I have made a commitment in 'Education in Wales: Our national mission—Action Plan 2017-21' to ensure our teachers are well supported by a range of learning support professionals who can provide the additional capacity that is needed to meet the needs of every child. Let me be absolutely clear on the opportunities that are available. Support is available for teaching assistants to access up to £1,500 of funding through the Welsh Government learning grant to undertake vocational qualifications. As of next year, when we implement our Diamond review, there will be a fairer mechanism for supporting access to foundation degrees and additional funding of £920,000 has been provided to regional consortia to deliver a number of programmes that support the professional learning of teaching assistants, including the delivery of a higher level teaching assistants scheme, which is provided to them free of charge. In addition, training will shortly be offered to those who need to meet the minimum requirements relating to literacy and numeracy qualifications to undertake the higher level teaching assistant scheme. Crucially, next year, in 2018, we will put in place professional standards for assisting teaching in schools to contribute to our raising standards agenda.