Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:50 pm on 24 November 2020.
I think the fact that I have a new role, in a way, helps me to shine some light in terms of that area of mental health and the Welsh language, and I've already asked for some work to be done on that very issue. So, I don't see them as being in competition with each other; I think there is room for us to work together on those issues.
In terms of mainstreaming the Welsh language, let me be clear that I have no interest in seeing any tensions between languages in our communities. It is important that we work together and that we understand that there is a responsibility not just on those attending Welsh-medium schools, but also on those not attending Welsh-medium schools—that they too should learn enough of the language. And, of course, it is important that we do more work in that area. We've already been speaking to organisations such as the National Centre for Learning Welsh to see how they can help, given their new experience of working online.
In terms of nurseries, we're still on target to deliver the 40 nurseries that we had hoped to put in place, and, to just be clear, we have asked them to focus on those areas where such facilities haven't traditionally been available. Welsh language as a qualification is also valuable, and people need to understand that it is a qualification as well as a means of communication. Of course, we have sought to put money on the table—£150,000 has been put on the table—to encourage more people to study A-level, and, as Gareth Bennett noted, more work needs to be done in that particular area. We are doing our best here. We have a number of incentives in place, and if anyone has any further ideas, we'd be more than happy to listen to them, particularly when it comes to attracting more teachers to teach through the medium of Welsh. There are at least 10 measures already in place to try to encourage more people to undertake this work, and I know that this is something that Siân Gwenllian is very interested in.
I don't accept that we haven't made progress during that period. The head of Prosiect 2050 is now in place, and the work that was done is work that will now continue. It was only just starting before that appointment was made, so it wasn't that the work wasn't happening. For example, on language transmission within families, a great deal of work was being done there. A great deal of work was also being done on Welsh language and technology. So, those things that are so important in ensuring that the steps are in place to secure opportunities for people to use the Welsh language, they were already in train before that appointment was made.
In terms of Work Welsh, I think excellent work has been done here, but, of course, much of that came to an end with COVID. But it is important that we recommence that work once the opportunity arises, so that people can once again go into the workplace and learn the Welsh language there and use the Welsh language in the workplace too.
You said that we haven't provided support to the Urdd. My goodness, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Urdd in an exceptional way. Of course, we need to do more to support the Urdd, but we are doing our level best with them, of all organisations, because we appreciate the excellent and important work that they do in supporting the Welsh language with our young people. I have kept in touch with the commissioner and the Minister for Education to ensure that the curriculum is moving in the right direction in terms of the Welsh language, and it's a shame that Siân didn't hear what I mentioned in terms of the work that we are doing on second homes.
I'm pleased to hear that Gareth Bennett, as part of the Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party, does support the idea of supporting the Welsh language. What we're endeavouring to do—if I could just look at a few of the points that he raised—in terms of language use once pupils leave school, is to provide the opportunities to do that, and that's why the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol has been established. That's why there are more apprenticeships in place and available through the medium of Welsh, and that's why there are now modules as part of FE courses partly through the medium of Welsh for those who attended Welsh-medium schools.
So, just to conclude, it's likely that next year's report will be very different, given the changes in the world around us. And although the context of our work has changed dramatically since 'Cymraeg 2050' was launched, our priorities have remained the same. Our intention is still to increase the number of Welsh speakers, to increase the use of the Welsh language and to improve infrastructure, and that's why I've noted some of those issues this afternoon. Much work has already been done and we have a strong foundation in place in order to ensure that the next Government can continue with that vision of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050. Thank you.