The Plaid Cymru group welcomes this statement, Deputy Minister. We support the aims of identifying and removing barriers to disabled people's contributions to public life, and we will be happy to promote this new fund to enable and support people to elected office. Now, on that fund, I'd like to know what is being done, in an ongoing way, to ensure that the fund is administered and used in the most effective way. I welcome the fact that Disability Wales is going to do the administration, but it does need to be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Now, the COVID pandemic has disrupted everyday life for everyone, however, it is critical that it doesn't go unnoticed how disabled people have been disproportionately affected. Isolation, loneliness, disconnect, disrupted routines and diminished services have greatly impacted on the lives and mental well-being of people with disabilities. So, what discussions has the Minister had with disability and neurodiversity organisations to ensure that the Welsh Government COVID restrictions are proportional and do not either directly or indirectly discriminate against people or disadvantage people with disabilities?

Disabled workers have dealt with the disability employment gap and disability pay gap since way before the COVID-19 crisis. A culture of ableism means that disabled workers struggle to be employed, to develop within employment and to be paid fairly. Therefore, I welcome the disabled people employment champions programme and the new guidance for employers, but will the Minister explain to us what she can do to ensure that employers are engaged with the new programme and the guidance to ensure the best possible outcomes for people? Diolch yn fawr.