[R] signifies the Member has declared an interest. [W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

The first item on our agenda is questions to the First Minister, and the first question, Mark Isherwood.

1. How is the Welsh Government assisting people with disabilities in Wales? OAQ(5)0369(FM)

Our framework for action on independent living sets out our plans to assist disabled people in Wales. We will work together with disabled people and public sector bodies across Wales to refresh the framework this year.

Diolch. Further to the Welsh Government announcement it was transferring the Welsh independent living grant to local authorities, a campaigner in Wrexham, Nathan Davies, who actually presented a certificate to the Enabling Wales north Wales graduation last month, expressed concern that they felt that disabled people had been ‘sold down the river’, and that all they could see was yet more fighting. And Disability Wales expressed disappointment that the Welsh Government didn’t follow Scotland in setting up an independent living fund, administered by Inclusion Scotland, which Northern Ireland has also commissioned its ILF from. How, therefore, will you engage with such concerns to ensure that not only local authorities and the health boards, but the Welsh Government itself, is complying with the intention of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, placing a duty on public authorities to promote the involvement of people in the design and delivery of care and support services?

Well, the decision was taken to enable payments to be made uninterrupted to former recipients in Wales. It was an interim decision, designed to last until 31 March this year, while we considered which arrangements were appropriate to provide support in the longer term. And, following advice from the stakeholders advisory group, which does include organisations that represent disabled people in Wales, we are introducing, from this April, a two-year transitional arrangement, whereby support in the future will be through normal social care provision.

I want to highlight the importance of sign language to the deaf community. For many deaf people, it is a major method of communication. I should perhaps declare an interest as my sister is profoundly deaf. Will the First Minister join me in supporting the creation of GCSE first-language sign language, and for it to be treated as the equivalent of first-language Welsh and English at GCSE?

Well, it’s a matter, ultimately, for Qualifications Wales. They are responsible for the development and approval of qualifications in Wales. That said, I think it is important—and I take very much on board what the Member has said—to promote British Sign Language and also to promote the availability of qualifications in British Sign Language. It is a matter I will take up on his behalf with Qualifications Wales.

There’s been a great deal of talk of the possibility that the attendance allowance is to be devolved to Wales from Westminster. Some 100,000 people in Wales receive this benefit at a cost of some £400 million per annum. Now, if these benefits are devolved to Wales, we will then have to decide what the role of local authorities will be. Plaid Cymru, of course, always welcomes additional powers residing here in Wales for the benefit of the people of Wales, but there are concerns that this move is a money-saving mechanism ultimately. So, how can you ensure that older disabled people in Wales won’t lose out if this change were to occur?

There is an unfortunate history in this place, where benefits have been devolved but without all the funding to follow. That happened with the council tax benefit. So, we’re not in favour of receiving any powers without the agreement of this Assembly, and we’re not in favour of receiving powers without the full funding to follow. So, if that was offered to us, we would consider it, but we would never wish to take any new powers without the funding being made available and without the assurance in the long term about the source of that funding.

First Minister, in March last year, as part of the Getting Ahead 2 programme, Learning Disability Wales were given £10 million over five years to transform the lives of over 1,000 young people aged 16 to 25 who have a learning disability or learning difficulty, and that is through undertaking a paid work placement lasting between six and 12 months. What does this commitment demonstrate about the Welsh Government’s determination to assist people with disabilities in Wales, and how is this actively helping to change people’s lives?

Well, we can see the results for ourselves, and I can say that we are working with our learning disability advisory group to develop a learning disability strategic action plan. That will go out to wide consultation later this year in order to build on the good work that’s already been put in place.