Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 7:17 pm on 9 February 2021.
A few comments on the Welsh language. We know that a number of organisations are struggling at the moment—the Eisteddfod, the Urdd and so on—and we asked the Minister with responsibility for the Welsh language if she was going to appeal into the broader COVID pot for funding in this area. She said that it was an option, but we didn't hear if that was actually going to happen. We know that some of the major events such as the Eisteddfod cannot take place, so we would urge the Minister to look at what kind of additional funding could be provided to these organisations.
And to turn to the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, they've told us that they want £800,000 in addition this year and then more to follow in ensuing years, because they do want to put strategies in place for Welsh-medium FE. They say that they need more funding in this area in order to take action. Is the Minister for the Welsh language going to ensure that she has those necessary discussions with the education Minister to ensure that this area can prosper and develop for the future?
And a final remark, I think everyone wants to see more teachers teaching through the medium of Welsh, but we have seen the numbers not developing as quickly as we would've wanted to see in terms of recruitment. We have asked the Minister for her strategy in this area to try and help her along the way. But we want to see whether there is a will in this area to ensure that the 2050 project is successful, and we need to recruit more Welsh-medium teachers so that that strategy can succeed. Thank you very much.