Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education – in the Senedd at 2:05 pm on 19 September 2018.
Diolch yn fawr, Mike. I think it's really apposite that you've asked this question this afternoon when we are really moving ahead on this agenda. The fact is that, as a result of that announcement today, we're going to see almost 3,000 new places in Welsh schools, and that is the way I think we're going to start to reach this target that we've set out, which is an ambitious target. There are 16 local authorities who have gained money through this initiative, and I think the fact that we've also married this money up with money from my colleague's budget to do with childcare—. So, you need a pipeline—you need to see these children come through the system, and the earlier we can introduce them to Welsh language education the better, and that's why we've combined this money in order to move this agenda.
This morning, I've been to Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw in Torfaen, where they will now be opening a new Welsh language primary. I'm pleased to see that that will be happening. And there will be a new Welsh language primary also in Merthyr, which we're thrilled to see, but also in Monmouth. So, things are moving on in areas where we really want to see that initiative being taken, so we're very pleased with the direction of travel and the fact that local authorities really understand that we are serious about moving forward on this agenda.