8. Will the First Minister make a statement on the 21st Century Schools investment programme in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OAQ51549

Merthyr Tydfil local authority has £19 million earmarked for band A of the twenty-first century schools and education programme in the five years to 2019. The Caerphilly authority, which, of course, she represents part of, has £56.5 million, of which over £8 million is earmarked for Rhymney. Further investment is planned from 2019 when band B begins.

Thank you for that answer, First Minister. I recently had the great pleasure of officially opening the new refurbished buildings at Ysgol Afon Taf in my constituency and I saw, at first hand, the benefits of the investment by Welsh Government in the future of young learners there. I'm sure you'll agree that such a development shows the clear benefits of our capital investment in education. Would you therefore agree with me that the new administration in Merthyr Tydfil council needs to build on this record of success and that a decisive and objective decision now needs to be made about the new school investment proposed for Ysgol y Graig in Cefn Coed so that future funding of this project is not put at risk?

Very good work has been done in Merthyr in terms of—she mentions, of course, Ysgol Afon Taf. I was there, of course, to open the new college in Merthyr as well—a substantial improvement on the original building. It is hugely important that local authorities continue the momentum that has been established in order to see schools replaced and refurbished across Wales, and, again, hugely important that decisions are taken in good time so as not to jeopardise funding. It's in nobody's interests for that to happen.

Thank you, First Minister.