5. Statement by the Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning: Update on Welsh Language Priorities

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:27 pm on 5 June 2018.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 5:27, 5 June 2018

(Translated)

Thank you very much, Mike. Your Welsh is improving by the minute. I'm very pleased that you've emphasised the importance of using the language. That's what you see in communities such as Caernarfon, of course, and it would be great to see more communities like Caernarfon. The way to ensure this, of course, is to increase the number of Welsh speakers, and the easiest way to do that, of course, is by increasing the number who go to Welsh-medium schools. That's why we are emphasising this increase that we want to see in Welsh-medium schools, and that's why these strategic plans are so important. We have seen a difference in the stance of local government towards an increase in the number of schools that they are willing to invest in with regard to the Welsh language and Welsh-medium education.     

You're entirely correct: things have already changed in universities. There are far more courses that you can take through the medium of Welsh because we have invested in the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. That's the role of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, namely to ensure that there are more courses available. But, as I've already said, we'll now be moving forward to see whether we can do the same thing with regard to further education.