6 December 2023 , Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill - evidence session 1
Thank you. Seeing as you've referred to the Urdd already, perhaps I could ask you specifically about—. You say in the Bill that provision must be provided in Welsh, but, if there is demand for that, obviously that depends on availability. The Urdd have given…
6 December 2023 , Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill - evidence session 1
Yes, of course.
6 December 2023 , Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill - evidence session 1
Thank you, Chair. I'll be speaking Welsh. One of the things that perhaps has come up is the capacity within the residential outdoor education sector to accommodate the potential increase, hopefully, in terms of the schools in Wales that would be using these…
6 December 2023 , Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill - evidence session 1
Do you not accept, though, that there is a crisis at the moment? We've heard of people not being able to afford even a pair of shoes for school, and that some children may only have one pair of shoes. The school essentials grant isn't going far enough…
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Short Debate: Increasing the use of public transport: Why young people should travel for free
Reducing the financial burden on young people, encouraging and supporting sustainable travel, and ensuring that transport costs do not hinder anyone from being able to access education, employment or essential services should be a priority. So, let's today…
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Short Debate: Increasing the use of public transport: Why young people should travel for free
One element that I haven't mentioned yet, of course, is what the impact of introducing such a policy would be on future use of public transport. After all, evidence shows that this would normalise the use of public transport for the rest of these young…
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Short Debate: Increasing the use of public transport: Why young people should travel for free
It's therefore not surprising that, during my time as a Senedd Member, young people have consistently raised issues around public transport with me. Many of you will have heard me reference Ruben Kelman, who was until recently a Member of the Welsh Youth…
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Short Debate: Increasing the use of public transport: Why young people should travel for free
Thank you, Deputy Llywydd. I’m pleased to have this opportunity to lead on this short debate today, outlining why young people should be allowed to travel free of charge on public transport. I will be giving a minute of my time to Sioned Williams and Luke…
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Fuel poverty
You mentioned not heating or eating, life or death, and I think it is really important we reflect on that. It’s not a matter of choices. That choice has been taken away from people by now, and we are really valuing profit more than people, and rather than…
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Fuel poverty
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd, and may I thank everyone who has contributed to this debate this afternoon? Some shocking statistics from Sioned at the outset, and I think Mabon, Delyth, Jack and others reflected on what is a truly shocking situation…
6 December 2023 , Plenary
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Pancreatic cancer
I also express my thanks to Mark Isherwood for putting forward this debate. I think it's really important that we do hold these debates to reflect, but also in the hope that some people might raise awareness in terms of the symptoms—they may sound familiar in…
5 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language: PISA Results 2022
Thank you, Minister, for the statement and the comments. I do think you are right in saying that it's very important that we reflect on this and seriously consider the implications and the fact that they are the worst results since we joined in 2006. Of…
5 December 2023 , Plenary
Business Statement and Announcement
Trefnydd, I'd like to ask for a statement regarding school breakfast clubs. You may be aware that some local authorities, because of financial pressures, are exploring, including Rhondda Cynon Taf council, introducing a fee for the childcare element prior to…
5 December 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
I recently met with Stiwdio 37, a community interest company dedicated to providing inclusive employment opportunities. They specifically support individuals with learning disabilities, autism and other workplace barriers in Rhondda Cynon Taf. During our…
5 December 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thank you very much, First Minister, for that acknowledgement.
5 December 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
3. How does the Government ensure that every person in Wales who receives a diagnosis of autism or ADHD receives standard information about sources of support, the impact of the diagnosis, and their rights in terms of services and benefits? OQ60372
30 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd
Thank you. I am aware of the time, Chair, if you want to move forward.
30 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd
Just changing to Welsh. If I could move forward therefore, in terms of preparing for gender quotas, I would be interested in knowing whether the board has considered whether the type, nature and level of support needed by Members could be affected by the…
30 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd
The relevant guidance in Westminster says 'Given the nature of opposition work, Short Money and Representative Money can be used for party political purposes.' I'm aware, as you said, that the review is ongoing, but it seems to be an anomaly here, but I guess…
30 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd
Thank you, Chair. If I could move on to support for the political parties, I'd like to know your opinion in terms of whether a reassessment will need to be made of the support provided to political groups in the seventh Senedd. For example, do you think that…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee Report, 'Wales-Ireland relations: Exploring an old relationship in a new age'
I referred earlier to BIPA, and certainly there is great value in this area. One of the things, of course—. There is one gap at the moment, where we're not sending the total number of Members that we could send, and I would appreciate it if we could address…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee Report, 'Wales-Ireland relations: Exploring an old relationship in a new age'
I'm particularly keen to see if we can see if there are more opportunities for Welsh students attending Irish universities, and vice versa, and see resources invested in schools and career services to promote this option. Often, our students currently are…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee Report, 'Wales-Ireland relations: Exploring an old relationship in a new age'
May I thank the Chair, the committee and the clerking team? I was delighted to have been part of the committee and part of this inquiry, and as one who has a personal very close connection with Ireland, the committee had more than enough of me saying, 'I used…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Statement by Sam Rowlands—Introduction of a Member-proposed Bill: Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill
Thank you very much. Without doubt, there are financial challenges facing this Government, and I do think that we have to look, if the Government doesn't have the funding available at the moment, at how we ensure that more learners have these unforgettable…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Statement by Sam Rowlands—Introduction of a Member-proposed Bill: Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill
I must make a point though in terms of universality—something that I support—as your colleague Janet Finch-Saunders mentioned earlier the free school meal provisions, and that people who can afford to pay should be able to afford it. Well, actually, we do pay…
