4. What is the Welsh Government doing to support the voluntary sector? OQ58469

Thank you, Paul, for the question. I've provided Third Sector Support Wales with a three-year funding agreement of £6.98 million per year. And in response to the cost-of-living crisis, today I can announce an additional £2.2 million to continue supporting infrastructure over the next three years to help protect the most vulnerable people in Wales.

Thank you for that response, Minister. Now, as you know, funding from the equality and inclusion funding programme has made a real difference for individuals and communities in Pembrokeshire and across Wales, and I'm sure that you'll appreciate that the renewal of this funding is crucial to a lot of the work done by the third sector. Now, as you know, voluntary organisations and groups are under unprecedented pressures, with some organisations struggling to retain staff. So, can you provide an update on the funding of the equality and inclusion funding programme? And what assurances can you offer to voluntary sector organisations in Wales that this funding will be forthcoming as soon as possible?

Thank you very much. I welcome the fact that you focused on the equality and inclusion grant. We have consulted widely about this to make sure that we can reach those. Of course, there are many organisations that would like to benefit from the equality and inclusion programme, so I can assure you that this is now being taken forward and bidding arrangements and timelines will be made available.