3. What efforts are being made to make the Senedd a more friendly place for families and children? OAQ51593

The Senedd is already recognised as a welcoming place, and it has received awards for the efforts made to cater for the needs of different audiences, including changing facilities. The cafe is now breastfeeding friendly, and there is a sign near the menu that highlights that. There is also a sign on the scanners as you enter the Senedd. A nursing chair has been purchased, and we're evaluating, with service users, the most suitable location for that. Staff always aim to make the experience a positive one for all visitors, including families with children.

I thank the Commissioner for that response, and I'm very pleased to hear about the purchase of the breastfeeding chair. On 3 May last year, I did ask a similar question about what progress was being made to make the Senedd more friendly towards children and families and, in particular, breastfeeding mothers—and particularly breastfeeding mothers who want to feed in a private space. I wondered what progress had been made in terms of identifying such a place. I was concerned that the family room had been turned into a meeting room, and I know the only place for private breastfeeding to take place at the moment is in a toilet, which does not seem appropriate. So, I wondered whether places like the old press room could be looked at, which is not used at all at the moment, from what I can see, in order to really go out of our way to encourage women to feel that they are free to breastfeed here. Because, obviously, breastfeeding rates in Wales are low, and this is our opportunity to give an example.

I actually welcome your interest in this, because it would be to the benefit of everybody if as many people as can actually breastfeed their children wherever they wish to go. As I've said, we've looked at the location of that chair. It hasn't been decided. That's happening in consultation with those people who will want to use that. I think, as part of that consultation, it will necessarily follow that we will look at the room provision that will go alongside that.