Diolch yn fawr. I would like to pay tribute to Joel for bringing this matter to the attention of the Senedd. I also want to pay tribute to the Tory group, because it's so lovely the way you all support each other in these short debates. It's a real example to the rest of us, so well done, you. You'll be pleased to hear that my 15-page speech has now been cut down to five. [Laughter.]

The Welsh Government's programme for government set out the actions we'll pursue over this Senedd term to ensure that nobody's left behind through a shared commitment to ensure that everyone reaches their potential. And that includes, of course, people who are deaf or living with hearing impairments. The Welsh Government recognises being deaf or having a hearing impairment can sometimes negatively impact levels of communications, as has been set out by Joel. This may leave people feeling isolated, detached from the world around them and feeling depressed. Everyday barriers in respect of public services, transport, health, social care, entertainment and leisure may hold them back. Early intervention and diagnosis is absolutely paramount for health and the well-being of these individuals.

Wales is actually a leader in the development and provision of hearing healthcare, through our hearing plan, 'Framework of Action for Wales, 2017-2020: integrated framework of care and support for people who are D/deaf or living with hearing loss'. It is a first for the UK, and our framework for action outlines the service redesign required to meet the needs of the current and future Welsh population. The framework for action has been extended to 2023, in recognition of the remaining challenges of the work still to do, to ensure that we do everything we can to prevent ear problems. This includes ensuring people are diagnosed and treated in a timely manner and receive the ongoing care and communication support that they need.

People who are deaf or are living with unmanaged hearing impairment or diagnosed with hearing loss and dementia, or mental health problems, are more likely to need care and support if they are to reach their full employment, education and social potential. The framework for action aims to follow the life course from newborn screening and children to adults and older people, to ensure that appropriate services are developed and individuals are signposted to those services when they're needed.

In the time I have today, I can't do justice to the range of policies under way to address hidden issues affecting deaf people and those living with hearing impairment, but I will just highlight a few little areas of activity. I would like to say that I will look into the opportunities to see if there is any opportunity for us to work with the private sector to expand and to speed up the process. Hearing loss can't be cured, but its negative effects can be mitigated through hearing aids and equipment and support from multi-agency professionals. In April, I published our programme for transforming and modernising planned hospital care and reducing waiting lists. Importantly, the plan signals the transformation of community-based services to offer different options designed to support individuals. This will remain our key way of addressing the issue.

It's really great that the UK has recognised BSL. Of course, that's following the example that we set back in 2004, when we formally recognised BSL as a language in its own right. The Welsh Government recognises the importance of accessible communications, and we were the first Government in the UK to ensure our COVID-19 press conferences included the presence of a BSL interpreter.