We move to our next item, the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Trefnydd to make that statement. Lesley Griffiths. 

Diolch, Llywydd. I've one change to this week's business. The Minister for Health and Social Services will shortly make a statement to update Members on COVID-19. Draft business for the next three sitting weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically. 

Trefnydd, can I call for a statement from the Minister for health on COVID-19 self-isolation periods for hospital patients? You will be aware, Minister, that stories have emerged in recent days about the impact of the 14-day self-isolation period on a young woman, Catherine Hughes, in Wrexham Maelor Hospital, who's a mental health patient on the Heddfan unit. She's threatened to take her own life as a result of being in self-isolation, and concerns have been emerging from her parents about her safety. I do think it's time that we looked at this particular 14-day period, particularly given now that staff only have to self-isolate for seven days, providing they have two clear lateral flow tests. So, I think it would be prudent now to have a review of that 14-day period.

In addition to that, Trefnydd, I note that, on the business statement for next week, there is due to be a statement from the Minister for Social Justice on the occasion of Holocaust Memorial Day, which, of course, is also coming up very soon. You will also be aware of the concerns that have been raised about the recent appointment of the children's commissioner here in Wales, and potential associations with antisemites and attendance at antisemitic rallies. I do think that we need some assurances from the Welsh Government about this particular appointment of Rocio Cifuentes, and I think that next week's statement on Holocaust Memorial Day provides an opportunity for that. Thank you. 

In relation to your first request, I know the self-isolation period is something that the Minister for Health and Social Services is obviously reviewing on a regular basis as we get more public health and scientific advice. 

In relation to your second point, I wasn't aware of any concerns, and, obviously, a written statement was made by the First Minister in relation to that appointment, but I'm sure the Minister for Social Justice will have heard your comments. 

Trefnydd, on 7 January, the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language issued a written statement in relation to additional funding for additional learning needs provision, which of course is much needed and very welcome. However, linked to this is also the additional funding needed for neurological assessments for children and young people, so that they can be identified as needing additional learning provision, something that is of course funded via health. Could I please therefore request a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services on the support being made available by Welsh Government to ensure timely neurological assessments, as it is an issue that a number of constituents have raised with me as a concern?

Yes, I'll certainly ask the Minister for Health and Social Services to bring forward a written statement on that issue. 

I would like to ask for two Government statements. The first one is for the finance Minister to give an update on the use of financial transactions capital, with the update to include how much has been received, where it has been spent, how much has been paid back to the Welsh Government, and the eligibility of co-operatives to access it. 

The second statement I am requesting is regarding the Westminster Government making civil servants in departments such as the Department for Work and Pensions and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, who could quite easily work from home, attend in person at the offices. This is contrary to Welsh Government policy of working from home if possible. Will the Welsh Government make a statement on how they are going to engage with the Westminster Government regarding this, hopefully bringing it to an end?

Thank you. Well, any UK Government department and agency that has an office in Wales should obviously follow the COVID regulations and guidance that apply to Wales. So, during the pandemic, as a Government, we have raised these issues with the UK Government on several occasions, both in correspondence and in meetings as well. We've made it very clear that any organisation operating in Wales needs to ensure they act in a manner that's obviously consistent with our regulations and guidance. And we will certainly continue to raise specific concerns, if they're brought to our attention, with the UK Government, or any other authority or organisation, for that matter.

In relation to your first point, around the financial transactions capital, the finance Minister will provide a written update on the Member's query to align with the publication of our final budget, which will include decisions on the use of FT capital.

I'm looking for a statement, business Minister, from the education Minister, please. With time now running out with one of the biggest seismic changes in education for a generation, I'm concerned about what I'm hearing on the ground amongst teaching staff—how unprepared they feel at the moment due to the multiple disruptions because of restrictions, and of concerns about the distinct lack of support or direction in these final stages of the new curriculum preparations now, in the last key months before it begins. Quite simply, some teachers are now buckling under the pressure that they're facing. So, can we please have an oral statement from the education Minister addressing these concerns, and may I ask for clarity about this final stage now of preparation, with a focus on, if possible, how far subsidiarity—the bedrock on which our new curriculum is built—can be stretched at school level, an update of what the professional learning offer will be, and for clarity on what future qualifications will look like? Many thanks.

Thank you. Well, throughout the pandemic, our priority has absolutely been to maximise learning and minimise disruption for our young people. But, clearly, over the past nearly two years now, we have seen some disruption, but work to prepare for the new curriculum has continued. The Minister has made funding available, and, obviously, as you say, we're entering the last period now ahead of the introduction of the new curriculum. And if the Minister for education does have any new information, I will ask him to bring forward a written statement.

Minister, today my business statement will be in two parts, if that's okay, the first in relation to the delay in publishing the Welsh Government's accounts. As much as I enjoy sitting on the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee with colleagues from various parties, as well as with our brilliant clerks and researchers, it's evident that this delay is hindering the work of the public accounts committee in scrutinising and holding the Welsh Government to account. I understand the reason for this delay is the need to finalise one single item, and I am concerned that, unless this is done quickly, it could cause a backlog of work and add to the burdens of the committee staff. Therefore, I should be grateful for a statement on this at the earliest opportunity.

Secondly, Minister, the Senedd this week is debating increases in the cost of living, and a key factor in this is energy costs, which many of my colleagues have mentioned in their questions to the First Minister. The Welsh Government's Nest scheme offers a package of home energy efficiency improvements to lower energy bills. And as I've mentioned, the First Minister touched on that earlier. However, Minister, there are no specific grants for solar panels in Wales. So, can I please have a statement from the Minister for Climate Change on what consideration is being given to a scheme to provide grants for solar panels to be installed on domestic properties in Wales to help people with their fuel bills? Thank you so much.

Well, the first matter you raised is a matter for the Permanent Secretary, and not any Minister. So, I'm afraid that there won't be a statement coming forward in relation to that.

You're quite right; I think the Nest scheme is one of the best schemes that the Welsh Government have. Your specific request around solar panels—certainly, speaking as a previous energy Minister, obviously, with the removal of the tariff by the UK Government, I know many local authorities that were looking to bring solar panels forward changed their view because of that. So, I don't think that would be appropriate for a statement either.

Minister, last month, I was delighted to donate three defibrillators—two to primary schools in Bridgend and one to Brynawel rehab centre. And it is to highlight, really, yet again the importance of building our Wales-wide network and number of defibrillators in the fight to save lives. Can the Government, as part of this ongoing mission, also commit to reviving progress within the next 12 months to ensure we retain a national focus on this and also schedule time in the Senedd to consider what further steps need to be taken? Thank you, Minister.

Thank you, and I commend the Member—I saw on his Twitter account the work he's done in relation to providing defibrillators. Increasing the number of defibrillators in the community is a key component of the work, I'm sure he's aware, of the Save a Life Cymru partnership. On 15 September, the Minister for Health and Social Services did announce a further £0.5 million allocated to the Welsh ambulance service to purchase almost 500 more defibrillators, and I know there are community groups and organisations that have been able to apply for that funding. But I think—. You touched on a really important thing, and it is important that we build that network of defibrillators. 

Finally, Janet Finch-Saunders.

Diolch, Llywydd. Please could I have a statement from the Minister for Climate Change on actions to boost house building in Wales? During the last financial year, the number of new dwellings commenced fell by 31 per cent to 4,314. The number of homes completed fell by 24 per cent to 4,616. The number of new homes coming to market is on a downward decline to considerably less than the 12,000 target we should be building in Wales annually. This week, Rightmove have disclosed that there were just 12 properties available for sale per estate agency branch and that the average time to find a buyer was two weeks shorter in December 2021 compared with the previous year. As Rightmove has warned, house prices will continue to rise until more choice becomes available on the market, so really we need to stop the stall of new builds in Wales. So, would the Minister for Climate Change make an oral statement on this matter? Because I know my colleague James Evans has raised the issue earlier about the phosphates and the gridlock that we've got now in new homes coming forward. So, if we could have a statement on that, I think it would be for the benefit of the Senedd. Thank you.

The Member will be aware of our programme for government commitment in relation to house building. Whilst I do appreciate we have seen a drop, obviously the COVID pandemic will have had an impact on that, so we do hope that once we come out of the restrictions et cetera we will see more houses being built, because clearly that has had an impact. The issue that James Evans raised with the First Minister was very specific and you will have heard the First Minister's answer to his question.

I thank the Trefnydd.