6. Debate: The Welsh Language Commissioner's Annual Report 2018-19

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:29 pm on 5 November 2019.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 5:29, 5 November 2019

(Translated)

Briefly, thank you very much to Suzy and to Siân for their contributions to this debate. I do think it’s important that we recognise that a change in the complaints investigation process is something that is independent of Government; the commissioner decides. The commissioner decides on that regime. But I think that we would all welcome the fact that the system is now working more swiftly and more smoothly, and I think that that helps everyone.

Everyone needs to know where they stand, but also that it's important that we have a system in place where the commissioner can assist, as Suzy said, in terms of seeing where standards need to develop for the future. It's not a matter of always looking back, but of looking forward to how we can improve services within these organisations for the future. I do think that that monitoring work and sharing good practice is exceptionally important in terms of the commissioner's activities.

I also think that prioritising Alzheimer's is something that has been extremely constructive on the part of the commissioner. You will be aware, from the Welsh Government's perspective, that we have funded technology to assist people to live with dementia. There are a number of apps currently being developed to assist people in this arena.

In terms of rights, Suzy is quite right: our interest doesn't only lie with current Welsh speakers, but also with Welsh speakers in the future. If we want to attain that target of 1 million Welsh speakers, we do have to recognise that we have to provide much more assistance to Welsh learners, and help them to have opportunities to use the Welsh language in their workplaces or in social environments too.

Additional funding was provided last year in order to help with pensions within the commissioner's office. But, of course, Suzy, we are eager to work very closely with the commissioner wherever possible, and I do hope that we are all on the same page in that regard. I'm pleased that Siân Gwenllian acknowledged that the Government had listened. Of course, we are interested in developing the new standards. You will be aware that we have already stated that we will introduce new standards for water and certain areas of health next year. I do think that providing a concrete timetable—. You said that Brexit shouldn't get in the way, but Brexit gets in the way of everything. So, locking down the exact dates is something that's extremely difficult.