for some families...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Diolch, Llywydd. During Stage 2 of the Bill's proceedings, we highlighted the inconsistencies between the Welsh Government's aim for the Bill to reduce barriers to employment through the childcare offer and the technical nature of the Bill. Nowhere is this more evident than the additional charges for snacks and consumables, which we believe will still present an added barrier for parents,...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Diolch, Llywydd. I seriously do welcome the fact that you are warming to the idea that co-location and, sort of, better transportation are the way forward, but if I could just ask, as part of the research you say you're going to be carrying out, for you to look at the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee evidence that was taken from a number of mothers returning to work...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Diolch, Presiding Officer. Amendment 12 has been re-tabled from Stage 2. It is imperative that Ministers are under an obligation to deliver the childcare offer free from potential barriers. During Stage 1, the Children, Young People and Education Committee was made aware of concerns by a number of organisations about moving children between sites that provide the offer and sites that provide...
Janet Finch-Saunders: I move.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Amendments 11 and 19 have been re-tabled from Stage 2, as we are also disappointed with the Minister's responses about the exclusion of parents who are taking up training for employment from accessing the offer. During Stage 1 of the Bill, there was strong opposition to the limitation of the Bill to working parents only, including concerns about the lack of an evidence base to limit the...
Janet Finch-Saunders: I move.
Janet Finch-Saunders: I move.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Presiding Officer, for giving us a chance to speak on these amendments. As Welsh Conservatives, we welcome the introduction of the Bill and the childcare offer, as we always promised Welsh voters that they would have funding for childcare. It is very important, however, that we, as elected Members, ensure that no barrier to employment is present within our society, and helping...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the Member give way?
Janet Finch-Saunders: With all due respect, you represent Swansea as a constituency—Swansea West, yes—and I cannot be alone here in receiving e-mails daily about our failing health system in Wales. When you have a constituent who comes to you with such delayed treatment times, such a lack of co-ordination within our health services, do you turn around and say, 'It's the UK Government's fault, it's austerity',...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. Leader of the house, it is an extremely sad fact that our 100-year-old historic Conwy mussel industry is now on the brink of collapse. Your Government and its decision to enforce the provisions of the Sea Fish Licensing Order 1992, requiring all vessels used to have a costly licence as of 1 September 2017 without any phasing in and without any notice, has now effectively placed...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Leader of the house, concerns of recent reports from Betsi Cadwaladr health board that one of the key risks to the delivery of their winter resilience planning is the ability to secure a sufficient number of domiciliary care staff, particularly over the Christmas and new year period, to support the delivery of their own contingency plan are very worrying indeed. Now, we all appreciate the...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 7. Will the First Minister state what action he's taking to support economic development in Conwy? OAQ53063
Janet Finch-Saunders: Community and primary care services play a vital role in reducing hospital admissions. As we approach the winter months, it is vital that these services are strengthened to offer a genuine and safe alternative to hospital care, particularly for our older people, and this must include fully co-ordinated, multidisciplinary community care support teams. Now, we know, from last year's evaluation...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, again. I've met with Heléna Herklots and I was very impressed. I know, going forward, she can't do everything, but one of the things she's going to focus on is elder abuse. The Welsh Conservatives have had long-standing commitments to ensure that the rights of older people in Wales are strengthened, and I am hugely supportive of my own colleague Darren Millar AM who is now...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. It is vital, however, that any suggestions for improvement, whatever their nature, are taken seriously and that the well-being of vulnerable older people is at the heart of how care is delivered. But my concerns do not just relate to the rights of people within residential homes. As the Welsh Government pursue their 'A Healthier Wales' agenda, which sees more patients receiving...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, I'm sure that you are as horrified as I am to learn of the horrific failings and incidences of alleged abuse and neglect at the Pines residential home in Gwynedd. From the footage that has come to light at this home, there is apparent evidence of falsifying documents, medications hidden in residents' food, unsafe methods of moving residents and an overall lack of...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. It's so heartening, actually, to hear the Chair of the CYPE Committee. I know for a fact that your intentions and ambitions for our children in Wales are very genuine and laudable, and certainly your determination is very apparent. So, thank you for the work that you do, and I'm really pleased to be a member of your committee. We, of course, today...
Janet Finch-Saunders: I welcome the statement from the Cabinet Secretary. As someone relatively new to this portfolio, I was actually shocked myself to learn only 2 per cent of Welsh students currently spend time abroad studying and volunteering or carrying out work experience. It is heartening to hear your statement that you do intend to double that figure by the end of this Government. But of particular...
