4. Statement by the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport: Accessible Monuments for All

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:52 pm on 24 April 2018.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas Independent 3:52, 24 April 2018

Diolch yn fawr. Thank you for those questions. As regards Neath abbey, I'm very happy to make a visit there with you, if that would be helpful, and then we can see what we can do further with that particular site.

In terms of the impact on the local economy, Cadw does have apprenticeships and does develop training of all kinds for the skills that are very valuable to it, as indeed does National Museum Wales. I've recently been able to meet with the various apprentices that have been trained and have developed skills, which means that the substantial skills that we have in the restoration of heritage buildings is available not only to the public sector, but to Wales more generally.

Now, as regards the expenditure and income of Cadw, I note that there has been no significant reduction in the level of expenditure that is allocated and has been undertaken by Cadw over the period since 2013 through to 2017, but there has been a significant increase in the income that Cadw has generated, from about £4.8 million, right through to £7 million—£7.537 million actually—at the latest count. The figure I have here is, in fact, for 2017. Now, that £7.5 million income of Cadw is income that is gained by Cadw, and I can assure you that we are not in the habit, in a small and perfectly formed department, like the one that we have, of sharing our gains with the rest of Government. We have not been asked to turn the Cadw profit into the overall Government coffers, but, in fact, this will return to ensure that the further work will be undertaken on the restoration and maintenance of heritage. Diolch.