Y Cyfarfod Llawn - Y Bumed Senedd

Plenary - Fifth Senedd

24/02/2021

Yn y fersiwn ddwyieithog, mae’r golofn chwith yn cynnwys yr iaith a lefarwyd yn y cyfarfod. Mae’r golofn dde yn cynnwys cyfieithiad o’r areithiau hynny.

In the bilingual version, the left-hand column includes the language used during the meeting. The right-hand column includes a translation of those speeches.

Cyfarfu'r Senedd drwy gynhadledd fideo am 12:45 gyda'r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair. 

The Senedd met by video-conference at 12:45 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.

Datganiad gan y Llywydd
Statement by the Llywydd

Croeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn. Cyn i ni ddechrau, dwi angen nodi ychydig o bwyntiau. Mae Cyfarfod Llawn a gynhelir drwy gynhadledd-fideo, yn unol â Rheolau Sefydlog Senedd Cymru, ac yn gyfystyr â thrafodion y Senedd at ddibenion Deddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006. Bydd rhai o ddarpariaethau Rheol Sefydlog 34 yn gymwys ar gyfer y Cyfarfod Llawn heddiw, ac mae'r rheini wedi'u nodi ar eich agenda chi. Dwi eisiau atgoffa Aelodau o'r ddwy Senedd fod y Rheolau Sefydlog sy'n ymwneud â threfn yn y Cyfarfod Llawn yn berthnasol i'r cyfarfod yma.

Welcome to this Plenary session. Before we begin, I want to set out a few points. A Plenary meeting held by video-conference, in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Welsh Parliament, constitutes Senedd proceedings for the purposes of the Government of Wales Act 2006. Some of the provisions of Standing Order 34 will apply for today's Plenary meeting, and those are noted on your agenda. I would remind Members of both Parliaments that Standing Orders relating to order in Plenary meetings apply to this meeting.

1. Eitem ar y cyd â Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru
1. Joint item with the Welsh Youth Parliament

Felly, heddiw mae'n bleser gen i alw'r Senedd ar y cyd i drefn, a hynny am yr eildro yn ein hanes ni—y ddwy sefydliad yn cwrdd gyda'n gilydd. Dwi eisiau estyn croeso arbennig i'r Aelodau o'r Senedd Ieuenctid sydd yn ymuno â ni heddiw ar gyfer y sesiwn arbennig yma sy'n nodi diwedd tymor cyntaf ein Senedd Ieuenctid ni. Mae'r tymor cyntaf yma o ddwy flynedd wedi bod yn arloesol wrth i chi fynd ati i drafod a deall y materion sy'n agos at galonnau pobl ifanc ein gwlad. Rŷch chi wedi cynrychioli llais eich cyfoedion yn angerddol, yn effeithiol ac yn aeddfed, ac yn enwedig yn ystod y pandemig sy'n dal i effeithio ar ein bywydau ni oll.

Ar ddiwedd eich tymor, rydych wedi cwblhau tri adroddiad a llu o argymhellion, ac wedi'u trafod a'u cyflwyno i Gadeiryddion ein pwyllgorau ni yn y Senedd a hefyd i Weinidogion y Llywodraeth. Dwi'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr heddiw i glywed mwy am hyn ac am eich profiadau fel unigolion, fel Aelodau Senedd Ieuenctid gyntaf Cymru. Felly, heb oedi mwy brynhawn yma, dwi'n galw ar y cyfrannydd cyntaf, Sandy Ibrahim, Aelod etholedig partner dros EYST Cymru, i ddechrau'r sesiwn. Sandy Ibrahim. 

So, today it is my pleasure to call the joint Senedd to order, for the second time in our history, as both meet together. I would like to extend a particularly warm welcome to the Members of the Youth Parliament joining us today for this very special session to mark the end of the first term of our Youth Parliament. This first two-year term has been innovative as you have gone about discussing and understanding the issues that are close to the hearts of the country's young people. You have represented the voice of your peers passionately, effectively and maturely, particularly during the pandemic that still affects us all.

At the end of your term, you have completed three reports and made a number of recommendations, which have been discussed and presented to the Chairs of our committees in the Senedd and to Welsh Ministers. We very much look forward today to hearing more about your work and your experiences as Members of the inaugural Welsh Youth Parliament. So, without further ado, I call on our first contributor, Sandy Ibrahim, partner elected Member for EYST Cymru, to begin the session. Sandy Ibrahim.

If we can just wait for Sandy Ibrahim's microphone. Yes, there you go—it's all ready for you, Sandy.

Os cawn aros am feicroffon Sandy Ibrahim. Ie, dyna chi—mae popeth yn barod ar eich cyfer, Sandy.

There are moments in life that are very emotional and where a few words can hardly describe feelings. After two years of working with the Welsh Youth Parliament it’s time to say goodbye. Myself and all of the Welsh Youth Parliament Members had the privilege to work with every single young person and adult that we’ve met through this unforgettable journey, and thank you very much for that. I personally had the privilege that you introduced me to this country from Cyprus, which is my homeland, to Wales. I had a wonderful time to work, and it was a pleasure to develop my English, my skills and most importantly me as a person, and having all of you by my side.

When I was told about the first ever Welsh Youth Parliament, my first thought was, 'I will never get into it', because I’m still new to this country, I didn't know much language, and didn’t know many people. Therefore, I thought this will not happen. But with my mother’s support and Jenny’s support and push, they’ve supported me to completely change my thought, believe in myself, and lastly, put my name in for election. Back then, this was such a big step for myself, but thankfully I passed it successfully.

Through the period that we had to start finding young people to vote for ourselves so that we could actually get selected, I was really stressed because I didn’t have an idea on how to find these votes. But thankfully, again, I had many people by my side—who are Jenny, Carol, Anna, Shahab and one of my very special teachers, which was Miss Bamsey. They have helped me from all of their hearts to pass this step successfully. I say a very special 'thank you' for all of them, because if they weren’t by my side, I wouldn’t have been here today.

All of the Welsh Youth Parliament Members are feeling really proud that we were part of something monumental and that ensured that young people's voices across Wales have been heard to the highest level. We all have met incredible people and made friends for life. And let’s not forget the Welsh Youth Parliament staff, who were the reason that we all had an amazing experience—thank you for every single minute that you handled us. I wish you all the best for the future and all the best with everyone’s goals and dreams. Hopefully a day will come that we can all meet again. Thank you.

Mae rhai adegau mewn bywyd yn emosiynol iawn a phan mae’n anodd disgrifio teimladau mewn ychydig eiriau. Ar ôl dwy flynedd o weithio gyda Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, mae’n bryd ffarwelio. Cefais i a phob un o Aelodau Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru y fraint o weithio gyda phob unigolyn ifanc ac oedolyn rydym wedi cyfarfod â hwy ar y siwrnai fythgofiadwy hon, a diolch yn fawr iawn am hynny. Yn bersonol, cefais y fraint o gael fy nghyflwyno gennych i’r wlad hon o Gyprus, sef fy mamwlad, i Gymru. Cefais amser hyfryd i weithio, ac roedd yn bleser datblygu fy Saesneg, fy sgiliau ac yn bwysicaf oll, fi fy hun fel unigolyn, gyda phob un ohonoch wrth fy ochr.

Pan gefais wybod am Senedd Ieuenctid gyntaf Cymru fy ymateb cyntaf oedd, ‘Nid oes gobaith gennyf o fod yn rhan ohoni', gan fy mod yn dal yn newydd i'r wlad hon, nid oeddwn yn gyfarwydd iawn â’r iaith, ac nid oeddwn yn adnabod llawer o bobl. Felly, roeddwn yn meddwl na fyddai hyn yn digwydd. Ond gyda chefnogaeth fy mam a chefnogaeth ac anogaeth Jenny, maent wedi fy nghefnogi i newid fy meddwl yn llwyr, i gredu ynof fy hun, ac yn olaf, i gyflwyno fy enw ar gyfer etholiad. Bryd hynny, roedd hwn yn gam mor fawr i mi, ond diolch byth, fe lwyddais.

Drwy gydol y cyfnod a gawsom i ddechrau dod o hyd i bobl ifanc i bleidleisio drosom fel y gallem gael ein dewis, bûm dan gryn dipyn o straen gan nad oedd gennyf syniad sut i ddod o hyd i’r pleidleisiau hyn. Ond diolch byth, unwaith eto, roedd gennyf lawer o bobl wrth fy ochr—sef Jenny, Carol, Anna, Shahab ac un o fy athrawon arbennig iawn, Miss Bamsey. Fe wnaethant eu gorau glas i fy nghynorthwyo i gymryd y cam hwn yn llwyddiannus. Rwy'n diolch yn arbennig iawn i bob un ohonynt, oherwydd pe na baent wedi bod wrth fy ochr, ni fyddwn wedi bod yma heddiw.

Mae pob un o Aelodau Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru yn teimlo’n falch iawn ein bod yn rhan o rywbeth gwych a wnaeth sicrhau bod lleisiau pobl ifanc ledled Cymru wedi cael eu clywed ar y lefel uchaf. Mae pob un ohonom wedi cyfarfod â phobl anhygoel ac wedi gwneud ffrindiau am oes. Ac ni ddylem anghofio staff Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, sef y rheswm pam y cafodd pob un ohonom brofiad anhygoel—diolch am bob munud y buoch yn ymwneud â ni. Rwy'n dymuno'r gorau i chi ar gyfer y dyfodol a phob hwyl gydag uchelgeisiau a breuddwydion pob un ohonoch. Gobeithio y daw dydd y gallwn i gyd gyfarfod eto. Diolch.

Thank you so much, Sandy. The next speaker will be Jonathon Dawes, Dyffryn Clwyd, Vale of Clwyd. 

Diolch yn fawr, Sandy. Y siaradwr nesaf fydd Jonathon Dawes, Dyffryn Clwyd.

12:50

Diolch, Llywydd, and thank you for this incredible opportunity to speak in today's debate. Now, today, in preparation for this speech, I spoke to many of my colleagues who, of course, are sat here today, but also young people from right across Wales who have followed my work closely over the last two years, and the message was clear: the Welsh Youth Parliament has re-energised youth engagement in politics right across Wales and has ensured that young people's voices are heard at the highest level in the Senedd, with so many of the Members sat here today. The Welsh Youth Parliament has also shown the power that young people have in driving the policy agenda in Wales—on the Welsh language, mental health, climate change, votes at 16 and, of course, life skills in the curriculum, we have been able to make an impact. 

But out of all the conversations I had, there was one that really stood out for me, and it was with somebody I went to school with, who I fondly remember told me time and time again that she disliked politics. And she said to me, Llywydd, 'Jonathon, your passion and the dedication of the Welsh Youth Parliament as a whole has shown the influence that young people can have in their community, and it's inspired me to make a difference'. But now, more than ever, I think that that quote shows that our work hasn't just re-energised Welsh politics in terms of youth engagement, but it has connected those who previously felt disenfranchised with these vital debates that, ultimately, are going to impact their future. 

Now, while I'm so proud of all the work we have done, in particular my work in representing the Vale of Clwyd and, of course, the young people's voices in education through my work in promoting life-saving skills and, of course, life skills in the curriculum, where I believe as a collective we have shown strength and unity is during the COVID-19 pandemic. From delivering food parcels to founding one of my favourite podcasts, Young, Female & Opinionated—I know the founder is on this call and speaking later—throughout the pandemic, the Welsh Youth Parliament Members have come together and stepped up to serve their community. We've also had the opportunity throughout the pandemic to raise issues that matter to young people, particularly around education, mental health and the green recovery to create the jobs of the future, with many of the Ministers here today, providing young people with a voice, and I really thank the First Minister and other Ministers who have given time to us to raise these issues. 

Now, Llywydd, it has been an incredible honour and privilege for me as an individual to serve the Vale of Clwyd over the last two years, and I want to say a massive 'thank you' and pay tribute to absolutely everybody who has supported my work over the last two years, and particularly you, the incredible unsung heroes that are the Welsh Youth Parliament team, the young people here today and, of course, many of the Members in the Chamber. From organising local litter picks to being a keynote speaker at the Cymru'n Cofio event alongside you, Llywydd, it has been a pleasure. But, of course, I must give a special mention to the votes at 16 panel we both sat on in June, which, I have to say, was a blast from start to finish. 

Now, these are the words I would like to finish with. I think it's fair to say that, as a group of individuals, we all have our political differences, some more than others, but, ultimately, I have never, ever met a more dedicated, passionate and positive group of individuals than my colleagues sat alongside me today. Their commitment not just to representing the young people of Wales, but to representing their constituency is outstanding, and I think it certainly sets a precedent for future Welsh Youth Parliaments for years to come. 

Now, throughout the two years, we put our political differences aside and focused on the issues that unite us and not divide us, and always putting the interests of young people first, and that is the legacy we leave—one of unity and not one of division, and the other that when young people really do use their voices and speak up on the issues that matter to them, they really can inspire change in Welsh politics. Thank you. 

Diolch, Lywydd, a diolch am y cyfle anhygoel hwn i siarad yn y ddadl heddiw. Nawr, heddiw, wrth baratoi ar gyfer yr araith hon, siaradais â llawer o fy nghyd-Aelodau sydd, wrth gwrs, yn eistedd yma heddiw, ond hefyd â phobl ifanc o bob rhan o Gymru sydd wedi dilyn fy ngwaith yn agos dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, ac roedd y neges yn glir: mae Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru wedi ailfywiogi ymgysylltiad pobl ifanc â gwleidyddiaeth ledled Cymru ac wedi sicrhau bod lleisiau pobl ifanc yn cael eu clywed ar y lefel uchaf yn y Senedd, gyda chymaint o’r Aelodau yn eistedd yma heddiw. Mae Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru hefyd wedi dangos y pŵer sydd gan bobl ifanc i lywio’r agenda bolisi yng Nghymru—ar y Gymraeg, iechyd meddwl, newid hinsawdd, y bleidlais i bobl 16 oed, ac wrth gwrs, sgiliau bywyd yn y cwricwlwm, rydym wedi gallu cael effaith.

Ond o'r holl sgyrsiau a gefais, roedd un yn sefyll allan i mi, ac roedd y sgwrs honno gyda rhywun a oedd yn yr ysgol gyda mi, y gallaf ei chofio’n dweud wrthyf dro ar ôl tro ei bod yn casáu gwleidyddiaeth. A dywedodd wrthyf, Lywydd, ‘Jonathon, mae dy angerdd di ac ymroddiad Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru yn ei chyfanrwydd wedi dangos y dylanwad y gall pobl ifanc ei gael yn eu cymuned, ac mae wedi fy ysbrydoli i wneud gwahaniaeth’. Ond nawr, yn fwy nag erioed, credaf fod y dyfyniad hwnnw’n dangos nid yn unig fod ein gwaith wedi ailfywiogi gwleidyddiaeth Cymru o ran ymgysylltiad pobl ifanc, ond ei fod wedi cysylltu’r rheini a arferai deimlo eu bod wedi’u difreinio â’r dadleuon hanfodol hyn sydd, yn y pen draw, yn mynd i effeithio ar eu dyfodol.

Nawr, er fy mod mor falch o'r holl waith rydym wedi'i wneud, yn enwedig fy ngwaith yn cynrychioli Dyffryn Clwyd, ac wrth gwrs, lleisiau'r bobl ifanc mewn addysg drwy fy ngwaith yn hyrwyddo sgiliau achub bywyd, ac wrth gwrs, sgiliau bywyd yn y cwricwlwm, maes lle credaf fel grŵp ein bod wedi dangos cryfder ac undod yw yn ystod y pandemig COVID-19. O ddosbarthu parseli bwyd i sefydlu un o fy hoff bodlediadau, Young, Female & Opinionated—gwn fod y sylfaenydd ar yr alwad hon ac y bydd yn siarad yn nes ymlaen—drwy gydol y pandemig, mae Aelodau Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru wedi dod ynghyd i wasanaethu eu cymuned. Rydym hefyd wedi cael cyfle drwy gydol y pandemig i godi materion sydd o bwys i bobl ifanc, yn enwedig mewn perthynas ag addysg, iechyd meddwl a'r adferiad gwyrdd i greu swyddi’r dyfodol, gyda llawer o'r Gweinidogion yma heddiw, gan roi llais i bobl ifanc, a hoffwn ddiolch yn fawr iawn i'r Prif Weinidog a Gweinidogion eraill sydd wedi rhoi amser inni godi'r materion hyn.

Nawr, Lywydd, mae wedi bod yn anrhydedd ac yn fraint anhygoel i mi fel unigolyn wasanaethu Dyffryn Clwyd dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, a hoffwn ddiolch o galon a thalu teyrnged i bawb sydd wedi cefnogi fy ngwaith dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, ac yn arbennig i chi, arwyr di-glod anhygoel tîm Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, y bobl ifanc yma heddiw, a llawer o'r Aelodau yn y Siambr wrth gwrs. O drefnu sesiynau casglu sbwriel lleol i fod yn brif siaradwr yn nigwyddiad Cymru'n Cofio ochr yn ochr â chi, Lywydd, mae wedi bod yn bleser. Ond wrth gwrs, mae’n rhaid imi roi sylw arbennig i'r panel pleidleisio yn 16 y bu'r ddau ohonom yn eistedd arno ym mis Mehefin a fu, mae'n rhaid imi ddweud, yn brofiad ardderchog o'r dechrau i'r diwedd.

Nawr, dyma'r geiriau yr hoffwn gloi gyda hwy. Credaf ei bod yn deg dweud, fel grŵp o unigolion, fod gan bob un ohonom ein gwahaniaethau gwleidyddol, rhai yn fwy nag eraill, ond yn y pen draw, nid wyf erioed wedi cyfarfod â grŵp mwy ymroddedig, angerddol a phositif o unigolion na fy nghyd-Aelodau sy’n eistedd wrth fy ymyl heddiw. Mae eu hymrwymiad nid yn unig i gynrychioli pobl ifanc Cymru, ond i gynrychioli eu hetholaeth, yn rhagorol, a chredaf fod hynny’n sicr yn gosod cynsail i Seneddau Ieuenctid Cymru am flynyddoedd i ddod.

Nawr, drwy gydol y ddwy flynedd, rydym wedi rhoi ein gwahaniaethau gwleidyddol o’r neilltu ac wedi canolbwyntio ar y materion sy'n ein huno yn hytrach na'n rhannu, gan roi buddiannau pobl ifanc yn gyntaf bob amser, a dyna'r gwaddol rydym yn ei adael—undod yn hytrach nag ymraniad, a'r llall, sef pan fydd pobl ifanc wir yn defnyddio eu lleisiau ac yn sôn am y materion sy'n bwysig iddynt, gallant ysbrydoli newid gwirioneddol yng ngwleidyddiaeth Cymru. Diolch.

Diolch, Jonathon. Sophie Billinghurst is next, and she is the partner Member of the Senedd Ieuenctid for Talking Hands. Sophie Billinghurst. 

Diolch, Jonathon. Sophie Billinghurst sydd nesaf, a hi yw Aelod partner y Senedd Ieuenctid ar gyfer Talking Hands. Sophie Billinghurst.

Good afternoon. My name is Sophie Billinghurst and I'm a partner elected Member representing Talking Hands, which is the charity that supports young people with hearing loss and their families in Swansea. Being a Member of the first Welsh Youth Parliament has been an amazing experience. It has had a big impact on my knowledge of politics; before becoming a Member, I had hardly any knowledge on politics, but now I have a lot more. Having Members from different backgrounds and different views meant that a wider variety of people were able to have their voices heard. This worked well because it allowed voices to be heard from communities that may not have been heard before, because of barriers such as communication barriers in the deaf community, but having elected Members such as me meant we could voice their views.

In the last two years, we have heard many powerful speeches and so many powerful stories off other amazing Members. We have all worked together to not only represent different parts of Wales, but to represent different organisations in Wales, to make a difference in three committees. Hopefully, seeing the work that we have done over the last two years will empower young people to carry on and make a difference to younger generations in Wales. Thank you for listening.

Prynhawn da. Fy enw i yw Sophie Billinghurst a fi yw’r Aelod partner etholedig sy’n cynrychioli Talking Hands, sef yr elusen sy'n cefnogi pobl ifanc trwm eu clyw a'u teuluoedd yn Abertawe. Mae bod yn Aelod o Senedd Ieuenctid gyntaf Cymru wedi bod yn brofiad anhygoel. Mae wedi cael effaith fawr ar fy nealltwriaeth o wleidyddiaeth; cyn dod yn Aelod, prin oedd gennyf unrhyw ddealltwriaeth o wleidyddiaeth, ond bellach mae gennyf fwy o lawer. Roedd cael Aelodau o wahanol gefndiroedd a chanddynt safbwyntiau gwahanol yn golygu bod amrywiaeth ehangach o bobl yn gallu dweud eu dweud. Gweithiodd hyn yn dda, gan ei fod wedi caniatáu i gymunedau gael eu clywed pan nad oeddent yn cael eu clywed o'r blaen o bosibl, oherwydd pethau fel rhwystrau cyfathrebu yn y gymuned fyddar, ond roedd cael Aelodau etholedig fel fi yn golygu y gallem leisio eu barn.

Yn ystod y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, rydym wedi clywed llawer o areithiau pwerus a chymaint o straeon pwerus gan Aelodau eraill anhygoel. Mae pob un ohonom wedi gweithio gyda'n gilydd nid yn unig i gynrychioli gwahanol rannau o Gymru, ond i gynrychioli'r gwahanol sefydliadau yng Nghymru, i wneud gwahaniaeth mewn tri phwyllgor. Gobeithiaf y bydd gweld y gwaith rydym wedi'i wneud dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf yn grymuso pobl iau i ddal ati ac i wneud gwahaniaeth i'r genhedlaeth iau yng Nghymru. Diolch am wrando.

12:55

Diolch, Sophie. Angel Ezeadum is the next speaker. Angel is the Member for the partner organisation of Race Council Cymru. Angel Ezeadum.

Diolch, Sophie. Angel Ezeadum yw'r siaradwr nesaf. Angel yw'r Aelod dros sefydliad partner Race Council Cymru. Angel Ezeadum.

Diolch, Llywydd. First of all, I personally would like to express my gratitude to the Youth Parliament for being so inclusive throughout the duration of our term. As an ethnic minority, the representation we have is low, and from the little representation we do obtain, we are often portrayed negatively in the media and society. However, from the countless opportunities that have been provided for me and other Members elected from partner organisations to represent our marginalised groups, we have been able to make breakthroughs and ensure that the voices of minorities are still heard and valued as much as the majority.

Take the pandemic—BAME people were amongst the most vulnerable to the virus, hence it was ever so important to find solutions and work in cohesion with members of the community to tackle this issue. I had the chance to receive questions from my partner organisation, Race Council Cymru, and specifically the national BAME youth forum, surrounding young people and ethnic minorities' concerns about COVID-19 to ask the First Minister. To be able to have a personal discussion with such an important figure was truly fantastic, and emphasised the importance and necessity for all types of people, regardless of race, religion, gender, age and so on, to be part of influential discussions that affect their lives.

As I mentioned before the importance of positive representation, I aspire, one day, to see a more diverse Welsh Parliament. The amount of people who are discouraged before even starting, as they lack self-belief due to not seeing themselves in a political position, is unbelievable, and that is why the partner organisation initiative is so important. Just as we as Members are diverse, so too are the topics that we have covered. I've been proud to give passionate speeches and cover pieces on subjects such as Black Lives Matter and Black History Month, the environment and knife crime, but none of what I've accomplished could be without the successful running from the staff.

I had two main aims when I applied for the Welsh Youth Parliament: to cater for all and to give the voiceless a voice, and I honestly hope that I have achieved that over my term and that the work that we have done can be continued in years to come to pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse Wales. Diolch.

Diolch, Lywydd. Yn gyntaf oll, hoffwn fynegi fy niolch personol i’r Senedd Ieuenctid am fod mor gynhwysol drwy gydol ein tymor. Fel lleiafrif ethnig, mae'r gynrychiolaeth sydd gennym yn isel, ac o'r ychydig gynrychiolaeth a gawn, rydym yn aml yn cael ein portreadu mewn modd negyddol yn y cyfryngau a'r gymdeithas. Fodd bynnag, o'r llu o gyfleoedd a roddwyd i mi ac i Aelodau eraill a etholwyd o sefydliadau partner i gynrychioli ein grwpiau ar y cyrion, rydym wedi gallu gwneud cynnydd a sicrhau bod lleisiau lleiafrifoedd yn dal i gael eu clywed a'u gwerthfawrogi i’r un graddau â'r mwyafrif.

Ystyriwch y pandemig—roedd pobl dduon ac Asiaidd a lleiafrifoedd ethnig ymhlith y rhai mwyaf agored i niwed yn sgil y feirws, felly roedd yn hynod bwysig dod o hyd i atebion ac i weithio ar y cyd ag aelodau o'r gymuned i fynd i'r afael â'r broblem. Cefais gyfle i dderbyn cwestiynau gan fy sefydliad partner, Race Council Cymru, ac yn benodol y fforwm ieuenctid BAME cenedlaethol, ynglŷn â phryderon pobl ifanc a lleiafrifoedd ethnig ynghylch COVID-19 i’w gofyn i'r Prif Weinidog. Roedd gallu cael trafodaeth bersonol â ffigwr mor bwysig yn wirioneddol wych, a phwysleisiodd bwysigrwydd a'r angen i sicrhau bod pob math o bobl, ni waeth beth fo'u hil, crefydd, rhywedd, oedran ac ati, yn rhan o drafodaethau dylanwadol sy'n effeithio ar eu bywydau.

Gan fy mod wedi sôn yn flaenorol am bwysigrwydd cynrychiolaeth gadarnhaol, rwy'n dyheu, un diwrnod, am weld Senedd Cymru fwy amrywiol. Mae cymaint o bobl yn penderfynu rhoi’r gorau iddi cyn cychwyn, gan nad oes ganddynt unrhyw hunan-gred am nad ydynt yn gallu dychmygu eu hunain mewn rôl wleidyddol, yn anghredadwy, a dyna pam fod menter y sefydliad partner mor bwysig. Yn union fel rydym ni fel Aelodau yn amrywiol, felly hefyd y mae’r pynciau rydym wedi'u trafod. Rwyf wedi bod yn falch o wneud areithiau angerddol a rhoi sylw i ddarnau ar bynciau fel Mae Bywydau Du o Bwys a Mis Hanes Pobl Dduon, yr amgylchedd a throseddau cyllyll, ond ni fyddwn wedi gallu cyflawni dim o’r hyn rwyf wedi’i gyflawni heb waith cynnal llwyddiannus y staff.

Roedd gennyf ddau brif nod pan wneuthum ymgeisio i fod yn rhan o Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru: darparu ar gyfer pawb a rhoi llais i’r rheini sydd heb lais, ac rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr fy mod wedi cyflawni hynny dros fy nhymor ac y gellir parhau â’r gwaith rydym wedi’i wneud yn y blynyddoedd i ddod er mwyn paratoi'r ffordd ar gyfer Cymru fwy cynhwysol ac amrywiol. Diolch.

Diolch, Angel. Ffion Griffith is the next speaker—Ffion Griffith of Islwyn.

Diolch, Angel. Ffion Griffith yw'r siaradwr nesaf—Ffion Griffith o Islwyn.

Diolch, Llywydd. From the beginning of our time as Welsh Youth Parliament Members, we have seen the importance and the significance of mental health in the lives of young people across Wales, with 36 per cent of the young people that responded to our very first survey naming emotional and mental health support as one of their main priorities. With the support of over two thirds of the Welsh Youth Parliament, we formed our emotional and mental health support committee after our first residential meeting, which includes 26 Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament from across Wales. Since establishing the committee, we as Members have engaged with young people, mental health charities, experts and politicians, with the aim of emphasising the need for better emotional and mental health support for young people in Wales.

Our residential meetings have given us opportunities to have discussions with some of the most influential people with regard to mental health in Wales, and have also allowed us to hear about the important work done by the Children, Young People and Education Committee to support young people's mental health. Additionally, these meetings provided us with space to engage in a question and answer session with young people to highlight the need for conversations surrounding mental health. We were then able to continue this discussion as we held our Let's Talk About Mental Health event during Welsh Youth Parliament Week, giving young people the opportunity to share their views on mental health provision in Wales. This information, alongside the results from our emotional and mental health support surveys, which were completed by over 1,400 young people across Wales, helped guide our regional and committee meetings. Across all four regions, key themes of stigma, training, preventative care and communication were highlighted, demonstrating the need for development and growth with regard to mental health in Wales. These themes then ultimately formed the foundations of our report and recommendations, which were published on 9 October 2020.

Split into two categories, one surrounding information and awareness and the other barriers to support, our committee's 'Let's Talk About Mental Health.' report echoes the opinions and concerns of young people across Wales. From improving the quality of information material to the offering of more and better anonymous support services, our recommendations acknowledge that every young person has a mental health. Whilst we believe that all of our recommendations are equally important with regard to bettering mental and emotional health in Wales for young people, there are some key recommendations that we would like to highlight as a committee.

Our fourth recommendation encapsulates the need for a one-stop shop of information, resources and support surrounding mental health. We as a committee are very pleased to hear of the Welsh Government's effort to develop this over the Hwb platform, as we believe it demonstrates an understanding of the importance of young people's mental health, particularly during this difficult time. Nonetheless, we would like to further emphasise the need for better promotion of this resource, ensuring that each and every child across Wales is not only aware of its existence, but feels comfortable in accessing the information.

We'd also like to highlight our sixth recommendation: the need for mental health to be taught consistently across Wales with greater frequency. The committee welcomes the opportunity for mental health education to come with the development of the new curriculum, however, we are concerned about how consistent the delivery will be. It is essential that young people across Wales have access to the same quality of mental health education, regardless of their location or background, and we must question, therefore, how one can ensure that this is the case under the new curriculum. Consistency must be at the heart of mental health education across Wales.

The final recommendation we would like to highlight is the need for an urgent review of child and adolescent mental health services and other mental health support services. Again, it is great to hear that the Welsh Government has already been working on this issue, giving £8 million extra each year to improve CAMHS services. However, we as a committee are calling for consistent reviews and updates of our mental health services here in Wales. It is essential that we do not become complacent. There is not one solution to bettering mental health services in Wales, and therefore, consistent analysis and reviews are really essential to help better mental health services for young people across Wales.

Every young person has mental health and it is essential that the policies of our future Government and Senedd reflect this. We must continue to pave the way for better emotional and mental health support for young people across Wales, and as a committee, we hope that the work of the next Welsh Youth Parliament, Members of the sixth Senedd and the new Welsh Government will prioritise this issue. Thank you.

Diolch, Lywydd. O ddechrau ein hamser fel Aelodau Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, rydym wedi gweld pwysigrwydd ac arwyddocâd iechyd meddwl ym mywydau pobl ifanc ledled Cymru, gyda 36 y cant o'r bobl ifanc a ymatebodd i'n harolwg cyntaf un yn nodi cymorth iechyd emosiynol ac iechyd meddwl fel un o'u prif flaenoriaethau. Gyda chefnogaeth dros ddwy ran o dair o Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, gwnaethom ffurfio ein pwyllgor cymorth iechyd emosiynol ac iechyd meddwl ar ôl ein cyfarfod preswyl cyntaf, ac mae'n cynnwys 26 o Aelodau Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru o bob rhan o Gymru. Ers sefydlu'r pwyllgor, rydym ni fel Aelodau wedi ymgysylltu â phobl ifanc, elusennau iechyd meddwl, arbenigwyr a gwleidyddion, gyda'r nod o bwysleisio'r angen am well cymorth iechyd emosiynol ac iechyd meddwl i bobl ifanc yng Nghymru.

Mae ein cyfarfodydd preswyl wedi rhoi cyfleoedd inni gael trafodaethau gyda rhai o'r bobl fwyaf dylanwadol ym maes iechyd meddwl yng Nghymru, ac maent hefyd wedi caniatáu inni glywed am y gwaith pwysig a wneir gan y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobol Ifanc ac Addysg i gefnogi iechyd meddwl pobl ifanc. Yn ogystal, rhoddodd y cyfarfodydd hyn le inni gymryd rhan mewn sesiwn holi ac ateb gyda phobl ifanc i dynnu sylw at yr angen am sgyrsiau ynghylch iechyd meddwl. Yna, bu modd inni barhau â'r drafodaeth hon wrth inni gynnal ein digwyddiad Gadewch i ni Siarad am Iechyd Meddwl yn ystod Wythnos Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, gan roi cyfle i bobl ifanc rannu eu barn ar y ddarpariaeth iechyd meddwl yng Nghymru. Bu’r wybodaeth hon, ynghyd â chanlyniadau ein harolygon cymorth iechyd emosiynol ac iechyd meddwl, a gwblhawyd gan dros 1,400 o bobl ifanc ledled Cymru, o gymorth i lywio ein cyfarfodydd rhanbarthol a’n pwyllgorau. Ar draws pob un o'r pedwar rhanbarth, amlygwyd themâu allweddol stigma, hyfforddiant, gofal ataliol a chyfathrebu, gan ddangos yr angen am ddatblygiad a thwf o ran iechyd meddwl yng Nghymru. Yn y pen draw, ffurfiodd y themâu hyn sylfaen i’n hadroddiad a'n hargymhellion, a gyhoeddwyd ar 9 Hydref 2020.

Wedi'i rannu'n ddau gategori, un yn ymwneud â gwybodaeth ac ymwybyddiaeth a'r llall yn ymwneud â rhwystrau i gymorth, mae adroddiad ein pwyllgor, ‘Gadewch i ni Siarad am Iechyd Meddwl’, yn adleisio barn a phryderon pobl ifanc ledled Cymru. O wella ansawdd gwybodaeth i gynnig mwy o wasanaethau cymorth anhysbys a gwasanaethau gwell, mae ein hargymhellion yn cydnabod bod gan bob unigolyn ifanc iechyd meddwl. Er ein bod yn credu bod pob un o'n hargymhellion yr un mor bwysig o ran gwella iechyd meddwl ac iechyd emosiynol yng Nghymru i bobl ifanc, mae rhai argymhellion allweddol yr hoffem dynnu sylw atynt fel pwyllgor.

Mae ein pedwerydd argymhelliad yn crynhoi'r angen am siop un stop o wybodaeth, adnoddau a chymorth ynghylch iechyd meddwl. Rydym ni fel pwyllgor yn falch iawn o glywed am ymdrech Llywodraeth Cymru i ddatblygu hyn dros blatfform Hwb, gan ein bod yn credu bod hynny’n dangos dealltwriaeth o bwysigrwydd iechyd meddwl pobl ifanc, yn enwedig yn ystod y cyfnod anodd hwn. Serch hynny, hoffem bwysleisio ymhellach yr angen i hyrwyddo'r adnodd hwn yn well, gan sicrhau bod pob plentyn ledled Cymru nid yn unig yn ymwybodol o'i fodolaeth, ond yn teimlo'n gyfforddus i ddod o hyd i'r wybodaeth.

Hoffem dynnu sylw hefyd at ein chweched argymhelliad: yr angen i addysgu iechyd meddwl yn gyson ledled Cymru a gwneud hynny'n fwy mynych. Mae'r pwyllgor yn croesawu'r cyfle i addysg iechyd meddwl ddod law yn llaw â datblygiad y cwricwlwm newydd, ond rydym yn pryderu ynghylch pa mor gyson y bydd y ddarpariaeth honno. Mae'n hanfodol fod gan bobl ifanc ledled Cymru fynediad at addysg iechyd meddwl o’r un ansawdd, ni waeth beth yw eu lleoliad neu eu cefndir, ac mae’n rhaid inni gwestiynu, felly, sut y gellir sicrhau bod hyn yn digwydd o fewn y cwricwlwm newydd. Mae’n rhaid i gysondeb fod wrth wraidd addysg iechyd meddwl ledled Cymru.

Yr argymhelliad olaf yr hoffem dynnu sylw ato yw'r angen am adolygiad brys o wasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed a gwasanaethau cymorth iechyd meddwl eraill. Unwaith eto, mae'n wych clywed bod Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi bod yn gweithio ar y mater hwn, gan roi £8 miliwn yn ychwanegol bob blwyddyn i wella gwasanaethau CAMHS. Fodd bynnag, rydym ni fel pwyllgor yn galw am adolygiadau a diweddariadau cyson mewn perthynas â’n gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl yma yng Nghymru. Mae'n hanfodol nad ydym yn llaesu dwylo. Ni cheir un ateb syml i wella gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl yng Nghymru, ac felly, mae dadansoddi ac adolygu cyson yn wirioneddol hanfodol i helpu i wella gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl i bobl ifanc ledled Cymru.

Mae gan bob unigolyn ifanc iechyd meddwl, ac mae'n hanfodol fod polisïau ein Llywodraeth a'n Senedd yn y dyfodol yn adlewyrchu hyn. Mae'n rhaid inni barhau i baratoi'r ffordd ar gyfer gwell cymorth iechyd emosiynol ac iechyd meddwl i bobl ifanc ledled Cymru, ac fel pwyllgor, gobeithiwn y bydd gwaith Senedd Ieuenctid nesaf Cymru, Aelodau'r chweched Senedd a Llywodraeth newydd Cymru yn blaenoriaethu’r mater hwn. Diolch.

13:00

Diolch, Ffion. Ffion-Hâf Davies sydd nesaf. Ffion-Hâf Davies, Aelod Gŵyr.

Thank you, Ffion. Ffion-Hâf Davies is next. Ffion-Hâf Davies, the Member for Gower.

Diolch, Llywydd. Ym mis Chwefror 2019, gwnaethon ni fel Senedd Ieuenctid ddewis sbwriel a gwastraff plastig fel un o'n prif faterion. Rydym ni fel Aelodau wedi bod yn siarad o fewn ein hetholaethau gyda sefydliadau partner, mewn eisteddfodau ac o fewn y cyfarfodydd preswyl a rhanbarthol i geisio deall barn pobl ifanc am y broblem. Yn anffodus, gwthiodd COVID bopeth ar-lein ac felly fe gasglom ni'n holl ddata yn ogystal â chreu'r adroddiad yn ystod y pandemig. Er gwaethaf hyn, fe wnaethom ddyfalbarhau yn rhithiol gyda digwyddiadau megis Wythnos y Senedd Ieuenctid, a bu'r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yn ein helpu i sicrhau bod lleisiau pobl ifanc yn cael eu clywed.

Ym mis Tachwedd 2020, fe gyhoeddom ein hadroddiad fel pwyllgor a oedd yn cynnwys 10 argymhelliad. Galwom am fwy o bwyslais ar addysgu pobl ifanc ar draws Cymru am effeithiau negyddol sbwriel a gwastraff plastig, a sut gallai pobl ifanc helpu i fynd i'r afael â'r materion hyn. Credwn y dylai awdurdodau lleol adolygu eu prosesau caffael er mwyn sicrhau bod y meini prawf sydd ar waith i ddewis cyflenwyr yn adlewyrchu amcanion amgylcheddol a llesiant. Mae hyn yn cynnwys ysgolion, er mwyn sicrhau y gall sefydliadau addysg gefnogi’r gwaith o gyflawni targedau cynaliadwyedd. Y nod yn y pen draw fydd i leihau cymaint o wastraff plastig untro â phosib. Galwn hefyd ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gymryd camau sylweddol ar frys i roi diwedd ar gynhyrchu plastigau untro, gyda rhai eithriadau hanfodol, ac ystyried dulliau gweithredu fel gwahardd cynhyrchu plastigau untro megis cynllun dychwelyd ernes.

Hoffwn ddiolch i’r Gweinidog dros yr amgylchedd am ei hymateb i’n hargymhellion. Dengys hyn i bobl ifanc ar draws Cymru bod ein lleisiau wir yn cael eu cymryd o ddifri. Er hyn, mae’r broblem blastig yn amlwg ddim drosodd, felly mae angen symud ymlaen efo'r agenda a sicrhau ei fod yn fater o bwys i'r Senedd nesaf. Mi fyddai hefyd yn wych i weld Senedd ddi-blastig—rhywbeth a fyddai eto'n pwysleisio pwysigrwydd ein gwaith ac a fyddai'n gosod esiampl i sefydliadau eraill ein dilyn. Galwn am weithredu pendant ac ar frys, o fewn y chwe mis i'r flwyddyn nesaf.

Yn olaf, hoffem hefyd alw ar y Senedd Ieuenctid nesaf i barhau i alw am newidiadau yn ôl ein hargymhellion ni. Rydym ond wedi cael tymor o ddwy flynedd, ond, yn yr amser hwn, rydym wedi sicrhau bod lleisiau pobl ifanc yn cael eu clywed a bod y broblem blastig yn cael ei chymryd o ddifri. Ein hunig obaith nawr yw eich bod chi i gyd yn parhau i wella’r broblem a chadw ein gwaith yn fyw. Diolch.
 

Thank you, Llywydd. In February 2019, we as a Youth Parliament chose littering and plastic waste as one of our priority issues. As Members, we have been having conversations within our constituents, with our partner organisations, at eisteddfodau and at our residential and regional meetings to try to understand the views of young people on the problem. Unfortunately, COVID pushed everything online, and so we gathered all of our data and drew up our report during the pandemic. In spite of this, we persevered with virtual events such as Youth Parliament Week, and the National Eisteddfod helped us to ensure that the voices of young people were heard.

In November 2020, we published our report as a committee, and it contained 10 recommendations. We called for a greater emphasis on educating young people across Wales and the negative impacts of littering and plastic waste, and how young people could help address these issues. We believe that local authorities should review their procurement processes in order to ensure that the criteria used to choose suppliers reflect environmental and well-being objectives. This includes schools, in order to ensure that educational institutions can support the work of achieving sustainability targets. The ultimate goal is to reduce as much single-use plastic waste as possible. We also call on the Welsh Government to take significant and urgent steps to halt the production of single-use plastics, with some crucial exceptions, and to consider approaches such as banning the production of single-use plastics and a deposit-return scheme.

I would like to thank the Minister for environment for her response to our recommendations. This shows young people across Wales that our voices really are being taken seriously. However, the plastic problem is clearly not solved. Therefore, we need to drive forward the agenda and ensure that it is a major issue for the next Senedd. It would also be great to see a plastic-free Senedd—something that would again emphasise the importance of our work and set an example for other institutions to follow. We are calling for decisive and urgent action within the next six to 12 months.

Finally, we'd also like to call on the next Youth Parliament to continue to call for changes in line with our recommendations. We have only served a two-year term, but in that time, we have ensured that the voices of young people are being heard and that the plastic problem is being taken seriously. Our only hope now is that you will all continue to address this problem and keep our work alive. Thank you.

13:05

Diolch, Ffion-Hâf. Harrison Gardner is the next speaker—Harrison Gardner from Clwyd West.

Diolch, Ffion-Hâf. Harrison Gardner yw'r siaradwr nesaf—Harrison Gardner o Orllewin Clwyd.

Thank you, Llywydd. As a Member of the Welsh Youth Parliament's life skills in the curriculum committee, we, fortunately, were able to complete the majority of our work before the pandemic struck. We consulted over 2,500 young people, parents and educators in summer shows and Welsh Youth Parliament committee events across Wales, publishing our findings and recommendations in our report, ‘Life Skills, Skills for Life’. With the new Curriculum for Wales on the way, our consultation offered a snapshot of the way that life skills and personal and social education are being taught in schools and colleges across Wales.

Our consultation pointed to several inconsistencies in young people’s experiences of learning about important subjects, such as political education, sex education, financial education and first aid, to name but a few. As the Welsh Government continued to refine the new curriculum, our recommendations included that they should provide a comprehensive list to educators in Wales of the life skills that must be taught within the six areas of learning and experience; ensure that schools in all parts of Wales have the resources to implement the new curriculum to its full potential; and ensure that teachers have the right training to be able to teach a number of new topics that will be new to them as part of the new curriculum.

Since presenting our recommendations to the Minister for Education in the Siambr in October 2019, we have been able to continue our scrutiny work in meetings with Government officials, practitioners who are developing the areas of learning and experience, and officials at Qualifications Wales who are reforming the assessment structure in Wales. We have also helped to develop the votes-at-16 educational resources in advance of this year’s Senedd election.

Whilst we, as a committee, appreciate the Welsh Government’s response to our recommendations and the reasons given for not accepting a few of them, we would like to take this opportunity to emphasise our remaining concerns. We accept the Welsh Government’s argument that it goes against the spirit of the new curriculum to publish a mandatory list of subjects for teachers to teach, and we acknowledge the Welsh Government’s concern that this would be a backwards step towards the old tick-box curriculum that the new curriculum aims to move away from.

However, we remain concerned as a committee that a lack of clear guidance could lead to greater inconsistency, and that the success of the areas of learning and experience as they currently stand is too dependent on how individual schools interpret them. Furthermore, digital poverty in Wales has become a prominent issue due to the pandemic—an issue that will only worsen and lessen the impact of the new curriculum without appropriate interventions. Therefore, we urge the Welsh Government to consider this issue further as it finalises the new curriculum.

We also urge them to commit funding to ensure that pupils in all parts of Wales have the opportunity to experience every element of the curriculum, and to invest in training and centralised resources for teachers. We firmly believe that this would lead to a meaningful learning experience for every pupil. Thank you.

Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. Fel Aelod o bwyllgor sgiliau bywyd yn y cwricwlwm Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, yn ffodus, bu modd inni gwblhau'r rhan fwyaf o'n gwaith cyn i'r pandemig daro. Gwnaethom ymgynghori â dros 2,500 o bobl ifanc, rhieni ac addysgwyr mewn sioeau haf a digwyddiadau pwyllgor Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru ledled Cymru, gan gyhoeddi ein canfyddiadau a’n hargymhellion yn ein hadroddiad, ‘Sgiliau Bywyd, Sgiliau Byw’. Gyda'r Cwricwlwm newydd i Gymru ar y ffordd, cynigiodd ein hymgynghoriad gipolwg ar y ffordd y mae sgiliau bywyd ac addysg bersonol a chymdeithasol yn cael eu haddysgu mewn ysgolion a cholegau ledled Cymru.

Tynnodd ein hymgynghoriad sylw at sawl anghysondeb ym mhrofiadau pobl ifanc o ddysgu am bynciau pwysig, megis addysg wleidyddol, addysg rhyw, addysg ariannol a chymorth cyntaf, i enwi ond ychydig. Wrth i Lywodraeth Cymru barhau i fireinio'r cwricwlwm newydd, roedd ein hargymhellion yn nodi y dylent ddarparu rhestr gynhwysfawr i addysgwyr yng Nghymru o'r sgiliau bywyd y mae'n rhaid eu dysgu o fewn y chwe maes dysgu a phrofiad; sicrhau bod gan ysgolion ym mhob rhan o Gymru adnoddau i weithredu'r cwricwlwm newydd i'w lawn botensial; a sicrhau bod athrawon yn cael yr hyfforddiant cywir i allu addysgu nifer o bynciau newydd a fydd yn newydd iddynt fel rhan o'r cwricwlwm newydd.

Ers cyflwyno ein hargymhellion i’r Gweinidog Addysg yn y Siambr ym mis Hydref 2019, rydym wedi gallu parhau â’n gwaith craffu mewn cyfarfodydd gyda swyddogion y Llywodraeth, addysgwyr sy’n datblygu’r meysydd dysgu a phrofiad, a swyddogion yn Cymwysterau Cymru sy’n diwygio’r strwythur asesu yng Nghymru. Rydym hefyd wedi helpu i ddatblygu’r adnoddau addysgol ar gyfer pleidleisio yn 16 oed cyn etholiad y Senedd eleni.

Er ein bod ni, fel pwyllgor, yn gwerthfawrogi ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru i'n hargymhellion a'r rhesymau a roddwyd dros beidio â derbyn rhai ohonynt, hoffem achub ar y cyfle hwn i bwysleisio’r pryderon eraill sydd gennym. Rydym yn derbyn dadl Llywodraeth Cymru ei bod yn mynd yn groes i ysbryd y cwricwlwm newydd i gyhoeddi rhestr orfodol o bynciau i athrawon eu haddysgu, ac rydym yn cydnabod pryder Llywodraeth Cymru y byddai hyn yn gam yn ôl i'r hen gwricwlwm ‘ticio blychau’ y mae’r cwricwlwm newydd yn ceisio ymbellhau oddi wrtho.

Fodd bynnag, rydym yn dal i bryderu fel pwyllgor y gallai diffyg arweiniad clir arwain at fwy o anghysondebau, a bod llwyddiant y meysydd dysgu a phrofiad fel y maent ar hyn o bryd yn rhy ddibynnol ar sut y mae ysgolion unigol yn eu dehongli. Yn ychwanegol at hynny, mae tlodi digidol yng Nghymru wedi dod yn fater amlwg oherwydd y pandemig—mater a fydd ond yn gwaethygu ac yn lleihau effaith y cwricwlwm newydd heb ymyriadau priodol. Felly, rydym yn annog Llywodraeth Cymru i ystyried y mater hwn ymhellach wrth iddi gwblhau gwaith terfynol ar y cwricwlwm newydd.

Rydym hefyd yn eu hannog i ymrwymo cyllid i sicrhau bod disgyblion ym mhob rhan o Gymru yn cael cyfle i brofi pob elfen o'r cwricwlwm, ac i fuddsoddi mewn hyfforddiant ac adnoddau canolog i athrawon. Credwn yn gryf y byddai hyn yn arwain at brofiad dysgu ystyrlon i bob disgybl. Diolch.

Diolch, Harrison. Y siaradwr nesaf yw Gwion Rhisiart—Gwion Rhisiart o Ganol Caerdydd.

Thank you, Harrison. Our next contributor is Gwion Rhisiart, representing Cardiff Central.

Diolch, Llywydd. Mae’n fraint gallu cynrychioli pobl ifanc Canol Caerdydd unwaith eto, ac mae’n eithaf anodd credu bod dwy flynedd wedi mynd heibio ers ein cyfarfod cyntaf cenedlaethol, lle dewison ni ein tair blaenoriaeth. Ers hynny, rydyn ni wedi codi nifer o faterion sydd o bwys i bobl ifanc er mwyn gallu gwneud Cymru yn lle gwell i dyfu lan fel person ifanc. 

Fodd bynnag, ni fyddem ni wedi gallu gwneud hyn yn y pandemig heb help Aelodau’r Senedd a Gweinidogion Llywodraeth Cymru. Dros y misoedd diwethaf, mae’r Prif Weinidog, y Gweinidog Addysg, y Gweinidog iechyd a’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol i gyd wedi rhoi amser i gwrdd â ni yn rhithiol nifer o weithiau. Mae’r gallu i gwrdd â Gweinidogion a Chadeiryddion pwyllgorau, ynghyd â’r comisiynydd plant a chomisiynydd cenedlaethau’r dyfodol, wedi bod yn werthfawr iawn.

Mae’r gallu i ni fel Aelodau gwestiynu’r rhai sy’n ein cynrychioli am arholiadau, am gefnogaeth iechyd meddwl ac am gyfleoedd swyddi yn y pandemig yn meddwl ein bod ni'n gallu rhoi atebion i bobl ifanc sy’n bryderus am y dyfodol. Mae’r Gweinidog Addysg hefyd wedi rhoi cymaint o’i hamser er mwyn trafod goblygiadau gohirio arholiadau, ynghyd â chasglu ein barn ar ddysgu ar-lein. Eto, mae gallu lleisio barn pobl ifanc i Aelodau’r Senedd ac i Weinidogion yn galluogi eu barn i gael ei hystyried pan fod dewisiadau'n cael eu cymryd. Ar ran holl Aelodau Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, diolch o galon am eich amser.

Rydyn ni, fel Aelodau, hefyd wedi bod yn ffodus iawn i ymddangos ar gyfryngau amrywiol Cymru. Drwy gydol ein hoes fel Aelodau, fe wnes i a fy nghyd-Aelodau ymddangos ar Radio Cymru er mwyn trafod ein gwaith, o’n hargymhellion ar gyfer y cwricwlwm newydd i gefnogaeth iechyd meddwl i bobl ifanc. Mae hyn wedi bod yn allweddol wrth godi ymwybyddiaeth pobl ifanc o'n gwaith, ac er mwyn trafod materion gyda disgyblion, athrawon a rhieni o bob cwr o Gymru. Yn ogystal â hyn, mi roeddwn i'n hynod o lwcus i gael ymddangos ar Wales Live gyda Hannah Blythyn ac Andrew R.T. Davies er mwyn trafod pleidleisio yn 16 a chynrychiolaeth pobl ifanc mewn gwleidyddiaeth. Yn olaf, mi wnes i a Betsan Angell fynd ar Heno pan wnaethon ni rhyddhau ein hadroddiad sgiliau bywyd yn y cwricwlwm. Roedd yn fraint gallu trafod ein hargymhellion a'n gobeithion ar gyfer y cwricwlwm newydd. 

Felly, i gloi, hoffwn i ddiolch i'r holl newyddiadurwyr ac Aelodau'r Senedd sydd wedi helpu codi ymwybyddiaeth o'n gwaith. Rydym ni wir yn ei werthfawrogi. Gyda'n gilydd, rydym wedi llwyddo gweithredu er mwyn gwella bywydau pobl ifanc yng Nghymru wrth i ni adfer o'r cyfnod cythryblus yma. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Thank you, Llywydd. It's a privilege to be able to represent the young people of Cardiff Central once again, and it's difficult to believe that it has been two years since our first national meeting, where we selected our three priorities. Since then, we've raised a number of issues that are important to young people in making Wales a better place in which to grow up as a young person. 

However, we wouldn't have been able to do this during the pandemic without the assistance of Members of the Senedd and Welsh Government Ministers. Over the past few months, the First Minister, the Minister for Education, the Minister for health and the Counsel General have all given of their time to meet with us virtually on a number of occasions. The opportunity to meet with Ministers, committee Chairs, the children's commissioner and the future generations commissioner has been invaluable.

The opportunity for us, as Members, to question those who represent us about exams, mental health support and job opportunities during the pandemic means that we can provide answers to young people who are concerned about their future. The Minister for Education has also given so much of her time in discussing the implications of delaying exams, as well as gathering our views on online learning. Again, the opportunity to articulate the views of young people to Members of the Senedd and Ministers has allowed their views to be taken into account when choices are being made. On behalf of all Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament, I thank you sincerely for your time.

We, as Members, have also been very fortunate to appear on various media platforms in Wales. During our time as Members, my colleagues and I have appeared on Radio Cymru to discuss our work, including our recommendations for a new curriculum and mental health support for young people. This has been instrumental in raising awareness among young people of our work, and in discussing issues with pupils, teachers and parents in all parts of Wales. In addition to this, I was very lucky to be able to appear on Wales Live with Hannah Blythyn and Andrew R.T. Davies in order to discuss votes at 16 and the representation of young people in politics. Finally, Betsan Angell and I appeared on Heno when we released our report on life skills in the curriculum. It was a privilege to be able to discuss our recommendations and our hopes for the new curriculum.

Therefore, in conclusion, I'd like to thank all the journalists and Members of the Senedd who have helped to raise awareness of our work. We really appreciate this. Together, we've succeeded in taking action to improve the lives of young people in Wales as we recover from this turbulent period. Thank you very much.

13:10

Diolch, Gwion. A'r siaradwr olaf o'r Senedd Ieuenctid fydd Maisy Evans o Dorfaen.

Thank you, Gwion. And our final speaker from the Youth Parliament will be Maisy Evans from Torfaen.

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Mae'n fraint, unwaith eto, i siarad gyda chi i gyd.

Thank you very much, Llywydd. It's a privilege, once again, to speak to you all.

People often ask me whether, if I could go back in time, I'd change anything. And simply, no. Absolutely not. I'd stand for election, and I'd throw myself at every opportunity time and time again. I really do mean it when I say that the last two years of my life have been the best yet. Amongst ups and a few downs, I've met some incredible people, developed friendships that I'll forever cherish and have had unforgettable experiences.

This year has pushed us all to our limits, personally and professionally alike. COVID-19 has impacted our lives more than anyone could have imagined. And, undoubtedly, it's been tough. But nonetheless, our Welsh Youth Parliament—the very first of its kind—has proven that young people are in fact a force for good in our nation and beyond.

I'd like to take this moment to thank you all, my fellow Welsh Youth Parliament Members, the staff behind our work, the staff behind the technology even—and especially today—and most importantly, each of you, the Members of our Senedd.

On 26 June 2019, we held our very first joint Chamber session, and during that session I was honoured to give the opening remarks, and I read to you a declaration that would shape, and has shaped, our relationship. I'm certain that that day will forever be in my mind, and it's a moment that I take great pride in, and I know that I always will.

Once again, I'd like to draw your attention to some of the points outlined in that declaration. It states the Welsh Parliament and the Welsh Youth Parliament will work together to ensure that our work is an integral part of decision making in Wales, and that the Welsh Parliament will commit to the rights of young people and operate on the principles of openness and transparency.

My greatest thanks of all go to the Members of the Senedd who have committed to engage with us, and to not only hear our voices, but to listen to us. During our term, we've provided you with many realistic recommendations on ensuring young people are equipped for life, on emotional and mental health support, and on protecting our only planet.

It is vital that you, as the Welsh Parliament, continue to work with young people from across the country. With the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child enshrined in Welsh law, it is your duty to listen to our views. This Welsh Youth Parliament is evidence of your commitment to article 12, which states that young people have the right to express their views freely, and for their views to be truly considered.

Mae pobl yn aml yn gofyn i mi a fyddwn yn newid unrhyw beth pe bawn yn gallu mynd yn ôl mewn amser. Ac yn syml, na fyddwn. Ddim o gwbl. Byddwn yn sefyll etholiad, a byddwn yn bachu ar bob cyfle dro ar ôl tro. Rwyf wir yn ei olygu pan ddywedaf mai'r ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf yn fy mywyd fu'r rhai gorau eto. Drwy gyfnodau da a rhai cyfnodau gwael, rwyf wedi cyfarfod â phobl anhygoel, wedi datblygu cyfeillgarwch y byddaf yn ei thrysori am byth gyda gwahanol bobl ac wedi cael profiadau bythgofiadwy.

Mae eleni wedi bod yn her fawr i bob un ohonom, yn bersonol ac yn broffesiynol. Mae COVID-19 wedi effeithio ar ein bywydau i raddau mwy nag y gallai unrhyw un fod wedi'i ddychmygu. A heb os, mae wedi bod yn anodd. Ond serch hynny, mae ein Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru—y gyntaf o'i bath—wedi dangos bod pobl ifanc yn rym er daioni yn ein gwlad ni a thu hwnt.

Hoffwn ddefnyddio’r foment hon i ddiolch i bob un ohonoch, fy nghyd-Aelodau o Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, y staff y tu ôl i'n gwaith, y staff y tu ôl i'r dechnoleg hyd yn oed—ac yn enwedig heddiw—ac yn bwysicaf oll, pob un ohonoch chi, Aelodau ein Senedd.

Ar 26 Mehefin 2019, cynhaliwyd ein sesiwn gyntaf ar y cyd yn y Siambr, ac yn y sesiwn honno, cefais y fraint o roi’r sylwadau agoriadol, a darllenais ddatganiad i chi a fyddai’n siapio, ac sydd wedi siapio, ein perthynas. Rwy'n sicr y byddaf yn cofio’r diwrnod hwnnw am byth, ac mae'n foment rwy’n ymfalchïo'n fawr ynddi, a gwn y byddaf yn parhau i wneud hynny.

Unwaith eto, hoffwn dynnu eich sylw at rai o'r pwyntiau a amlinellir yn y datganiad hwnnw. Mae'n nodi y bydd Senedd Cymru a Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru yn gweithio gyda'i gilydd i sicrhau bod ein gwaith yn rhan annatod o’r broses o wneud penderfyniadau yng Nghymru, ac y bydd Senedd Cymru yn ymrwymo i hawliau pobl ifanc ac yn gweithredu ar egwyddorion didwylledd a thryloywder.

Hoffwn ddiolch yn fawr iawn i’r Aelodau o'r Senedd sydd wedi ymrwymo i ymgysylltu â ni, ac nid yn unig i glywed ein lleisiau, ond i wrando arnom. Yn ystod ein tymor, rydym wedi darparu llawer o argymhellion realistig i chi ar sicrhau bod pobl ifanc wedi'u paratoi ar gyfer eu bywydau, ar gymorth iechyd emosiynol ac iechyd meddwl, ac ar ddiogelu ein hunig blaned.

Mae'n hanfodol eich bod chi, fel Senedd Cymru, yn parhau i weithio gyda phobl ifanc o bob cwr o'r wlad. Gyda Chonfensiwn y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar Hawliau'r Plentyn wedi'i ymgorffori yng nghyfraith Cymru, mae'n ddyletswydd arnoch i wrando ar ein barn. Mae Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru yn dystiolaeth o'ch ymrwymiad i erthygl 12, sy'n nodi bod gan bobl ifanc hawl i fynegi eu barn yn rhydd, ac i'w barn gael ei hystyried o ddifrif.

Rwy'n ddiolchgar am gael y platfform i rannu fy marn, a hyd yn oed yn fwy diolchgar am y cyfle i ddylanwadu ar newid go iawn ar y lefelau uchaf posibl. Gyda'r oedran pleidleisio wedi cael ei ostwng i 16, gall pobl ifanc yng Nghymru wneud yn union hynny—dylanwadu ar newid go iawn. Mae'n gyffrous, bobl. Rwy'n annog pob person ifanc 14 oed ac yn hŷn i fynd ar-lein a chofrestru i bleidleisio, mewn munudau yn unig, achos, o'r diwedd, mae gennych chi'r cyfle i ddefnyddio'ch llais.

Wrth i Senedd Ieuenctid cyntaf Cymru ddod i ben, gobeithio eich bod chi i gyd yn barod i gwrdd â'r garfan nesaf o arweinwyr ifanc. A pheidiwch ag erioed anghofio ein bod ni, fel pobl ifanc, nid yn unig yn arweinwyr y dyfodol, ond yn arweinwyr heddiw. Diolch yn fawr iawn i bob un ohonoch chi, mae wedi bod yn fraint ac yn anrhydedd pob tro. Diolch.

I'm grateful to have had that platform to share my views, and even more grateful for the opportunity to influence real change at the highest levels possible. With the voting age having been lowered to 16, young people in Wales can now do exactly that—influence change. It's very exciting. I urge every young person aged 14 and over to go online and to register to vote—it just takes minutes—because, at long last, you have that opportunity to make your voice heard.

As the inaugural Wales Youth Parliament draws to a close, I hope that you're all ready and willing to meet the next cohort of young leaders. And never forget that we, as young people, are not only leaders of the future, but the leaders of today. Thank you all very much. It's been a privilege on all occasions. Thank you.

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Maisy, a diolch i bob un ohonoch chi sydd wedi siarad eisoes, ac sydd wedi cyfrannu mor enfawr yn ystod cyfnod y Senedd Ieuenctid. 

Dwi'n galw nawr ar y Prif Weinidog i gyfrannu at y drafodaeth yma. Prif Weinidog. 

Thank you very much, Maisy, and thank you to all our contributors, and to those who have made such a huge contribution during this Youth Parliament term.

I now call on the First Minister to respond. First Minister.

Wel, Llywydd, diolch i holl Aelodau'r Senedd Ieuenctid am eich cyfraniadau y prynhawn yma, ond hefyd, fel dywedodd y Llywydd, am y cyfan yr ydych wedi ei wneud i sefydlu'r Senedd mewn ffordd mor llwyddiannus. Rydw i wedi elwa o gwrdd â nifer ohonoch yn rheolaidd yn ystod y flwyddyn eithriadol hon. Mae clywed penllanw eich gwaith y prynhawn yma wedi bod yn bleser ac yn gyfle i ni i gyd i ddysgu. Mae eich cyfnod yn y swydd bellach yn dod i ben, fel y mae cyfnod y Senedd ei hun. Rwy'n siŵr bod pob Aelod o'r Llywodraeth yn dymuno'n dda i chi yn yr hyn sy'n dod nesaf yn eich bywydau, ac y bydd y camau nesaf hynny yn fwy llwyddiannus byth oherwydd y profiad unigryw yr ydych wedi ei gael fel sylfaenwyr y Senedd Ieuenctid.

Well, Llywydd, I'd like thank all Members of the Youth Parliament for their contributions this afternoon, but also, as the Llywydd said, for everything that you have done in establishing the Youth Parliament in such a successful manner. I have benefited from meeting with a number of you on a regular basis over this exceptional year. Hearing the pinnacle of your work this afternoon has been our pleasure and an opportunity for us all to learn lessons. Your period in post is now drawing to a close, as is the Senedd itself. I'm sure that every Member of Government would wish to wish you well in the next steps in your lives, and those next steps will be even more successful as a result of the unique experiences that you have had as the founders of the Welsh Youth Parliament.

Llywydd, I'm not going to try to respond to all the different speakers we've heard, but Sandy was right in the very first contribution, that endings are inherently emotional moments, and I'm sure that will be true for all Members of the Youth Parliament. Sandy shared her story with us, and I think we were all glad to hear it. Wales is lucky to have you here, as we have been lucky with all the young people who've played their part in this very first Senedd.

Shall I just focus briefly on three things that I think I drew out of all the contributions we've heard? First, how overlapping the agendas have been between the things that you have been talking about in the Senedd Ieuenctid and the things that we talk about every week on the floor of the Senedd itself: mental health, climate change, education, the new curriculum, how we will forge a future that is better for us all. Secondly, the importance of plurality and diversity: the way in which hearing different experiences and different voices changes the nature of the conversation, enriches it, of course, but also means that we see things in new and different ways. I thought that came through very powerfully in a series of contributions. And finally, that in the work that you do and the work that we do, the work is never over. We never come to the end of the day and can draw a line under what we have been discussing and think, 'Well, that's that done, then.' The work always goes on, there are always challenges that we haven't thought of, there are always new chances to advance the causes that matter to us as individuals and as a nation. And in hearing of the work of the committees, I'm very glad that so much of what you have proposed has been accepted by the Government, and I'm not surprised at all to hear that there are things that you would want to go on advocating, making the case for, looking to secure further changes in the future.

Lywydd, nid wyf yn mynd i geisio ymateb i'r holl wahanol siaradwyr a glywsom, ond roedd Sandy yn llygad ei lle yn y cyfraniad cyntaf un, fod unrhyw ddiwedd yn adeg emosiynol yn ei hanfod, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd hynny'n wir am yr holl Aelodau o’r Senedd Ieuenctid. Rhannodd Sandy ei stori gyda ni, a chredaf fod pob un ohonom yn falch o'i chlywed. Mae Cymru yn ffodus o'ch cael yma, yn union fel rydym wedi bod yn ffodus gyda'r holl bobl ifanc sydd wedi chwarae eu rhan yn y Senedd gyntaf un hon.

A gaf fi ganolbwyntio'n fyr ar dri pheth i mi eu nodi o'r holl gyfraniadau a glywsom? Yn gyntaf, y graddau y mae’r agendâu wedi gorgyffwrdd o ran y pethau rydych wedi bod yn sôn amdanynt yn y Senedd Ieuenctid a'r pethau rydym yn sôn amdanynt bob wythnos ar lawr y Senedd ei hun: iechyd meddwl, newid hinsawdd, addysg, y cwricwlwm newydd, sut y byddwn yn creu dyfodol sy'n well i bob un ohonom. Yn ail, pwysigrwydd plwraliaeth ac amrywiaeth: y ffordd y mae clywed gwahanol brofiadau a gwahanol leisiau yn newid natur y sgwrs, yn ei chyfoethogi, wrth gwrs, ond hefyd yn golygu ein bod yn gweld pethau mewn ffyrdd newydd a gwahanol. Roeddwn yn meddwl bod hynny'n amlwg iawn mewn cyfres o gyfraniadau. Ac yn olaf, yn y gwaith rydych yn ei wneud a'r gwaith rydym ni’n ei wneud, nid yw'r gwaith byth yn dod i ben. Nid ydym byth yn cyrraedd diwedd y dydd a gallu tynnu llinell o dan yr hyn rydym wedi bod yn ei drafod a meddwl, 'Wel, dyna hynny wedi’i wneud.' Mae'r gwaith bob amser yn parhau, mae heriau i’w cael bob amser nad ydym wedi meddwl amdanynt, mae cyfleoedd newydd bob amser i hyrwyddo achosion sy'n bwysig i ni fel unigolion ac fel cenedl. Ac wrth glywed am waith y pwyllgorau, rwy'n falch iawn fod cymaint o'r hyn rydych wedi'i gynnig wedi'i dderbyn gan y Llywodraeth, ac nid wyf yn synnu clywed bod pethau eraill y byddech yn awyddus i barhau i’w hyrwyddo, i ddadlau drostynt, a cheisio sicrhau newidiadau pellach yn y dyfodol.

So, diolch yn fawr unwaith eto i bob un ohonoch chi am bopeth rydych chi wedi'i wneud ac am y cyfle unwaith eto i gwrdd ac i glywed oddi wrthych chi i gyd y prynhawn yma.

So, thank you very much to each and every one of you for everything that you have done and for the opportunity once again to meet with you and to hear from you all this afternoon.

13:15

Diolch. On behalf of the Conservatives, Laura Jones.

Diolch. Ar ran y Ceidwadwyr, Laura Jones.

Diolch, Llywydd. It is a great honour to say a few words on behalf of the official opposition, the Welsh Conservative group, following such articulate and thoughtful contributions from all of our elected Youth Parliament Members.

I feel a great affinity with our Youth Parliament Members, having been the youngest parliamentarian in the UK when I was elected to the Senedd, the then Welsh Assembly, back in 2003 at 24. For me, the establishment of the Welsh Youth Parliament is the standout achievement of this parliamentary term and will stand as one of the great successes in Wales since 1999.

Over the last two and a bit years, Members of the Youth Parliament have made an outstanding contribution to public life in Wales, but, more tangible than that, they have directly influenced law making in this Parliament. When we debated the new Curriculum for Wales in the Children, Young People and Education Committee, the most powerful contributions were those from young people themselves, from you, from the likes of Jonathon, who I can see on my screen now. Your scrutiny and campaigning on the role of life skills in the curriculum has been particularly compelling, and my group completely agree that key skills, such as first aid and British sign language, should be included in the curriculum.

On the issue of plastic waste, as outlined by Ffion-Hâf, you have spoken up for so many young people who are crying out for change, and have come up with some excellent suggestions. We've been motivated by distress at what humans are gradually doing to this planet. And Sir David Attenborough only said yesterday that in some ways we are already too late to prevent some of the drastic effects of climate change, so we really do need to act now, and you've made that abundantly clear.

As outlined by Ffion, you've made meaningful interventions and raised important questions on the issue of young people's mental health too, which has been a taboo subject for far too long. This is a massive area of concern for all of us right now, as you'll see from our contributions in the Senedd across the parties, as we worry about the impact that prolonged lockdowns, school closures and just the inability to socialise with friends is having on young people.

Throughout this pandemic, children and young people have sacrificed so much, largely to keep older and more vulnerable people safe. In the coming months and years, as we emerge from this pandemic, we all have a duty to repay that debt and do far more to support young people and better meet their needs. We as MSs have a responsibility to take action on the issues that matter to you, our youngest generation. 

In conclusion, Llywydd, I'd like to wish all 60 Members of the Welsh Young Parliament well in whatever direction their future careers take them, and thank them so much for all that they've done. They are outstanding representatives of their generation. You should all be so proud of your achievements in just two short years. We all as MSs across the board are certainly proud of each and every one of you. You all clearly have bright futures ahead of you, and you've all given us hope, and we look forward to the contributions of future Youth Parliaments. Thank you. Diolch.

Diolch, Lywydd. Mae'n fraint dweud ychydig eiriau ar ran yr wrthblaid swyddogol, grŵp y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, yn dilyn cyfraniadau mor huawdl a meddylgar gan bob un o'n Haelodau etholedig o’r Senedd Ieuenctid.

Rwy'n teimlo cysylltiad cryf ag Aelodau ein Senedd Ieuenctid, gan mai fi oedd seneddwr ieuengaf y DU pan gefais fy ethol i'r Senedd, Cynulliad Cymru ar y pryd, yn ôl yn 2003 a minnau’n 24 oed. I mi, sefydlu Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru yw cyflawniad mwyaf amlwg y tymor seneddol hwn a bydd yn sefyll allan fel un o lwyddiannau mawr Cymru ers 1999.

Yn ystod yr ychydig dros ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, mae Aelodau’r Senedd Ieuenctid wedi gwneud cyfraniad rhagorol i fywyd cyhoeddus yng Nghymru, ond yn fwy gweladwy na hynny, maent wedi dylanwadu’n uniongyrchol ar ddeddfu yn y Senedd hon. Pan fuom yn trafod y Cwricwlwm newydd i Gymru yn y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg, y cyfraniadau mwyaf pwerus oedd y rhai gan bobl ifanc eu hunain, gennych chi, gan rai fel Jonathon, y gallaf ei weld ar fy sgrin yn awr. Mae eich gwaith craffu a'ch ymgyrchu ar rôl sgiliau bywyd yn y cwricwlwm wedi bod yn arbennig o symbylol, ac mae fy ngrŵp yn cytuno'n llwyr y dylid cynnwys sgiliau allweddol, fel cymorth cyntaf ac iaith arwyddion Prydain, yn y cwricwlwm.

Ar fater gwastraff plastig, fel yr amlinellwyd gan Ffion-Hâf, rydych wedi siarad dros gynifer o bobl ifanc sy'n galw am newid, ac wedi cynnig awgrymiadau rhagorol. Cawsom ein cymell gan ofid ynghylch yr hyn y mae bodau dynol yn ei wneud yn raddol i'r blaned hon. A ddoe ddiwethaf, dywedodd Syr David Attenborough ein bod eisoes yn rhy hwyr mewn rhai ffyrdd i atal rhai o effeithiau mwyaf newid hinsawdd, felly mae gwir angen inni weithredu nawr, ac rydych wedi gwneud hynny'n gwbl glir.

Fel yr amlinellwyd gan Ffion, rydych wedi gwneud ymyriadau ystyrlon ac wedi codi cwestiynau pwysig ar fater iechyd meddwl pobl ifanc hefyd, rhywbeth sydd wedi bod yn fater tabŵ ers gormod lawer o amser. Mae hwn yn destun cryn bryder i bob un ohonom nawr, fel y gwelwch o'n cyfraniadau yn y Senedd ar draws y pleidiau, wrth inni boeni am yr effaith y mae cyfyngiadau symud hirfaith, cau ysgolion a’r anallu i gymdeithasu â ffrindiau yn ei chael ar bobl ifanc.

Drwy gydol y pandemig hwn, mae plant a phobl ifanc wedi aberthu cymaint, yn bennaf er mwyn cadw pobl hŷn a phobl fwy agored i niwed yn ddiogel. Yn ystod y misoedd a'r blynyddoedd nesaf, wrth inni gefnu ar y pandemig hwn, mae'n ddyletswydd ar bob un ohonom i ad-dalu'r ddyled honno a gwneud mwy o lawer i gefnogi pobl ifanc a diwallu eu hanghenion yn well. Mae gennym ni fel Aelodau o’r Senedd gyfrifoldeb i weithredu ar y materion sydd o bwys i chi, ein cenhedlaeth ieuengaf.

I gloi, Lywydd, hoffwn ddymuno'n dda i 60 Aelod Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru ym mha gyfeiriad bynnag y mae eu gyrfaoedd yn y dyfodol yn mynd â hwy, a diolch o galon iddynt am bopeth y maent wedi'i wneud. Maent yn gynrychiolwyr rhagorol i’w cenhedlaeth. Dylai pob un ohonoch fod mor falch o'ch cyflawniadau mewn cwta ddwy flynedd. Mae pob un ohonom fel Aelodau o’r Senedd o bob plaid yn falch o bob un ohonoch. Mae'n amlwg fod gennych oll ddyfodol disglair o'ch blaenau, ac rydych i gyd wedi rhoi gobaith i ni, ac edrychwn ymlaen at gyfraniadau Seneddau Ieuenctid yn y dyfodol. Diolch.

13:20

Arweinydd Plaid Cymru nesaf—Adam Price.

Leader of Plaid Cymru next—Adam Price.

'Llais democrataidd i bobl ifanc Cymru ar lefel genedlaethol ac yn eu grymuso i greu newid.'

Dyna sut roeddech chi, Llywydd, wedi disgrifio'r weledigaeth ar gyfer y Senedd Ieuenctid wrth ei lansio. A heb os, mae'r Senedd Ieuenctid wedi llwyddo i ymgyraedd â'r nod hwnnw a llawer mwy, a dwi'n falch iawn o gael cynnig cefnogaeth fy mhlaid i'r gwaith sydd wedi'i gyflawni hyd yma, a rhoi fy nghefnogaeth lwyr i'r Senedd Ieuenctid flodeuo ymhellach yn ystod oes y Senedd nesaf.

Wrth edrych ymlaen at y Senedd nesaf, wynebu'r dyfodol fyddwn ni. Ac mae'r ddadl heddiw ar sail y pynciau buoch chi'n rhoi sylw iddyn nhw yn ein gwahodd i edrych tua'r dyfodol tu hwnt i COVID, ac yn hoelio sylw ar heriau mawr ein gwlad a'n byd ac argyfyngau niferus ein hoes: yr argyfyngau hinsawdd a bioamrywiaeth, fel dŷn ni wedi clywed; gweddnewid y system addysg er mwyn sicrhau trawsnewidiad cymdeithas a gwireddu potensial pawb sydd yn aelod ohoni; a newid agweddau tuag at a chryfhau darpariaeth iechyd meddwl. Ar sail eich llwyddiant chi fel pobl ifanc dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, dwi'n ffyddiog y byddwn ni gyd yn llwyddo i adeiladu Cymru well. Eich pwysau chi fel pobl ifanc sydd wedi gwneud y gwahaniaeth i sicrhau bydd llesiant meddyliol wedi'i wreiddio fel mater o gyfraith gwlad ym mhob agwedd o'r cwricwlwm newydd.

Mae pobl ifanc wedi arwain newid ar draws y byd, ac yng ngwleidyddiaeth Cymru hefyd dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf—yr argyfwng hinsawdd a'r streiciau hinsawdd yn enghraifft o hyn, a'r sawl protest a gorymdaith a welon ni ar draws Cymru, gan gynnwys un wnaeth orffen ar risiau adeilad y Senedd ei hun. Mae newid yn bosib os mynnwn newid: dyna neges obeithiol greiddiol democratiaeth, a phobl ifanc, yn aml iawn, sydd yn arwain y newid hwnnw. Fe ddangosoch chi hynny unwaith eto ym mis Awst y llynedd, gan orfodi'r Llywodraeth i gydnabod yr amgylchiadau digynsail o ran effaith COVID ar eich addysg. Ac ar annibyniaeth, sef y newid mwyaf radical un, pobl ifanc Cymru sydd eto yn arwain y gad. Dwi yn mawr obeithio y bydd nifer ohonoch ryw ddydd yn cynrychioli'ch cenhedlaeth unwaith eto yn Senedd annibynnol y dyfodol—eich dyfodol chi fydd hi. Ac ar sail yr ysbryd o undod a chreadigaeth a phositifiaeth yr ydych chi wedi dangos, mae yna le i bob un ohonom ni gredu y bydd y dyfodol hynny yn un disglair iawn i ni gyd.

'The youth parliament will give Wales' young people a democratic voice at a national level and empower them to bring about change.'

That's how you, Llywydd, described the vision underpinning the Welsh Young Parliament at its launch. And without doubt, the Youth Parliament has delivered on that and much more, and I'm very pleased to provide my party's support to the work that's been done to date, and to provide my full support to the Youth Parliament in its further development in our next Senedd term.

In looking forward to the next Senedd, we will be facing the future. And the debate today on the basis of those topics that you covered invites us to look to the future beyond COVID, and to focus on the major challenges facing our nation and our world and the numerous crisis of our age: the climate and biodiversity crisis, as we've heard; transforming the education system in order to secure social transformation and to deliver the potential of everyone; and changing attitudes towards and strengthening mental health provision. On the basis of your success as young people over the past few years, I am confident that we will all succeed in building a better Wales. It's pressure from you as young people that's made the difference in ensuring that mental health and well-being will be enshrined in law in all aspects of the new curriculum.

Young people have led change across the world, and in the politics of Wales too over the past few years, and the climate crisis and the climate strikes are an example of this. There have been a number of protests and marches across Wales, including one that finished on the steps of the Senedd itself. Change is possible if we insist upon it: that is the hopeful core message of democracy. And it's very often young people who lead that change. You demonstrated that again in August of last year, forcing the Welsh Government to recognise the unprecedented circumstances in terms of the impact of COVID on your education. And in terms of independence, which would be the most radical change, it's the young people of Wales who are in the vanguard on the issue. And I very much hope that many of you one day will represent your generation once again in the independent Senedd of the future—and it will be your future. And given the spirit of unity and creativity and positivity that you've demonstrated, there is room for each and every one of us to believe that that future will be very bright indeed for us all.

It's truly inspiring to welcome representatives of the Youth Parliament for this Plenary session. I'm sure that some of you will aspire to become our future politicians. So, perhaps I can offer a few words of caution if you should do so. First, in whatever endeavours you find yourself involved, try at all times to keep an open mind. Whatever political philosophy you adopt, always be ready to explore other political views and ideas. Above all, I encourage you to do your research. Do not just take the statements of main media or even social media—delve deeper and attempt to approach every idea and proposition as effectively as possible.

I have to congratulate all of you on the work that you've done. You've made a very great difference to the way the Senedd has operated during the two years that you've been in existence, and you've made absolutely sure that we shall never ever be able to ignore the voice of the youth of Wales again. By creating this institution, I believe the Welsh Parliament has opened up an opportunity for the youth of this country to truly participate in matters that affect you, but don't be disappointed if some of your suggestions and ideas are rejected or not implemented. Sometimes, what we want cannot always be delivered. However, I feel you can rest assured the Senedd will respect and take on board all the views and suggestions you've put forward. After all, that is why it initiated the Youth Parliament in the first place. I thank you all for your participation in the Welsh Parliament, and I wish you well in whatever careers you choose to follow. Thank you, Llywydd.

Mae'n wirioneddol ysbrydoledig gallu croesawu cynrychiolwyr y Senedd Ieuenctid i’r Cyfarfod Llawn hwn. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd rhai ohonoch yn dyheu am ddod yn wleidyddion y dyfodol. Felly, efallai y gallaf gynnig ychydig eiriau o rybudd os gwnewch hynny. Yn gyntaf, pa ymdrechion bynnag y byddwch yn rhan ohonynt, ceisiwch gadw meddwl agored bob amser. Ni waeth pa athroniaeth wleidyddol rydych yn ei mabwysiadu, byddwch yn barod bob amser i archwilio safbwyntiau a syniadau gwleidyddol eraill. Yn anad dim, rwy’n eich annog i wneud eich ymchwil. Peidiwch â bodloni ar dderbyn datganiadau’r prif gyfryngau neu hyd yn oed y cyfryngau cymdeithasol—ymchwiliwch yn ddyfnach a cheisiwch ymdrin â phob syniad a chynnig mor effeithiol â phosibl.

Mae'n rhaid imi longyfarch pob un ohonoch ar y gwaith rydych wedi'i wneud. Rydych wedi gwneud gwahaniaeth mawr iawn i'r ffordd y mae'r Senedd wedi gweithredu yn ystod dwy flynedd eich bodolaeth, ac rydych wedi gwneud yn gwbl sicr na fyddwn byth yn gallu anwybyddu llais pobl ifanc Cymru eto. Drwy greu'r sefydliad hwn, credaf fod Senedd Cymru wedi agor cyfle i bobl ifanc y wlad hon gymryd rhan ystyrlon mewn materion sy'n effeithio arnoch, ond peidiwch â chael eich siomi os caiff rhai o'ch awgrymiadau a'ch syniadau eu gwrthod neu os na chânt eu rhoi ar waith. Weithiau, ni ellir cyflawni'r hyn rydym yn dymuno’i wneud. Fodd bynnag, rwy'n teimlo y gallwch fod yn dawel eich meddwl y bydd y Senedd yn parchu ac yn ystyried yr holl safbwyntiau ac awgrymiadau rydych wedi'u cyflwyno. Wedi'r cyfan, dyna pam y cychwynnodd y Senedd Ieuenctid yn y lle cyntaf. Diolch i bob un ohonoch am gymryd rhan yn Senedd Cymru, ac rwy'n dymuno'n dda i chi ym mha yrfa bynnag y dewiswch ei dilyn. Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd.

13:25

Lynne Neagle sydd nesaf, Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg. Lynne Neagle.

Lynne Neagle, the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee. Lynne Neagle.

Thank you, Llywydd. One of the highlights of my time as Chair of the Senedd's Children, Young People and Education Committee has been the opportunity to watch the Youth Parliament develop. To work with its Members on the scrutiny we undertake as a committee and as a Senedd has been a genuine privilege, and I'm in no doubt that the establishment of the Youth Parliament has enriched the debate on important topics during the fifth Senedd.

Today, we've heard directly from the youth parliamentarians about everything they've achieved since their election. Describing it as impressive is an understatement. As we've heard, the Welsh Youth Parliament has sought to influence key areas of policy, including curriculum reform, emotional and mental health, and littering and plastic waste. These are not small or easy issues. My committee has grappled with two of these topics, so I can certainly say that from experience. We have been enormously grateful for the input and insight shared by the Youth Parliament's inquiries and reports in these areas.

Similarly remarkable, though, has been its ability to provide reactive and timely contributions to developing issues. The Youth Parliament provided important views to our scrutiny of the reasonable punishment Bill, for example, and we know that you've been an important voice in the ongoing discussions about how we manage and recover from the pandemic.

As a committee, we have repeatedly emphasised the importance of hearing directly from children and young people about their experiences. Ensuring that a children's rights approach is adopted for all aspects of policy, legislation and funding has been a key priority for us. As Maisy Evans said, the Welsh Youth Parliament is children's rights in action. The impact of COVID-19 has emphasised more strongly than ever the need to ensure that our children and young people have a voice and that that voice reaches all areas of public life and decision making.

I'd like to draw my remarks to a close with three final points. Firstly, I'd like to take this opportunity to say an enormous thank you to our 60 Welsh youth parliamentarians. You have set an example that will be hard to follow, but one I'm confident will inspire others to engage and participate in future. Secondly, I'd like to encourage any children and young people who are listening to consider putting themselves forward as the next generation of Welsh Youth Parliament Members. As you've heard today, you can really make a difference. Finally, I'd like to place on record my thanks to the team of staff both within the Senedd and within partner organisations who've worked so hard to establish and support the work of these remarkable young people. This last year has tested everyone in all ways, but the resilience shown by our children and young people in Wales, including the Members of our first Welsh Youth Parliament, is a source of inspiration and pride to all of us. Diolch o galon ichi i gyd.

Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. Un o uchafbwyntiau fy nghyfnod fel Cadeirydd Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg y Senedd oedd y cyfle i wylio'r Senedd Ieuenctid yn datblygu. Mae gweithio gyda'i Haelodau ar y gwaith craffu a wnawn fel pwyllgor ac fel Senedd wedi bod yn fraint wirioneddol, ac nid oes gennyf unrhyw amheuaeth nad yw sefydlu'r Senedd Ieuenctid wedi cyfoethogi'r ddadl ar bynciau pwysig yn ystod y bumed Senedd.

Heddiw, rydym wedi clywed yn uniongyrchol gan y seneddwyr ieuenctid am bopeth y maent wedi'i gyflawni ers cael eu hethol. Nid yw’n ddigon ei alw’n drawiadol. Fel y clywsom, mae Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru wedi ceisio dylanwadu ar feysydd polisi allweddol, gan gynnwys diwygio'r cwricwlwm, iechyd emosiynol ac iechyd meddwl, a thaflu sbwriel a gwastraff plastig. Nid yw'r rhain yn faterion bach na hawdd. Mae fy mhwyllgor wedi mynd i’r afael â dau o’r pynciau hyn, felly yn sicr, gallaf ddweud hynny o brofiad. Rydym wedi bod yn hynod ddiolchgar am fewnbwn a mewnwelediad ymholiadau ac adroddiadau'r Senedd Ieuenctid yn y meysydd hyn.

Yr un mor rhyfeddol, serch hynny, fu ei gallu i ddarparu cyfraniadau ymatebol ac amserol i faterion sy'n datblygu. Er enghraifft, cyfrannodd y Senedd Ieuenctid safbwyntiau pwysig i'n gwaith craffu ar y Bil cosb resymol, a gwyddom eich bod wedi bod yn llais pwysig yn y trafodaethau parhaus ynglŷn â sut rydym yn rheoli ac yn adfer wedi’r pandemig.

Dro ar ôl tro, rydym fel pwyllgor wedi pwysleisio pwysigrwydd clywed yn uniongyrchol gan blant a phobl ifanc am eu profiadau. Blaenoriaeth allweddol i ni oedd sicrhau bod dull o weithredu yn seiliedig ar hawliau plant yn cael ei fabwysiadu ar gyfer pob agwedd ar bolisi, deddfwriaeth a chyllid. Fel y dywedodd Maisy Evans, mae Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru yn adlewyrchiad o hawliau plant ar waith. Mae effaith COVID-19 wedi pwysleisio’n gryfach nag erioed yr angen i sicrhau bod gan ein plant a’n pobl ifanc lais a bod y llais hwnnw’n cyrraedd pob agwedd ar fywyd cyhoeddus a gwneud penderfyniadau.

Hoffwn gloi fy sylwadau gyda thri phwynt terfynol. Yn gyntaf, hoffwn achub ar y cyfle hwn i ddiolch o galon i'n 60 seneddwr ieuenctid yng Nghymru. Rydych wedi gosod esiampl a fydd yn anodd ei dilyn, ond rwy'n hyderus y bydd yn ysbrydoli eraill i ymgysylltu a chymryd rhan yn y dyfodol. Yn ail, hoffwn annog unrhyw blant a phobl ifanc sy'n gwrando i ystyried ymgeisio i fod yn rhan o’r genhedlaeth nesaf o Aelodau Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru. Fel y clywsoch heddiw, gallwch wneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol. Yn olaf, hoffwn gofnodi fy niolch i dîm y staff yn y Senedd ac yn y sefydliadau partner sydd wedi gweithio mor galed i sefydlu a chefnogi gwaith y bobl ifanc hynod hyn. Mae'r flwyddyn ddiwethaf hon wedi bod yn her i bawb ym mhob ffordd, ond mae'r gwytnwch a ddangoswyd gan ein plant a'n pobl ifanc yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys Aelodau ein Senedd Ieuenctid gyntaf yng Nghymru, yn ysbrydoliaeth ac yn destun balchder i bob un ohonom. Diolch o galon ichi i gyd.

13:30

Diolch, Lynne. And just like you, Lynne, the Youth Parliament has been one of my highlights in my term as Llywydd. We spend a lot of time in our Senedd at the moment discussing jabs in arms; the Youth Parliament has been a jab of hope in my arm over the past two years. I've loved the diversity of your backgrounds and the diversity of your political views, but all coming together to try and find common cause for the good of your communities, your peers, and for your nation. I've no doubt that this will not be the last Senedd meeting for some of you—some of you will be back at some point. But, in the meantime,

Diolch, Lynne. Ac yn union fel chi, Lynne, mae'r Senedd Ieuenctid wedi bod yn un o uchafbwyntiau fy nhymor fel Llywydd. Rydym yn treulio cryn dipyn o amser yn ein Senedd ar hyn o bryd yn trafod pigiadau mewn breichiau; mae'r Senedd Ieuenctid wedi bod yn bigiad o obaith yn fy mraich i dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf. Rwyf wedi dwli ar amrywiaeth eich cefndiroedd ac amrywiaeth eich safbwyntiau gwleidyddol, ond gan ddod at eich gilydd i geisio dod o hyd i dir cyffredin er budd eich cymunedau, eich cyfoedion, a’ch cenedl. Nid oes amheuaeth gennyf nad hwn fydd y cyfarfod Senedd olaf i rai ohonoch—bydd rhai ohonoch yn ôl ar ryw bwynt Ond yn y cyfamser,

diolch i chi am bopeth ŷch chi wedi ei gyfrannu.

thanks for all you've contributed.

Thank you for everything you've achieved in these last two years and your legacy will live on into the next Youth Parliament, and beyond.

Diolch am bopeth rydych wedi'i gyflawni yn ystod y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf a bydd eich gwaddol yn parhau yn y Senedd Ieuenctid nesaf, a thu hwnt.

Felly, diolch yn fawr iawn.

So, thank you very much.

I bring this part of the meeting to a close, and we'll suspend proceedings for a few minutes, before we recommence formally as just the one Senedd.

Rwy'n dod â'r rhan hon o'r cyfarfod i ben, ac fe wnawn ni atal y cyfarfod am ychydig funudau, cyn inni ailgychwyn yn ffurfiol fel un Senedd yn unig.

Diolch, bawb.

Thank you, all.

Ataliwyd y Cyfarfod Llawn am 13:31.

Ailymgynullodd y Senedd am 13:34, gyda'r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.

Plenary was suspended at 13:31.

The Senedd reconvened at 13:34, with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.

2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol
2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol sydd i ddilyn nawr. Ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Jayne Bryant.

We now move to questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services. And the first question is from Jayne Bryant.

Parafeddygon a Gwasanaeth Ambiwlans Cymru
Paramedics and the Welsh Ambulance Service

1. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi parafeddygon a Gwasanaeth Ambiwlans Cymru? OQ56334

1. How is the Welsh Government supporting paramedics and the Welsh Ambulance Service? OQ56334

The Welsh Government has provided a range of initiatives to support paramedics and the ambulance service, including £1.6 million investment to expand the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service, and £10.9 million for new operational vehicles, which of course are green and will reduce the carbon footprint of the organisation.

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi darparu ystod o fentrau i gefnogi parafeddygon a’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans, gan gynnwys buddsoddiad o £1.6 miliwn i ehangu’r Gwasanaeth Casglu a Throsglwyddo Meddygol Brys, a £10.9 miliwn ar gyfer cerbydau gweithredol newydd, sydd wrth gwrs yn wyrdd a byddant yn lleihau ôl troed carbon y sefydliad.

Thank you for that answer, Minister. This last year has been an incredibly hard time for everyone at the Welsh ambulance service, from the paramedics who've been on the front line to the dedicated staff in the control rooms and those staff who support the service. Sadly, we saw earlier this month that the Welsh ambulance service lost a fourth member of staff to coronavirus: Kevin Hughes, aged 41 from Anglesey. Many members of staff are physically and mentally fatigued due to the increased pressure on an already busy service. Support and protection is needed, such as the supply of PPE, investment in vehicles and equipment, as well as investment in the workforce.

Can the Minister outline what more can be done to support our ambulance service workforce, both over the coming months, and as we come out of the pandemic?

Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Mae'r flwyddyn ddiwethaf hon wedi bod yn gyfnod anhygoel o anodd i bawb yng ngwasanaeth ambiwlans Cymru, o'r parafeddygon sydd wedi bod ar y rheng flaen i'r staff ymroddedig yn yr ystafelloedd rheoli a'r staff sy'n cynnal y gwasanaeth. Yn anffodus, gwelsom yn gynharach y mis hwn fod gwasanaeth ambiwlans Cymru wedi colli pedwerydd aelod o staff i’r coronafeirws: Kevin Hughes, 41 oed o Ynys Môn. Mae llawer o aelodau staff wedi blino’n gorfforol ac yn feddyliol oherwydd y pwysau cynyddol ar wasanaeth sydd eisoes yn brysur. Mae angen cymorth a diogelwch, megis cyflenwad o gyfarpar diogelu personol, buddsoddiad mewn cerbydau ac offer, ynghyd â buddsoddiad yn y gweithlu.

A all y Gweinidog amlinellu beth arall y gellir ei wneud i gefnogi gweithlu ein gwasanaeth ambiwlans, dros y misoedd nesaf, ac wrth inni gefnu ar y pandemig?

13:35

Yes, thank you. I've outlined the increased investment in new vehicles in my initial response. We continue to look at the fleet to make sure it's appropriate, both for the emergency side of the service, but also the urgent care and patient transport side of the service as well.

When it comes to well-being, we've worked with social partners, so that's our NHS Wales employers and trade unions, to have a multilayered well-being offer for health and social care workers in Wales, including in particular paramedics as well. So, there's a confidential Samaritans listening support line, funded by the Welsh Government, dedicated for health and care workers in Wales. We have a number of free-to-access health and well-being support apps, like Mind, Sleepio and SilverCloud. We have a range of different resources and, on the Health Education and Improvement Wales website, there's a useful list of what all of those resources are. And it's a matter I regularly discuss with the trade unions in my regular update with them, as well as the partnership arrangements in place.

On PPE, we continue to have a successful delivery of PPE for our front-line workers. The vast majority of PPE issued—there have been over 647 million items issued in the last year to health and social care—the vast majority were directly sourced by the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, with all contracts awarded subject to robust governance. That includes protection from fraudulent or substandard PPE. So, in Wales, on PPE procurement, there have been no party favours, no VIP lane, no chumocracy. Everyone in Wales should take real pride, I believe, in the way we have continued to provide high-quality PPE for our front-line health and social care staff. 

Ie, diolch. Rwyf wedi amlinellu'r buddsoddiad cynyddol mewn cerbydau newydd yn fy ymateb cychwynnol. Rydym yn parhau i edrych ar y fflyd i sicrhau ei bod yn addas, ar gyfer ochr y gwasanaeth argyfwng, ond hefyd ar ochr gofal brys a chludo cleifion y gwasanaeth hefyd.

O ran llesiant, rydym wedi gweithio gyda phartneriaid cymdeithasol, felly ein cyflogwyr ac undebau llafur GIG Cymru, i ddarparu cynnig llesiant amlhaen ar gyfer gweithwyr iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys parafeddygon yn arbennig hefyd. Felly, mae llinell wrando gyfrinachol gan y Samariaid a ariennir gan Lywodraeth Cymru, yn arbennig ar gyfer gweithwyr iechyd a gofal yng Nghymru. Mae gennym nifer o apiau cymorth iechyd a llesiant rhad ac am ddim, fel Mind, Sleepio a SilverCloud. Mae gennym ystod o wahanol adnoddau, ac ar wefan Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru, ceir rhestr ddefnyddiol o’r holl adnoddau hynny. Ac mae'n fater rwy'n ei drafod yn rheolaidd gyda'r undebau llafur yn fy sesiynau diweddaru rheolaidd gyda hwy, yn ogystal â'r trefniadau partneriaeth sydd ar waith.

O ran cyfarpar diogelu personol, rydym yn parhau i ddarparu cyfarpar diogelu personol i'n gweithwyr rheng flaen. Mae’r mwyafrif helaeth o gyfarpar diogelu personol a ddarparwyd—darparwyd dros 647 miliwn o eitemau yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf i iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol—daeth y mwyafrif helaeth yn uniongyrchol gan Bartneriaeth Cydwasanaethau GIG Cymru, gyda’r holl gontractau a roddwyd yn ddarostyngedig i lywodraethu cadarn. Mae hynny'n cynnwys amddiffyniad rhag cyfarpar diogelu personol ffug neu ansafonol. Felly, yng Nghymru, ar gaffael cyfarpar diogelu personol, ni chafwyd unrhyw ffafriaeth bleidiol, dim llwybr ar gyfer pwysigion, na ffrindocratiaeth. Rwy'n credu y dylai pawb yng Nghymru ymfalchïo yn y ffordd rydym wedi parhau i ddarparu cyfarpar diogelu personol o ansawdd uchel i'n staff iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol ar y rheng flaen.

I'm sure the Minister will join me in thanking all the ambulance service for all they're doing in such harrowing and difficult circumstances. Minister, last month, it was reported that concerns had been raised that some front-line ambulance staff were refusing to be vaccinated against coronavirus. This obviously poses obvious risks. The director of workforce and organisational development at the Welsh ambulance service confirmed that some staff had refused the vaccine, but that numbers were not being recorded. Can you, Minister, advise why this important information is not available, and can you advise what action is being taken to address the concerns of the ambulance staff who are reluctant to receive the vaccine? Thank you. 

Rwy'n siŵr y bydd y Gweinidog yn ategu fy niolch i'r gwasanaeth ambiwlans cyfan am bopeth a wnânt mewn amgylchiadau mor ddirdynnol ac anodd. Weinidog, y mis diwethaf, cafwyd adroddiadau fod pryderon wedi eu mynegi fod rhai staff ambiwlans rheng flaen yn gwrthod cael eu brechu rhag y coronafeirws. Mae hyn yn creu risgiau amlwg wrth gwrs. Cadarnhaodd cyfarwyddwr gweithlu a datblygu sefydliadol gwasanaeth ambiwlans Cymru fod rhai staff wedi gwrthod y brechlyn, ond nad oedd y niferoedd yn cael eu cofnodi. A allwch ddweud wrthym, Weinidog, pam nad yw'r wybodaeth bwysig hon ar gael, ac a allwch roi gwybod i ni pa gamau sy'n cael eu cymryd i fynd i'r afael â phryderon y staff ambiwlans sy'n gyndyn o gael y brechlyn? Diolch.

I don't have an individual figure to hand today on the number of front-line staff who have not taken up the offer of the vaccine. We do know we've got incredibly high levels of take-up from our front-line staff, including within the ambulance service. We also know that, unfortunately, there is a sewer of anti-vax information that, in particular, concerns people of working age, with some particularly outrageous claims made about both male and female fertility. So, we do understand there are people with real concerns about that misinformation. 

There will also be a limited group of people who will have medical reasons why the vaccine isn't appropriate for them. That's a very small number of people, but I expect the matter to be not just resolved by the employer and trade unions working together, but by the positive encouragement for people to take up the vaccine. And I should say that I join with not just yourself, but also Jayne Bryant, in her recognition of what paramedics have done and all across the ambulance service. It's a much more wide-ranging organisation than the emergency end of the system, and the way in which they've had support from the military in undertaking their task, in making sure vehicles are ready, it's been a real team Wales effort, and I think everyone, as I say, should take real pride in what they continue to do in these, the most challenging of circumstances. 

Nid oes gennyf ffigur unigol wrth law heddiw o ran nifer y staff rheng flaen nad ydynt wedi manteisio ar y cynnig i gael y brechlyn. Gwyddom fod lefelau anhygoel o uchel o’n staff rheng flaen wedi’i gael, gan gynnwys yn y gwasanaeth ambiwlans. Gwyddom hefyd, yn anffodus, fod yna garthffos o wybodaeth wrth-frechu sy'n ymwneud yn arbennig â phobl o oedran gweithio, gyda rhai honiadau arbennig o warthus yn cael eu gwneud am ffrwythlondeb dynion a menywod. Felly, rydym yn deall bod gan rai pobl bryderon gwirioneddol am y wybodaeth anghywir honno.

Hefyd, bydd gan grŵp cyfyngedig o bobl resymau meddygol pam nad yw'r brechlyn yn briodol ar eu cyfer hwy. Mae honno’n nifer fach iawn o bobl, ond rwy'n disgwyl i'r mater gael ei ddatrys nid yn unig gan y cyflogwr a'r undebau llafur yn gweithio gyda'i gilydd, ond gyda'r anogaeth gadarnhaol i bobl gael y brechlyn. A dylwn ddweud fy mod yn eich ategu chi, a Jayne Bryant hefyd, gyda’i chydnabyddiaeth o'r hyn y mae parafeddygon wedi'i wneud ac ym mhob rhan o'r gwasanaeth ambiwlans. Mae'n sefydliad llawer mwy eang na phen brys y system, ac mae'r ffordd y maent wedi cael cymorth gan y fyddin i gyflawni eu tasg, a sicrhau bod cerbydau'n barod, mae wedi bod yn ymdrech ‘tîm Cymru’ go iawn, a chredaf y dylai pawb, fel y dywedaf, ymfalchïo yn yr hyn y maent yn parhau i'w wneud yn yr amgylchiadau hynod heriol hyn.

Cwestiwn 2 i'w ofyn gan Mike Hedges ac i'w ateb gan y Dirprwy Weinidog Iechyd a Gwasnaethau Cymdeithasol. Mike Hedges.

Question 2 to be asked by Mike Hedges and to be answered by the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services. Mike Hedges.

Pobl sy’n Byw ar eu Pennau eu Hunain
People Living Alone

2. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am y cymorth sydd ar gael i bobl sy’n byw ar eu pennau eu hunain yn ystod y pandemig COVID-19 i osgoi’r perygl o unigrwydd ac unigedd? OQ56300

2. Will the Minister make a statement on the support available to people living alone during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid the risk of loneliness and isolation? OQ56300

We have taken a number of actions to support people to stay connected with family and friends, including additional funding for the third sector and local government, and for mental health and emotional support services. Our regulations also allow people to form an extended household if they live alone. 

Rydym wedi cymryd nifer o gamau i gynorthwyo pobl i gadw mewn cysylltiad â theulu a ffrindiau, gan gynnwys cyllid ychwanegol ar gyfer y trydydd sector a llywodraeth leol, ac ar gyfer gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl a chymorth emosiynol. Mae ein rheoliadau hefyd yn caniatáu i bobl ffurfio aelwyd estynedig os ydynt yn byw ar eu pen eu hunain.

13:40

Can I thank the Minister for her response? And I know that she shares my concern regarding loneliness and isolation. No-one should go a day without speaking to someone, but, unfortunately, many do. Does the Minister agree we need to ensure either whole contact or virtual meetings for those living alone, who don't have any family who they can form a bubble with, to ensure that they have priority in being dealt with, especially when they're self-isolating and they have to keep away from people anyway? The COVID crisis will eventually end, but unless action is taken loneliness and isolation will not. Does the Minister agree with me that we need to take action to ensure that people have daily contact with somebody?

A gaf fi ddiolch i'r Gweinidog am ei hymateb? A gwn ei bod yn rhannu fy mhryder ynghylch pobl sy'n teimlo'n unig ac yn ynysig. Ni ddylai unrhyw un fynd ddiwrnod heb siarad â rhywun, ond yn anffodus, mae llawer yn gwneud hynny. A yw'r Gweinidog yn cytuno bod angen inni sicrhau naill ai cyswllt cyfan neu gyfarfodydd rhithwir ar gyfer y rheini sy'n byw ar eu pen eu hunain nad oes ganddynt unrhyw deulu y gallant ffurfio swigen gyda hwy, er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn rhoi blaenoriaeth i ymdrin â hwy, yn enwedig pan fyddant yn hunanynysu a bod rhaid iddynt gadw draw oddi wrth bobl beth bynnag? Bydd argyfwng COVID yn dod i ben yn y pen draw, ond oni roddir camau ar waith, bydd pobl yn dal i deimlo'n unig ac yn ynysig. A yw'r Gweinidog yn cytuno â mi fod angen inni roi camau ar waith i sicrhau bod pobl yn dod i gysylltiad â rhywun bob dydd?

Thank you very much, Mike, for that question. And can I thank you for consistently raising in this Chamber issues related to loneliness and also issues related to older people? Because I know you chair the cross-party group on older people, which I attended recently, so thank you very much for that.

Yes, I believe it's absolutely crucial that we do all we possibly can to make contact with people who are lonely. I think that we know that in this pandemic those people who were lonely to begin with are now much more lonely, and particular groups are likely to be lonely, including older people, but, of course, younger people as well, and other groups, such as disabled people suffer from loneliness specifically.

I have responded, in similar questions, to make reference to the Friend in Need initiative, which was organised by Age Cymru, which guarantees a telephone call every week to an older people who is lonely, which I think is the sort of initiative that Mike Hedges would support, because it is giving that contact. So, we actually give £400,000 to Age Cymru to deliver that. And I've actually taken part in one of the sessions, and I can see how much it means to a lonely person to be able to talk over the week to a volunteer, who is often an older person themselves, but who has been trained to specifically take part in this project. So, yes, that reaches a small number of people, but it's initiatives like that, and the other initiatives that I referred to in my first answer, that I think are crucial that we continue to carry out in this pandemic.

Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich cwestiwn, Mike. Ac a gaf fi ddiolch i chi am godi materion sy’n ymwneud ag unigrwydd yn gyson yn y Siambr hon, yn ogystal â materion sy’n ymwneud â phobl hŷn? Oherwydd gwn eich bod yn cadeirio'r grŵp trawsbleidiol ar bobl hŷn, a fynychais yn ddiweddar, felly diolch yn fawr iawn am hynny.

Ie, credaf ei bod yn gwbl hanfodol ein bod yn gwneud popeth yn ein gallu i gysylltu â phobl sy'n unig. Credaf ein bod yn gwybod, yn y pandemig hwn, fod y bobl a oedd eisoes yn unig yn fwy unig o lawer bellach, a bod grwpiau penodol yn debygol o fod yn unig, gan gynnwys pobl hŷn, ond wrth gwrs, mae pobl iau hefyd, a grwpiau eraill, fel pobl anabl, yn dioddef o unigrwydd yn enwedig.

Rwyf wedi ymateb, mewn cwestiynau tebyg, gan gyfeirio at fenter Ffrind Mewn Angen, a drefnwyd gan Age Cymru, sy'n gwarantu galwad ffôn bob wythnos i bobl hŷn sy'n unig, sef y math o fenter y credaf y byddai Mike Hedges yn ei chefnogi, gan ei bod yn darparu’r cyswllt hwnnw. Felly, rydym yn rhoi £400,000 i Age Cymru i gyflawni'r fenter honno. Ac rwyf wedi cymryd rhan yn un o'r sesiynau, a gallaf weld faint y mae'n ei olygu i unigolyn unig allu siarad am yr wythnos gyda gwirfoddolwr, sy'n aml yn unigolyn hŷn eu hunain, ond sydd wedi cael eu hyfforddi’n benodol i gymryd rhan yn y prosiect hwn. Felly, ydy, mae hynny'n cyrraedd nifer fach o bobl, ond credaf ei bod yn hanfodol ein bod yn parhau i gynnal mentrau fel hynny, a'r mentrau eraill y cyfeiriais atynt yn fy ateb cyntaf, yn y pandemig hwn.

Thank you for your answers, Minister. There's very little I can add actually to the excellent points that have just been made by Mike Hedges in his question, other than to reiterate some of those issues. As you said, the health risks of loneliness and isolation were there prior to the pandemic. So, in many ways, those issues have been exacerbated by the pandemic, and it's not just for older people, it seems to be across a wider section of society. So, as we emerge from this difficult time, and we are seeing this reality for people who haven't previously experienced it, what strategy are you developing to help people suffering from mental health issues, which we know are on the increase, and also, specifically, to tackle this loneliness aspect of those issues?

Diolch am eich atebion, Weinidog. Ychydig iawn y gallaf ei ychwanegu at y pwyntiau rhagorol sydd newydd gael eu gwneud gan Mike Hedges yn ei gwestiwn, heblaw am ailadrodd rhai o'r materion hynny. Fel y dywedasoch, roedd y peryglon i iechyd a ddeilliai o deimlo'n unig ac yn ynysig yn bodoli cyn y pandemig. Felly, mewn sawl ffordd, mae'r pandemig wedi gwaethygu'r problemau hynny, ac nid i bobl hŷn yn unig, ond ar draws rhan ehangach o'r gymdeithas yn ôl pob golwg. Felly, wrth inni ddod drwy’r cyfnod anodd hwn, a gweld y realiti hwn i bobl nad ydynt wedi’i brofi o'r blaen, pa strategaeth rydych yn ei datblygu i helpu pobl sy'n dioddef problemau iechyd meddwl, gan y gwyddom fod hynny ar gynnydd, a hefyd, yn benodol, i fynd i'r afael ag elfen unigrwydd y problemau hynny?

Thank you very much, Nick, for that question. I absolutely agree that it is widespread. I think we tend to think of it as older people who are suffering from loneliness, but it's specifically younger people, and, as I said earlier, disabled people, people from the black and minority and ethnic community and people suffering from mental health problems. This has all been an additional difficult time for them. So, we've certainly recognised this by the funding that we have put in, with additional funding for mental health support—an additional £42 million for mental health in our draft budget to support this—because we certainly see the effects of this pandemic as carrying on beyond the period of the pandemic, and there will be some scars on people that we'll have to continue to work with. So, as I say, we're putting extra money in for the mental health support, and we'll be doing all we can to continue some of this support for people who have experienced loneliness, and some of them in a way that they haven't experienced it before. 

Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich cwestiwn, Nick. Cytunaf yn llwyr ei bod yn broblem eang. Credaf ein bod yn tueddu i feddwl mai pobl hŷn sy'n dioddef o unigrwydd, ond mae’n cynnwys pobl iau yn benodol, ac fel y dywedais yn gynharach, pobl anabl, pobl o gymunedau du a lleiafrifoedd ethnig a phobl sy'n dioddef problemau iechyd meddwl. Mae hwn wedi bod yn gyfnod anos byth iddynt hwy. Felly, rydym yn sicr wedi cydnabod hyn drwy'r cyllid rydym wedi'i ddarparu, gyda chyllid ychwanegol ar gyfer cymorth iechyd meddwl—£42 miliwn ychwanegol ar gyfer iechyd meddwl yn ein cyllideb ddrafft i gefnogi hyn—gan ein bod yn sicr yn disgwyl i effeithiau'r pandemig hwn barhau y tu hwnt i gyfnod y pandemig, a bydd gan bobl greithiau y bydd yn rhaid inni barhau i weithio gyda hwy. Felly, fel y dywedaf, rydym yn darparu arian ychwanegol ar gyfer cymorth iechyd meddwl, a byddwn yn gwneud popeth a allwn i barhau â rhywfaint o'r cymorth hwn i bobl sydd wedi dioddef unigrwydd, a rhai ohonynt mewn ffordd nad ydynt wedi’i phrofi o'r blaen.

Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Lefarwyr y Pleidiau
Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth. 

Questions now from the party spokespeople. Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Rhun ap Iorwerth. 

Diolch, Llywydd. Weinidog, mi fyddwch chi'n ymwybodol bod grŵp o sefydliadau wedi ysgrifennu at Brif Weinidog y Deyrnas Unedig ynglŷn â mesurau i warchod gweithwyr iechyd a gofal rhag y feirws. Maen nhw'n dweud bod camau i leihau trosglwyddiad o'r feirws drwy'r awyr wedi bod yn annigonol ac maen nhw'n galw am wella safon awyru ac am newid canllawiau PPE er mwyn gwarchod y gweithlu. A wnewch chi fod yn rhagweithiol wrth ymateb i'r galwadau yna a chydnabod bod ein dealltwriaeth ni o drosglwyddiad drwy'r awyr wedi newid yn fawr iawn dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf ac y dylai negeseuo iechyd cyhoeddus, yn ogystal â chanllawiau gwarchod staff, newid i adlewyrchu hynny, yn cynnwys rhoi mwy o bwyslais ar bwysigrwydd awyr iach?

Thank you, Llywydd. Minister, you will be aware that a group of organisations wrote to the UK Prime Minister on measures to protect health and care workers from the virus. They say that steps to reduce airborne transmission have been insufficient and they are calling for an improvement in ventilation and for changes in PPE guidance in order to protect the workforce. Will you work proactively in responding to those demands and recognise that our understanding of airborne transmission has changed considerably over the past 12 months and that public health messaging, as well as that protection guidance, should be amended to reflect that, including putting more emphasis on the importance of fresh air?

13:45

I'm happy to say that in regular Welsh Government messaging, we highlight the importance of good ventilation, and that's in not just press conferences and other events that I do, but from others—from the chief medical officer, the deputy chief medical officer and indeed the First Minister, who has highlighted this as well. I know that that's practically been taken on board. For example, we have made sure that my son has an extra layer of clothing because windows in his classroom were open when he returned to school. So, the message is being taken up on ventilation in a much more significant and sustained manner than, to be fair, it would have been at the start of the pandemic.

When it comes to the review of the adequacy of personal protective equipment, that's a matter where we do regularly undertake reviews. The lead for that is the deputy chief medical officer, Professor Chris Jones. He regularly engages with other colleagues across the UK to make sure that our guidance is up to date. I understand the concerns that some people have about whether the current version of the PPE is the right version of PPE, given that we have a more transmissible variant of the virus—the Kent variant—in place as the dominant variant in Wales, but the latest review shows that our current standards are appropriate, and, as ever, they're always under review.

Rwy'n hapus i ddweud ein bod, mewn negeseuon rheolaidd gan Lywodraeth Cymru, yn tynnu sylw at bwysigrwydd awyru da, a chaiff hynny ei wneud nid yn unig mewn cynadleddau i'r wasg a digwyddiadau eraill a wnaf, ond gan eraill—gan y prif swyddog meddygol, y dirprwy brif swyddog meddygol ac yn wir y Prif Weinidog, sydd wedi tynnu sylw at hyn hefyd. Gwn fod hynny wedi'i ystyried yn ymarferol. Er enghraifft, rydym wedi sicrhau bod gan fy mab haen ychwanegol o ddillad oherwydd bod ffenestri yn ei ystafell ddosbarth ar agor pan ddychwelodd i'r ysgol. Felly, mae'r neges yn cael ei lledaenu ar awyru mewn modd llawer mwy arwyddocaol a chyson nag y byddai wedi bod ar ddechrau'r pandemig, a bod yn deg.

Pan ddaw'n fater o adolygu pa mor ddigonol yw cyfarpar diogelu personol, mae hwnnw'n fater rydym yn ei adolygu'n rheolaidd. Y sawl sy'n arwain ar hynny yw'r dirprwy brif swyddog meddygol, yr Athro Chris Jones. Mae'n ymgysylltu'n rheolaidd â chymheiriaid eraill ledled y DU i sicrhau bod ein canllawiau'n cael eu diweddaru. Deallaf y pryderon sydd gan rai pobl o ran p'un ai fersiwn gyfredol o'r cyfarpar diogelu personol yw'r fersiwn gywir o gyfarpar diogelu personol, o gofio bod gennym amrywiolyn mwy trosglwyddadwy o'r feirws—amrywiolyn Caint—yn lledaenu fel yr amrywiolyn mwyaf cyffredin yng Nghymru, ond mae'r adolygiad diweddaraf yn dangos bod ein safonau presennol yn briodol, ac fel arfer, cânt eu hadolygu'n barhaus.

Diolch. Dwi am droi nawr at effaith hirdymor COVID-19. Mae'n wych bod y broses frechu yn datblygu'n dda, ond bydd yna lawer, wrth gwrs, yn aros yn hir iawn cyn cael brechiad, yn cynnwys pobl ifanc, ac mae hwythau yn agored i risg acíwt , difrifol, fel rydyn ni wedi'i weld yn y ffordd fwyaf poenus yn Ynys Môn dros y dyddiau diwethaf yn sgil marwolaethau dau ŵr ifanc, Kevin Hughes a Huw Gethin Jones. Dwi'n gwybod fy mod i'n siarad ar ran y Senedd i gyd wrth anfon ein cydymdeimlad at eu teuluoedd nhw heddiw. Ond i'r rheini fydd yn ddigon ffodus i beidio â datblygu salwch difrifol, rydyn ni'n dod i ddeall mwy a mwy o hyd am beryglon COVID hir. 

Mi wnes i gyfarfod yr wythnos yma efo mudiad Long Covid Wales a thrafod yr angen am lawer mwy o fuddsoddiad mewn gofal COVID hir, sy'n wahanol i rehab ôl-COVID. Mae eisiau gofal iechyd i ddioddefwyr COVID hir. Dwi'n nodi heddiw, mae'n digwydd bod, bod yna £750,000 ychwanegol wedi'i glustnodi yn yr Alban ar gyfer gofal COVID hir. A gawn ni ymrwymiad o fwy o adnoddau i gynnig y gofal yma ac, yn allweddol, i sicrhau ei fod ar gael ym mhob rhan o Gymru? Achos ar hyn o bryd, rydych chi yn llawer mwy tebygol o gael unrhyw fath o ofal os ydych chi'n byw yn y de-ddwyrain. 

Thank you. I want to turn now to the long-term impact of COVID-19. It's wonderful that the vaccination process is developing well, but many people will wait a long time before getting a vaccination, including young people, and they are also open to acute and serious risk, as we have seen in the most painful manner on Anglesey over the past few days in light of the deaths of two young men, Kevin Hughes and Huw Gethin Jones. I know that I speak on behalf of the whole of the Senedd as we send our condolences to their families today. But for those who will be fortunate enough not to develop serious illness, we are coming to understand more and more of the dangers of long COVID.

I met this week with the organisation Long Covid Wales and discussed the need for far more investment in long COVID care, which is different to post-COVID rehab. We need healthcare for the sufferers of long COVID. I note, today, that an additional £750,000 has been allocated in Scotland for long COVID care. Can we have a commitment of enhanced resources to provide this care and, crucially, to ensure that it's available in all parts of Wales? Because at the moment, you are far more likely to get care if you are living in the south-east of Wales. 

This is a matter that I do take seriously. I'll be writing imminently to the health committee in response to the Chair's letter on behalf of the committee on long COVID with a series of questions within that. We'll set out what we are doing and the work we are undertaking on the long COVID pathway we've agreed as well. I think it's really important to understand that, when we talk about long COVID, we're talking about a variety of impacts, because this is not a commonly experienced condition, in the sense that the symptoms may vary. You may have people who have never been to a hospital, but have never fully recovered and have recurrent symptoms that have an impact on their day-to-day activities. You may also have people suffering from a much more significant impact and there may be people with different organ damage, with longer term consequences as well. We're looking to have an approach that takes account of the different impacts on different people and we recognise that this will require a multidisciplinary approach.

It's part of the reason why we've worked with colleagues in primary care, as well as secondary care, in understanding how to put together a pathway and to make sure that primary care colleagues are equipped to refer people to the appropriate part of that pathway as well. That will be really important for the future, because the honest truth is that today we don't have enough understanding to set up a definitive treatment pathway that will do for everything and anything in the future. We will continue to learn, which is why we continue to invest in research around long COVID. It's why, whatever happens on the first Thursday in May, the next Government will continue to need to reassess the state of our knowledge and our understanding and will, again, need to return to the current pathway we have in place to make sure it's still appropriate and to understand as further advances in care and treatment are provided. So, this is a moving picture but one that we're committed to return to, because I recognise this is going to be one of the longer term impacts of COVID. It's a success story that so many people have recovered, but the nature of that recovery will be varying and there will be recurrent episodes for a number of people. 

Mae hwn yn fater rwy'n ei ystyried yn bwysig iawn. Gyda hyn, byddaf yn ysgrifennu at y pwyllgor iechyd mewn ymateb i lythyr y Cadeirydd ar ran y pwyllgor ar COVID hir gyda chyfres o gwestiynau. Byddwn yn nodi'r hyn rydym yn ei wneud a'r gwaith rydym yn ei wneud ar y llwybr COVID hir rydym wedi cytuno arno hefyd. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn deall, pan fyddwn yn sôn am COVID hir, ein bod yn sôn am amrywiaeth o effeithiau, oherwydd nid yw hwn yn gyflwr cyffredinol ei natur, yn yr ystyr y gallai'r symptomau amrywio. Efallai fod gennych bobl nad ydynt wedi bod yn yr ysbyty, ond nad ydynt wedi gwella'n llwyr ac sy'n profi symptomau cyson sy'n effeithio ar eu gweithgareddau o ddydd i ddydd. Efallai y bydd gennych hefyd bobl sy'n dioddef o effaith lawer mwy sylweddol ac efallai y bydd pobl yn dioddef niwed i wahanol organau, gyda chanlyniadau tymor hwy yn ogystal. Rydym yn awyddus i gael dull sy'n ystyried y gwahanol effeithiau ar wahanol bobl ac rydym yn cydnabod y bydd hyn yn galw am ddull amlddisgyblaethol o weithredu.

Mae'n rhan o'r rheswm pam rydym wedi gweithio gyda chymheiriaid mewn gofal sylfaenol, yn ogystal â gofal eilaidd, i ddeall sut i lunio llwybr ac i sicrhau bod gan gymheiriaid gofal sylfaenol allu i atgyfeirio pobl at y rhan briodol o'r llwybr hwnnw hefyd. Bydd hynny'n bwysig iawn ar gyfer y dyfodol, oherwydd y gwir amdani yw nad oes gennym ddigon o ddealltwriaeth heddiw i sefydlu llwybr triniaeth diffiniol a fydd yn gwneud y tro ar gyfer popeth ac unrhyw beth yn y dyfodol. Byddwn yn parhau i ddysgu, a dyna pam ein bod yn parhau i fuddsoddi mewn ymchwil ar COVID hir. Dyna pam y bydd angen i'r Llywodraeth nesaf ailasesu ein gwybodaeth a'n dealltwriaeth beth bynnag fydd yn digwydd ar y dydd Iau cyntaf o fis Mai ac unwaith eto, bydd angen iddi ddychwelyd at y llwybr presennol sydd gennym ar waith i sicrhau ei fod yn dal yn briodol ac i ddeall pan fydd datblygiadau pellach mewn gofal a thriniaeth yn cael eu darparu. Felly, mae hwn yn ddarlun sy'n newid ond mae'n un rydym wedi ymrwymo i ddychwelyd ato, oherwydd rwy'n cydnabod y bydd hon yn un o effeithiau mwy hirdymor COVID. Mae'r ffaith bod cynifer o bobl wedi gwella yn arwydd o lwyddiant, ond bydd natur yr adferiad hwnnw'n amrywio a bydd nifer o bobl yn dioddef cyfnodau mynych o salwch. 

13:50

Mae yna dal diffyg dealltwriaeth, dwi'n meddwl, o ba mor galed mae COVID yn gallu taro pobl. Hyd yn oed os nad ydy pobl yn gorfod mynd i'r ysbyty, mae'n gallu cymryd wythnosau lawer i rai pobl ddod dros y symptomau cychwynnol. Dwi wedi clywed am un ddynes yn benodol yn cael ei bygwth efo camau disgyblu gan ei chyflogwr oni bai ei bod hi nôl yn y gwaith o fewn pythefnos. Mae hi'n digwydd bod yn well erbyn hyn, ond mi gymerodd fis iddi. Mae'r rhan fwyaf o gyflogwyr yn bod yn gyfrifol, ond efo pob math o straeon i'w clywed am weithwyr yn cael cais i ddefnyddio gwyliau blynyddol i hunanynysu neu i anwybyddu cais i hunanynysu yn llwyr, a wnewch chi fod yn gwbl gadarn ar y mater hwn a gwthio am gamau erlyn os oes angen—a allai fod mor ddifrifol â corporate manslaughter hyd yn oed, yn yr achosion mwyaf difrifol—os oes yna dystiolaeth glir bod cyflogwyr neu eraill yn gweithredu mewn ffordd sydd yn cyfrannu at ledaeniad y feirws?

There is still a lack of understanding on how hard long COVID can hit people. Even if they don't have to go to hospital, it can take many weeks for some people to recover from COVID and the symptoms of COVID. I've heard of one individual who was threatened with disciplinary action from her employer unless she returned to work within a fortnight. She, as it happens, has recovered now but it took her a month to recover from COVID. Now, most employers are being responsible, but with all sorts of stories to be heard about workers being requested to use annual leave to self-isolate or to ignore a request to self-isolate entirely, will you be entirely firm on this issue and press for prosecution if necessary—which could be as serious as corporate manslaughter in the most serious of cases—if there is clear evidence that employers or others are acting in a way that contributes towards the spread of this virus?

There are two distinct points there. The first is that Ministers don't make prosecution decisions. There's a clear separation of powers. It's probably a good thing for everyone that, as the health Minister, I'm not in a position to direct the criminal justice services to undertake prosecutions or not. However, when it comes to the law and our expectations, we do work alongside the Health and Safety Executive. It's a reserved body, but they're very clear about what requirements of the law are in place here in Wales and what that means in terms of businesses that are not compliant in following those rules, whether it's retail or other activities as well. The guidance we issue has a real bearing on making sure that workplaces are safe workplaces with an infectious condition that is in widespread circulation still around the country. I think that's the point the Member is really driving, about making sure there's a clear message from the Government about expected standards of behaviour from employers and not to hesitate in supporting action that is taken, whether it's by environmental health organisations, trading standards or, indeed, non-devolved areas, to ensure that workers are kept safe. 

We have these conversations on a regular basis, not just in the social partnership but also in the national health and safety forum that's been created as well. We are, I think, being very clear about our expectations for employers about how they need to keep their businesses safe and secure to keep their workers and their customers safe and secure. We'll need to return to this again, as our evidence, knowledge and understanding of COVID changes in the future. I hope that, as we do recover and get out of the pandemic crisis, we'll make sure there isn't a dropping of the guard when it comes to this. Because I also wouldn't want to see employers taking precipitative action against people who, in my former life, I would potentially have been taking discrimination action for if these are people with a material impact on their day-to-day activities with a recurring condition. That seems to me to describe a great deal of what long COVID actually means for people who have the condition and the likelihood of a future occurrence. I hope that all employers are taking a much more considerate approach, because these are matters where our understanding will continue to develop and we want people to return to work and contribute to the future of our economy. 

Mae dau bwynt penodol yno. Yn gyntaf, nid yw Gweinidogion yn gwneud penderfyniadau erlyn. Ceir gwahanu pwerau eglur. Mae'n debyg ei fod yn beth da i bawb nad wyf, fel Gweinidog iechyd, mewn sefyllfa i gyfarwyddo'r gwasanaethau cyfiawnder troseddol i gynnal erlyniadau neu i beidio â gwneud hynny. Fodd bynnag, o ran y gyfraith a'n disgwyliadau, rydym yn gweithio ochr yn ochr â'r Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch. Mae'n gorff a gadwyd yn ôl, ond maent yn glir iawn ynghylch pa ofynion cyfreithiol sydd mewn grym yma yng Nghymru a beth y mae hynny'n ei olygu mewn perthynas â busnesau nad ydynt yn cydymffurfio wrth ddilyn y rheolau hynny, boed hynny'n weithgareddau manwerthu neu weithgareddau eraill hefyd. Mae'r canllawiau a gyhoeddir gennym yn effeithio'n wirioneddol ar sicrhau bod gweithleoedd yn weithleoedd diogel yng ngoleuni'r ffaith bod salwch heintus yn dal i ledaenu'n eang ym mhob cwr o'r wlad. Rwy'n credu mai dyna'r pwynt y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud mewn gwirionedd, ynglŷn â sicrhau bod neges glir gan y Llywodraeth am safonau ymddygiad disgwyliedig gan gyflogwyr ac i beidio ag oedi cyn cefnogi'r camau a gymerir, boed hynny gan sefydliadau iechyd yr amgylchedd, safonau masnach neu'n wir, mewn meysydd nad ydynt wedi'u datganoli, er mwyn sicrhau bod gweithwyr yn cael eu cadw'n ddiogel.  

Rydym yn cael y sgyrsiau hyn yn rheolaidd, nid yn unig yn y bartneriaeth gymdeithasol ond hefyd yn y fforwm iechyd a diogelwch cenedlaethol sydd wedi'i greu. Credaf ein bod yn glir iawn ynglŷn â'n disgwyliadau ar gyfer cyflogwyr mewn perthynas â sut y mae angen iddynt gadw eu busnesau'n ddiogel er mwyn cadw eu gweithwyr a'u cwsmeriaid yn ddiogel. Bydd angen i ni ddychwelyd at hyn eto, wrth i'n tystiolaeth, ein gwybodaeth a'n dealltwriaeth o COVID newid yn y dyfodol. Wrth i ni wella a chefnu ar argyfwng y pandemig, rwy'n gobeithio y byddwn yn sicrhau nad ydym yn llaesu dwylo mewn perthynas â'r mater hwn. Oherwydd ni fyddwn ychwaith am weld cyflogwyr yn rhoi camau byrbwyll ar waith yn erbyn pobl y byddwn o bosibl yn fy mywyd blaenorol wedi dwyn achos o gamwahaniaethu yn eu herbyn os yw'r rhain yn bobl yr effeithir yn sylweddol ar eu gweithgareddau o ddydd i ddydd gan salwch mynych. Mae'n ymddangos i mi fod hynny'n disgrifio llawer iawn o'r hyn y mae COVID hir yn ei olygu mewn gwirionedd i bobl sydd â'r cyflwr a'r tebygolrwydd o salwch yn y dyfodol. Gobeithio bod pob cyflogwr yn mabwysiadu ymagwedd lawer mwy ystyriol, oherwydd mae'r rhain yn faterion lle bydd ein dealltwriaeth yn parhau i ddatblygu ac rydym am i bobl ddychwelyd i'r gwaith a chyfrannu at ddyfodol ein heconomi. 

Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Angela Burns.

The Conservative spokesperson, Angela Burns. 

Good afternoon, Minister. When are you hoping to bring forward a national plan for dealing with the waiting list problem that we have here in Wales?

Prynhawn da, Weinidog. Pryd rydych yn gobeithio cyflwyno cynllun cenedlaethol ar gyfer ymdrin â phroblem y rhestrau aros sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru?

I expect to be in a position to publish an NHS recovery plan before the end of March. I have indicated this previously. We'll need to look at recovery in general terms, so not just planned care and elective services but more broadly as well. We need to describe the approach we're taking and what that will mean to give everyone some context about the scale of the task as it is and then to set out how we're already working to plan and then to be able to deliver it. The challenge will still be that, by the end of March, we're unlikely to have a definitive set of delivery plans because we still don't anticipate reopening all of our services within the national health service by that point, and that will affect the scale of the problem that any future Government will have to confront and resolve. But we do expect to provide a much clearer guide about what recovery will look like. 

Rwy'n disgwyl bod mewn sefyllfa i gyhoeddi cynllun adfer y GIG cyn diwedd mis Mawrth. Rwyf wedi nodi hyn o'r blaen. Bydd angen inni edrych ar adferiad yn gyffredinol, felly nid gwasanaethau gofal wedi'i gynllunio a gwasanaethau dewisol yn unig ond yn fwy cyffredinol hefyd. Mae angen inni ddisgrifio'r dull rydym yn ei gymryd a beth fydd hynny'n ei olygu i roi rhywfaint o gyd-destun i bawb am raddfa'r dasg fel y mae ac yna nodi sut rydym eisoes yn gweithio i'w gynllunio ac yna i allu ei gyflawni. Yr her o hyd fydd ein bod, erbyn diwedd mis Mawrth, yn annhebygol o fod â set ddiffiniol o gynlluniau cyflawni gan nad ydym yn rhagweld y byddwn yn ailagor ein holl wasanaethau o fewn y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol erbyn yr adeg honno, a bydd hynny'n effeithio ar raddfa'r broblem y bydd yn rhaid i unrhyw Lywodraeth yn y dyfodol ei hwynebu a'i datrys. Ond rydym yn disgwyl y gallwn ddarparu canllawiau llawer cliriach ynglŷn â sut olwg fydd ar yr adferiad.

You talk about recovery in a general way, and I appreciate that. I understand that you have to look at the NHS as a whole, but I am particularly concerned about the waiting-for-treatment times. We now have over 538,000 people—that's one in five of our population—waiting for some form of treatment. Granted, they're not all humongously urgent—although to the person involved, it may well be—but there are an awful lot of people, ranging from people waiting for diagnostic treatment to women waiting for gynaecological treatment, people needing treatment for their eyes so they don't lose their eyesight; these are all people whose quality of life and whose eventual outcomes could well be severely impacted by waiting for treatment. I understand the position we're in—we've been through hell on earth this last year and a half—but I am desperately seeking from the Welsh Government a real assurance that there's going to be a targeted plan specifically aimed at this.

The reason I ask you, Minister, is because I hear health boards telling me that they are going to take up to a decade to recover and get back to the places they were before the pandemic happened. I am aware that many health boards use other health boards to provide certain services. Unless there's a united national plan in place, it could be very difficult to get all the services to start coming up to the boil at the same time. For example, in Hywel Dda, there is no treatment for keratoconus; you have to go to the Princess of Wales in Bridgend. If that board does not decide to liven up that process in time, then people in Hywel Dda will continue to wait. Can you give us an assurance that you're going to specifically look at this, and can you give us some idea of how you're going to be able to address that problem? As I say, I totally understand it's a significant challenge, but we also need to be aware of funding and resources. Are you able to give us any indication?

Rydych yn sôn am adferiad mewn ffordd gyffredinol, ac rwy'n derbyn hynny. Deallaf fod yn rhaid ichi edrych ar y GIG yn ei gyfanrwydd, ond rwy'n pryderu'n benodol am yr amseroedd aros am driniaeth. Bellach mae gennym dros 538,000 o bobl—dyna un o bob pump o'n poblogaeth—yn aros am ryw fath o driniaeth. Mae'n ddigon posibl nad oes cymaint o frys am bob un o'r triniaethau hyn—er y gallai'n hawdd fod brys i'r unigolyn sydd eu hangen—ond ceir llawer iawn o bobl, yn amrywio o bobl yn aros am driniaeth ddiagnostig i fenywod sy'n aros am driniaeth gynaecolegol, pobl sydd angen triniaeth ar gyfer eu llygaid fel nad ydynt yn colli eu golwg; mae'r rhain i gyd yn bobl y gallai aros am driniaeth yn hawdd effeithio'n ddifrifol ar ansawdd eu bywydau ac ar eu canlyniadau yn y pen draw. Rwy'n deall y sefyllfa rydym ynddi—rydym wedi bod drwy uffern ar y ddaear dros y flwyddyn a hanner ddiwethaf—ond rwy'n awyddus iawn i gael sicrwydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru y bydd cynllun wedi'i dargedu yn cael ei anelu'n benodol at hyn.

Y rheswm pam rwy'n gofyn i chi, Weinidog, yw oherwydd fy mod yn clywed byrddau iechyd yn dweud wrthyf eu bod yn mynd i gymryd hyd at ddegawd i ymadfer a dychwelyd at lle roeddent cyn i'r pandemig ddigwydd. Rwy'n ymwybodol fod llawer o fyrddau iechyd yn defnyddio byrddau iechyd eraill i ddarparu rhai gwasanaethau. Oni bai bod cynllun cenedlaethol unedig ar waith, gallai fod yn anodd iawn cael yr holl wasanaethau i ddechrau gweithredu ar eu gorau ar yr un pryd. Er enghraifft, yn Hywel Dda, nid oes triniaeth ar gyfer ceratoconws; rhaid ichi fynd i Ysbyty Tywysoges Cymru ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr. Os nad yw'r bwrdd hwnnw'n penderfynu gwella'r broses mewn pryd, bydd pobl yn Hywel Dda yn parhau i aros. A allwch roi sicrwydd inni eich bod yn mynd i edrych ar hyn yn benodol, ac a allwch roi rhyw syniad inni sut y gallwch fynd i'r afael â'r broblem honno? Fel y dywedais, rwy'n deall yn iawn ei bod yn her sylweddol, ond mae angen inni hefyd fod yn ymwybodol o gyllid ac adnoddau. A ydych chi'n gallu rhoi unrhyw syniad i ni?

13:55

When we do publish the NHS recovery plan, we will within it address the fact that there will be a resource requirement for this not just in a year, but over the course of the whole term. I've indicated previously that I think the recovery will take least a full Senedd term. That's the scale of the problem we have. It's probably not much comfort to people here in Wales, but you'll find a huge scale of challenge in every part of UK, because of the last year that we've all lived through. I recognise the point the Member makes about not just the increase in the volume and the backlog that's been built up, but the fact that that may mean that there is harm that is caused that may not be reversible. That is part of the difficulty in having to make choices through this pandemic and about weighing up and balancing the impact on different people.

I should say, though, that it isn't the case that one in five people in Wales are on a waiting list. A number of the people who are waiting will have appointments on different lists, and it's part of the challenge in having an accurate discussion about the scale. The numbers the Member quotes are the numbers of outstanding appointments in a variety of areas, as she's indicated, from out-patients to more urgent activity as well. That reinforces for me the importance of continuing to get on top of coronavirus and not letting the virus get out of control again, because it would just mean a further interruption and even more harm and an even bigger backlog. But yes, you can expect a plan that covers a range of different areas, including a balance between local, regional and national choices. I may not be the Minister who has to make those national choices, but whoever does return as the health Minister after the election in May will need to be prepared to make national choices to build upon the plan that will be published by the end of March, because this, as I say, is going to be a significant undertaking for the whole country.

Pan fyddwn yn cyhoeddi cynllun adfer y GIG, byddwn yn mynd i'r afael o'i fewn â'r ffaith y bydd angen adnoddau ar gyfer hyn nid yn unig mewn blwyddyn, ond dros y tymor cyfan. Rwyf wedi nodi o'r blaen fy mod yn credu y bydd yr adferiad yn cymryd tymor seneddol llawn fan lleiaf. Dyna faint y broblem sydd gennym. Mae'n debyg nad yw'n llawer o gysur i bobl yma yng Nghymru, ond fe welwch raddfa enfawr yr her ym mhob rhan o'r DU, oherwydd y flwyddyn ddiwethaf rydym i gyd wedi byw drwyddi. Rwy'n cydnabod y pwynt y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud nid yn unig am y cynnydd yn y niferoedd a'r ôl-groniad sydd wedi datblygu, ond y ffaith y gallai hynny olygu fod niwed na ellir ei wrthdroi yn cael ei achosi. Mae hynny'n rhan o'r anhawster o orfod gwneud dewisiadau drwy'r pandemig hwn ac am bwyso a mesur a chydbwyso'r effaith ar wahanol bobl.

Fodd bynnag, dylwn ddweud nad yw'n wir fod un o bob pump o bobl Cymru ar restr aros. Bydd nifer o'r bobl sy'n aros yn cael apwyntiadau ar wahanol restrau, ac mae'n rhan o'r her o gael trafodaeth gywir am y raddfa. Y niferoedd y mae'r Aelod yn eu dyfynnu yw nifer yr apwyntiadau sydd eto i'w cynnal mewn amrywiaeth o feysydd, fel y nodwyd ganddi, o gleifion allanol i weithgaredd mwy difrifol hefyd. I mi, mae hynny'n atgyfnerthu pwysigrwydd parhau i ymladd y coronafeirws a pheidio â cholli rheolaeth ar y feirws eto, oherwydd byddai hynny'n golygu aflonyddu pellach a mwy fyth o niwed ac ôl-groniad. Ond fe allwch ddisgwyl cynllun sy'n cwmpasu amrywiaeth o wahanol feysydd, gan gynnwys cydbwysedd rhwng dewisiadau lleol, rhanbarthol a chenedlaethol. Efallai nad fi fydd y Gweinidog sy'n gorfod gwneud y dewisiadau cenedlaethol hynny, ond bydd angen i bwy bynnag sy'n dychwelyd fel Gweinidog iechyd ar ôl yr etholiad ym mis Mai fod yn barod i wneud dewisiadau cenedlaethol i adeiladu ar y cynllun a gyhoeddir erbyn diwedd mis Mawrth, oherwydd bydd hyn, fel y dywedais, yn ymrwymiad sylweddol i'r wlad gyfan.

To go back to those statistics, they did come from Government information, but I am happy to go back and review that, because it was quite clear it was one in five. One of the areas that's leapt astronomically in the last year is the area of gynaecological services. We had less than 1,000 women waiting for over 36 weeks; now we've got over 13,000 women waiting for some kind of treatment. That, of course, spins back to health inequalities, doesn't it? All of the parties will have received a letter in the last week from the Royal College of Physicians on behalf of 30-odd organisations talking about health inequalities. Will the Government be able to make any commitment that in this recovery plan is not just going to be a broad-brush approach, but that you will look at key health inequalities to ensure that groups such as women, who traditionally have suffered unequal health in a wide group of areas, are brought into the mix at the same time? Of course, it's not just women; there are a lot of ethnic minority groups that have particular health inequalities. Will you be listening very closely to the representations being made by the likes of the Royal College of Physicians to try to ensure that we don't allow this pandemic to broaden those health inequalities that we already have here in Wales?

I ddychwelyd at yr ystadegau hynny, fe ddaethant o wybodaeth y Llywodraeth, ond rwy'n fodlon mynd yn ôl i adolygu hynny, oherwydd roedd yn eithaf clir mai un o bob pump ydoedd. Un o'r meysydd a welodd gynnydd astronomegol yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf yw maes gwasanaethau gynaecolegol. Roedd gennym lai na 1,000 o fenywod yn aros dros 36 wythnos; nawr mae gennym dros 13,000 o fenywod yn aros am ryw fath o driniaeth. Mae hynny, wrth gwrs, yn mynd â ni ôl at anghydraddoldebau iechyd, onid yw? Bydd pob un o'r pleidiau wedi derbyn llythyr yn ystod yr wythnos ddiwethaf gan Goleg Brenhinol y Meddygon ar ran 30 o sefydliadau yn sôn am anghydraddoldebau iechyd. A fydd y Llywodraeth yn gallu gwneud unrhyw ymrwymiad nad dull cyffredinol o weithredu yn unig a geir yn y cynllun adfer hwn, ond y byddwch yn edrych ar anghydraddoldebau iechyd allweddol i sicrhau bod grwpiau fel menywod, sydd yn draddodiadol wedi dioddef anghydraddoldeb iechyd mewn grŵp eang o feysydd, yn cael eu cynnwys ar yr un pryd? Nid menywod yn unig wrth gwrs; mae llawer o grwpiau lleiafrifoedd ethnig yn profi anghydraddoldebau iechyd penodol. A fyddwch yn gwrando'n astud iawn ar y sylwadau sy'n cael eu gwneud gan Goleg Brenhinol y Meddygon a'u tebyg i geisio sicrhau nad ydym yn caniatáu i'r pandemig hwn ehangu'r anghydraddoldebau iechyd sydd gennym eisoes yma yng Nghymru?

14:00

If I deal with the point about the figures first, and then deal with your point about health inequalities, on the figures, the figures are accurate in terms of the number of appointments that are outstanding, but there isn't one fifth of people who have an outstanding appointment because some of those will be individuals on more than one list, and that's the point that I'm making. In terms of the number of people that are really waiting, it isn't actually one in five of the population. The figure you quote is an accurate figure for the number of individual appointments. I myself know that I could potentially be on two waiting lists, for the sake of argument, if I were a new patient with the two individual issues where the NHS regularly cares for me. So, that's the point that I'm making in having an accurate conversation about the scale of the challenge we face.

On your point about healthcare inequalities, we recognise the pandemic has exacerbated healthcare inequalities and made them even more stark than they were before. The level of harm, the different harm that has been meted out by coronavirus—. It is not a great leveller. It is the reality that harm is done in those communities, those families, those individuals who started this pandemic with the greatest number of health inequalities at the outset.

We have to make sure that the recovery does properly take account of that in how we prioritise people in the greatest clinical need, how we get to those people first, and how we make sure that our recovery doesn't exacerbate, yet again, the healthcare inequalities that there are. That means that it can't be about the sharpest elbows finding their way through a system. It's actually about how we deliberately design a recovery that does take account of all of those healthcare inequalities, and that will be difficult because of the scale of the challenge that we have. But I actually think that our prudent healthcare and value-based healthcare approach will help us to do that, to drive that into our system. This is all entirely consistent with the 'A Healthier Wales' approach that we have, where, of course, you'll recall from the outset of this term, from the parliamentary review to having 'A Healthier Wales', healthcare inequalities were very much at the heart of that plan, and they'll need to be at the heart of our recovery approach, too.

Os caf ymdrin â'r pwynt am y ffigurau yn gyntaf, ac ymdrin wedyn â'ch pwynt am anghydraddoldebau iechyd, ar y ffigurau, mae'r ffigurau'n gywir o ran nifer yr apwyntiadau sydd eto i'w cynnal, ond nid oes un rhan o bump o'r bobl yn aros am apwyntiad oherwydd bydd rhai o'r rheini'n unigolion ar fwy nag un rhestr, a dyna'r pwynt rwy'n ei wneud. O ran nifer y bobl sy'n aros mewn gwirionedd, nid yw'n un o bob pump o'r boblogaeth mewn gwirionedd. Mae'r ffigur a ddyfynnwch yn ffigur cywir ar gyfer nifer yr apwyntiadau unigol. Gwn fy hun y gallwn fod ar ddwy restr aros o bosibl, at ddibenion y ddadl, pe bawn yn glaf newydd gyda'r ddwy broblem unigol y mae'r GIG yn rhoi gofal rheolaidd i mi gyda hwy. Felly, dyna'r pwynt rwy'n ei wneud o ran cael trafodaeth gywir am faint yr her sy'n ein hwynebu.

Ar eich pwynt am anghydraddoldebau gofal iechyd, rydym yn cydnabod bod y pandemig wedi gwaethygu anghydraddoldebau gofal iechyd ac wedi eu gwneud hyd yn oed yn fwy amlwg nag yr oeddent o'r blaen. Mae lefel y niwed, y niwed gwahanol sydd wedi'i greu gan y coronafeirws—. Nid yw'n taro pawb i'r un graddau. Y realiti yw bod niwed yn digwydd i'r cymunedau, i'r teuluoedd, i'r unigolion gyda'r nifer fwyaf o anghydraddoldebau iechyd ar ddechrau'r pandemig hwn.

Rhaid inni sicrhau bod yr adferiad yn rhoi ystyriaeth briodol i hynny yn y ffordd rydym yn blaenoriaethu pobl sydd â'r angen clinigol mwyaf, y ffordd rydym yn cyrraedd y bobl hynny'n gyntaf, a'r ffordd rydym yn sicrhau nad yw ein hadferiad yn gwaethygu, unwaith eto, yr anghydraddoldebau gofal iechyd sy'n bodoli. Mae hynny'n golygu na all fod mai'r lleisiau mwyaf croch sy'n gwthio drwy'r system gyflymaf. Mae'n ymwneud mewn gwirionedd â sut rydym yn mynd ati'n fwriadol i gynllunio adferiad sy'n ystyried yr holl anghydraddoldebau gofal iechyd, a bydd hynny'n anodd oherwydd maint yr her sydd gennym. Ond rwy'n credu y bydd ein dull gofal iechyd darbodus a gofal iechyd sy'n seiliedig ar werthoedd yn ein helpu i wneud hynny, i'w gynnwys yn ein system. Mae hyn i gyd yn gwbl gyson â'r dull 'Cymru Iachach' sydd gennym, lle byddwch, wrth gwrs, yn cofio o ddechrau'r tymor hwn, o'r adolygiad seneddol i gael 'Cymru Iachach', fod anghydraddoldebau gofal iechyd wrth wraidd y cynllun hwnnw yn bendant iawn, a bydd angen iddynt fod wrth wraidd ein dull adfer hefyd.

Triniaeth Orthopedig
Orthopaedic Treatment

3. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am amseroedd aros ar gyfer triniaeth orthopedig yng ngogledd Cymru? OQ56314

3. Will the Minister make a statement on waiting times for orthopaedic treatment in north Wales? OQ56314

Yes. The Welsh Government continues to work alongside Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to develop their orthopaedic plans and to support them to adapt their delivery to meet the changing needs brought about by COVID-19, including the significant increase in waits for orthopaedic treatment.

Gwnaf. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i weithio ochr yn ochr â Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr i ddatblygu eu cynlluniau orthopedig a'u cefnogi i addasu eu darpariaeth i ddiwallu'r anghenion newidiol a achoswyd gan COVID-19, gan gynnwys y cynnydd sylweddol yn yr amseroedd aros am driniaeth orthopedig.

Thank you. This follows on, really, from my colleague Angela Burns and the concerns around what's happening with regard to treatment. So, I've been liaising with the chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Earlier this month, she sent me a letter that stated, and I quote,

'with the small volume of elective surgery that we've been able to perform over the past 12 months, waiting times have increased considerably'.

I was writing to her about a constituent who'd been waiting a long time in immense pain. She said one consultant, Mr Ganapathi, now has more than 450 patients waiting for treatment, and, according to the chief exec, over 350 of these have waited longer than my constituent who—just listen to this—was referred for double knee replacement in November 2017, long before our pandemic, Minister. So, whilst acknowledging the pressure caused by COVID-19 and welcoming the news that a new post-anaesthesia care unit has opened at Ysbyty Gwynedd, the evidence is clear that orthopaedic treatment is in crisis here in north Wales. So, please advise what steps you are taking to help facilitate more day-case and in-patient surgery, and whether consideration can be given to increasing the health board's partnership with English trusts, and coming to an arrangement with more than just two, for patients to be offered their surgery outside of this health board. Thank you.

Diolch. Mae hyn yn dilyn cyfraniad fy nghyd-Aelod Angela Burns mewn gwirionedd, a'r pryderon ynglŷn â'r hyn sy'n digwydd gyda thriniaeth. Felly, rwyf wedi bod yn cysylltu â phrif weithredwr Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr. Yn gynharach y mis hwn, anfonodd lythyr ataf a oedd yn datgan, a dyfynnaf,

gyda'r nifer fach o lawdriniaethau dewisol rydym wedi gallu eu cyflawni dros y 12 mis diwethaf, mae amseroedd aros wedi cynyddu'n sylweddol.

Roeddwn yn ysgrifennu ati am etholwr a fu'n aros yn hir mewn poen aruthrol. Dywedodd fod gan un meddyg ymgynghorol, Mr Ganapathi, fwy na 450 o gleifion yn aros am driniaeth erbyn hyn, ac yn ôl y prif weithredwr, mae dros 350 o'r rhain wedi aros yn hwy na fy etholwr a atgyfeiriwyd—gwrandewch ar hyn—i gael dau ben-glin newydd ym mis Tachwedd 2017, ymhell cyn ein pandemig, Weinidog. Felly, er ein bod yn cydnabod y pwysau a achoswyd gan COVID-19 ac yn croesawu'r newyddion fod uned gofal ôl-anaesthesia newydd wedi agor yn Ysbyty Gwynedd, mae'r dystiolaeth yn glir fod triniaeth orthopedig yn wynebu argyfwng yma yng ngogledd Cymru. Felly, rhowch wybod pa gamau rydych yn eu cymryd i helpu i hwyluso mwy o lawdriniaethau achosion dydd a chleifion mewnol, ac a ellir ystyried cynyddu partneriaeth y bwrdd iechyd ag ymddiriedolaethau yn Lloegr, a dod i drefniant gyda mwy na dim ond dau, fel bod modd cynnig llawdriniaeth i gleifion y tu allan i'r bwrdd iechyd hwn. Diolch.

I think there are several things there. The first is to acknowledge that there was already a challenge with orthopaedic delivery in north Wales before the pandemic. We were seeing an increase in activity in north Wales, but it wasn't keeping pace with demand coming in, so lists were broadly getting longer on orthopaedic treatment. That is undeniable.

The second point is that, during the pandemic, though, that has been exacerbated even further. As Members will be aware, there's been significant interruption of normal care and treatment, so the orthopaedic waiting list has grown even further over the course of the pandemic, not just in north Wales, but across the whole country. Our challenge is how we get to a sustainable system and how we deal with the big backlog that has built up as well. With respect, I don't think that partnerships with NHS trusts in England are likely to address the backlog or a sustainable service. The reason for that is that, actually, the system within England needs to get to a point where it is more in balance as well. We won't be able to buy our way through this by undertaking more activity in the private sector alone. We are going to need to have a proper approach that I think is consistent with NHS values here in Wales.

It's worth reflecting that England also have a significant increase in their orthopaedic waiting lists; there isn't going to be capacity in the NHS in England for us to make use of for some time to come. So, that means we need to find an approach here in Wales that understands the nature of our challenge, how we get to a sustainable part of our system and, at the same time, how, as to staff who are going to be exhausted when the pandemic crisis finally ends, we actually generate even more activity to deal with the backlog. This is not a straightforward challenge to address, and we'll need to move beyond a simplistic 'just work harder' or 'spend more money'. We're going to need to have some innovation in the way that our NHS continues to run a public service that delivers against the enormous challenges that confront it.  

Rwy'n credu bod sawl peth yno. Y cyntaf yw cydnabod bod her eisoes gyda'r ddarpariaeth orthopedig yng ngogledd Cymru cyn y pandemig. Roeddem yn gweld cynnydd mewn gweithgaredd yng ngogledd Cymru, ond roedd yn arafach na'r galw, felly roedd rhestrau'n mynd yn hwy ar gyfer triniaeth orthopedig at ei gilydd. Ni ellir gwadu hynny.

Yr ail bwynt serch hynny yw bod hynny wedi'i waethygu hyd yn oed ymhellach yn ystod y pandemig. Fel y gŵyr yr Aelodau, gwelwyd tarfu sylweddol ar ofal a thriniaeth arferol, felly mae'r rhestr aros orthopedig wedi tyfu hyd yn oed ymhellach yn ystod y pandemig, nid yn unig yng ngogledd Cymru, ond ledled y wlad gyfan. Ein her yw sut y mae cyrraedd system gynaliadwy a sut rydym yn ymdrin â'r ôl-groniad mawr sydd wedi datblygu. Gyda phob parch, nid wyf yn credu bod partneriaethau ag ymddiriedolaethau'r GIG yn Lloegr yn debygol o fynd i'r afael â mater yr ôl-groniad na gwasanaeth cynaliadwy. Y rheswm am hynny yw bod angen i'r system yn Lloegr gyrraedd pwynt lle mae'n fwy cytbwys hefyd. Ni fyddwn yn gallu prynu ein ffordd drwy hyn drwy gyflawni mwy o weithgarwch yn y sector preifat yn unig. Bydd angen inni gael dull gweithredu priodol y credaf ei fod yn gyson â gwerthoedd y GIG yma yng Nghymru.

Mae'n werth ystyried bod Lloegr hefyd wedi gweld cynnydd sylweddol yn eu rhestrau aros orthopedig; ni fydd capasiti yn y GIG yn Lloegr i ni wneud defnydd ohono am beth amser i ddod. Felly, mae hynny'n golygu bod angen inni ddod o hyd i ddull gweithredu yma yng Nghymru sy'n deall natur ein her, sut y mae cyrraedd system sy'n gynaliadwy ac ar yr un pryd, o ran staff sy'n mynd i fod wedi ymlâdd erbyn pan ddaw argyfwng y pandemig i ben yn y diwedd, sut y gallwn gynhyrchu mwy fyth o weithgaredd i fynd i'r afael â'r ôl-groniad. Nid yw hon yn her syml i'w goresgyn, a bydd angen i ni symud y tu hwnt i atebion gor-syml 'gweithio'n galetach' neu 'wario mwy o arian'. Bydd angen inni arloesi gyda'r ffordd y mae ein GIG yn parhau i weithredu gwasanaeth cyhoeddus sy'n cyflawni yn erbyn yr heriau enfawr sy'n ei wynebu.  

14:05

As said by the previous two speakers, Minister, waiting lists are at levels that we haven't seen for years. Many on those waiting lists before too long will end up being emergency admissions after their quality of life has been obliterated by pain and disability. Constituents report a very patchy and hit-and-miss non-COVID health service across the region, which suggests that we are facing a very different sort of crisis for the NHS, but a crisis nonetheless. You've said there's a plan, that you have a plan. When will we see this plan to scrutinise it, and when will it possibly start to be implemented? Thank you. 

Fel y dywedodd y ddau siaradwr blaenorol, Weinidog, mae rhestrau aros ar lefelau nad ydym wedi'u gweld ers blynyddoedd. Bydd nifer ar y rhestrau aros hynny'n cael eu derbyn fel achosion argyfwng i'r ysbyty cyn bo hir ar ôl i'w hansawdd bywyd gael ei ddinistrio gan boen ac anabledd. Mae etholwyr yn adrodd am wasanaeth iechyd nad yw'n ofal COVID sy'n dameidiog ac anwastad iawn ar draws y rhanbarth, gan awgrymu ein bod yn wynebu math gwahanol iawn o argyfwng i'r GIG, ond argyfwng serch hynny. Rydych wedi dweud bod yna gynllun, fod gennych chi gynllun. Pryd y gwelwn y cynllun hwn i allu craffu arno, a pha bryd y dechreuir ei weithredu? Diolch.

As I said, we're expecting to publish an NHS recovery plan before the end of March. I'd want Members to be able to see that plan before we move into the election period. I think that's the right thing to do. But more than that, in terms of then seeing that activity recovering, that really depends on the course of the pandemic. When we've still got critical care units that are at 115 per cent of their capacity, when we still have significant numbers of COVID patients in our hospitals, it isn't reasonable to expect the NHS to regenerate the same level of normal elective activity that we were used to more than a year ago.

We also, of course, have the additional PPE requirements that Jayne Bryant was referring to—PPE delivery—in her first question. That means that we can't undertake as much activity in the same day. So, we have a number of real handicaps for the NHS about keeping our staff and people safe whilst undertaking activity. So, this will be difficult. The plan, as I say—the recovery plan—you can expect it to be published before the end of March. Of course, the pandemic will help to determine when we can start to deliver some of this, as well as the work that our NHS organisations are already undertaking for planning and delivering that further activity. 

Fel y dywedais, rydym yn disgwyl cyhoeddi cynllun adfer y GIG cyn diwedd mis Mawrth. Byddwn am i Aelodau allu gweld y cynllun hwnnw cyn inni symud i gyfnod yr etholiad. Rwy'n credu mai dyna'r peth iawn i'w wneud. Ond yn fwy na hynny, o ran gweld y gweithgaredd hwnnw'n gwella, mae hynny'n dibynnu mewn gwirionedd ar drywydd y pandemig. Pan fo gennym unedau gofal critigol o hyd sydd ar 115 y cant o'u capasiti, pan fo gennym niferoedd sylweddol o gleifion COVID yn ein hysbytai o hyd, nid yw'n rhesymol disgwyl i'r GIG ailgynhyrchu'r un lefel o weithgarwch dewisol arferol ag yr arferem ei weld fwy na blwyddyn yn ôl.

Mae gennym hefyd y gofynion ychwanegol ar gyfer cyfarpar diogelu personol y cyfeiriodd Jayne Bryant atynt—cyflenwi cyfarpar diogelu personol—yn ei chwestiwn cyntaf. Mae hynny'n golygu na allwn gyflawni cymaint o weithgarwch yn yr un diwrnod. Felly, mae gennym nifer o anfanteision gwirioneddol i'r GIG mewn perthynas â chadw ein staff a'n pobl yn ddiogel wrth gyflawni gweithgarwch. Felly, bydd hyn yn anodd. Y cynllun, fel y dywedais—y cynllun adfer—gallwch ddisgwyl iddo gael ei gyhoeddi cyn diwedd mis Mawrth. Wrth gwrs, bydd y pandemig yn helpu i benderfynu pryd y gallwn ddechrau cyflawni rhywfaint o hyn, yn ogystal â'r gwaith y mae ein sefydliadau GIG eisoes yn ei wneud i gynllunio a chyflawni'r gweithgarwch pellach hwnnw.

Y Rhaglen Frechu
The Vaccination Programme

4. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am gynnydd y rhaglen frechu yn Alun a Glannau Dyfrdwy? OQ56298

4. Will the Minister make a statement on how the vaccination programme is progressing in Alyn and Deeside? OQ56298

Thank you. We met our first milestone to offer vaccination to those in JCVI priority groups 1 to 4 by mid February. We are in the fortunate position of being the first UK country to do so. We are making good progress towards the next milestone, which is, subject to supply, to offer vaccination to groups 5 to 9 by the middle of April. Within Alyn and Deeside, I'm pleased to say that all GP practices are helping to deliver our successful vaccination programme.

Diolch. Llwyddasom i gyrraedd ein carreg filltir gyntaf i gynnig brechiad i'r rhai yng ngrwpiau blaenoriaeth 1 i 4 y cyd-bwyllgor ar imiwneiddio a brechu erbyn canol mis Chwefror. Rydym yn y sefyllfa ffodus o fod y wlad gyntaf yn y DU i wneud hynny. Rydym yn gwneud cynnydd da tuag at y garreg filltir nesaf, sydd, yn amodol ar gyflenwad, i gynnig brechiad i grwpiau 5 i 9 erbyn canol mis Ebrill. Yn Alun a Glannau Dyfrdwy, rwy'n falch o ddweud bod pob practis meddyg teulu yn helpu i gyflawni ein rhaglen frechu lwyddiannus.

Thank you for that answer, Minister, and the important information within it. I'm sure you'll agree with me that Members of the Senedd have a responsibility to act as leaders in their community, and since the start of the vaccination programme I have sought, through my 'let's vaccinate Flintshire' campaign, to work with the health board and to work with the Welsh Government to assist and support the roll-out where I can. Now, other Members of this Chamber had a lot to say in the first few days, almost demanding to know why the population hadn't been vaccinated immediately. Now, for some time, under the brilliant leadership of our First Minister, Mark Drakeford, Wales has led the way in the United Kingdom and across Europe, and these critics in the early days have gone silent. Minister, do you agree with me that we all have a role to play in publicly congratulating and encouraging everyone involved in the vaccination programme?

Diolch ichi am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog, a'r wybodaeth bwysig ynddo. Rwy'n siŵr y byddwch yn cytuno â mi fod gan yr Aelodau o'r Senedd gyfrifoldeb i weithredu fel arweinwyr yn eu cymunedau, ac ers dechrau'r rhaglen frechu, rwyf wedi ceisio gweithio gyda'r bwrdd iechyd a Llywodraeth Cymru drwy fy ymgyrch i frechu Sir y Fflint er mwyn cynorthwyo a chefnogi'r broses o gyflwyno'r brechlyn lle gallaf wneud hynny. Nawr, roedd gan Aelodau eraill o'r Siambr hon lawer i'w ddweud yn ystod y dyddiau cyntaf, a bron yn mynnu gwybod pam nad oedd y boblogaeth wedi cael ei brechu ar unwaith. Nawr, ers peth amser, dan arweiniad gwych ein Prif Weinidog, Mark Drakeford, mae Cymru wedi arwain y ffordd yn y Deyrnas Unedig ac ar draws Ewrop, ac mae beirniaid y dyddiau cynnar wedi distewi. Weinidog, a ydych yn cytuno â mi fod gan bob un ohonom ran i'w chwarae yn llongyfarch yn gyhoeddus a rhoi anogaeth i bawb sy'n rhan o'r rhaglen frechu?

14:10

Yes, I do. I think it's really important that everyone, regardless of their politics, recognises the fantastic success that Wales's vaccination programme represents. The hard work, the dedication, the skill and the expertise of our staff, partners in the military, local government and the voluntary sector have demonstrated that the first few weeks, when we did have a slower rate of delivery than other UK nations, were well used to plan for our ability to go at a much quicker rate. That's why we are at the top of the four-nations table at this point in time for the overall percentage of the population who have had their vaccine and for the numbers of adults who have had their vaccine as well, and I look forward to a further successful roll-out in groups 5 to 9, and then for the rest of the adult population. I hope that those people who were critical will now give their full support and recognise the credit for this Government and our fantastic national health service for the amazing success that the vaccination programme represents for Wales.

Ydw. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn fod pawb, waeth beth fo'u gwleidyddiaeth, yn cydnabod y llwyddiant gwych y mae rhaglen frechu Cymru wedi'i gael. Mae gwaith caled, ymroddiad, sgiliau ac arbenigedd ein staff, ein partneriaid yn y lluoedd arfog, llywodraeth leol a'r sector gwirfoddol wedi dangos ein bod wedi gwneud defnydd da o'r wythnosau cyntaf, pan oedd ein cyfradd gyflenwi'n arafach na gwledydd eraill y DU, er mwyn cynllunio ar gyfer gallu mynd yn llawer cyflymach. Dyna pam ein bod ar frig y tabl yn y pedair gwlad ar hyn o bryd o ran y ganran gyffredinol o'r boblogaeth sydd wedi cael eu brechlyn a nifer yr oedolion sydd wedi cael eu brechlyn hefyd, ac edrychaf ymlaen at eu gweld yn cael eu cyflwyno ymhellach yn llwyddiannus yng ngrwpiau 5 i 9, ac yna i weddill y boblogaeth oedolion. Gobeithio y bydd y bobl a oedd yn feirniadol yn rhoi eu cefnogaeth lwyr yn awr ac yn rhoi clod i'r Llywodraeth hon a'n gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol gwych am lwyddiant rhyfeddol y rhaglen frechu yng Nghymru.

The national vaccination strategy to 14 February included care home staff, but Care Forum Wales stated last week that the decision by Flintshire County Council to base care home fees on paying half the staff the minimum wage is an affront to care workers who put their own lives on the line and have heroically done their utmost to protect their residents from the deadly coronavirus pandemic. Responding, Flintshire council told me, 'This is not a local issue and we work to regional funding formulas in the allocation of funding, and we mutually agreed the annual uplifts with commissioning providers.' Responding to this, however, Care Forum Wales told me, 'I don't believe you'll find a single independent care home provider who would agree that Flintshire's 2021-22 fees uplift has been mutually agreed with providers.' How do you therefore respond to their question why, when every shred of evidence shows that the dependency of residents in care homes during the last 20 years, and particularly the last year, has increased significantly, north Wales fees have gone from the top of the league and now occupy the relegation zone?

Roedd y strategaeth frechu genedlaethol hyd at 14 Chwefror yn cynnwys staff cartrefi gofal, ond dywedodd Fforwm Gofal Cymru yr wythnos diwethaf fod penderfyniad Cyngor Sir y Fflint i seilio ffioedd cartrefi gofal ar dalu'r isafswm cyflog i hanner y staff yn sarhad ar weithwyr gofal sy'n rhoi eu bywydau eu hunain yn y fantol ac sydd wedi gwneud eu gorau glas mewn modd arwrol i ddiogelu eu preswylwyr rhag pandemig marwol y coronafeirws. Wrth ymateb, dywedodd cyngor Sir y Fflint wrthyf, 'Nid mater lleol yw hwn ac rydym yn gweithio yn ôl fformiwlâu ariannu rhanbarthol wrth ddyrannu cyllid, a chytunasom ar y codiadau blynyddol ar y cyd â darparwyr comisiynu.' Wrth ymateb i hyn, fodd bynnag, dywedodd Fforwm Gofal Cymru wrthyf, 'Nid wyf yn credu y dowch o hyd i un darparwr cartref gofal annibynnol a fyddai'n cytuno bod y cynnydd yn ffioedd Sir y Fflint ar gyfer 2021-22 wedi'i gytuno ar y cyd â darparwyr.' Sut rydych yn ymateb felly i'w cwestiwn pam fod ffioedd gogledd Cymru wedi mynd o frig y gynghrair i'r gwaelod erbyn hyn, pan fo pob tystiolaeth yn dangos bod dibyniaeth preswylwyr mewn cartrefi gofal yn ystod yr 20 mlynedd diwethaf, ac yn enwedig yn y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, wedi cynyddu'n sylweddol?

Well, I'm robustly confident that follow-up question has nothing to do with the success of the vaccination programme in Alyn and Deeside, but, as you'll know, this Government is committed to a longer term future to revise not just the way the social care sector is organised but how we fund it, how we reward our staff. I look forward to all parties putting forward their alternative ways to properly fund social care in the future within the next manifestos we will all put before the people of Wales. I look forward to returning to this Chamber before the end of the term to give an update on the work of the inter-ministerial group on paying for care, and I look forward to Conservative Members finding new ways to put extra resources into our social care system as opposed to demanding extra resource without ever identifying where that money should come from.

Wel, rwy'n hyderus iawn nad oes a wnelo'r cwestiwn dilynol ddim â llwyddiant y rhaglen frechu yn Alun a Glannau Dyfrdwy, ond fel y gwyddoch, mae'r Llywodraeth hon wedi ymrwymo i ddyfodol mwy hirdymor i adolygu nid yn unig y ffordd y trefnir y sector gofal cymdeithasol ond sut rydym yn ei ariannu, sut rydym yn gwobrwyo ein staff. Edrychaf ymlaen at weld pob plaid yn cyflwyno eu ffyrdd amgen o ariannu gofal cymdeithasol yn briodol yn y dyfodol yn y maniffestos nesaf y byddwn i gyd yn eu rhoi gerbron pobl Cymru. Edrychaf ymlaen at ddychwelyd i'r Siambr hon cyn diwedd y tymor i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am waith y grŵp rhyngweinidogol ar dalu am ofal, ac edrychaf ymlaen at weld Aelodau Ceidwadol yn dod o hyd i ffyrdd newydd o roi adnoddau ychwanegol tuag at ein system gofal cymdeithasol yn hytrach na mynnu adnoddau ychwanegol heb nodi o ble y dylai'r arian hwnnw ddod.

Ymwelwyr Iechyd
Health Visitors

5. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am ddefnyddio ymwelwyr iechyd yng Nghymru? OQ56331

5. Will the Minister make a statement regarding the deployment of health visitors in Wales? OQ56331

Yes. The Welsh Government provided guidance on the delivery of the Healthy Child Wales programme by health visitors during the pandemic, to ensure that children are safe and seen and that families are supported as far as possible. We are aware that health visitors may have redeployed to other acute areas, if workforce numbers allowed, at the height of the pandemic. My understanding is that this is not currently the case.

Gwnaf. Darparodd Llywodraeth Cymru ganllawiau ar ddarparu rhaglen Plant Iach Cymru gan ymwelwyr iechyd yn ystod y pandemig, er mwyn sicrhau bod plant yn ddiogel ac yn cael eu gweld a bod teuluoedd yn cael eu cefnogi cyn belled ag y bo modd. Rydym yn ymwybodol y gallai ymwelwyr iechyd fod wedi'u hadleoli i feysydd acíwt eraill os oedd niferoedd y gweithlu'n caniatáu pan oedd y pandemig ar ei waethaf. Yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, nid yw'n digwydd ar hyn o bryd.

Thank you for that response. I have raised this question on a few occasions because I conducted a survey of new mothers during the pandemic, where they raised numerous concerns about their access to health visitors during this important time. But I understand, yesterday, after having met with the Minister for mental health—and thank you again for that meeting—as you said, Minister, that some actually were deployed during the first stages of the pandemic but now have returned to their role. We were also told, though, that due to some of the profiles of those members of staff, many have been shielding or many have been off on sick leave. So, I am curious to understand how you are going to protect the service for the future and give them the relevant level of support that this vital service needs. It's a lifeline to many new parents—mothers who are seeking that initial advice and that support at the beginning of a baby's life.

Diolch i chi am yr ymateb hwnnw. Rwyf wedi codi'r cwestiwn hwn ar sawl achlysur oherwydd fy mod wedi cynnal arolwg o famau newydd yn ystod y pandemig, lle roeddent yn lleisio nifer o bryderon ynghylch mynediad at ymwelwyr iechyd yn ystod y cyfnod pwysig hwn. Ond yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, ddoe, ar ôl cyfarfod â'r Gweinidog iechyd meddwl—a diolch eto am y cyfarfod hwnnw—fel y dywedoch chi, Weinidog, cafodd rhai eu hadleoli yn ystod cyfnodau cyntaf y pandemig ond eu bod bellach wedi dychwelyd i'w rôl. Dywedwyd wrthym hefyd, serch hynny, oherwydd rhai o broffiliau'r aelodau staff hynny, fod nifer wedi bod yn gwarchod eu hunain neu fod nifer wedi bod yn absennol oherwydd salwch. Felly, hoffwn ddeall sut rydych yn mynd i ddiogelu'r gwasanaeth ar gyfer y dyfodol a rhoi'r lefel berthnasol o gymorth y mae'r gwasanaeth hanfodol hwn ei angen. Mae'n achubiaeth i lawer o rieni newydd—mamau sy'n chwilio am y cyngor cychwynnol a'r cymorth hwnnw ar ddechrau bywyd babi.

I think there are several points to make there. The first is that, in terms of the longer term future, that is partly about our investment in the future of the workforce, and the Member will know that we have sought to significantly increase the number of health visitors in training and then to maintain them in the service as well. This will be a challenge for the whole service, looking forward, because we do anticipate that some members of staff may want to change NHS careers. We'll need to keep people in the service. That's why, again, Jayne Bryant's first questions about well-being and support services for paramedics are just as relevant for health visitors and everyone else right across health and social care.

The second point that I think is important to make is that it's not just from a Government policy point of view about recognising the importance of health visitors—so, our investment in the future Flying Start relies on having high-quality health visitors in good numbers, who are motivated and I've been very proud of the work they're doing—but also from a personal point of view. I remember very well the impact that the health visitor had when we had our child as well; it does make a real difference. So, having those people redeployed back to their roles all across the country is hugely important, and then to think again about how we take care of our current workforce, because the future of the NHS is already here in large number—the workers in 10 years are almost all already with us in terms of overall numbers—but also making sure that we continue to train and have a new generation of health visitors coming in in the right numbers, and in a way where their roles will change in the support they are well placed to provide because of the trusted relationship that most health visitors build up with the women and the families that they work with. So, there are challenges ahead, but I think that not just this Government but any future Government will remain committed to the future of our health visiting service in the right numbers, with the right skills.

Credaf fod sawl pwynt i'w wneud yno. Yn gyntaf, o ran y dyfodol mwy hirdymor, mae hynny'n ymwneud yn rhannol â'n buddsoddiad yn nyfodol y gweithlu, a bydd yr Aelod yn gwybod ein bod wedi ceisio cynyddu nifer yr ymwelwyr iechyd sy'n cael eu hyfforddi yn sylweddol ac yna eu cadw yn y gwasanaeth hefyd. Bydd hon yn her i'r gwasanaeth cyfan wrth edrych tua'r dyfodol, oherwydd rydym yn rhagweld y bydd rhai aelodau o staff am newid gyrfa GIG o bosibl. Bydd angen inni gadw pobl yn y gwasanaeth. Dyna pam, unwaith eto, fod cwestiynau cyntaf Jayne Bryant am wasanaethau llesiant a chymorth i barafeddygon yr un mor berthnasol i ymwelwyr iechyd a phawb arall ar draws iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol.

Yr ail bwynt y credaf ei bod hi'n bwysig ei wneud yw ei fod yn ymwneud â mwy na dim ond safbwynt polisi Llywodraeth ynglŷn â chydnabod pwysigrwydd ymwelwyr iechyd—felly, mae ein buddsoddiad yn Dechrau'n Deg yn y dyfodol yn dibynnu ar gael niferoedd da o ymwelwyr iechyd brwdfrydig o ansawdd uchel ac rwyf wedi bod yn falch iawn o'r gwaith y maent yn ei wneud—ond hefyd o safbwynt personol. Cofiaf yn dda iawn yr effaith a gafodd yr ymwelydd iechyd pan gawsom ein plentyn ninnau hefyd; mae'n gwneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol. Felly, mae symud y bobl hynny yn ôl i'w rolau ledled y wlad yn eithriadol o bwysig, ac yna i ailfeddwl am y modd rydym yn gofalu am ein gweithlu presennol, oherwydd mae dyfodol y GIG eisoes yma mewn niferoedd helaeth—mae'r gweithwyr ymhen 10 mlynedd bron i gyd gyda ni eisoes o ran niferoedd cyffredinol—ond sicrhau hefyd ein bod yn parhau i hyfforddi a chael cenhedlaeth newydd o ymwelwyr iechyd yn dod i mewn yn y niferoedd cywir, ac mewn ffordd lle bydd eu rolau'n newid o ran y cymorth y maent mewn sefyllfa dda i'w ddarparu oherwydd y berthynas sicr y mae'r rhan fwyaf o ymwelwyr iechyd yn ei meithrin gyda'r menywod a'r teuluoedd y maent yn gweithio gyda hwy. Felly, mae heriau o'n blaenau, ond credaf y bydd nid yn unig y Llywodraeth hon ond unrhyw Lywodraeth yn y dyfodol yn parhau'n ymrwymedig i ddyfodol ein gwasanaeth ymwelwyr iechyd yn y niferoedd cywir, gyda'r sgiliau cywir.

14:15
Profion Asymptomatig yn y Gweithle
Asymptomatic Workplace Testing

6. Pa gynlluniau sydd gan y Gweinidog i gyflwyno profion asymptomatig yn y gweithle yng Nghymru? OQ56326

6. What plans does the Minister have to roll out asymptomatic workplace testing in Wales? OQ56326

Thank you. In our revised testing strategy, we have set out our plans to support asymptomatic testing in workplaces in order to safeguard the vulnerable, and to maintain key services. I have confirmed today the wider roll-out of asymptomatic workplace testing for employers of more than 50 people. 

Diolch. Yn ein strategaeth brofi ddiwygiedig, rydym wedi nodi ein cynlluniau i gefnogi profion asymptomatig mewn gweithleoedd er mwyn diogelu'r rhai sy'n agored i niwed, a chynnal gwasanaethau allweddol. Rwyf wedi cadarnhau heddiw y bydd profion asymptomatig yn y gweithle'n cael eu cyflwyno'n ehangach i rai sy'n cyflogi mwy na 50 o bobl.

Thank you, Minister. The aerospace sector is worth more than £1.4 billion in Wales and employs over 11,000 workers, including many people from Torfaen. However, it has also been very badly hit by the COVID pandemic, and those workplaces may well not have either the resources or the ability to undertake their own workplace testing. What assurances can you give that the new strategy you published today will prioritise workplaces like this that we really need to retain for high-quality, highly skilled jobs in Wales?

Diolch, Weinidog. Mae'r sector awyrofod yn werth mwy nag £1.4 biliwn yng Nghymru ac mae'n cyflogi dros 11,000 o weithwyr, gan gynnwys llawer o bobl o Dorfaen. Fodd bynnag, mae'r pandemig COVID wedi'i daro'n wael iawn, ac mae'n ddigon posibl nad oes gan y gweithleoedd hynny adnoddau na gallu i gynnal eu profion eu hunain yn y gweithle. Pa sicrwydd y gallwch ei roi y bydd y strategaeth newydd a gyhoeddwyd gennych heddiw yn blaenoriaethu gweithleoedd fel hyn y mae gwir angen inni eu cadw ar gyfer swyddi medrus iawn o ansawdd uchel yng Nghymru?

I think the fourth element of the testing strategy, testing to maintain, will be relevant here. And we recognise that, not just those larger employers with 50 or more employees, but in particular, those employees who can't work from home who may still need to work in closer proximity with others are ones we want to prioritise. I think that, actually, not just your own employer that you're referencing, but more broadly in the sector, this should help those businesses. And we're looking to have an approach with the guidance that we've published not just to make that testing more widely available, but to have an approach that brings both the employer and workplace trade unions together to have a shared understanding of how that testing will be used, how it will be administered and how it will protect the business and the jobs and, of course, the health of the whole workforce, with the early warning that it will give with lateral flow devices with a rapid test result and then the ability to have the expectation of a confirmatory PCR test result if someone does test positive. I think this is good news, and I hope that the business in your constituency takes up the offer and talks to their local team about how to access these tests and how to do so in a way that has the support of the workforce as well.

Credaf y bydd pedwaredd elfen y strategaeth brofi, profi i gynnal, yn berthnasol yma. Ac rydym yn cydnabod ein bod eisiau blaenoriaethu, nid yn unig y cyflogwyr mwy o faint sydd â 50 neu fwy o weithwyr, ond yn enwedig y gweithwyr nad ydynt yn gallu gweithio gartref y gallai fod angen iddynt weithio'n agosach at bobl eraill. Credaf y dylai hyn helpu busnesau'n fwy cyffredinol yn y sector, nid yn unig y cyflogwr rydych chi'n ei nodi. Ac rydym yn awyddus i gael dull gweithredu gyda'r canllawiau rydym wedi'u cyhoeddi nid yn unig er mwyn sicrhau bod y profion hynny ar gael yn ehangach, ond i gael dull sy'n dod â'r cyflogwr ac undebau llafur y gweithle at ei gilydd i gael dealltwriaeth gyffredin o sut y caiff y profion hynny eu defnyddio, sut y cânt eu gweinyddu a sut y byddant yn diogelu'r busnes a'r swyddi, ac iechyd y gweithlu cyfan wrth gwrs, gyda'r rhybudd cynnar y bydd yn ei roi gyda dyfeisiau llif unffordd a chanlyniad prawf cyflym a gallu disgwyl canlyniad prawf cadarnhau PCR os bydd rhywun yn profi'n bositif. Credaf fod hyn yn newyddion da, a gobeithio y bydd y busnes yn eich etholaeth yn manteisio ar y cynnig ac yn siarad â'u tîm lleol ynglŷn â sut i gael gafael ar y profion hyn a sut i wneud hynny mewn ffordd sy'n ennyn cefnogaeth y gweithlu hefyd.

Minister, I just wonder if you could give us some indication of what's been learnt from trying to carry out tests in schools. Because, as I've mentioned before, in my region, certainly, there was at one point a definite disconnect between school staff and NHS leads about who should take responsibility for the administration of lateral flow tests. So, I'm wondering, can you give us an indication now about who should take a lead in the workplace—and that's whichever sector we're talking about? And how will workers who cannot or will not take a test be deployed?

Weinidog, tybed a allech roi rhyw syniad inni o'r hyn sydd wedi'i ddysgu o geisio cynnal profion mewn ysgolion. Oherwydd, fel y soniais o'r blaen, yn fy rhanbarth i yn sicr, roedd datgysylltiad pendant ar un adeg rhwng staff ysgolion ac arweinwyr y GIG ynglŷn â phwy ddylai gymryd cyfrifoldeb am weinyddu profion llif unffordd. Felly, tybed a allwch roi syniad inni nawr pwy ddylai arwain yn y gweithle—ym mha sector bynnag sydd dan sylw? A sut yr adleolir gweithwyr na allant neu nad ydynt yn dymuno cael prawf?

Well, your second question is really a matter for employers, that's why it's important that they work that through with their workplace representatives, including, crucially, trade unions. Because the tests are there as a tool to help protect the workforce, to help us to have early warning of those people who don't have symptoms. And as we understand it, about a third of people don't display classic symptoms, but nevertheless do have coronavirus. We also know that lateral flow tests have quick results, but also, they're not as accurate as a PCR test—that's why anyone who tests positive should then get themselves tested with a PCR test as well, but they need to go home and isolate from the point they test positive with a lateral flow test. As we're seeing a reduction in transmission and prevalence of the virus, the accuracy of the lateral flow tests—I think that second test with PCR is even more important then as well.

Then, when it comes to how to administer the tests, part of the offer for businesses is about the training on the undertaking of those tests as well. We're not going to be in a position to have healthcare workers going in and administering the level of tests we're providing. The current tests we've made available to early years and education and health and care will amount to about a quarter of a million tests being delivered each week. We don't now have healthcare staff to deliver all of these tests. We've had to have approval from the regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, on how tests can be undertaken by individuals, but the training to undertake those, to make sure they're taken appropriately, is really important.

We accept that in providing it this way it's the same challenge that every other UK country faces too, but even if we accept that not every test will be taken in the optimum manner, we will identify a range of people who are asymptomatic whom we would not otherwise have identified. It will help to take positive cases that would not otherwise be identified out of workplaces and out of circulation. The self-isolation will help to reduce the transmission of the virus.

So, there is no pretence that this is a perfect, error-free approach, either in Wales or any other part of the UK, but it is part of reducing the prevalence of the virus and getting more people to self-isolate appropriately to reduce the harm, economically and in healthcare terms, that coronavirus has caused. 

Wel, mater i gyflogwyr yw eich ail gwestiwn mewn gwirionedd, dyna pam y mae'n bwysig eu bod yn gweithio drwy hynny gyda'u cynrychiolwyr yn y gweithle, gan gynnwys, yn hollbwysig, undebau llafur. Oherwydd mae'r profion yno fel arf i helpu i ddiogelu'r gweithlu, i'n helpu i gael rhybudd cynnar o ba bobl sydd heb symptomau. Ac yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallwn, nid yw tua thraean o bobl yn arddangos symptomau clasurol, ond serch hynny mae ganddynt y coronafeirws. Gwyddom hefyd fod profion llif unffordd yn rhoi canlyniadau cyflym, ond nid ydynt mor gywir â phrawf PCR—dyna pam y dylai unrhyw un sy'n profi'n bositif gael prawf PCR hefyd wedyn, ond mae angen iddynt fynd adref ac ynysu o'r pwynt y maent yn profi'n bositif gyda phrawf llif unffordd. Wrth inni weld gostyngiad yn y lefelau trosglwyddo a nifer yr achosion o'r feirws, mae cywirdeb y profion llif unffordd—credaf fod ail brawf gyda PCR hyd yn oed yn bwysicach wedyn hefyd.

Yna, o ran sut i weinyddu'r profion, mae rhan o'r cynnig i fusnesau'n ymwneud â'r hyfforddiant ar gynnal y profion hynny. Nid ydym yn mynd i fod mewn sefyllfa i gael gweithwyr gofal iechyd yn mynd i mewn a gweinyddu'r lefel o brofion rydym yn ei darparu. Bydd oddeutu chwarter miliwn o'r profion presennol rydym wedi'u darparu i'r blynyddoedd cynnar ac addysg ac iechyd a gofal yn cael eu darparu bob wythnos. Nid oes gennym staff gofal iechyd yn awr i gyflawni'r holl brofion hyn. Rydym wedi gorfod cael cymeradwyaeth gan y rheoleiddiwr, yr Asiantaeth Rheoleiddio Meddyginiaethau a Chynhyrchion Gofal Iechyd, ar sut y gall unigolion gynnal profion, ond mae'r hyfforddiant i gynnal y rheini, er mwyn sicrhau eu bod yn cael eu cyflawni yn y modd priodol, yn bwysig iawn.

Wrth ei ddarparu fel hyn, rydym yn derbyn mai'r un yw'r her y mae pob gwlad arall yn y DU yn ei hwynebu hefyd, ond hyd yn oed os derbyniwn na fydd pob prawf yn cael ei wneud yn y ffordd orau, byddwn yn nodi amrywiaeth o bobl sy'n asymptomatig na fyddem wedi'u nodi fel arall. Bydd yn helpu i symud achosion positif na fyddent fel arall wedi cael eu nodi allan o weithleoedd ac atal lledaeniad. Bydd yr hunanynysu yn helpu i leihau trosglwyddiad y feirws.

Felly, nid oes neb yn esgus bod hwn yn ddull perffaith, heb unrhyw gamgymeriadau, naill ai yng Nghymru nac mewn unrhyw ran arall o'r DU, ond mae'n rhan o'r broses o leihau nifer yr achosion o'r feirws a chael mwy o bobl i hunanynysu'n briodol er mwyn lleihau'r niwed y mae coronafeirws wedi'i achosi yn economaidd ac o ran gofal iechyd. 

14:20
Gwasanaethau Deintyddol
Dental Services

7. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am y ddarpariaeth gwasanaethau deintyddol yn ardal Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda? OQ56306

7. Will the Minister make a statement on the delivery of dental services in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area? OQ56306

We continue to implement a safe, phased re‑establishment of NHS dental services. Dental practices are now providing a full range of treatments for patients. As COVID-19 is still in circulation, public health measures remain necessary to ensure a safe environment. This will mean that fewer patients are treated in each clinical session.

Rydym yn parhau i ailsefydlu gwasanaethau deintyddol y GIG yn ddiogel ac yn raddol. Mae practisau deintyddol bellach yn darparu ystod lawn o driniaethau i gleifion. Gan fod COVID-19 yn dal i ledaenu, mae angen mesurau iechyd y cyhoedd o hyd er mwyn sicrhau amgylchedd diogel. Bydd hyn yn golygu bod llai o gleifion yn cael eu trin ym mhob sesiwn glinigol.

Minister, as I know you're aware, I've been contacted by local dentists in my constituency who are frustrated at the lack of support that they've received during the pandemic, as they've incurred substantial costs in order to treat local patients and help offset a potential crisis in oral health by providing vital care to local people.

I know that we've corresponded on this matter a few times over the last few months, and I appreciate from your latest letter that health boards have the flexibility to pay NHS contractors 80 per cent to 100 per cent of their annual dental contract value. But, clearly, from the discussions I'm having with dentists, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Given that it's important to ensure that dentists can survive during this pandemic, and if health boards have the flexibility to support dentists as just mentioned, what discussions has the Welsh Government had with Hywel Dda University Health Board about this issue in order to ensure that there is consistency across the whole of Wales? Can you also tell us what the Welsh Government is doing to protect the sustainability of the sector for the future, so that people who need treatment are able to access it in their local communities?

Weinidog, fel y gwn eich bod chi'n gwybod, mae deintyddion lleol yn fy etholaeth wedi cysylltu â mi am eu bod yn teimlo'n rhwystredig am y diffyg cefnogaeth y maent wedi'i brofi yn ystod y pandemig, wrth iddynt wynebu costau sylweddol yn trin cleifion lleol a helpu i wrthbwyso argyfwng posibl ym maes iechyd y geg drwy ddarparu gofal hanfodol i bobl leol.

Gwn ein bod wedi gohebu ar y mater hwn ychydig o weithiau dros y misoedd diwethaf, ac rwy'n derbyn o'ch llythyr diweddaraf fod gan fyrddau iechyd hyblygrwydd i dalu 80 y cant i 100 y cant o werth eu contract deintyddol blynyddol i gontractwyr y GIG. Ond yn amlwg, o'r trafodaethau rwy'n eu cael gyda deintyddion, nid yw hynny i'w weld yn digwydd.

O ystyried ei bod yn bwysig sicrhau y gall deintyddion oroesi yn ystod y pandemig hwn, ac os oes gan fyrddau iechyd hyblygrwydd i gefnogi deintyddion fel y soniwyd, pa drafodaethau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'u cael gyda Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda am y mater hwn er mwyn sicrhau bod cysondeb ledled Cymru gyfan? A allwch ddweud wrthym hefyd beth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i ddiogelu cynaliadwyedd y sector ar gyfer y dyfodol, fel bod pobl sydd angen triniaeth yn gallu ei chael yn eu cymunedau lleol?

I think there are several different things there. The first is that there's a distinction between NHS dental services and those that are wholly private-run practices as well. There's a point about business support for private practices, but operating within a process and procedure that take account of the health and safety of both the patient as well as staff members. That goes back into earlier questions about employers doing the right thing as well.

When it comes to NHS practices, it would probably be better if I can write to you about the approach that Hywel Dda are taking, their conversations with the chief dental officer's office and how the flexibility to provide support for NHS dental services is being delivered, because I do know you've got concerns that have come to you from people delivering dental services within the area.FootnoteLink

On the further support we've provided, we have, of course, provided ventilation funding support to help make sure that improved ventilation has allowed a further range of activity to be undertaken. On the longer term future, we are looking to continue with our contract reform programme. So, we know that the significant changes in contracts have been broadly welcomed by the dental service, with about 40 per cent of all practices being part of the reform programme before it was suspended prior to the pandemic.

So, we do have a significant contract reform programme to return to once the pandemic is over, and that should mean we have a longer term and more sustainable way of delivering the service, in terms of the financial envelope we have to do so, but also in terms of the value that dental services will provide to the patient in the new way of working that, as I say, has the broad support of dental practitioners.

Rwy'n credu bod sawl peth gwahanol yno. Yn gyntaf, mae gwahaniaeth rhwng gwasanaethau deintyddol y GIG a'r rhai sy'n bractisau cwbl breifat. Mae pwynt am gymorth busnes i bractisau preifat sy'n gweithredu o fewn proses a gweithdrefn sy'n ystyried iechyd a diogelwch y claf yn ogystal ag aelodau o staff. Mae hynny'n cyfeirio'n ôl at gwestiynau cynharach am gyflogwyr yn gwneud y peth iawn.

O ran practisau'r GIG, mae'n debyg y byddai'n well os caf ysgrifennu atoch ynglŷn â'r dull y mae Hywel Dda yn ei ddilyn, eu sgyrsiau â swyddfa'r prif swyddog deintyddol a sut y mae hyblygrwydd i ddarparu cymorth ar gyfer gwasanaethau deintyddol y GIG yn cael ei ddarparu, oherwydd gwn fod gennych bryderon a leisiwyd wrthych gan bobl sy'n darparu gwasanaethau deintyddol yn yr ardal.FootnoteLink

Ar y cymorth pellach rydym wedi'i ddarparu, rydym wedi darparu cymorth cyllid awyru i helpu i sicrhau bod gwell awyru wedi caniatáu i ystod bellach o weithgarwch gael ei chyflawni. Ar y dyfodol mwy hirdymor, rydym yn awyddus i barhau â'n rhaglen i ddiwygio contractau. Felly, gwyddom fod y newidiadau sylweddol i gontractau wedi cael croeso yn gyffredinol gan y gwasanaeth deintyddol, gydag oddeutu 40 y cant o'r holl bractisau yn rhan o'r rhaglen ddiwygio cyn iddi gael ei hatal cyn y pandemig.

Felly, mae gennym raglen sylweddol i ddiwygio contractau i ddychwelyd ati pan fydd y pandemig ar ben, a dylai hynny olygu bod gennym ffordd fwy hirdymor a mwy cynaliadwy o ddarparu'r gwasanaeth, o ran yr amlen ariannol sydd gennym i wneud hynny, ond hefyd o ran y gwerth y bydd gwasanaethau deintyddol yn ei gynnig i'r claf yn y ffordd newydd o weithio sydd, fel y dywedais, wedi'i chefnogi gan ymarferwyr deintyddol yn gyffredinol.

14:25

Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 8, Hefin David.

And finally, question 8, Hefin David.

Darparu’r Brechlyn COVID-19 i Grwpiau Blaenoriaeth 6 i 9
The Delivery of The COVID-19 Vaccine for Priority Groups 6 To 9

8. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am ddarparu’r brechlyn COVID-19 i grwpiau blaenoriaeth 6 i 9 yng Nghymru fel y nododd y Cyd-bwyllgor ar Imiwneiddio a Brechu? OQ56312

8. Will the Minister provide an update on the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine for priority groups 6 to 9 in Wales as set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation? OQ56312

Having met our target to offer vaccination to JCVI priority groups 1 to 4 by mid February, we are making good progress in delivering vaccines to groups 5-9. Not only are we making good progress already, but today you'll be aware that the JCVI issued some updated advice in respect of group 6 for people with a learning disability. I expect to publish guidance later today, for both people with learning disabilities and indeed for unpaid carers, to clarify how they will be invited and how they will receive their vaccines within priority group 6.  

Ar ôl cyrraedd ein targed i gynnig brechiad i grwpiau blaenoriaeth 1 i 4 y cyd-bwyllgor ar imiwneiddio a brechu erbyn canol mis Chwefror, rydym yn gwneud cynnydd da ar ddarparu brechlynnau i grwpiau 5 i 9. Nid yn unig ein bod yn gwneud cynnydd da eisoes, ond heddiw fe fyddwch yn gwybod bod y cyd-bwyllgor ar imiwneiddio a brechu wedi cyhoeddi cyngor wedi'i ddiweddaru mewn perthynas â grŵp 6 ar gyfer pobl ag anabledd dysgu. Rwy'n disgwyl cyhoeddi canllawiau yn ddiweddarach heddiw, ar gyfer pobl ag anableddau dysgu ac yn wir ar gyfer gofalwyr di-dâl, i egluro sut y cânt eu gwahodd a sut y byddant yn cael eu brechlynnau o fewn grŵp blaenoriaeth 6.

As a parent of a child with a learning disability, I declare an interest and welcome that decision. You've said the guidance, you're going to publish today, but the key issue that unpaid carers are asking me is: how will they be called? And I understand, if you could clarify, that will be in the guidance. Can you give us, here in this Senedd, the chance to explain—? Can I give you the chance to explain how those unpaid carers will be called for vaccination?

Fel rhiant i blentyn ag anabledd dysgu, rwy'n datgan buddiant ac yn croesawu'r penderfyniad hwnnw. Rydych wedi sôn am y canllawiau rydych chi'n mynd i'w cyhoeddi heddiw, ond y mater allweddol y mae gofalwyr di-dâl yn gofyn i mi yn ei gylch yw: sut y cânt eu galw? Ac rwy'n deall y bydd hynny yn y canllawiau, os gallwch egluro hynny. A allwch roi cyfle inni egluro, yma yn y Senedd hon—? A gaf fi roi cyfle i chi egluro sut y gelwir ar y gofalwyr di-dâl hynny i gael eu brechu?

So, we've worked with national carers organisations to try to set out and explain how we go beyond the very narrow initial view that the JCVI provided about people in receipt of carers benefits. I think the JCVI guidance looked at a system in England primarily about the identification of carers on GP lists. We've had a different approach here in Wales, you'll be aware, with our carers legislation. So, if people have undertaken carers assessments, the local authorities will have an idea who those people are. We'll also have people who won't have undertaken a formal carers assessment who won't be on a list anywhere, but are undertaking unpaid carer duties. So, we're looking to have an understanding of how we understand who those people are and how we gather that information for the Welsh immunisation system to send out their appointments. We haven't followed the approach that England are taking by having people contact their GPs to go on a register. I think that would have the real risk of overwhelming hard-pressed general practice if unpaid carers were told to contact their GP. So, we've worked with national carers organisations to try to identify who those carers are, and to make sure that that information can then be provided to the Welsh immunisation system. I think the guidance will set out more clearly what that's going to look like to provide the clarity for people who I know have wanted to know how they will access the vaccination that is important for them and, crucially, for the person that they're caring for, and the potential risk of COVID getting to that carer, and what that means for the vulnerable person that they look after. So, later today I need to sign that off once I've finished questions, and that should then be able to go out later this afternoon.

Felly, rydym wedi gweithio gyda sefydliadau gofalwyr cenedlaethol i geisio nodi ac egluro sut rydym yn mynd y tu hwnt i'r safbwynt cychwynnol cul iawn a ddarparodd y cyd-bwyllgor ar imiwneiddio a brechu am bobl sy'n derbyn budd-daliadau i ofalwyr. Credaf fod canllawiau'r cyd-bwyllgor ar imiwneiddio a brechu wedi edrych ar system yn Lloegr yn bennaf ynglŷn â nodi gofalwyr ar restrau meddygon teulu. Mae gennym ddull gweithredu gwahanol yma yng Nghymru, fel y gwyddoch, gyda'n deddfwriaeth gofalwyr. Felly, os yw pobl wedi cael asesiadau gofalwyr, bydd gan yr awdurdodau lleol syniad pwy yw'r bobl hynny. Bydd gennym hefyd bobl na fyddant wedi cael asesiad gofalwyr ffurfiol na fyddant ar restr yn unman, ond sy'n gwneud dyletswyddau gofalwyr di-dâl. Felly, rydym yn awyddus i weld sut rydym yn deall pwy yw'r bobl hynny a sut rydym yn casglu'r wybodaeth honno ar gyfer system imiwneiddio Cymru er mwyn anfon eu hapwyntiadau atynt. Nid ydym wedi dilyn y dull y mae Lloegr yn ei ddefnyddio drwy gael pobl i gysylltu â'u meddygon teulu i fynd ar gofrestr. Credaf y byddai dweud wrth ofalwyr di-dâl gysylltu â'u meddyg teulu'n creu risg wirioneddol o orlethu practis cyffredinol sydd dan bwysau. Felly, rydym wedi gweithio gyda sefydliadau gofalwyr cenedlaethol i geisio nodi pwy yw'r gofalwyr hynny, ac i sicrhau y gellir darparu'r wybodaeth honno wedyn i system imiwneiddio Cymru. Rwy'n credu y bydd y canllawiau'n nodi'n gliriach sut olwg fydd ar hynny er mwyn rhoi'r eglurder i bobl y gwn eu bod eisiau gwybod sut y gallant gael y brechiad sy'n bwysig iddynt, ac yn hollbwysig, i'r person y maent yn gofalu amdanynt, a'r risg bosibl y bydd COVID yn cyrraedd y gofalwr, a beth y mae hynny'n ei olygu i'r person agored i niwed y maent yn gofalu amdanynt. Felly, yn ddiweddarach heddiw mae angen i mi lofnodi'r canllawiau pan fyddaf wedi gorffen y cwestiynau, a dylent fynd allan yn ddiweddarach y prynhawn yma.

You can go and sign it off now, Minister. That's the end of your questions for this afternoon.

Gallwch fynd i'w llofnodi yn awr, Weinidog. Dyna ddiwedd eich cwestiynau ar gyfer y prynhawn yma.

3. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Iechyd Meddwl, Llesiant a'r Gymraeg
3. Questions to the Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language

Felly, mae'r cwestiynau nesaf i'r Gweinidog Iechyd Meddwl, Llesiant a'r Gymraeg, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Jack Sargeant.

So, the next questions are questions to the Minister for Mental Health, Well-being and Welsh Language, and the first question is from Jack Sargeant.

Cymorth Iechyd Meddwl
Mental Health Support

1. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am flaenoriaethau Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer cymorth iechyd meddwl? OQ56299

1. Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's priorities for mental health support? OQ56299

Member
Eluned Morgan 14:28:17
Minister for Mental Health, Well-being and Welsh Language

Diolch. Our immediate priority is to work with partners to respond to changing mental health needs due to the pandemic. Our revised 'Together for Mental Health' delivery plan 2019-22 sets out a range of specific actions, supported by the additional £42 million for mental health in our draft budget to support this.

Diolch. Ein blaenoriaeth gyntaf yw gweithio gyda phartneriaid i ymateb i anghenion iechyd meddwl sy'n newid oherwydd y pandemig. Mae ein cynllun cyflawni diwygiedig 'Law yn Llaw at Iechyd Meddwl' 2019-22 yn nodi ystod o gamau gweithredu penodol, wedi'u hategu gan y £42 miliwn ychwanegol ar gyfer iechyd meddwl yn ein cyllideb ddrafft i gefnogi hyn.

Thank you for that answer, Minister. Now, we know that serious traumatic incidents can have a serious impact on long-term mental health, and I have raised with you before my concerns that we are not reaching people who perhaps do not seek help through the normal prescribed routes, and I should say that is through no fault of their own. So, with that in mind, how do we proactively support people in my own constituency who have suffered the recent trauma of flooding, and may not even recognise or spot the signs that they are in need of support?

Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Nawr, gwyddom y gall digwyddiadau trawmatig difrifol gael effaith ddifrifol ar iechyd meddwl hirdymor, ac rwyf wedi nodi fy mhryderon o'r blaen nad ydym yn cyrraedd pobl nad ydynt o bosibl yn gofyn am gymorth drwy'r llwybrau rhagnodedig arferol, a dylwn ddweud nad oes unrhyw fai arnynt hwy am hynny. Felly, gyda hynny mewn golwg, sut yr awn ati'n rhagweithiol i gefnogi pobl yn fy etholaeth sydd wedi dioddef trawma llifogydd yn ddiweddar, ac na fyddant o bosibl yn adnabod nac yn sylwi hyd yn oed ar yr arwyddion fod angen cymorth arnynt?

Thanks very much for, Jack, and just to make it clear that I'm very aware that actually those kinds of traumas that impact people's lives is something that has come across to me very clearly during my time in this post. And it is something that won't come and go; it's something that can last for a long time. So, a trauma-informed approach to mental health is absolutely central to what we need to be doing. I know when it came to the flooding in the Pontypridd area that Mick Antoniw wrote a report, and I was very pleased to be able to get in touch on that issue with the health authority to make sure that they were providing some support there. I did the same thing for Dai Rees when there was a flooding incident in his area. And, of course, I'd be very happy to do the same for you.

But I think it's probably worth pointing out that, in relation to Natural Resources Wales, they have sent out to all communities a newsletter, and they have put in that newsletter a call centre number—our call helpline—and a number for them to contact Mind, in addition to of course those people who are younger perhaps, that they should be contacting Meic, which is our support centre for younger people. So we have encouraged health boards also to make sure that they work with local agencies to ensure that there is access to these services. But if there are any specific issues you want me to take up, I'd be more than happy to do that, Jack, as I've done for others.

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Jack, a hoffwn ddweud yn glir fy mod yn ymwybodol iawn fod y mathau hynny o drawma sy'n effeithio ar fywydau pobl yn rhywbeth sydd wedi dod i'm rhan yn glir iawn yn ystod fy amser yn y swydd hon. Ac mae'n rhywbeth na fydd yn ymddangos ac yna'n diflannu; mae'n rhywbeth a all bara am amser hir. Felly, mae dull o ymdrin ag iechyd meddwl wedi'i lywio gan drawma yn gwbl ganolog i'r hyn y mae angen inni fod yn ei wneud. Gwn fod Mick Antoniw wedi ysgrifennu adroddiad ar y llifogydd yn ardal Pontypridd, ac roeddwn yn falch iawn o allu dod i gysylltiad ynglŷn â'r mater hwnnw gyda'r awdurdod iechyd i sicrhau eu bod yn darparu cymorth yno. Gwneuthum yr un peth i Dai Rees pan gafwyd llifogydd yn ei ardal ef. Ac wrth gwrs, byddwn yn hapus iawn i wneud yr un peth i chi.

Ond rwy'n credu ei bod yn werth nodi, mewn perthynas â Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, eu bod wedi anfon cylchlythyr at bob cymuned, ac maent wedi rhoi rhif canolfan alwadau yn y cylchlythyr hwnnw—ein llinell gymorth—a rhif iddynt gysylltu â Mind, yn ogystal â'r bobl hynny sy'n iau efallai, y dylent fod yn cysylltu â Meic, sef ein canolfan gymorth i bobl iau. Felly rydym wedi annog byrddau iechyd hefyd i sicrhau eu bod yn gweithio gydag asiantaethau lleol i sicrhau bod y gwasanaethau hyn ar gael. Ond os oes unrhyw faterion penodol rydych am i mi fynd ar eu trywydd, byddwn yn fwy na pharod i wneud hynny, Jack, fel rwyf wedi'i wneud dros eraill.

14:30

Afternoon, Minister. Minister, do you think it's possible for us to do more—for Welsh Government to do more—to reach out to people suffering, or potentially suffering, from mental health issues in rural areas? As I sit here now, by the wonder of Zoom, I can see through the window passers-by walking by in my village. But I spoke to a constituent earlier who lives in one of the more deeper rural areas of my constituency, and she hasn't seen a passer-by for months, due to pandemic restrictions. So, it just seems to me that there are people out there who perhaps aren't being reached out to as much as they could be. I know that your strategy on mental health has been looking at ways that we can reach out to these people, so could you give a particular emphasis on mental health in rural areas?

Prynhawn da, Weinidog. Weinidog, a ydych yn credu ei bod yn bosibl i ni wneud mwy—i Lywodraeth Cymru wneud mwy—i gyrraedd pobl sy'n dioddef, neu sydd o bosibl yn dioddef, o broblemau iechyd meddwl mewn ardaloedd gwledig? Wrth imi eistedd yma yn awr, drwy ryfeddod Zoom, gallaf weld pobl yn cerdded heibio'r ffenest yn fy mhentref. Ond siaradais ag etholwr yn gynharach sy'n byw yn un o ardaloedd mwy gwledig fy etholaeth, ac nid yw wedi gweld unrhyw un yn cerdded heibio ers misoedd, oherwydd cyfyngiadau'r pandemig. Felly, mae'n ymddangos i mi fod yna bobl nad ydynt efallai'n cael eu cyrraedd i'r graddau y gallent fod. Gwn fod eich strategaeth ar iechyd meddwl wedi bod yn edrych ar ffyrdd y gallwn gyrraedd y bobl hyn, felly a allech chi roi pwyslais arbennig ar iechyd meddwl mewn ardaloedd gwledig?

Thanks very much, Nick. And I'll be doing a speech on this very issue in the St David's festival that'll be taking place in the next couple of weeks. So, I'm very happy to be giving this issue some attention, because I do think that there are slightly different issues when it comes to mental health in rural areas, in particular for middle-aged men. So, very often, what we find is that they don't particularly want to go to GPs, for example, because everybody knows each other in these areas. So, whilst in cities the issue very often is the lack of connection, there is, very often, a connection in rural areas where everybody knows each other's business and sometimes they don't want people to know that business.

The other thing I've been doing is liaising very extensively with a lot of the farming communities. I'm very aware that there is a particular issue in the farming community, where of course a lot of people are used to working alone—and of course we're all going through a lot of the experiences that farmers have had to put up with for years and years and years. But there is a particular issue there that I think we need to focus on as well. But I absolutely agree that we need to make sure that those measures are in place. Of course, they're able to access the services that everybody else can access, in terms of call centres, online support, but I am very aware that there is an older community that may want that face-to-face support. And of course, we'll be looking to make sure that, when we come out of this very strict lockdown period, there will be opportunities through our increase in funding to the third sector, that there will be facilities for them to access there.

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Nick. A byddaf yn gwneud araith ar yr union fater hwn yng ngŵyl Dewi Sant a fydd yn cael ei chynnal yn ystod yr wythnosau nesaf. Felly, rwy'n hapus iawn i roi sylw i'r mater hwn, oherwydd rwy'n credu bod yna broblemau ychydig yn wahanol gyda iechyd meddwl mewn ardaloedd gwledig, yn enwedig i ddynion canol oed. Felly, yn aml iawn, yr hyn a welwn yw nad ydynt yn arbennig o awyddus i fynd at feddygon teulu, er enghraifft, oherwydd bod pawb yn adnabod ei gilydd yn yr ardaloedd hyn. Felly, er mai'r broblem mewn dinasoedd yn aml iawn yw'r diffyg cysylltiad, mae yna gysylltiad, yn aml iawn, mewn ardaloedd gwledig lle mae pawb yn gwybod busnes ei gilydd ac weithiau nid ydynt eisiau i bobl ddod i wybod am y pethau hynny.

Y peth arall rwyf wedi bod yn ei wneud yw cysylltu'n helaeth iawn â llawer o'r cymunedau ffermio. Rwy'n ymwybodol iawn fod problem arbennig yn y gymuned ffermio, lle mae llawer o bobl wrth gwrs wedi arfer gweithio ar eu pen eu hunain—ac wrth gwrs rydym i gyd yn mynd drwy lawer o'r profiadau y mae ffermwyr wedi gorfod eu dioddef ers blynyddoedd lawer. Ond mae problem benodol yno y credaf fod angen i ni ganolbwyntio arni hefyd. Ond rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr fod angen i ni sicrhau bod y mesurau hynny ar waith. Wrth gwrs, maent yn gallu cael gafael ar y gwasanaethau y gall pawb arall eu defnyddio, o ran canolfannau galwadau, cymorth ar-lein, ond rwy'n ymwybodol iawn fod yna gymuned hŷn a allai fod eisiau'r cymorth wyneb yn wyneb hwnnw. Ac wrth gwrs, byddwn yn ceisio sicrhau, pan fydd y cyfyngiadau symud llym iawn hyn yn dod i ben, y bydd cyfleoedd ar gael, drwy ein cynnydd yn y cyllid i'r trydydd sector, ac y bydd cyfleusterau iddynt eu defnyddio yno.

Cwestiwn 2, i'w ateb gan y Dirprwy Weinidog Diwylliant, Chwaraeon a Thwristiaeth, ac i'w ofyn gan Huw Irranca-Davies.

Question 2, to be answered by the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, and to be asked by Huw Irranca-Davies.

Safleoedd Gwersylla a Safleoedd Carafannau Domestig
Domestic Camping And Caravan Sites

2. Pa asesiad y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i wneud o ran a fydd modd bodloni’r galw am safleoedd gwersylla a safleoedd carafanau domestig â chyfleusterau sydd wedi’u diogelu rhag COVID yng Nghymru yng ngwanwyn/haf 2021? OQ56302

2. What assessment has the Minister made of whether the demand for domestic camping and caravan sites with COVID-safe facilities in Wales can be met in spring/summer 2021? OQ56302

Diolch yn fawr, Huw, am gwestiwn mor amserol. Rydym ni'n cadw mewn cysylltiad â’r sector—a hynny'n golygu pob sector twristiaeth—drwy’r tasglu twristiaeth, sydd yn cwrdd yn wythnosol, ac mae'r cyfarfod nesaf ddydd Gwener sy'n dod. Ac mae gyda ni hefyd, wrth gwrs, y fframwaith pedwar fforwm rhanbarthol. Mi fydd y baromedr twristiaeth yn cael ei gyhoeddi yn gynnar fis nesaf, a dwi am sicrhau bod yr wybodaeth angenrheidiol am y galw am wersylla ac am garafanau domestig yn cael ei chydnabod fel rhywbeth sy'n allweddol bwysig ar hyn o bryd.

Thank you very much for such a timely question, Huw. We continually engage with the sector—all tourism sectors, in fact—through the tourism taskforce, which meets on a weekly basis, and the next meeting is to be held this coming Friday. And we also of course have the four regional forums in place. And the tourism barometer will be published early next month, and I do want to ensure that the necessary information about the demand for camping and domestic caravans is recognised as something that is crucially important at this point.

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Gweinidog. Thank you so much for that answer. I think you will recognise that many people from working families in our communities will not be rushing off for extravagant holidays overseas this year—they will be looking for cheap and cheerful but good open-air opportunities in domestic tourism. And it's an opportunity, in fact, to make sure that our tourism providers in all parts of Wales, who have struggled over the last year, get a welcome shot in the arm—not the vaccination, but a shot in the arm economically—but also so that some of those families can get to these sites.

Now, in those discussions, Minister, I wonder if you could raise the question with some of the smaller operators, particularly, of camping and caravanning sites, of whether they have sufficient COVID-safe facilities, because I know from experience last year that some of the smaller sites were unable to open because they didn't have simple things such as the ability to provide showers for people to stay overnight and do it COVID-safely and so on. Very simple. So, it might be that there's some scope there maybe even for some grant in aid or soft loans to enable some of the smaller sites as well in parts of Wales to open up. 

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Weinidog. Diolch yn fawr am yr ateb hwnnw. Credaf y byddwch yn cydnabod na fydd llawer o bobl o deuluoedd sy'n gweithio yn ein cymunedau yn rhuthro i drefnu gwyliau tramor drud eleni—byddant yn chwilio am gyfleoedd awyr agored rhad a hwyliog ond da ym maes twristiaeth yn y wlad hon. Ac mae'n gyfle, mewn gwirionedd, i sicrhau bod ein darparwyr twristiaeth ym mhob rhan o Gymru, sydd wedi ei chael hi'n anodd dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, yn cael pigiad i'w groesawu yn y fraich—nid y brechiad, ond pigiad i'r fraich mewn ystyr economaidd—ond hefyd fel y gall rhai o'r teuluoedd hynny gyrraedd y safleoedd hyn.

Nawr, yn y trafodaethau hynny, Weinidog, tybed a allech ofyn i rai o'r gweithredwyr llai, yn enwedig safleoedd gwersylla a charafanio, a oes ganddynt ddigon o gyfleusterau sy'n ddiogel rhag COVID, oherwydd gwn o brofiad y llynedd nad oedd rhai o'r safleoedd llai yn gallu agor am nad oedd ganddynt bethau syml fel y gallu i ddarparu cawodydd i bobl aros dros nos a'i wneud mewn ffordd sy'n ddiogel rhag COVID ac yn y blaen. Syml iawn. Felly, efallai fod rhywfaint o gyfle yno hyd yn oed i gael rhywfaint o gymorth grant neu fenthyciadau meddal i alluogi rhai o'r safleoedd llai mewn rhannau o Gymru i agor hefyd.

14:35

Diolch, Huw. I'm very much taken by that suggestion, and, indeed, Visit Wales is already working on the lessons learned from last year's reopening with the local authorities to see what we can do. There are interesting and difficult planning issues, of course. The 28-day rule already allows landowners to use land for tented camping only without formal planning permission, but I'm very keen that we should look again—this is a matter obviously to be discussed with my colleague, the planning Minister—at the way we can make our planning system both environmentally sound, but also open to the demand that will arise for the use of the open air and the countryside.

Diolch, Huw. Mae'r awgrym hwnnw'n ddeniadol iawn, ac yn wir, mae Croeso Cymru eisoes yn gweithio ar y gwersi a ddysgwyd o ailagor y llynedd gyda'r awdurdodau lleol i weld beth y gallwn ei wneud. Ceir rhai problemau cynllunio diddorol ac anodd wrth gwrs. Mae'r rheol 28 diwrnod eisoes yn caniatáu i dirfeddianwyr ddefnyddio tir ar gyfer gwersylla pebyll yn unig heb ganiatâd cynllunio ffurfiol, ond rwy'n awyddus iawn i edrych eto—yn amlwg mae hwn yn fater i'w drafod gyda fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog cynllunio—ar y ffordd y gallwn wneud ein system gynllunio'n amgylcheddol gadarn, ond hefyd yn agored i'r galw a fydd yn codi am ddefnyddio mannau awyr agored a chefn gwlad.

Minister, I listened very carefully to your answer to Huw Irranca-Davies there. As you will know, in Conwy and Denbighshire here, we rely heavily on tourism as an industry, and we have amongst the very best holiday caravan sites and campsites in the whole of the United Kingdom. They tell me that it's very important that they have a clear understanding of when they will be able to reopen again, and, clearly, if there is going to be a phased reopening, it does need to be cognisant of the fact that many people are owners of the caravans on those individual sites and will want to avail themselves of the facilities that they are paying for. So, can you tell us today what your estimation is of the dates on which these holiday caravan parks in particular will be able to reopen their businesses, to give some security to those caravan owners, and the site owners, about the ability to enjoy their holidays once again here in Wales?

Weinidog, gwrandewais yn astud iawn ar eich ateb i Huw Irranca-Davies yn awr. Fel y gwyddoch, yng Nghonwy a Sir Ddinbych, rydym yn dibynnu'n drwm ar dwristiaeth fel diwydiant, ac mae gennym rai o'r safleoedd carafannau gwyliau a gwersylloedd gorau yn y Deyrnas Unedig gyfan. Maent yn dweud wrthyf ei bod yn bwysig iawn eu bod yn deall yn glir pa bryd y gallant ailagor eto, ac yn amlwg, os bydd yr ailagor yn digwydd yn raddol, mae angen bod yn ymwybodol o'r ffaith bod llawer o bobl yn berchen ar y carafannau ar y safleoedd unigol hynny ac y byddant eisiau manteisio ar y cyfleusterau y maent yn talu amdanynt. Felly, a allwch chi ddweud wrthym heddiw ar ba ddyddiadau y rhagwelwch y bydd y parciau carafannau gwyliau hyn yn enwedig yn gallu ailagor eu busnesau, er mwyn rhoi rhywfaint o sicrwydd i'r perchnogion carafannau hynny, a pherchnogion y safleoedd, y byddant yn gallu mwynhau eu gwyliau unwaith eto yma yng Nghymru?

Well, I think you will know from other occasions when I've spoken about this that I am the last person to ask about dates where public health issues are involved, because, clearly, as a Government, we've taken a very firm line that everything we do has to be within the context of public health. I'm aware that our neighbouring Government in England has decided to announce dates. Welsh Government will not be announcing dates, and I certainly don't intend to announce this afternoon any dates. But I will certainly take on board your point that we should make sure that all our businesses who provide such a valuable way of enjoying the Welsh countryside, as is provided by the caravan and camping sites—that all these businesses are informed in good time when opening will happen. 

Wel, rwy'n credu y byddwch yn gwybod o'r adegau eraill rwyf wedi siarad am hyn mai fi yw'r person olaf i ofyn iddo am ddyddiadau mewn perthynas â materion iechyd cyhoeddus, oherwydd, yn amlwg, fel Llywodraeth, rydym wedi mabwysiadu'r ymagwedd gadarn iawn fod yn rhaid i bopeth a wnawn fod yng nghyd-destun iechyd y cyhoedd. Rwy'n ymwybodol fod y Llywodraeth dros y ffin yn Lloegr wedi penderfynu cyhoeddi dyddiadau. Ni fydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn cyhoeddi dyddiadau, ac yn sicr nid wyf yn bwriadu cyhoeddi unrhyw ddyddiadau y prynhawn yma. Ond byddaf yn sicr yn ystyried eich pwynt y dylem sicrhau bod ein holl fusnesau sy'n darparu ffordd mor werthfawr o fwynhau cefn gwlad Cymru, fel sy'n cael ei ddarparu gan y safleoedd carafannau a gwersylla hyn—fod yr holl fusnesau hyn yn cael gwybod mewn da bryd pryd y byddant yn cael ailagor.

Minister, the 'Visit Wales. Later' slogan was used to great effect last year. Those using caravans in Wales are often people, as Darren said, who own their own, and coming to Wales feels, for them, like coming home. I'm deeply concerned though about the anti-English, anti-incomer rhetoric used in Wales, and also in Scotland. It has been noticed by a lot of caravan owners, and they're saying that they really don't feel that they're welcome and they're thinking of leaving lock, stock and barrel. Will you condemn such rhetoric, and give an assurance that, once it is safe to do so, visitors will receive the warm welcome that they have come to expect over the years? Thank you. 

Weinidog, defnyddiwyd y slogan 'Hwyl fawr. Am y tro.' yn effeithiol iawn y llynedd. Mae'r rhai sy'n defnyddio carafannau yng Nghymru yn aml yn bobl sy'n berchen ar eu carafannau eu hunain, fel y dywedodd Darren, ac mae dod i Gymru yn teimlo fel dod adref iddynt hwy. Rwy'n pryderu'n fawr er hynny am y rhethreg wrth-Seisnig, wrth-ymwelwyr a ddefnyddir yng Nghymru, a hefyd yn yr Alban. Mae llawer o berchnogion carafannau wedi sylwi arni, ac maent yn dweud nad ydynt yn teimlo bod croeso iddynt ac maent yn ystyried gadael yn gyfan gwbl. A wnewch chi gondemnio rhethreg o'r fath, a rhoi sicrwydd y bydd ymwelwyr, pan fydd hi'n ddiogel gwneud hynny, yn cael y croeso cynnes y maent wedi dod i'w ddisgwyl dros y blynyddoedd? Diolch.

That's an absolute and strong yes. 

Fe wnaf hynny'n bendant iawn.

Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Lefarwyr y Pleidiau
Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, David Melding. 

Questions now by the party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, David Melding. 

Diolch yn fawr, Cadeirydd. Minister, you'd have heard in our joint session with the Youth Parliament the emphasis they place on well-being and good mental health. Many of them will soon be entering the workforce, so I'd like to ask what plans are in place, as we move towards the end of the lockdown, to support workplaces that promote well-being and good mental health.

Diolch yn fawr, Gadeirydd. Weinidog, yn ein sesiwn ar y cyd â'r Senedd Ieuenctid, byddwch wedi clywed y pwyslais y maent yn ei roi ar lesiant ac iechyd meddwl da. Bydd llawer ohonynt yn ymuno â'r gweithlu cyn bo hir, felly hoffwn ofyn pa gynlluniau sydd ar waith, wrth inni symud tuag at ddiwedd y cyfyngiadau symud, i gefnogi gweithleoedd sy'n hyrwyddo llesiant ac iechyd meddwl da.

14:40

Thank you very much, David. I can assure you that we've put a lot of work into—. In particular, when we come to the workforce who are on the front line, we've made sure that we've put a lot of protection in place for them, but we've gone much further than that when it comes to Working Wales. So, we have a programme, Working Wales. I think about 35 per cent of businesses and public sector areas, they have signed up to this, and they have made a commitment to really stand by their workforce to make sure they get rid of the stigma relating to mental health, and they are adapting what is happening in that space in relation to COVID. So, I'm very pleased to see that that's happening. 

And, of course, the other thing we've done is we've continued to fund Time to Change, which is very different from what's been done in England, unfortunately. I think it was a huge mistake on the part of the Conservative Government to cut the funding for Time to Change just in the middle of a pandemic. It was a real shame, because, actually, the one thing that we've done in this pandemic is we've talked about mental health in a way that has now become absolutely accepted. Everybody understands that it is a societal issue that we all have to take seriously, and I'm very pleased to see that happening, and that support in the workplace is absolutely really being driven alongside that project that we have in the Welsh Government. 

Diolch yn fawr iawn, David. Gallaf eich sicrhau ein bod wedi gwneud llawer o waith—. Yn benodol, mewn perthynas â'r gweithlu sydd ar y rheng flaen, rydym wedi sicrhau ein bod wedi darparu llawer o amddiffyniad ar eu cyfer, ond rydym wedi mynd lawer ymhellach na hynny o ran Cymru'n Gweithio. Felly, mae gennym raglen, Cymru'n Gweithio. Credaf fod tua 35 y cant o fusnesau a meysydd sector cyhoeddus wedi cefnogi hyn, ac maent wedi ymrwymo i gefnogi eu gweithlu i sicrhau eu bod yn cael gwared ar y stigma sy'n gysylltiedig ag iechyd meddwl, ac maent yn addasu'r hyn sy'n digwydd yn y gofod hwnnw mewn perthynas â COVID. Felly, rwy'n falch iawn o weld bod hynny'n digwydd.

Ac wrth gwrs, y peth arall rydym wedi'i wneud yw parhau i ariannu Amser i Newid, sy'n wahanol iawn i'r hyn sydd wedi'i wneud yn Lloegr, yn anffodus. Credaf fod y Llywodraeth Geidwadol wedi gwneud camgymeriad enfawr yn torri'r cyllid ar gyfer Amser i Newid yng nghanol pandemig. Roedd yn drueni mawr, oherwydd, mewn gwirionedd, un peth rydym wedi'i wneud yn y pandemig hwn yw siarad am iechyd meddwl mewn ffordd sydd bellach wedi'i derbyn yn llwyr. Mae pawb yn deall ei fod yn fater cymdeithasol y mae'n rhaid i bob un ohonom fod o ddifrif yn ei gylch, ac rwy'n falch iawn o weld hynny'n digwydd, ac rwy'n falch bod cymorth yn y gweithle yn cael ei hyrwyddo ochr yn ochr â'r prosiect sydd gennym yn Llywodraeth Cymru.

Well, Minister, I commend the change in attitude that's taken. I speak as someone who has for many years—in fact, throughout my service here—worked with a mental health condition. And would you commend, as I do, charities like Mind, and in particular Mind's workplace well-being index? That's a key tool, it seems to me, for healthy workplaces. 

I do want to shift focus now. As many people have been dislocated from their jobs—they've been on furlough for long periods of time, and alas some have now lost their jobs and they suffer the stress triggered by isolation. As unemployment rates are predicted to climb, though I know we did see a recent fall—and let's hope that continues, but the prediction is that unemployment will increase in the next year or so—what measures will be in place to promote mental health and well-being resilience in training and back-to-work programmes?  

Wel, Weinidog, rwy'n cymeradwyo'r newid agwedd sydd wedi bod. Siaradaf fel rhywun sydd wedi gweithio gyda chyflwr iechyd meddwl ers blynyddoedd lawer—mewn gwirionedd, drwy gydol fy ngwasanaeth yma. Ac a fyddech fel finnau'n cymeradwyo elusennau fel Mind, ac yn arbennig mynegai llesiant yn y gweithle Mind? Ymddengys i mi fod hwnnw'n arf allweddol ar gyfer gweithleoedd iach.

Rwyf am newid ffocws yn awr. Gan fod llawer o bobl i ffwrdd o'u swyddi—maent wedi bod ar ffyrlo ers cyfnodau hir, ac yn anffodus mae rhai bellach wedi colli eu swyddi ac maent yn dioddef y straen sy'n deillio o deimlo'n ynysig. Gan y rhagwelir y bydd cyfraddau diweithdra'n codi, er fy mod yn gwybod ein bod wedi gweld gostyngiad yn ddiweddar—a gadewch inni obeithio y bydd hwnnw'n parhau, ond yr hyn a ragwelir yw y bydd diweithdra'n cynyddu yn y flwyddyn neu ddwy nesaf—pa fesurau fydd ar waith i hybu iechyd meddwl a llesiant mewn hyfforddiant a rhaglenni dychwelyd i'r gwaith?

Thanks very much, David. I think, just to pay tribute to the incredible work that Mind has been doing over the years, and we're very pleased to be funding Mind to really run lots of the projects that we're involved with in Wales—. And I pay tribute in particular to Sara Moseley, who will be leaving the organisation in the next few weeks, for all the work she's done with us in recent years.

Of course, mental health and well-being in the workplace is something that we all have to take very seriously. I do think that dislocation that you talk about is something that we have to take seriously. I'm very interested at the moment—. I'm reading a book about Johann Hari about lost connections, and I do think that that's something that we need to understand. It's the connectivity that is so important when it comes to mental health. 

The one thing that I can assure you, David, is that we, as a Government, are very aware that this is not just a health issue, that actually the relationship between mental health and socioeconomic issues is absolutely one and the same. And we are really fearful of a possible downturn when it comes to the economy and the potential increase that that may cause in terms of mental health issues. And that's why we're working very closely with organisations across Wales who give support in that space to make sure that, when we're giving advice when it comes to employment, we're also making sure that we are giving advice and pointing out where people can go to for advice when it comes to mental health services. So, I'm very pleased to see that, and I would encourage people to make sure they call our call helpline or access our online facility, SilverCloud. 

Diolch yn fawr iawn, David. Hoffwn dalu teyrnged i'r gwaith anhygoel y mae Mind wedi bod yn ei wneud dros y blynyddoedd, ac rydym yn falch iawn o fod yn ariannu Mind i gynnal llawer o'r prosiectau rydym yn ymwneud â hwy yng Nghymru—. Ac rwy'n talu teyrnged yn arbennig i Sara Moseley, a fydd yn gadael y sefydliad yn ystod yr wythnosau nesaf, am yr holl waith y mae wedi'i wneud gyda ni yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf.

Wrth gwrs, mae iechyd meddwl a llesiant yn y gweithle yn rhywbeth y mae'n rhaid i bob un ohonom fod o ddifrif yn ei gylch. Credaf fod y ffaith bod pobl i ffwrdd o'u gwaith, fel rydych newydd sôn, yn rhywbeth y mae'n rhaid inni fod o ddifrif yn ei gylch. Mae gennyf ddiddordeb mawr ar hyn o bryd—. Rwy'n darllen llyfr am gysylltiadau coll gan Johann Hari, ac rwy'n credu bod hwnnw'n rhywbeth y mae angen i ni ei ddeall. Y cysylltedd sydd mor bwysig mewn perthynas ag iechyd meddwl.

Un peth y gallaf eich sicrhau, David, yw ein bod ni, fel Llywodraeth, yn ymwybodol iawn nad mater iechyd yn unig yw hwn, fod yr un berthynas yn union rhwng iechyd meddwl a materion economaidd-gymdeithasol. Ac rydym yn ofni dirywiad posibl yn yr economi a'r cynnydd posibl y gallai hynny ei achosi mewn problemau iechyd meddwl. A dyna pam rydym yn gweithio'n agos iawn gyda sefydliadau ledled Cymru sy'n rhoi cymorth yn hynny o beth i sicrhau, pan fyddwn yn rhoi cyngor mewn perthynas â chyflogaeth, ein bod hefyd yn sicrhau ein bod yn rhoi cyngor ac yn tynnu sylw at ble y gall pobl fynd i gael cyngor ynglŷn â gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl. Felly, rwy'n falch iawn o weld hynny, a byddwn yn annog pobl i sicrhau eu bod yn ffonio ein llinell gymorth neu'n defnyddio ein cyfleuster ar-lein, SilverCloud.

Well, thank you for that answer, Minister. I do think there will be a lot of work to do in various training and back-to-work programmes in the future, because many people have suffered real trauma in the way they have been forced to leave the workplace or their traditional work has been taken away from them. 

My final question, however, is that COVID has changed also the patterns of work, sometimes permanently, it seems to me, and we've seen this in much of the public sector. And I just wonder how the Welsh Government will ensure that, as the civil service and public agencies shift to greater home working, for instance, this does not reduce the level of support and constructive supervision needed to maintain good mental health and well-being in the workplace. We've seen a societal shift in this area, it seems to me, but it is one that needs careful management if we are to have maximum well-being.

Wel, diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Credaf y bydd llawer o waith i'w wneud mewn gwahanol raglenni hyfforddi a dychwelyd i'r gwaith yn y dyfodol, oherwydd mae llawer o bobl wedi dioddef trawma gwirioneddol ar ôl cael eu gorfodi i adael y gweithle neu ar ôl colli eu gwaith arferol.

Mae fy nghwestiwn olaf, fodd bynnag, yn ymwneud â'r ffaith bod COVID hefyd wedi newid patrymau gwaith, a hynny'n barhaol weithiau, mae'n ymddangos i mi, ac rydym wedi gweld llawer o hyn yn y sector cyhoeddus. Ac rwy'n meddwl tybed sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru, wrth i'r gwasanaeth sifil ac asiantaethau cyhoeddus newid i fwy o weithio gartref er enghraifft, yn sicrhau nad yw hyn yn lleihau lefel y cymorth a'r oruchwyliaeth adeiladol sydd eu hangen i gynnal iechyd meddwl a llesiant da yn y gweithle. Rydym wedi gweld newid cymdeithasol yn y maes hwn, mae'n ymddangos i mi, ond mae'n un y mae angen ei reoli'n ofalus os ydym eisiau sicrhau'r llesiant gorau posibl.

14:45

Thanks very much, David. Absolutely, that pattern of working has, I think, changed forever; I don't think we'll be going back to the patterns that we had before and certainly, as a Welsh Government, we've got a commitment now to work towards that 30 per cent of the workforce working from home. So, that's a significant shift. And you're absolutely right: just because people are working from home, it doesn't mean that they don't need support. In fact, they may need more support because they are less connected. So, we are making sure, certainly from a Welsh Government point of view, that we're offering that support. What's really heartened me, though, is that the private sector have really started to understand this now. They've understood that, actually, when it comes to their workforce, their productivity is going to decrease if people have mental health issues and that's why they are putting support in place as well. 

I was very pleased to meet up recently with a group of employers from the private sector, who are really focusing on this issue, making sure that the kind of support that they're putting in place for their workers is really listening to the requirements that people are asking for. So, I do think that we also have to be sensitive to the fact that, actually, there may be people who find it very uncomfortable to work from home. You think about some people, in particular, maybe in domestic abuse settings, it may be very, very difficult for them. So, we need to make sure that we keep these lines of communication open for people and provide that option to get back to an office, if that is the way that they want to go in future.

Diolch yn fawr iawn, David. Yn sicr, rwy'n credu bod y patrwm gweithio hwnnw wedi newid am byth; nid wyf yn credu y byddwn yn dychwelyd at y patrymau a oedd gennym o'r blaen ac yn sicr, fel Llywodraeth Cymru, mae gennym ymrwymiad yn awr i weithio tuag at sicrhau bod 30 y cant o'r gweithlu'n gweithio gartref. Felly, mae hwnnw'n newid sylweddol. Ac rydych yn llygad eich lle: nid yw'r ffaith bod pobl yn gweithio gartref yn golygu nad oes angen cymorth arnynt. Yn wir, efallai y bydd angen mwy o gymorth arnynt am eu bod yn llai cysylltiedig. Felly, rydym yn sicrhau, yn sicr o safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru, ein bod yn cynnig y gefnogaeth honno. Yr hyn sydd wedi fy nghalonogi'n fawr, serch hynny, yw bod y sector preifat wedi dechrau deall hyn yn awr. Maent wedi deall, mewn gwirionedd, y bydd cynhyrchiant eu gweithlu yn gostwng os oes gan bobl broblemau iechyd meddwl a dyna pam eu bod hwythau'n rhoi cymorth ar waith hefyd.

Roeddwn yn falch iawn o gyfarfod yn ddiweddar â grŵp o gyflogwyr o'r sector preifat, sy'n canolbwyntio'n wirioneddol ar y mater hwn, gan sicrhau bod y math o gymorth y maent yn ei roi ar waith i'w gweithwyr yn gwrando ar anghenion pobl mewn gwirionedd. Felly, credaf fod yn rhaid inni hefyd fod yn sensitif i'r ffaith y gallai fod rhai pobl yn ei chael hi'n anghyfforddus iawn i weithio gartref. Rydych yn meddwl am rai pobl yn arbennig, efallai mewn sefyllfaoedd lle ceir cam-drin domestig, a gallai fod yn anodd iawn iddynt hwy. Felly, mae angen inni sicrhau ein bod yn cadw'r llinellau cyfathrebu hyn ar agor i bobl ac yn darparu'r opsiwn i ddychwelyd i swyddfa, os mai dyna maent yn dymuno ei wneud yn y dyfodol.

Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth. 

Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Diolch, Llywydd. A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi eu cymryd i sicrhau mynediad at wasanaethau iechyd meddwl yn ystod y pandemig?

Thank you, Llywydd. Will the Minister outline what steps the Welsh Government has taken to secure access to mental health services during the pandemic?

Wel, rŷn ni wedi gwneud yn siŵr bod y mynediad yna ar gael, ei fod yn dal i gael ei weld fel rhywbeth sydd yn essential service ar gyfer yr NHS. Wrth gwrs, mae'r galw ar gyfer gwasanaethau wedi cynyddu yn ystod y cyfnod yma a dyna pam rŷn ni wedi rhoi lot mwy o arian i mewn i'r ardal yma. Rŷn ni wedi rhoi £1.5 miliwn yn ychwanegol i rili anelu'r help at help yn y gymuned, trwy'r trydydd sector. Dwi'n meddwl fod hwnna, i fi, yn bwyslais newydd y mae'n rhaid inni ei roi ar sicrhau ein bod ni'n cymryd y pwysau, os ŷn ni'n gallu, oddi wrth yr NHS a rhoi'r gofal lle bydd hi'n fwy cynaliadwy yn y tymor hir, y tu fewn i'r gymuned.

Well, we have ensured that that access is available and that it's still seen as something that is an essential service within the NHS. Of course, demand for services has increased during that period and that's why we have provided far more funding into this particular area. We've provided an additional £1.5 million to target that help at help in our communities, through the third sector. And I think, for me, that's a new emphasis that we must provide in order to take the pressure off the NHS, wherever possible, and to provide that care where it will be more sustainable in the longer term, within the community. 

Dwi'n falch, wrth gwrs, o glywed y Gweinidog yn dweud bod gwasanaethau a mynediad atyn nhw yn gwbl, gwbl hanfodol. Rydyn ni i gyd yn gytûn ar hynny, ond mae'n glir bod llawer o bobl yn cael trafferth cael mynediad at y gefnogaeth y maen nhw ei hangen. Os edrychwch ar ddata gan Stats Wales, rydyn ni'n gweld bod y nifer a gafodd eu cyfeirio at wasanaethau iechyd meddwl lleol wedi gostwng dros chwarter yn y naw mis at fis Rhagfyr o'i gymharu efo'r flwyddyn gynt. Mi wnaeth niferoedd asesiadau ostwng o ryw chwarter hefyd ac mi wnaeth niferoedd yr ymyriadau therapiwtig ostwng ryw 10 y cant yn yr un cyfnod. Felly, er ein bod ni'n clywed bod y rhain yn wasanaethau hanfodol, mae yna ormod o bobl sy'n methu â chael mynediad atyn nhw. Felly, pa gamau ychwanegol gall Llywodraeth Cymru eu cymryd i wneud yn siŵr bod y bobl sydd angen y gefnogaeth yna yn gallu ei chael hi?

I'm of course pleased to hear the Minister say that services and access to services are crucial. We're all agreed on that, but it's true that many people are having difficulty accessing the support that they need. If you look at Stats Wales data, we see that the numbers referred to mental health services at a local level reduced by over a quarter in the nine months to December, as compared to the previous year. The number of assessments fell by around a quarter too and the number of therapeutic interventions fell by 10 per cent in the same period. So, although we are hearing that these are crucial services, there are too many people who can't access them. So, what additional steps can the Welsh Government take in order to ensure that people who need that support can access it?

Diolch. Mae'r data sydd wedi cael ei gyhoeddi heddiw yn dangos ein bod ni dim ond jest wedi methu ein targed ni o 80 y cant o asesiadau yn cael eu gwneud—78 y cant wnaethom ni gyrraedd. Felly, dwi yn meddwl ei fod yn dda ein bod ni wedi gallu cyrraedd y lefel yna er bod y gofyn wedi cynyddu yn aruthrol. Yr un peth sydd yn fy mhoeni i yw bod y data yn cyfeirio at y rheini sydd o dan 18 islaw'r targed ac mae hynny'n rhywbeth rŷn ni'n poeni amdano, ond wrth gwrs rŷn ni wedi rhoi lot o fesurau mewn lle nawr i roi lot mwy o gefnogaeth y tu fewn i'n hysgolion ni. Ac, wrth gwrs, mi fyddwn ni, yn yr haf, yn rolio allan system newydd lle bydd yna ymyrraeth yn gynnar er mwyn cynnal a helpu pobl ifanc. Felly, dwi yn gobeithio y byddwn ni'n canolbwyntio ar y rheini, yn arbennig pobl ifanc, oherwydd mae 80 y cant o broblemau, rŷn ni'n gwybod, o ran iechyd meddwl, yn dechrau pan fo pobl o dan 18.

Thank you. The data published today does demonstrate that we have only just missed our target of 80 per cent of assessments being carried out—I think it was 78 per cent that we reached. So, I do think that it's positive that we were able to reach that level although there had been a huge increase in demand. One thing that concerns me is that the data refers to those under the age of 18 and that's below target and that's something that's concerning, but of course we've put a number of measures in place to provide far more support within our schools. And, of course, in the summer, we will be rolling out a new system where there will be early intervention in order to support young people. So, I do very much hope that we will be focusing on those, particularly young people, as 80 per cent of mental health problems, as we know, start among the under-18s.

14:50

Ie, a dwi'n falch eich bod chi wedi cyfeirio at bobl ifanc achos, fel rydych chi yn ei ddweud, mae'r ystadegau'n dangos bod pobl ifanc yn dioddef mwy. Rydyn ni’n gwybod bod y pandemig wedi cael effaith ddofn iawn ar iechyd meddwl pobl a bod pobl ifanc wedi dioddef mwy na neb. Ac mae’r mynediad cyflym at ofal i bobl ifanc yn arbennig o bwysig er mwyn trio atal problemau rhag datblygu yn rhai mwy dwys maes o law. Dyna pam ein bod ni ym Mhlaid Cymru yn sôn am gael y rhwydwaith yma o ganolfannau llesiant i bobl ifanc lle maen nhw’n gallu cael mynediad at gefnogaeth iechyd meddwl yn syth.

Felly, rydych chi wedi cyfeirio at y data. A wnewch chi ymrwymo i edrych yn fanwl ar sut y gallwn ni newid y data yna ar gyfer y tro nesaf y byddan nhw’n cael eu cyhoeddi a rhoi cynllun clir iawn mewn lle i ddynodi pa gefnogaeth ddylai fod ar gael a sut i gael mynediad ato fo, a hefyd sicrhau, ar ben yr arian ychwanegol sydd wedi cael ei glustnodi dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, fod gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl, mewn gofal sylfaenol yn benodol, yn cael yr adnoddau sydd eu hangen er mwyn ymdopi â’r galw rŵan ac yn y dyfodol?

Well, I'm pleased that you referred to young people, because, as you said, the stats demonstrate that young people do suffer more. And we know that the pandemic has had a very grave impact on the mental health of people and that young people have suffered more than anyone. Early access to care for young people is particularly important in trying to prevent problems from becoming more acute in the longer term, and that's why we in Plaid Cymru are talking about having this network of well-being centres for young people, where they can access mental health support immediately.

Now, you've referred to the data, but will you commit to looking in detail as to how we can make sure that that data is changed the next time it's published, and put a very clear plan in place that will note what support should be available and how that could be accessed, and also ensure, in addition to the additional funding allocated over the past 12 months, that mental health services, in primary care specifically, are given the resources necessary in order to cope with the demand now and in the future?

Diolch, Rhun. Wel, wrth gwrs, roedd y ffigurau a ddaeth mas o’r arolwg yna wnaeth y comisiynydd plant yn dangos—. Roedd hwnna yn codi gofidion mawr i ni, y ffaith bod 67 y cant o blant o 12 i 18 yn dweud eu bod nhw’n drist rhan neu drwy’r amser, ac felly mae hwnna wrth gwrs yn codi pryder mawr i ni. Dyna pam rŷn ni wedi anelu lot o’n gwaith ni yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf at hyn, a dwi eisiau talu teyrnged i'r pwyllgor plant sydd wedi gwneud cymaint o waith yn y maes yma ac wedi ein helpu ni o ran y trywydd y dylem ni fod yn ei gymryd.

Dwi yn meddwl bod yr help ychwanegol yna a’r arian ychwanegol fydd yn mynd mewn i helpu tu mewn i ysgolion—dwi yn gobeithio y bydd hynny'n helpu—ond mae’n rhaid inni sicrhau bod hwnna yn cysylltu â'r early help and enhanced support yna. Felly, mae fframwaith newydd yn mynd i ddod mewn, yn yr haf, fydd yn sicrhau ein bod ni’n cydgysylltu'r cynnig sydd ar gael yn yr ysgol â’r cynnig sydd ar gael y tu mewn i’n cymunedau, ddim o reidrwydd trwy’r NHS, achos dwi’n keen iawn i sicrhau ein bod ni’n defnyddio'r trydydd sector i helpu yn y maes yma hefyd.

Thank you, Rhun. Well, of course, the figures that came from that survey conducted by the children's commissioner raised major concerns for us, the fact that 67 per cent of children between 12 and 18 had said that they felt sad some of the time or all of the time, and of course that is a cause of great concern to us. That is why we have targeted much of our work over the past few months in this area, and I want to pay tribute to the children and young people's committee that has done so much work in this area and have assisted us in terms of our direction of travel.

I do think that the additional support and the additional funding that will be provided to assist in schools—and I do hope that that will help—but we must ensure that that does link up with the early help and enhanced support. So, a new framework will be put in place in the summer in order to ensure that we do co-ordinate the offer available in school and the offer available within our communities, not necessarily through the NHS, because I'm very keen to ensure that we do use the third sector to assist us in this area too.

Iechyd Meddwl Gweithlu’r GIG a Gofal Cymdeithasol
The Mental Health of the NHS and Social Care Workforce

3. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gynorthwyo iechyd meddwl gweithlu’r GIG a gofal cymdeithasol yn ystod y pandemig? OQ56313

3. What action is the Welsh Government taking to support the mental health of the NHS and social care workforce during the pandemic? OQ56313

Well, I'd like to pay tribute for the real interest that Jayne Bryant has shown in this issue. I know she's just just asked the question to the health Minister on a similar subject, and I think it's absolutely right to focus on this. The Welsh Government fully recognises the incredible physical and emotional demands faced by our NHS and social care workforce, and we're really closely monitoring the impact and working with partners, to provide immediate additional support to respond to people’s changing mental health needs.

Wel, hoffwn gydnabod y diddordeb gwirioneddol y mae Jayne Bryant wedi'i ddangos yn y mater hwn. Rwy'n gwybod ei bod newydd ofyn cwestiwn ar bwnc tebyg i'r Gweinidog iechyd, ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn hollol iawn i ganolbwyntio ar hyn. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn llwyr gydnabod y galwadau corfforol ac emosiynol anhygoel sy'n wynebu ein gweithlu GIG a gofal cymdeithasol, ac rydym yn monitro'r effaith yn agos iawn ac yn gweithio gyda phartneriaid i ddarparu cymorth ychwanegol uniongyrchol i ymateb i anghenion iechyd meddwl newidiol pobl.

Thank you very much for that answer, Minister. Last month, I was able to hold a short debate to highlight the pressure on our front-line NHS and social care staff and what they've experienced over the last year. I was privileged to read out some powerful and emotive statements from nurses, theatre assistants, paramedics and practitioners about the realities of facing the virus. Staff are exhausted, both mentally and physically, and many have feelings of grief and guilt. It's clear that the consequences of COVID will be felt by those on the front line for many years to come. It's likely to have a legacy of mental health issues and people questioning whether they still want to, or are able to, stay in the job because of burnout. What steps can the Welsh Government take to target support on our NHS and social care workforce so that we do all we can to look after those who care for us?

Diolch yn fawr am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Fis diwethaf, gallais gynnal dadl fer i dynnu sylw at y pwysau ar ein staff GIG a gofal cymdeithasol rheng flaen a'r hyn y maent wedi'i brofi dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf. Cefais y fraint o ddarllen datganiadau pwerus ac emosiynol gan nyrsys, cynorthwywyr theatr, parafeddygon ac ymarferwyr ynglŷn â realiti wynebu'r feirws. Mae staff wedi ymlâdd, yn feddyliol ac yn gorfforol, ac mae gan lawer deimladau o alar ac euogrwydd. Mae'n amlwg y bydd canlyniadau COVID yn cael eu teimlo gan y rhai ar y rheng flaen am flynyddoedd lawer i ddod. Mae'n debygol o esgor ar broblemau iechyd meddwl a phobl yn cwestiynu a ydynt yn dal i fod eisiau, neu'n gallu, aros yn y swydd oherwydd lludded. Pa gamau y gall Llywodraeth Cymru eu cymryd i ddarparu cymorth wedi'i dargedu i'n GIG a'n gweithlu gofal cymdeithasol fel ein bod yn gwneud popeth yn ein gallu i ofalu am y rhai sy'n gofalu amdanom ni?

Thanks very much, Jayne. I must say that I'm very pleased that we've been able to give an extra £1 million to enhance the support of the programme that we have, Health for Health Professionals Wales, and that psychological support, which includes a helpline. The Samaritans are there specifically to help people; there is a doctor who will be able to ring back within 24 hours. And what's really great is that we know that there's been a really good response to this provision.

Since that debate, I've been fortunate enough to meet the Royal College of Nursing and they were very clearly trying to outline to me the kind of trauma that people on the front line have been undergoing, and they know that's not trauma you can tuck away, that is something—. They haven't had a chance to process what they've gone through on the front line, and they're very aware that when it comes to this programme of intensity that they're going through at the moment, when they have time to process that, that's when the impact may hit them. And so they were very keen to emphasise that whatever we're putting in place now will not be able to be taken away, because that longer term trauma that we really have to consider, we will have to make sure that we are giving that support for the longer term, so I'm very pleased to see that. I'm very pleased to see also that the Royal College of General Practitioners have responded very positively also to the support we give to Health for Health Professionals Wales.

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Jayne. Mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud fy mod yn falch iawn ein bod wedi gallu rhoi £1 filiwn ychwanegol i wella cefnogaeth y rhaglen sydd gennym, Iechyd i Weithwyr Iechyd Proffesiynol Cymru, a'r gefnogaeth seicolegol honno, sy'n cynnwys llinell gymorth. Mae'r Samariaid yno'n benodol i helpu pobl; mae meddyg ar gael a fydd yn gallu ffonio'n ôl o fewn 24 awr. A'r hyn sy'n wirioneddol wych yw ein bod yn gwybod bod ymateb da iawn wedi bod i'r ddarpariaeth hon.

Ers y ddadl honno, rwyf wedi bod yn ddigon ffodus i gyfarfod â'r Coleg Nyrsio Brenhinol ac roeddent yn amlwg iawn yn ceisio disgrifio'r math o drawma y mae pobl ar y rheng flaen wedi bod yn ei brofi, ac maent yn gwybod nad yw hwnnw'n drawma y gallwch ei wthio i'r cyrion, mae'n rhywbeth—. Nid ydynt wedi cael cyfle i brosesu'r hyn y maent wedi'i brofi ar y rheng flaen, ac maent yn ymwybodol iawn, o ran y profiad dwys y maent yn byw drwyddo ar hyn o bryd, pan fydd ganddynt amser i brosesu hwnnw, dyna pryd y gallai'r effaith eu taro. Ac felly roeddent yn awyddus iawn i bwysleisio na fydd beth bynnag rydym yn ei roi ar waith yn awr yn gallu cael ei dynnu'n ôl, oherwydd y trawma mwy hirdymor y mae'n rhaid inni ei ystyried, bydd yn rhaid i ni sicrhau ein bod yn darparu'r gefnogaeth honno ar gyfer y tymor hwy, felly rwy'n falch iawn o weld hynny. Yn ogystal, rwy'n falch iawn o weld bod Coleg Brenhinol yr Ymarferwyr Cyffredinol hefyd wedi ymateb yn gadarnhaol iawn i'r gefnogaeth a roddwn i Iechyd i Weithwyr Iechyd Proffesiynol Cymru.

14:55

Minister, Jayne Bryant and I only heard this morning in health committee about the mental health impact on nursing staff, and the absolute need for them to have a chance to rest and recuperate. And so many are putting in long hours way above and beyond what they should be doing as they feel the responsibility to do so, but they need respite and looking after themselves. But, as well as this, and as part of NHS England's response, they've created hubs. These hubs are free of charge and offer confidential advice and support to NHS staff who, over the last year, have cared for millions of people with coronavirus, whilst keeping vital services like maternity, mental health and cancer care going. Minister, will you commit to studying these measures to see whether similar action could benefit NHS staff here in Wales? Thank you.

Weinidog, yn y pwyllgor iechyd y bore yma, clywodd Jayne Bryant a minnau am yr effaith iechyd meddwl ar staff nyrsio, a'r angen iddynt gael cyfle i orffwys ac ymadfer. Ac felly mae nifer yn gweithio oriau hir, llawer mwy na'r hyn y dylent fod yn ei wneud, gan eu bod yn teimlo'r cyfrifoldeb i wneud hynny, ond mae angen iddynt gael seibiant a gofalu amdanynt eu hunain. Ond yn ogystal â hyn, ac fel rhan o ymateb GIG Lloegr, maent wedi creu hybiau. Mae'r hybiau hyn yn rhad ac am ddim ac yn cynnig cyngor a chymorth cyfrinachol i staff y GIG sydd, dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, wedi gofalu am filiynau o bobl â'r coronafeirws, tra'n cynnal gwasanaethau hanfodol fel mamolaeth, iechyd meddwl a gofal canser. Weinidog, a wnewch chi ymrwymo i astudio'r mesurau hyn i weld a allai camau tebyg fod o fudd i staff y GIG yma yng Nghymru? Diolch.

Thanks very much, Laura. Well, we don't set up these programmes without consulting with people to ask them what it is that they want, what it is that is meaningful and useful to them. One of the groups that I've been speaking to—. One of the issues, of course, is we've put a lot of support in place, but I was hearing that some people simply don't have time to access that support. So, if they come in in the morning, they feel like they've got to hold it together to do their work during the day, and by the end of their shift they just want to collapse. So, when is it that they can have that support that we're offering them? So, you're absolutely right: we need to make sure that there is some space to allow people to access that support when it's right for them. Of course, we do have alternatives; we've got online support that they can access as well. But I think we're going to have to think very carefully, when we see a reduction in the numbers in relation to the virus, despite the pressures that we've heard of from Angela earlier today—how many people are waiting—we really have to think about looking after those front-line staff and making sure that they do get some kind of break. I think we're going to have to ask the Welsh public to be a little bit patient, just to give these people time to breathe so that they can really get on with their work, because the last thing we want is to see these people leave the NHS.

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Laura. Wel, nid ydym yn sefydlu'r rhaglenni hyn heb ymgynghori â phobl i ofyn iddynt beth y maent ei eisiau, beth sy'n ystyrlon ac yn ddefnyddiol iddynt. Un o'r grwpiau rwyf wedi bod yn siarad â hwy—. Un o'r problemau, wrth gwrs, yw ein bod wedi darparu llawer o gymorth, ond roeddwn yn clywed nad oes gan rai pobl amser i wneud defnydd o'r cymorth hwnnw. Felly, os ydynt yn cyrraedd yn y bore, maent yn teimlo bod yn rhaid iddynt ddal ati i wneud eu gwaith yn ystod y dydd, ac erbyn diwedd eu shifft maent wedi ymlâdd. Felly, pryd y gallant wneud defnydd o'r cymorth rydym yn ei gynnig iddynt? Felly, rydych yn llygad eich lle: mae angen inni sicrhau bod rhywfaint o le i ganiatáu i bobl ddefnyddio'r cymorth ar adeg sy'n gyfleus iddynt hwy. Wrth gwrs, mae gennym ddewisiadau eraill; mae gennym gymorth ar-lein y gallant gael mynediad ato hefyd. Ond rwy'n credu y bydd yn rhaid inni feddwl yn ofalus iawn, pan welwn ostyngiad yn y niferoedd mewn perthynas â'r feirws, er gwaethaf y pwysau a nododd Angela yn gynharach heddiw—nifer y bobl sy'n aros—mae'n rhaid inni feddwl am ofalu am y staff rheng flaen a sicrhau eu bod yn cael rhyw fath o seibiant. Rwy'n credu y bydd yn rhaid inni ofyn i'r cyhoedd yng Nghymru fod ychydig yn amyneddgar i roi amser i'r bobl hyn anadlu fel y gallant fwrw ymlaen â'u gwaith, oherwydd y peth olaf rydym eisiau ei weld yw'r bobl hyn yn gadael y GIG.

'Cymraeg 2050'
'Cymraeg 2050'

4. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y cynnydd tuag at gyflawni’r amcanion sydd wedi’u nodi yn Cymraeg 2050? OQ56311

4. Will the Minister provide an update on progress towards achieving the objectives set out in Cymraeg 2050? OQ56311

Diolch yn fawr, Vikki. Ers lansio 'Cymraeg 2050', mae'r naratif sy'n gysylltiedig â'r iaith wedi newid yn sylweddol. Mae angen inni adeiladu ar y momentwm newydd yma er mwyn sicrhau mwy o fynediad at addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg, ac mae angen inni agor mwy o leoliadau blynyddoedd cynnar ar ben y 40 sydd wedi'u cynllunio i agor. Mae angen inni barhau hefyd i gynnig cyfleoedd cyffrous i bobl i glywed ac i ddefnyddio'r iaith.

Thank you very much, Vikki. Since launching 'Cymraeg 2050', the narrative around the language has changed considerably. We must build on this new momentum in order to ensure more access to Welsh-medium education, and we need to open more early years settings in addition to the 40 planned for opening. We also need to continue to provide exciting opportunities for people to hear and to use the language.

Diolch, Minister. Recent figures have shown that Rhondda Cynon Taf has the most pupils being taught through the medium of Welsh of all council areas in the Central South Consortium area, with just under 19 per cent of learners. Huge strides are being been made to improve the Welsh-medium offer in Cynon Valley still further through the Welsh Government's twenty-first century schools programme, with Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun being awarded £12.1 million for an expansion, which will allow it to accommodate an additional 187 pupils, and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdar being the recipient of £4.5 million, which will enable it to offer an additional 48 places. Minister, how are you working with colleagues in the Welsh Government and our partners in local government to improve the provision and the take-up of Welsh-medium education?

Diolch, Weinidog. Mae ffigurau diweddar wedi dangos mai Rhondda Cynon Taf sydd â'r nifer fwyaf o ddisgyblion yn cael eu haddysgu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg o'r holl ardaloedd cyngor yn ardal Consortiwm Canolbarth y De, gydag ychydig o dan 19 y cant o ddysgwyr. Gwneir llawer iawn o waith i wella'r cynnig cyfrwng Cymraeg yng Nghwm Cynon ymhellach eto drwy raglen ysgolion yr unfed ganrif ar hugain Llywodraeth Cymru, gydag Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun yn cael £12.1 miliwn ar gyfer ehangu, a fydd yn ei galluogi i ddarparu ar gyfer 187 o ddisgyblion ychwanegol, a £4.5 miliwn i Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdâr i'w galluogi i gynnig 48 o leoedd ychwanegol. Weinidog, sut rydych yn gweithio gyda chyd-Aelodau yn Llywodraeth Cymru a'n partneriaid mewn llywodraeth leol i wella'r ddarpariaeth a'r nifer sy'n manteisio ar addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg?

15:00

Diolch yn fawr, Vikki. Dwi eisiau yn gyntaf talu teyrnged i'r gwaith arbennig maen nhw’n ei wneud yn y cyngor yn y Rhondda. Mae'n anhygoel, y ffordd mae pobl wedi cydio yn y gallu i ddysgu Cymraeg, ac mae'n dda i weld bod 19 y cant o blant eisoes yn dysgu trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Ond, wrth gwrs, yn ystod y blynyddoedd nesaf, mae'n rhaid inni weld cynnydd yn y niferoedd yna hefyd, a dyna pam rŷn ni wedi, fel Llywodraeth, rhoi mwy o arian cyfalaf i sicrhau bod yr ysgolion ar gael i helpu'r projectau yna. Bydd disgwyl i Rondda Cynon Taf yn ystod y 10 mlynedd nesaf gynyddu'r niferoedd yna i tua 27 y cant o'r boblogaeth. Wrth gwrs, i wneud hynny, mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau bod yna bibell yn dod o'r plant ieuengaf, a dyna pam rydym ni wastad yn canolbwyntio i ddechrau ar gynyddu'r niferoedd sy'n mynychu ysgolion meithrin fel eu bod nhw wedyn yn dilyn y llwybr i addysg Gymraeg. Dwi'n gobeithio y byddwn ni'n gweld y cynnydd yna. Mae e'n anhygoel i weld y gwahaniaeth yna a dwi'n falch iawn ein bod ni fel Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gallu rhoi'r arian ychwanegol yna a hefyd wedi cynyddu'r capasiti yn ysgol Dolau. Mae yna syniadau hefyd i gynyddu ac i newid categori ysgol Penderyn i fod yn ysgol Gymraeg. Felly, dwi'n gobeithio y bydd hwn i gyd yn arwain at ddathliad mawr yn yr ardal yna ar gyfer yr Eisteddfod yn 2024. 

Thank you very much, Vikki. First of all, I want to pay tribute to the excellent work that they do in the council in Rhondda. It's incredible, the way that people have taken the opportunity to learn the language, and it's good to see that 19 per cent are already receiving their education through the medium of Welsh. But, of course, over the next few years, we need to see an increase in those numbers too, and that is why we as a Government have provided enhanced capital funding to ensure that the schools are available to assist with those projects. There will be an expectation that RCT, over the next 10 years, will increase those numbers to around 27 per cent of the population. Of course, in order to do that, we must ensure that there is a pipeline of those younger children coming through, and that's why we're always focused initially on increasing the numbers attending nursery provision, so that then they follow that route to Welsh-medium education. I very much hope that we will see that increase. It is incredible to see that difference, and I'm very pleased that we as a Welsh Government have been able to provide that additional funding, and also increase capacity at Dolau school. There are some ideas too in terms of changing the category of Penderyn school so it becomes a Welsh-medium school too. So, I hope that this will all lead to a huge celebration in this area when the Eisteddfod comes in 2024.

Siŵr o fod bydd cyn-bennaeth ysgol Penderyn yn falch iawn i glywed y newyddion yna. Weinidog, pa ystyriaeth ydych chi wedi ei rhoi i sefydlu cronfa Gymraeg ddigidol i gefnogi mwy o ddefnydd o Gymraeg bob dydd yn y gofod digidol? Fel y gwyddoch, rwy'n awyddus i weld Cymraeg bob dydd yn cael ei normaleiddio mewn sefyllfaoedd bob dydd. Mae hon yn iaith i bawb, nid dim ond i rai cymunedau neu rhai rolau yn y sector cyhoeddus, ac, wrth gwrs, mae'r byd digidol yn rhan gynyddol o'n bywyd bob dydd. Mae'r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn mynd i gynnwys rhywbeth o'r fath yn ein maniffesto i annog a chefnogi hwyluso ei defnydd ar-lein, a gobeithio eich bod chi'n cytuno â'r syniad.

I'm sure the former head of Penderyn school will be very pleased to hear that news. Minister, what consideration have you given to establishing a digital fund for the Welsh language to support more use of everyday Welsh in the digital sphere? As you know, I'm eager to see everyday Welsh being normalised in day-to-day communication. It's a language for everyone, not just for some communities or some roles within the public sector, and, of course, the digital world is an increasingly important part of our daily lives. The Welsh Conservatives will include something of this kind in our manifesto to encourage, support and facilitate the use of Welsh online, and I hope you would agree with that idea.

Dŷn ni ddim jest yn cytuno â'r syniad, Suzy; mae gyda ni raglen Cymraeg a thechnoleg sydd eisoes wedi dechrau. Mi wnes i roi update ar hwn jest cyn y Nadolig, i ddangos pa mor bell rŷn ni wedi mynd gyda'r cynllun technoleg yna. Mae'n gwbl amlwg yn ystod y pandemig bod angen inni ddeall bod ein cymdeithas ni wedi symud i raddau helaeth ar-lein a bod yn rhaid inni gydnabod bod angen inni ystyried y Gymraeg yn y trafodaethau yna ynglŷn â sut rŷn ni'n cyfathrebu ar-lein. Dyna pam rydym ni wedi bod yn gwthio Microsoft, er enghraifft, i weld os gallan nhw wneud mwy i sicrhau y gallwn ni ddefnyddio Cymraeg ar Teams. Maen nhw wedi dweud nawr eu bod nhw'n awyddus i weld hynny'n digwydd, ac rydym ni'n gobeithio y bydd hynny'n cael ei gyflwyno efallai yn yr hydref. Maen nhw wedi cymryd sbel, ond rydym ni'n gobeithio nawr y byddwn ni'n gweld gwahaniaeth yn y maes yna.

We not only agree, Suzy, but we have a programme for Welsh and technology that is already in place. I provided an update on this just before Christmas to show just how far we've gone with that technology plan. It's become quite clear during the pandemic that we need to understand that our society has moved to a great extent online, and we must acknowledge that we need to consider the Welsh language in those discussions as to how we communicate online. That's why we've been pushing Microsoft, for example, to see if they can do more to ensure that we can use the Welsh language on Teams. They have now said that they are eager to see those developments, and we hope that will be delivered in the autumn. They've taken a while, but we do hope that we will now see a difference in that area.

Cefnogi'r Rhai sy'n Camddefnyddio Sylweddau
Supporting Those Living with Substance Misuse

5. Pa waith sy'n cael ei wneud gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn ystod y pandemig mewn partneriaeth â byrddau iechyd lleol, cynghorau ac elusennau i gefnogi'r rhai sy'n camddefnyddio sylweddau? OQ56328

5. What work is being done by the Welsh Government during the pandemic in partnership with local health boards, councils and charities to support those living with substance misuse? OQ56328

Yn ystod y pandemig, rŷn wedi gweithio’n agos iawn gyda byrddau cynllunio ardal a phartneriaid eraill. Diolch i ymdrechion rhagorol ein gwasanaethau camddefnyddio sylweddau sydd yn y rheng flaen, a gwasanaethau eraill, rŷn wedi rhoi rhagor o arweiniad a chymorth, gan gynnwys cynnig opsiynau newydd o ran triniaeth a darparu cyllid i ddiwallu anghenion cymhleth y grŵp yma.

During the pandemic, we've worked very closely with area planning boards and other partners. Thanks to the excellent efforts of our substance misuse services on the front line, as well as other services, we have provided additional guidance and support, including new treatment options and funding to meet the complex needs of this group.  

Organisations like Kaleidoscope, working as part of the Gwent drug and alcohol project, are concerned at the difficulties in ensuring good vaccination take-up amongst service users. Their front-line workers have very strong relationships of trust with those service users. They're in regular contact with them and understand the difficulties of chaotic lifestyles. Minister, would you agree that those front-line workers are well placed to actually deliver the vaccinations, given their own training and backgrounds and willingness to undergo any additional training that may be necessary? Allowing them to do that would be one way of ensuring good take-up of vaccine amongst this very vulnerable group. 

Mae sefydliadau fel Kaleidoscope, sy'n gweithio fel rhan o brosiect cyffuriau ac alcohol Gwent, yn pryderu am yr anawsterau i sicrhau bod nifer dda o ddefnyddwyr gwasanaethau'n manteisio ar frechiadau. Mae gan eu gweithwyr rheng flaen berthynas gref iawn o ymddiriedaeth â'r defnyddwyr gwasanaeth hynny. Maent mewn cysylltiad rheolaidd â hwy ac yn deall anawsterau ffyrdd o fyw cythryblus. Weinidog, a fyddech yn cytuno bod y gweithwyr rheng flaen hynny mewn sefyllfa dda i ddarparu'r brechiadau mewn gwirionedd, o ystyried eu hyfforddiant a'u cefndiroedd a'u parodrwydd i gyflawni unrhyw hyfforddiant ychwanegol a allai fod yn angenrheidiol? Byddai caniatáu iddynt wneud hynny yn un ffordd o sicrhau bod y grŵp hwn sy'n agored iawn i niwed yn manteisio ar y brechlyn.

15:05