Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
18/05/2022Cynnwys
Contents
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 yn y Siambr a thrwy gynhadledd fideo am 13:30 gyda'r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Prynhawn da. Croeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn. Cyn i ni ddechrau, dwi angen nodi ychydig o bwyntiau. Cynhelir y cyfarfod yma ar ffurf hybrid, gyda rhai Aelodau yn y Siambr ac eraill yn ymuno trwy gyswllt fideo. Bydd yr holl Aelodau sy'n cymryd rhan yn nhrafodion y Senedd, ble bynnag y bônt, yn cael eu trin yn gyfartal. Mae Cyfarfod Llawn a gynhelir drwy gynhadledd fideo, yn unol â Rheolau Sefydlog Senedd Cymru, 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 yma, ac mae'r rheini wedi eu nodi ar eich agenda.
Good afternoon. Welcome, everyone, to this Plenary session. Before we begin, I want to set out a few points. This meeting will be held in a hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference. All Members participating in proceedings of the Senedd, wherever they may be, will be treated equally. A Plenary meeting held using 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 these are noted on your agenda.
Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd yw'r eitem gyntaf, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Cefin Campbell.
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change is the first item, and the first question comes from Cefin Campbell.
1. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ar reolaeth lefelau dŵr yng nghronfa ddŵr Llyn Clywedog, Powys? OQ58059
1. Will the Minister make a statement on the management of water levels in Llyn Clywedog reservoir, Powys? OQ58059
Thank you very much, Cefin Campbell, for the question. The management of water levels and releases from the Clywedog reservoir are governed by well-established and clear legislation. The Environment Agency in England has responsibility for managing the releases and water levels, in consultation with Natural Resources Wales.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich cwestiwn, Cefin Campbell. Caiff y gwaith o reoli lefelau dŵr a gollwng dŵr o gronfa ddŵr Clywedog ei lywodraethu gan ddeddfwriaeth glir a sefydledig. Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd yn Lloegr sy'n gyfrifol am reoli'r gollyngiadau a lefelau dŵr, mewn ymgynghoriad â Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Wel, yn ddiweddar iawn, ces i gyfarfod gyda nifer o ffermwyr yn ardal Llanidloes ym Mhowys, gan drafod pryderon gyda nhw am sut mae lefelau dŵr yn cael eu rheoli yng nghronfa ddŵr Clywedog a'r effaith mae hyn yn ei chael ymhellach lawr y dyffryn, gyda thir amaethyddol ac eiddo yn cael eu heffeithio gan lifogydd, a hynny mor ddiweddar â mis Chwefror eleni.
Nawr, mae fy nghyd-Aelod dros sir Drefaldwyn, Russell George, wedi tynnu sylw'r Senedd at hyn yn barod, ac mae'n debyg bod cryn amwysedd ynglŷn â phwy sy'n rheoli'r gronfa ddŵr a'r gollyngiadau dŵr—ai asiantaeth amgylchedd Lloegr neu Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru sy'n gyfrifol. Dwi'n gwybod bod dŵr yn fater emosiynol iawn yng Nghymru a bod y gronfa hon wedi cael ei sefydlu er mwyn darparu dŵr a lliniaru llifogydd ymhellach i ffwrdd o Gymru, felly dwi'n siŵr eich bod chi'n deall pryderon lleol. Ac mae'n bosibl fod modd dadlau bod camreoli traws-sefydliadol wedi achosi llifogydd ar yr ochr yma i'r ffin. Felly, gaf i ofyn pa drafodaethau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi eu cael gyda'r gwahanol asiantaethau i fynd i'r afael ag unrhyw bryderon ynghylch rheoli llifogydd ar ochr Cymru ac a ydych chi'n gallu cadarnhau a oes bwriad i ehangu cronfa ddŵr Clywedog yn y dyfodol?
Thank you very much. Recently I had a meeting with a number of farmers in the Llanidloes area in Powys and I discussed with them concerns about how water levels are managed in the Clywedog reservoir and the impact this was having further down the valley, with agricultural land and property being affected by flooding as recently as February this year.
Now, my fellow Member for Montgomeryshire, Russell George, has already drawn the attention of the Senedd to this, and apparently there is considerable ambiguity regarding who manages the reservoir and the water discharges—whether it's the Environment Agency in England or NRW. I know that water is a very emotive issue in Wales and that this reservoir was established to provide water and to mitigate flooding away from Wales, so I'm sure you understand local concerns. And it is arguable that mismanagement across institutions has caused flooding on this side of the border. So, may I ask what discussions the Welsh Government has had with the different agencies to address any concerns regarding flood management on Wales's side and can you confirm whether there is an intention to expand the Clywedog reservoir in the future?
Yes, thank you very much for that series of queries. And of course we understand the sensitivity of these kinds of issues for the people of Wales and also for all the people who rely on the rivers and catchment areas for a variety of things, including their drinking water.
So, as I'm sure you already know, Hafren Dyfrdwy owns the Clywedog reservoir. Proposals for additional use of the water or transfer options should be included in the company's water resource management plan. Both the Environment Agency and NRW recognise the impacts of high water flows to local landlords and further downstream on the River Severn. And all the organisations involved have committed to undertaking a long-term review to modernise the management of the reservoir to best meet the challenges of the future, which is obviously a really complicated thing to do, and which is likely to take quite a considerable period of time and new legislation to ensure that sustainable long-term change. Meanwhile, NRW is working with the Environment Agency to implement any possible changes to the working procedures under the current rules and legislation that could improve the current operation of the scheme, drawing on experiences of managing other comparable systems in Wales and elsewhere. The changes should have a beneficial impact on flood alleviation given the nature of the catchments, but it's unlikely that these changes could make significant differences during repeated rainfall events of the magnitude we've seen over the last few years, and hence the need for the longer term review of the whole process.
Our policy is obviously to reduce and manage the risk of flooding to people and communities over the next decade and it's set out in the national flood strategy. It underlines the importance we place on flood risk and the growing risks associated with climate change from the flooding and coastal erosion.
Also, as part of the longer term planning for water supply, we're looking at schemes that could supply water where deficits are predicted over the next 50 years. Hafren Dyfrdwy, which operates the reservoir, as I've already said, and Severn Trent are looking at a joint scheme to look at the feasibility for the dam so that more water could be sent down the River Severn during dry periods—so the exact opposite of the flooding—to maintain water flow in the river, where a deficit is forecast. But that doesn't feature in the current draft water resource management plan, which is signed off by Welsh Ministers anyway. So, if that comes forward, it will certainly come to us to look at so that we can be satisfied that that is fit for purpose, both for the Severn catchment area and for the people locally.
Ie, diolch yn fawr iawn am y gyfres honno o ymholiadau. Ac wrth gwrs, rydym yn deall sensitifrwydd y mathau hyn o faterion i bobl Cymru yn ogystal â'r holl bobl sy’n dibynnu ar yr afonydd a’r dalgylchoedd am amrywiaeth o bethau, gan gynnwys eu dŵr yfed.
Felly, fel y gwyddoch yn barod, rwy’n siŵr, Hafren Dyfrdwy sy'n berchen ar gronfa ddŵr Clywedog. Dylid cynnwys cynigion ar gyfer defnydd ychwanegol o'r dŵr neu opsiynau trosglwyddo yng nghynllun rheoli adnoddau dŵr y cwmni. Mae Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd a CNC yn cydnabod effeithiau llif dŵr uchel ar landlordiaid lleol ac ymhellach i lawr afon Hafren. Ac mae pob un o’r sefydliadau sydd ynghlwm wrth hyn wedi ymrwymo i gynnal adolygiad hirdymor i foderneiddio'r gwaith o reoli'r gronfa ddŵr er mwyn mynd i'r afael â heriau’r dyfodol yn y ffordd orau, sy’n amlwg yn beth cymhleth iawn i’w wneud, ac sy’n debygol o gymryd cryn dipyn o amser a deddfwriaeth newydd i sicrhau'r newid cynaliadwy hirdymor hwnnw. Yn y cyfamser, mae CNC yn gweithio gydag Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd i roi unrhyw newidiadau posibl i’r gweithdrefnau ar waith o dan y rheolau a’r ddeddfwriaeth gyfredol a allai wella gweithrediad y cynllun ar hyn o bryd, gan bwyso ar brofiadau o reoli systemau tebyg eraill yng Nghymru ac mewn mannau eraill. Dylai’r newidiadau gael effaith fuddiol ar y gwaith o liniaru llifogydd o ystyried natur y dalgylchoedd, ond mae’n annhebygol y gallai’r newidiadau hyn wneud gwahaniaeth sylweddol os ceir sawl achos o lawiad o’r maint a welsom dros yr ychydig flynyddoedd diwethaf, ac felly mae angen adolygiad mwy hirdymor o'r broses gyfan.
Ein polisi, yn amlwg, yw lleihau a rheoli'r perygl o lifogydd i bobl a chymunedau dros y degawd nesaf, ac mae hynny wedi’i nodi yn y strategaeth llifogydd genedlaethol. Mae'n tanlinellu pa mor bwysig yw perygl llifogydd i ni ynghyd â'r risgiau cynyddol sy'n gysylltiedig â newid hinsawdd yn sgil llifogydd ac erydu arfordirol.
Yn ogystal, fel rhan o'r cynllunio mwy hirdymor ar gyfer y cyflenwad dŵr, rydym yn edrych ar gynlluniau a allai gyflenwi dŵr lle rhagwelir diffygion dros yr 50 mlynedd nesaf. Mae Hafren Dyfrdwy, sy'n gweithredu'r gronfa ddŵr, fel y dywedais eisoes, a Severn Trent yn edrych ar gynllun ar y cyd i archwilio ymarferoldeb yr argae fel y gellid anfon mwy o ddŵr i lawr afon Hafren yn ystod cyfnodau sych—felly, y gwrthwyneb i’r llifogydd—i gynnal llif dŵr yn yr afon, lle rhagwelir diffyg. Ond nid yw hynny'n rhan o'r cynllun rheoli adnoddau dŵr drafft presennol, sy'n cael ei gymeradwyo gan Weinidogion Cymru beth bynnag. Felly, os caiff hwnnw ei gyflwyno, byddwn yn sicr yn edrych arno fel y gallwn fod yn fodlon ei fod yn addas at y diben, ar gyfer dalgylch afon Hafren ac ar gyfer y bobl leol.
Minister, I'm grateful to Cefin Campbell for raising this issue, an issue I've raised a number of times previously, about the frustrations that landowners have downstream as a result of, as they see it—and I would agree—the need for the operational rules to be changed for the Clywedog dam. Now, I understand it's a complex issue—I've raised this many times with your predecessors as well—but can I ask what consideration the Welsh Government has given to the payment to landowners for the managed flooding of land, where that would then help to alleviate flooding of properties perhaps further downstream? And also, Minister, I am aware, or—I attended a meeting with various stakeholders, including NRW, the Environment Agency, with the UK Government Minister Rebecca Pow, earlier this year—I know, from that meeting, the Minister was going to write to you to ask for further collaboration and working together. I wonder, have you received that letter, have you responded, and what are the discussions that you're having with the UK Government Minister Rebecca Pow in terms of coming up with a collaborative approach for the better management, and for reviewing the operating rules, of Clywedog dam?
Weinidog, rwy’n ddiolchgar i Cefin Campbell am godi’r mater hwn, mater rwyf wedi’i godi nifer o weithiau o’r blaen, ynglŷn â rhwystredigaeth tirfeddianwyr i lawr yr afon o ganlyniad, yn eu barn hwy—a byddwn yn cytuno—i'r angen i newid y rheolau gweithredol ar gyfer argae Clywedog. Nawr, rwy'n deall ei fod yn fater cymhleth—rwyf wedi codi hyn droeon gyda'ch rhagflaenwyr hefyd—ond a gaf fi ofyn pa ystyriaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i rhoi i'r taliad i dirfeddianwyr am reoli gorlifo tir lle byddai hynny wedyn yn helpu i liniaru llifogydd mewn eiddo ymhellach i lawr yr afon? A hefyd, Weinidog, rwy'n ymwybodol, neu—bûm mewn cyfarfod ag amrywiol randdeiliaid, gan gynnwys CNC, Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd, gyda Gweinidog Llywodraeth y DU, Rebecca Pow, yn gynharach eleni—yn y cyfarfod hwnnw, gwn fod y Gweinidog yn mynd i ysgrifennu atoch i ofyn am gydweithredu a chydweithio pellach. Tybed a ydych wedi derbyn y llythyr hwnnw, a ydych wedi ymateb, a beth yw’r trafodaethau yr ydych yn eu cael gyda Gweinidog Llywodraeth y DU, Rebecca Pow, ar lunio dull cydweithredol o reoli argae Clywedog yn well, ac adolygu'r rheolau gweithredu?
Yes, I was aware that Minister Pow had visited the reservoir. And in fact, I discussed it with her beforehand, in an inter-ministerial group, but I think she probably mentioned that at the time. We're very keen to work across the border for the catchment areas that flow across the border, and indeed to share good practice where that's effective for the communities on either side of the border. Because, obviously, there are a number of catchments in England that don't cross into the Welsh border, but can nevertheless learn lessons from some of the natural flood protections that we're doing here in Wales, for example. So, we have had that exchange of letters.
And you know probably better than I do, actually, Russell, about the River Severn and its environmental importance as a special area of conservation river for Wales, for a whole series of uses, including drinking water and flood protection, drought protection, and so on. So, part of the long-term plan that I just mentioned in answer to Cefin Campbell is to look at what exactly it is that we're asking of the landowners—the riparian landowners and the adjoining landowners—along the River Severn catchment and around the reservoir, to work out what the long-term plan for that should look like, ought to look like, in collaboration with those landowners, and then to bring forward what we expect will be legislative change in order to bring about the ability to better manage that system. But that's a long-term strategy, which is in progress at the moment, and, obviously, I'm very happy to keep you and Cefin and others informed as we go ahead with that process.
Ie, roeddwn yn ymwybodol fod y Gweinidog Pow wedi ymweld â’r gronfa ddŵr. Ac mewn gwirionedd, trafodais y mater gyda hi ymlaen llaw, mewn grŵp rhyngweinidogol, ond mae’n debyg ei bod wedi sôn am hynny ar y pryd. Rydym yn awyddus iawn i weithio ar draws y ffin ar gyfer y dalgylchoedd sy’n llifo dros y ffin, ac yn wir, i rannu arferion da lle mae hynny’n effeithiol ar gyfer y cymunedau ar y naill ochr a'r llall i'r ffin. Oherwydd yn amlwg, ceir nifer o ddalgylchoedd yn Lloegr nad ydynt yn croesi'r ffin i mewn i Gymru, ond gallant ddysgu gwersi serch hynny o rai o'r mesurau naturiol i amddiffyn rhag llifogydd yr ydym yn eu rhoi ar waith yma yng Nghymru, er enghraifft. Felly, rydym wedi cyfnewid y llythyrau hynny.
A gwyddoch yn well na minnau, yn ôl pob tebyg, Russell, am afon Hafren a'i phwysigrwydd amgylcheddol i Gymru fel afon sy'n ardal cadwraeth arbennig, at gyfres gyfan o ddibenion, gan gynnwys dŵr yfed ac amddiffyn rhag llifogydd, amddiffyn rhag sychder, ac yn y blaen. Felly, mae rhan o'r cynllun hirdymor yr wyf newydd ei grybwyll mewn ymateb i Cefin Campbell yn ymwneud ag edrych ar beth yn union yr ydym yn gofyn i'r tirfeddianwyr ei wneud—perchnogion glannau'r afon a'r tirfeddianwyr cyfagos—ar hyd dalgylch afon Hafren ac o gwmpas y gronfa ddŵr, i ganfod sut beth ddylai cynllun hirdymor ar gyfer hynny fod, mewn cydweithrediad â’r tirfeddianwyr hynny, ac yna i gyflwyno’r hyn rydym yn disgwyl y bydd yn newid deddfwriaethol er mwyn gwireddu’r gallu i reoli’r system honno’n well. Ond mae honno'n strategaeth hirdymor, sydd ar y gweill ar hyn o bryd, ac yn amlwg, rwy'n fwy na pharod i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i chi a Cefin ac eraill wrth inni fwrw ymlaen â'r broses honno.
2. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n eu cymryd i sicrhau bod ffynonellau newydd o ynni rhad a glân i Gymru yn cael eu gweithredu cyn gynted â phosibl? OQ58049
2. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that new sources of cheap, clean energy for Wales are implemented as quickly as possible? OQ58049
Thank you for the question, Laura. We are using every lever available to us to develop the clean, smart and flexible energy system of the future, with renewable energy generation at its heart. The UK Government's energy strategy was a missed opportunity, we feel, to set a credible path for scaling up all renewables while supporting consumers through the immediate cost-of-living crisis.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn, Laura. Rydym yn defnyddio pob ysgogiad sydd ar gael i ni i ddatblygu system ynni lân, glyfar a hyblyg ar gyfer y dyfodol, gyda chynhyrchu ynni adnewyddadwy wrth ei gwraidd. Roedd strategaeth ynni Llywodraeth y DU yn gyfle a gollwyd yn ein barn ni i bennu llwybr credadwy ar gyfer cynyddu cynhyrchiant pob math o ynni adnewyddadwy gan gefnogi defnyddwyr drwy'r argyfwng costau byw yr ydym yn ei wynebu ar hyn o bryd.
Thank you, Minister. Can the Minister confirm that, through the building of new nuclear power plants, in both Wylfa and Trawsfynydd, Wales has a crucial role to play in securing long-term supply for the UK?
Diolch, Weinidog. A all y Gweinidog gadarnhau, drwy adeiladu gorsafoedd ynni niwclear newydd, yn Wylfa a Thrawsfynydd, fod gan Gymru ran hollbwysig i’w chwarae i sicrhau cyflenwad hirdymor ar gyfer y DU?
It's really nice to see a renewed interest in Wylfa and the development there. We're very keen to work—. We have a centre of excellence nearby for nuclear, and we have some of the world experts here in Wales for that. So, I'm very pleased to see the UK Government's renewed interest in that—maybe should have been a bit faster, quite frankly, over some of the more recent issues we've had, as everybody is aware, up there on Ynys Môn, with that. Having said that, obviously, nuclear is clean and renewable, but there are issues with nuclear, and I don't want to see an over-reliance on nuclear when we have an abundance of other natural resources here in Wales that can be exploited as part of a good, renewable energy system.
Just this morning, I gave evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee of the Houses of Parliament, in fact, about the need for good grid planning—in our view, devolution of the grid to Wales, so that we can have that plan—and a shift from what's currently a market-led and market-driven approach to grid, which has left us with no transmission in mid Wales, as your colleague Russell George and I have had numerous occasions on the floor of the Senedd and elsewhere about—transmission lines north and south being inadequate, because it's driven by a need for a particular developer to attach to the grid rather than a planned approach, and that, clearly, isn't a sustainable approach for the future. So, I welcome the UK Government's commitment to having an energy strategy. I regret that it includes oil and gas—I think that's a very retrograde step for net zero. But, the really fundamental thing is to get them into the space so they understand the need for a proper plan, and this is a good step on that path, so that we can plan out our future needs, as we are doing here in Wales, for our regional partners and get that grid in place so that we can have what is a fit-for-purpose twenty-first and twenty-second century grid, so we can take advantage here in Wales of the best renewable energy generation, keeping the cost low for people here in Wales and exporting that renewable energy out into the world, because we have easily the capacity to do that.
Mae'n braf iawn gweld diddordeb o'r newydd yn Wylfa a'r datblygiad yno. Rydym yn awyddus iawn i weithio—. Mae gennym ganolfan ragoriaeth gerllaw ar gyfer ynni niwclear, ac mae gennym rai o arbenigwyr mwyaf blaenllaw'r byd yma yng Nghymru ar gyfer hynny. Felly, rwy'n falch iawn o weld diddordeb o'r newydd gan Lywodraeth y DU yn hynny—efallai y dylent fod wedi bod ychydig yn gyflymach, a dweud y gwir, mewn perthynas â rhai o'r materion mwy diweddar sydd wedi codi gyda hynny, fel y gŵyr pawb, i fyny ar Ynys Môn. Wedi dweud hynny, yn amlwg, mae ynni niwclear yn lân ac yn adnewyddadwy, ond mae problemau gydag ynni o'r fath, ac nid wyf am weld gorddibyniaeth ar ynni niwclear pan fo gennym ddigonedd o adnoddau naturiol eraill yma yng Nghymru y gellir manteisio arnynt fel rhan o system ynni adnewyddadwy dda.
Y bore yma, rhoddais dystiolaeth i Bwyllgor Materion Cymreig Senedd y DU, mewn gwirionedd, am yr angen i gynllunio'r grid yn dda—yn ein barn ni, datganoli’r grid i Gymru, fel y gallwn gael y cynllun hwnnw—a newid o’r dull o weithredu'r grid ar hyn o bryd, sy’n cael ei arwain a'i yrru gan y farchnad, ac sydd wedi ein gadael heb unrhyw drosglwyddo yng nghanolbarth Cymru, fel y mae eich cyd-Aelod, Russell George, a minnau wedi'i nodi ar lawr y Senedd ac mewn mannau eraill ar sawl achlysur—mae llinellau trosglwyddo yn y gogledd a'r de yn annigonol, gan eu bod yn ddibynnol ar yr angen i ddatblygwr penodol gysylltu â'r grid yn hytrach na dull wedi'i gynllunio, ac yn amlwg, nid yw hynny'n ddull cynaliadwy ar gyfer y dyfodol. Felly, rwy'n croesawu ymrwymiad Llywodraeth y DU i gael strategaeth ynni. Mae'n drueni ei bod yn cynnwys olew a nwy—credaf fod hwnnw’n gam mawr yn ôl ar gyfer sero net. Ond y peth gwirioneddol bwysig yw sicrhau eu bod yn deall yr angen am gynllun priodol, ac mae hwn yn gam da ar y llwybr hwnnw, fel y gallwn gynllunio ein hanghenion ar gyfer y dyfodol, fel rydym yn ei wneud yma yng Nghymru, ar gyfer ein partneriaid rhanbarthol a chael y grid hwnnw ar waith er mwyn inni allu cael grid sy'n addas at y diben ar gyfer yr unfed ganrif ar hugain a’r ail ganrif ar hugain, ac y gallwn fanteisio yma yng Nghymru ar y dulliau cynhyrchu ynni adnewyddadwy gorau, gan gadw'r gost yn isel i bobl yma yng Nghymru ac allforio’r ynni adnewyddadwy hwnnw i’r byd, gan fod y capasiti gennym i wneud hynny, yn sicr.
If David Cameron hadn't, as he put it, 'cut the green crap' a decade ago, we'd be further along on renewable and nuclear and energy efficiency, and households would be paying less for energy, not more. So, I agree that we need to catch up, but the other side of the coin to energy generation is energy efficiency. So, can you say, Minister, how the forthcoming new Warm Homes programme might build on the success of the previous scheme, which delivered free home-efficiency measures like central heating boilers and insulation to more than 4,500 households across Wales?
Pe na bai David Cameron, chwedl yntau, wedi 'cael gwared ar y rwtsh gwyrdd' ddegawd yn ôl, byddem wedi gwneud mwy o gynnydd ar effeithlonrwydd ynni adnewyddadwy a niwclear, a byddai aelwydydd yn talu llai am ynni, nid mwy. Felly, rwy'n cytuno fod angen inni ddal i fyny, ond ochr arall y geiniog i gynhyrchu ynni yw effeithlonrwydd ynni. Felly, a allwch roi gwybod i ni, Weinidog, sut y gallai'r rhaglen newydd sydd ar y ffordd, Cartrefi Clyd, adeiladu ar lwyddiant y cynllun blaenorol, a gyflwynodd fesurau effeithlonrwydd ynni cartref am ddim, fel boeleri gwres canolog ac inswleiddio, i fwy na 4,500 o aelwydydd ledled Cymru?
Thank you very much, Joyce—I couldn't agree more. There's a need for a planned grid; there's a need for a grid planned for a different scale of attachment to that grid as well. One of the things we're very proud of doing here in Wales, of course, is having the Homes as Power Stations initiative. This is about retrofitting homes so that they come up to the best possible standard, reduce fuel poverty, reduce energy demand and consumption—both of those parts of the equation are absolutely essential—and can also be put into a position where they can take advantage of the renewable electricity supplies that the communities of Wales will host, because their homes are able to be retrofitted properly. That comes out of our approach, which is the pptimised retrofit programme, which, as all Members will know, because I've talked about it a lot in this Chamber, is looking at what tech works for what kind of house in Wales, because one size does not fit all by any means. Then, it will enable us to work with the energy companies to use things like community benefits and community ownership to bring those houses up to standard. It's a win-win for the energy companies because then they'll have more customers for their energy that can be used in that clean and efficient way. So, all our programmes—the Warm Homes programme and all the others, our innovative housing programme and our energy programme—are all designed to produce a number of those solutions that make up the fit-for-the-future grid.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Joyce—rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr. Mae angen grid wedi'i gynllunio; mae angen grid wedi'i gynllunio ar gyfer graddfa wahanol o gysylltiad â'r grid hwnnw hefyd. Un o'r pethau yr ydym yn falch iawn ohonynt yma yng Nghymru, wrth gwrs, yw menter Cartrefi fel Gorsafoedd Pŵer. Mae hyn yn ymwneud ag ôl-osod cartrefi er mwyn iddynt gyrraedd y safon orau bosibl, lleihau tlodi tanwydd, lleihau’r galw am ynni a’r defnydd ohono—mae dwy ran yr hafaliad hwnnw'n gwbl hanfodol—ac y gellir eu rhoi mewn sefyllfa hefyd lle y gallant fanteisio ar y cyflenwadau trydan adnewyddadwy a fydd i'w cael yng nghymunedau Cymru, am fod modd ôl-osod eu cartrefi’n briodol. Daw hynny o’n dull o weithredu, sef y rhaglen ôl-osod er mwyn optimeiddio, sydd, fel y gŵyr pob Aelod, gan fy mod wedi sôn am hyn sawl tro yn y Siambr, yn edrych ar ba dechnoleg sy’n gweithio i ba fath o dŷ yng Nghymru, gan na cheir un ateb sy'n addas i bawb mewn unrhyw fodd. Yna, bydd yn ein galluogi i weithio gyda’r cwmnïau ynni i ddefnyddio pethau fel buddion cymunedol a pherchnogaeth gymunedol i sicrhau bod y tai hynny'n cyrraedd y safon. Mae'r cwmnïau ynni yn ennill ym mhob ffordd, gan y bydd ganddynt fwy o gwsmeriaid ar gyfer eu hynni y gellir ei ddefnyddio yn y ffordd lân ac effeithlon honno. Felly, mae ein holl raglenni—rhaglen Cartrefi Clyd a'r holl rai eraill, ein rhaglen tai arloesol a'n rhaglen ynni—wedi'u cynllunio i gynhyrchu nifer o'r atebion sy'n dod at ei gilydd i greu grid sy'n addas ar gyfer y dyfodol.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr yn gyntaf, Natasha Asghar. Mae'r cwestiynau yma i'w hateb gan y Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd. Natasha Asghar.
Questions now from party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Natasha Asghar, first of all. These questions are to be answered by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change. Natasha Asghar.
Thank you so much, Presiding Officer. Deputy Minister, the announcement last week that the UK and Welsh Governments have reached an agreement to establish a new free port in Wales is hugely exciting. This multimillion-pound agreement has the potential to deliver thousands of local jobs, driving innovation and boosting business investment, bringing benefits and opportunities to communities that need it the most. Both Governments have agreed that they would be prepared to consider the case for a further additional free port in Wales if a truly exceptional proposal were presented at the bidding stage. What discussions have you had, Deputy Minister, with ministerial colleagues and interested parties about encouraging bids for free-port status, and what support are you personally providing to ensure that these bids are of the best possible quality so that Wales derives the maximum benefit from this £26 million-investment of UK Government funding? Thank you.
Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. Ddirprwy Weinidog, mae’r cyhoeddiad yr wythnos diwethaf fod Llywodraethau’r DU a Chymru wedi dod i gytundeb i sefydlu porthladd rhydd newydd yng Nghymru yn hynod gyffrous. Mae gan y cytundeb hwn, sy’n werth miliynau o bunnoedd, botensial i ddarparu miloedd o swyddi lleol, gan ysgogi arloesedd a hybu buddsoddiad busnes, a darparu manteision a chyfleoedd i'r cymunedau sydd eu hangen fwyaf. Mae’r ddwy Lywodraeth wedi cytuno y byddent yn barod i ystyried yr achos dros borthladd rhydd ychwanegol arall yng Nghymru pe bai cynnig gwirioneddol eithriadol yn cael ei gyflwyno yn ystod y cam cyflwyno ceisiadau. Ddirprwy Weinidog, pa drafodaethau a gawsoch gyda chyd-Weinidogion a phartïon sydd â diddordeb ynghylch annog ceisiadau am statws porthladd rhydd, a pha gymorth yr ydych chi'n bersonol yn ei ddarparu i sicrhau bod y ceisiadau hyn o’r ansawdd gorau posibl fel bod Cymru’n cael y budd mwyaf posibl o'r buddsoddiad hwn o £26 miliwn gan Lywodraeth y DU? Diolch.
We are pleased, clearly, that we've been able to finally reach an agreement with the UK Government on the free ports. It has been a more protracted discussion than it ought to have been, and the way in which it was conducted was not ideal, but I'm pleased that we reached there in the end. My colleague Vaughan Gething showed considerable patience to get us to a satisfactory outcome, and he's been leading those discussions. I was very keen to make sure, as part of our agreement, we had a porous boundary between the different ports in Wales to allow collaboration, particularly for them to exploit the opportunities of marine energy and seeing the ports as a key piece of infrastructure to enable us to take advantage of the economic opportunities as well as the sustainability opportunities of offshore wind in the Celtic sea.
So, there is now agreement that the Treasury and the UK Government will look at bids for co-joining different ports, which could allow Milford and Port Talbot to present a joint bid, and there are words in the agreement that allow us to explore more than one bid. But they are caveated, as Natasha Asghar pointed out, by the UK Government's view of the quality of those bids, but there's been no definition of what a quality bid looks like. So, there's an ongoing conversation. We are keen to seize on the opportunities and we remain to have misgivings about the central thrust of the policy, but we are determined to work together for the best interests of Wales.
Rydym yn falch, yn amlwg, ein bod wedi gallu dod i gytundeb o'r diwedd gyda Llywodraeth y DU ar y porthladdoedd rhydd. Mae wedi bod yn drafodaeth hirach nag y dylai fod, ac nid oedd y ffordd y’i cynhaliwyd yn ddelfrydol, ond rwy’n falch inni ddod i gytundeb yn y pen draw. Dangosodd fy nghyd-Aelod, Vaughan Gething, gryn dipyn o amynedd i sicrhau canlyniad boddhaol, ac ef sydd wedi bod yn arwain y trafodaethau hynny. Roeddwn yn awyddus iawn i sicrhau, fel rhan o’n cytundeb, fod gennym ffin fân-dyllog rhwng y gwahanol borthladdoedd yng Nghymru i ganiatáu cydweithredu, yn enwedig er mwyn iddynt fanteisio ar gyfleoedd ynni’r môr ac ystyried y porthladdoedd yn ddarn allweddol o seilwaith i'n galluogi i fanteisio ar y cyfleoedd economaidd, yn ogystal â chyfleoedd ynni gwynt ar y môr Celtaidd o ran cynaliadwyedd.
Felly, cafwyd cytundeb y bydd y Trysorlys a Llywodraeth y DU yn ystyried ceisiadau ar gyfer cyfuno porthladdoedd gwahanol, a allai ganiatáu i Aberdaugleddau a Phort Talbot gyflwyno cais ar y cyd, ac mae geiriau yn y cytundeb sy’n caniatáu inni archwilio mwy nag un cais. Ond maent yn ddibynnol, fel y nododd Natasha Asghar, ar farn Llywodraeth y DU am ansawdd y cynigion hynny, ond ni chafwyd unrhyw ddiffiniad o sut beth yw cynnig o ansawdd. Felly, mae'n sgwrs barhaus. Rydym yn awyddus i achub ar y cyfleoedd ac mae gennym amheuon o hyd ynghylch prif bwyslais y polisi, ond rydym yn benderfynol o gydweithio er budd Cymru.
Thank you, Deputy Minister. Transport for Wales has warned that the cost of the south Wales metro project is expected to be significantly over its £734 million budget. Although no firm indications of the expected amount of overspend have been given, it is forecast to run into tens of millions of pounds. The south Wales metro project has a complex supply chain, with the availability of construction material being impacted by the pandemic and increasing costs. Once the contingency for any overspend has been exceeded, the extra cost will inevitably have to be met by the Welsh Government. So, Deputy Minister, what discussions have you had regarding making contingency plans for such a situation, and is there a danger that the completion of the south Wales metro will be delayed, with all the environmental and financial implications that it may entail? Thank you.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Weinidog. Mae Trafnidiaeth Cymru wedi rhybuddio bod disgwyl i gost prosiect metro de Cymru fod yn sylweddol uwch na’i gyllideb o £734 miliwn. Er na roddwyd unrhyw arwyddion pendant o swm disgwyliedig y gorwariant, rhagwelir y bydd yn ddegau o filiynau o bunnoedd. Mae gan brosiect metro de Cymru gadwyn gyflenwi gymhleth, ac mae’r pandemig a chostau cynyddol wedi effeithio ar argaeledd deunydd adeiladu. Pan fydd yr arian wrth gefn ar gyfer unrhyw orwariant wedi dod i ben, mae'n anochel y bydd yn rhaid i Lywodraeth Cymru dalu'r gost ychwanegol. Felly, Ddirprwy Weinidog, pa drafodaethau a gawsoch ynglŷn â gwneud cynlluniau wrth gefn ar gyfer sefyllfa o’r fath, ac a oes perygl y bydd oedi i'r gwaith o gwblhau metro de Cymru, gyda’r holl oblygiadau amgylcheddol ac ariannol y gallai hynny ei olygu? Diolch.
Members will be aware of today's announcement that UK inflation has hit the 9 per cent mark in April. Inflation within the construction industry is hitting closer to 30 per cent, so any infrastructure project is being hit by increased costs; that, I'm afraid, is inevitable, given the way that inflation is running rampant. So, yes, of course, the metro project is not immune to that, and costs will be impacted. We are looking at that closely to understand the implications on the speed of the deployment and the scale of the deployment. I met with the chief executive of Transport for Wales last week to discuss this. We don't have a clear picture—how can we, given the way that the state of the economy is moving—of the final outcome of this, but we are committed to the metro.
Our position would certainly be helped if the UK Government was able to deliver Wales's share of railway infrastructure spending. Currently, we are funding this entirely by ourselves, with some help from EU funds. But, as we've rehearsed in this Chamber many times, if we had our share of the HS2 project, Wales would have £5 billion into the block grant, which we would be able to draw upon to improve investment. I repeat my call to Natasha Asghar and her colleagues again to please join with us in a cross-party effort to make representations to the UK Government to do what the Tory-led Welsh Affairs Committee said was the right thing to do, which is to Barnettise the spend of HS2 to allow Wales to get our share of UK spend. I would certainly welcome her help in making that case jointly.
Bydd yr Aelodau’n ymwybodol o’r cyhoeddiad heddiw fod chwyddiant yn y DU wedi cyrraedd 9 y cant ym mis Ebrill. Mae chwyddiant yn y diwydiant adeiladu yn agosach at 30 y cant, felly mae unrhyw brosiect seilwaith yn cael ei effeithio gan gostau uwch; mae hynny, mae arnaf ofn, yn anochel, o ystyried y ffordd y mae chwyddiant yn codi'n afreolus. Felly, wrth gwrs, nid yw'r prosiect metro'n ddiogel rhag hynny, a bydd y costau'n cael eu heffeithio. Rydym yn edrych ar hynny'n ofalus i ddeall y goblygiadau i gyflymder a maint y gwaith. Cyfarfûm â phrif weithredwr Trafnidiaeth Cymru yr wythnos diwethaf i drafod hyn. Nid oes gennym ddarlun clir—sut y gallem, o ystyried cyflwr yr economi—o ganlyniad terfynol hyn, ond rydym wedi ymrwymo i'r metro.
Byddai'n sicr o gymorth pe gallai Llywodraeth y DU ddarparu cyfran Cymru o'r gwariant ar y seilwaith rheilffyrdd. Ar hyn o bryd, rydym yn ariannu hyn yn gyfan gwbl ar ein pen ein hunain, gyda rhywfaint o gymorth o gronfeydd yr UE. Ond fel yr ydym wedi'i ailadrodd yn y Siambr hon sawl tro, pe byddem yn cael ein cyfran o brosiect HS2, byddai Cymru'n cael £5 biliwn yn y grant bloc, y byddem yn gallu ei ddefnyddio i wella buddsoddiad. Rwy'n ailadrodd fy ngalwad ar Natasha Asghar a’i chyd-Aelodau unwaith eto i ymuno â ni mewn ymdrech drawsbleidiol i alw ar Lywodraeth y DU i wneud yr hyn y dywedodd y Pwyllgor Materion Cymreig dan arweiniad y Torïaid oedd y peth iawn i’w wneud, sef Barnetteiddio gwariant HS2 i ganiatáu i Gymru gael ein cyfran o wariant y DU. Byddwn yn sicr yn croesawu ei chymorth i ddadlau'r achos hwnnw ar y cyd.
Thanks, Deputy Minister. As you know better than anyone, your Government is currently trialling pilot schemes to introduce 20 mph speed limits on all restricted roads in Wales. In Caldicot, in my region of South Wales East, local residents are complaining that congestion has got worse since this limit was introduced, especially at school opening and closing times. Cars are, and I quote, 'crawling along the road at a lower gear causing pollution, and frustration is causing drivers to speed up and exceed limits as soon as they have the opportunity to do so.' In Abergavenny, another part of my region, the imposition of a 20 mph speed limit on Monmouth Road, which carries the A40 from the Hardwick roundabout, has been branded as unworkable and dangerous by local residents.
I have no problem—and I'd like to put this on record—with reduced speed limits on roads where there is large pedestrian activity, such as outside shops, schools, high streets, places of worship et cetera. However, Deputy Minister, it is clear that this blanket 20 mph speed restriction is causing major problems on busy commuter roads. So, Deputy Minister, my question is: are your pilot schemes genuinely intended to inform your proposals, or are they simply a mere smokescreen for plans that are already a done deal? Thank you.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Weinidog. Fel y gwyddoch yn well nag unrhyw un, mae eich Llywodraeth wrthi'n treialu cynlluniau peilot i gyflwyno terfynau cyflymder 20 mya ar bob ffordd gyfyngedig yng Nghymru. Yng Nghil-y-coed yn fy rhanbarth i, Dwyrain De Cymru, mae trigolion lleol yn cwyno bod tagfeydd wedi gwaethygu ers cyflwyno’r terfyn hwn, yn enwedig ar amseroedd agor a chau ysgolion. Mae ceir, ac rwy'n dyfynnu, 'yn ymlusgo ar hyd y ffordd mewn gêr is gan achosi llygredd, ac mae rhwystredigaeth yn peri i yrwyr gyflymu a thorri'r terfynau cyflymder cyn gynted ag y cânt gyfle i wneud hynny.' Yn y Fenni, rhan arall o fy rhanbarth, mae gosod terfyn cyflymder o 20 mya ar Ffordd Trefynwy, sy’n cludo’r A40 o gylchfan Hardwick, wedi’i alw'n anymarferol a pheryglus gan drigolion lleol.
Nid oes gennyf unrhyw broblem—a hoffwn i hyn gael ei gofnodi—gyda chyfyngiadau cyflymder is ar ffyrdd lle y ceir llawer o gerddwyr, megis y tu allan i siopau, ysgolion, y stryd fawr, mannau addoli ac ati. Fodd bynnag, Ddirprwy Weinidog, mae’n amlwg fod y cyfyngiad cyflymder 20 mya cyffredinol hwn yn achosi problemau mawr ar ffyrdd prysur i gymudwyr. Felly, Ddirprwy Weinidog, fy nghwestiwn yw: ai gwir fwriad eich cynlluniau peilot yw llywio eich cynigion, neu a ydynt yn fantell ar gyfer cynlluniau y cytunwyd arnynt eisoes? Diolch.
In the last Senedd, we had cross-party support for introducing the policy of 20 mph speed limits on local roads. We set up a taskforce that consulted very widely and involved stakeholders in working through the detail of the best way to design and implement this policy. One of the things it agreed was that we would pilot in eight areas different approaches to making sure that this could be introduced smoothly when it goes live next year. We'll need to come back to the Senedd shortly before that is able to go ahead. The purpose of those pilots is sincere: to understand and learn about the best way to implement it.
The Member mentioned a range of objections that I'm familiar with. Some of them I think are fair, some of them are a consequence of some people simply resisting change and not wanting to adhere to lower speed limits. The survey has shown broadly 80 per cent of people in favour of the policy, 20 per cent of people against. Those 20 per cent of people are making themselves heard, but I don't think we should see that as evidence of a wholesale rejection of the policy—far from it. I think there is broad support, even in those communities that she mentioned. So, there are going to be learning opportunities from the pilots.
She mentioned the issue of a blanket approach to 20 mph. It is not the intention to have a blanket approach to 20 mph. One of the things that's being piloted is the so-called exemptions process. Broadly speaking, Transport for Wales has worked out a formula for which roads it thinks should be captured by the 20. Every community will have a chance to be consulted upon that, and there will be an opportunity for local councils, who are the highway authorities, to say which roads should be excluded—which roads are better kept at 30 mph. In the pilot areas, that process of exemption is being tested. Certainly, we have seen in Buckley in Flintshire a great deal of unease about the way that that has been implemented. I think that there are lots of lessons for councils and for the Welsh Government to learn from that. That is the whole point of piloting it—to try it, learn from it and adapt. That's what we intend to do.
Yn y Senedd ddiwethaf, cawsom gefnogaeth drawsbleidiol i gyflwyno’r polisi o derfynau cyflymder 20 mya ar ffyrdd lleol. Fe wnaethom sefydlu tasglu a ymgynghorodd yn eang iawn ac a gynhwysodd randdeiliaid wrth weithio drwy fanylion y ffordd orau o lunio a gweithredu'r polisi hwn. Un o’r pethau y cytunwyd arnynt oedd y byddem yn mynd ati mewn wyth ardal i dreialu gwahanol ddulliau o sicrhau y gellid cyflwyno hyn yn ddidrafferth pan gaiff ei weithredu y flwyddyn nesaf. Bydd angen inni ddod yn ôl i’r Senedd cyn bo hir cyn y gellir bwrw ymlaen â hynny. Mae diben y cynlluniau peilot hynny yn ddiffuant: deall a dysgu am y ffordd orau o'i weithredu.
Soniodd yr Aelod am ystod o wrthwynebiadau rwy'n gyfarwydd â hwy. Credaf fod rhai ohonynt yn deg, mae rhai ohonynt yn ganlyniad i'r ffaith bod rhai pobl yn gwrthwynebu newid a ddim eisiau cadw at derfynau cyflymder is. Mae'r arolwg wedi dangos yn fras fod 80 y cant o bobl o blaid y polisi, a 20 y cant o bobl yn ei erbyn. Mae’r 20 y cant hynny o bobl yn lleisio’u barn, ond ni chredaf y dylem ystyried hynny’n dystiolaeth fod y polisi wedi'i wrthod yn gyfan gwbl—i'r gwrthwyneb. Credaf fod cefnogaeth gyffredinol, hyd yn oed yn y cymunedau y soniodd amdanynt. Felly, bydd cyfleoedd i ddysgu o'r cynlluniau peilot.
Soniodd am y broblem o gael cyfyngiad cyffredinol o 20 mya. Nid y bwriad yw cael cyfyngiad cyffredinol o 20 mya. Un o'r pethau sy'n cael eu treialu yw'r broses eithriadau, fel y'i gelwir. Yn fras, mae Trafnidiaeth Cymru wedi llunio fformiwla ar gyfer pa ffyrdd y credant y dylid eu cyfyngu i 20 mya. Bydd pob cymuned yn cael cyfle i ymateb i ymgynghoriad ar hynny, a bydd cyfle i gynghorau lleol, sef yr awdurdodau priffyrdd, ddweud pa ffyrdd y dylid eu heithrio—pa ffyrdd y mae'n well eu cadw ar gyflymder o 30 mya. Yn yr ardaloedd peilot, mae’r broses eithrio honno’n cael ei phrofi. Yn sicr, rydym wedi gweld cryn dipyn o bryder ym Mwcle yn sir y Fflint ynghylch y ffordd y mae hynny wedi’i roi ar waith. Credaf fod llawer o wersi i gynghorau ac i Lywodraeth Cymru eu dysgu o hynny. Dyna holl bwynt ei dreialu—rhoi cynnig arni, dysgu gwersi ac addasu. Dyna y bwriadwn ei wneud.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Delyth Jewell.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Delyth Jewell.
Diolch, Llywydd. Last week, there was a highly critical report that was published by the Office for Environmental Protection. It was warning the UK Government that the progress to deliver on environmental commitments in England is too slow, and it makes recommendations for urgent action. It emphasises the need for legally binding targets.
We have had this discussion, I know, Minister, a number of times before. We know that the plight of the environment is no less serious in Wales, but we still don't have an independent body that can hold the Government to account. I know that people can raise concerns about the functioning of environmental law with the interim environmental protection assessor for Wales, but that interim assessor doesn't have the powers to investigate and take action about perceived failures or breaches of the law by public bodies.
The Office for Environmental Protection has a public-facing website, and it has consulted on a draft strategy on its enforcement policy, but none of that is true at present about the interim assessor's work, in terms of it not being in the public domain. So, do you recognise, Minister, that there is a gap that is unacceptable in terms of environmental governance in Wales? Can you provide reassurance to the Chamber, please, that you will bring forward legislation to establish an independent environmental governance body and nature recovery targets for Wales in the second year of this Senedd?
Diolch, Lywydd. Yr wythnos diwethaf, cyhoeddwyd adroddiad hynod feirniadol gan Swyddfa Diogelu'r Amgylchedd. Roedd yn rhybuddio Llywodraeth y DU fod y cynnydd i gyflawni ymrwymiadau amgylcheddol yn Lloegr yn rhy araf, ac mae’n gwneud argymhellion ar gyfer camau gweithredu brys. Mae’n pwysleisio’r angen am dargedau cyfreithiol rwymol.
Gwn ein bod wedi cael y drafodaeth hon sawl gwaith o’r blaen, Weinidog. Gwyddom nad yw sefyllfa'r amgylchedd yn llai difrifol yng Nghymru, ond serch hynny, nid oes gennym gorff annibynnol a all ddwyn y Llywodraeth i gyfrif. Gwn y gall pobl godi pryderon am weithrediad cyfraith amgylcheddol gyda'r asesydd dros dro ar gyfer diogelu amgylchedd Cymru, ond nid oes gan yr asesydd dros dro bwerau i ymchwilio a gweithredu mewn perthynas â methiannau canfyddedig neu achosion o dorri’r gyfraith gan gyrff cyhoeddus.
Mae gan Swyddfa Diogelu’r Amgylchedd wefan ar gyfer y cyhoedd, ac maent wedi ymgynghori ar strategaeth ddrafft ar eu polisi gorfodi, ond nid yw hynny’n wir ar hyn o bryd am waith yr asesydd dros dro, gan nad yw yn y parth cyhoeddus. Felly, a ydych yn cydnabod, Weinidog, fod bwlch annerbyniol yn bodoli mewn perthynas â llywodraethu amgylcheddol yng Nghymru? A wnewch chi roi sicrwydd i’r Siambr, os gwelwch yn dda, y byddwch yn cyflwyno deddfwriaeth i sefydlu corff llywodraethu amgylcheddol annibynnol a thargedau adfer natur i Gymru yn ail flwyddyn y Senedd hon?
Yes, we are absolutely going to do that. I'm not going to promise it in the second year, Delyth, because I'm in the hands of the legislative programme to some extent. We have a large number of competing priorities, unfortunately, and it's about what's in the best position to go forward at any point in time and how we can get it through the committee systems, and so on. It's not about whether we think that it's a priority. We do think that it's a priority.
I'm really delighted that we have just started the biodiversity deep dive process. I'm really, really pleased with how that went last week. We have a whole series of them now, running forward. Just to explain, we have the core group for that, but we also have a series of stakeholder meetings involved with that and expert groups involved with that. Then, I will be making a statement to the Senedd. I hope that we'll be able to have something at the Royal Welsh, by way of a public engagement process on that as well, once the process for this initial phase of it has passed.
The whole purpose of that is to tell us how to get to 30x30, what the target should be, and how we should structure that for Wales in a way that really makes a difference on the ground. I think that we share the view that that needs to happen. I absolutely want to put in place an independent body that holds our feet to the fire, but I want to know what they are holding our feet to the fire about, and how we can put them in the best possible position to do that, before we go for it. So, I am really looking forward to the outcome of the deep dive, which will be the first big step on the route to being able to do that.
Then, I hope, Llywydd, that we will be able to have a session in the Senedd that gets us all into the same space about how we should take that forward. There will be difficult decisions along the way. If we are going to protect 30 per cent of our landscape to the level that we want to, that is going to affect people who live in that landscape and who work and want to make a decent home and life out of it. So, it's important to get it right, so that we get that buy-in, as well as just the targets.
Rydym yn mynd i wneud hynny, yn bendant. Nid wyf am ei addo yn yr ail flwyddyn, Delyth, gan fod y mater yn nwylo'r rhaglen ddeddfwriaethol i ryw raddau. Mae gennym nifer fawr o flaenoriaethau sy'n cystadlu â'i gilydd, yn anffodus, ac mae'n ymwneud â beth sydd yn sefyllfa orau i fwrw ymlaen ag ef ar unrhyw adeg benodol, a sut y gallwn ei gael drwy'r systemau pwyllgor ac yn y blaen. Nid yw’n ymwneud â ph'un a ydym yn credu ei fod yn flaenoriaeth. Rydym yn credu ei fod yn flaenoriaeth.
Rwy'n falch iawn ein bod newydd ddechrau'r archwiliad dwfn ar fioamrywiaeth. Rwy'n falch iawn o sut yr aeth hynny yr wythnos diwethaf. Mae gennym gyfres gyfan ohonynt yn mynd rhagddynt yn awr. Er eglurder, mae gennym y grŵp craidd ar gyfer hynny, ond mae gennym hefyd gyfres o gyfarfodydd rhanddeiliaid ynghlwm wrth hynny a grwpiau arbenigol ynghlwm wrth hynny. Yna, byddaf yn gwneud datganiad i’r Senedd. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd modd inni gael rhywbeth yn y Sioe Frenhinol ar ffurf proses ymgysylltu â’r cyhoedd ar hynny hefyd, pan fydd y broses ar gyfer y cam cychwynnol hwn wedi dod i ben.
Holl ddiben hynny yw dweud wrthym sut i gyrraedd 30x30, beth ddylai’r targed fod, a sut y dylem strwythuro hynny ar gyfer Cymru mewn ffordd sy'n gwneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol ar lawr gwlad. Credaf ein bod yn rhannu’r farn fod angen i hynny ddigwydd. Yn sicr, hoffwn roi corff annibynnol ar waith sy’n ein dwyn i gyfrif, ond hoffwn wybod am beth y maent yn ein dwyn i gyfrif yn ei gylch, a sut y gallwn sicrhau eu bod yn y sefyllfa orau bosibl i wneud hynny, cyn inni fynd amdani. Felly, edrychaf ymlaen yn fawr at ganlyniad yr archwiliad dwfn, sef y cam mawr cyntaf ar y llwybr i allu gwneud hynny.
Wedyn, Lywydd, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd modd inni gael sesiwn yn y Senedd er mwyn inni allu cytuno sut y dylem fwrw ymlaen â hynny. Bydd penderfyniadau anodd i'w gwneud yn y cyfamser. Os ydym yn mynd i warchod 30 y cant o’n tirwedd i’r lefel y byddem yn ei hoffi, bydd hynny’n effeithio ar bobl sy’n byw yn y dirwedd honno ac sy’n gweithio ac sy’n dymuno gwneud cartref a bywyd gweddus ynddi. Felly, mae'n bwysig gwneud hyn yn iawn, er mwyn inni allu cael y gefnogaeth honno, yn ogystal â'r targedau.
Thank you for that, Minister. I certainly welcome the deep dive, and I agree with you about the need to be honest and realistic with ourselves, and with the people of Wales, about how there are going to have to be some difficult decisions being made. I would still press you that, really, unless we have this legislation being brought forward in the second year, I worry about how much it could creep further. But I know that that is something, I trust, that you will keep pushing for within the Government as much as possible. I hope that you will.
You have said previously that you wish to see these nature recovery targets for Wales informed by global targets to be agreed at the COP15 summit. This summit has already been subject to delay. There is continuing uncertainty about when it is going to go ahead. All the while, we are in a nature emergency. One in six species in Wales is at risk of extinction in Wales. I know that we often say that statistic, but really, I think that, sometimes, we need to step outside ourselves, almost, to think how devastating that is really going to be.
Could you confirm that the legislation for nature recovery targets, when it is brought forward—? I take your point about how you don't know yet whether it can be in the second year of the Senedd, although again I really do push you on that, please. Will that be affected by any further delays in the COP15 summit, or are there processes within the Government to make sure that that is not going to be a further hindrance to the introduction, please?
Diolch, Weinidog. Rwy’n sicr yn croesawu’r archwiliad dwfn, ac rwy’n cytuno â chi am yr angen i fod yn onest ac yn realistig gyda ni ein hunain, a chyda phobl Cymru, ynglŷn â sut y bydd yn rhaid gwneud rhai penderfyniadau anodd. Byddwn yn dal i bwysleisio, mewn gwirionedd, oni bai fod y ddeddfwriaeth hon yn cael ei chyflwyno yn yr ail flwyddyn, fy mod yn poeni faint y gallai'r amser fynd yn ei flaen ymhellach. Ond hyderaf fod hynny’n rhywbeth y byddwch yn parhau i wthio amdano, gymaint â phosibl, o fewn y Llywodraeth. Rwy'n gobeithio y gwnewch chi hynny.
Rydych wedi dweud eisoes eich bod yn dymuno gweld y targedau adfer natur hyn ar gyfer Cymru yn cael eu llywio gan dargedau byd-eang a fydd yn cael eu cytuno yn uwchgynhadledd COP15. Mae'r uwchgynhadledd hon eisoes wedi'i gohirio. Mae ansicrwydd parhaus ynghylch pryd y bydd yn cael ei chynnal. Drwy gydol yr amser, rydym mewn argyfwng natur. Mae un o bob chwe rhywogaeth yng Nghymru mewn perygl o ddiflannu yng Nghymru. Gwn ein bod yn crybwyll yr ystadegyn hwnnw’n aml, ond rwy'n credu o ddifrif, weithiau, fod angen inni gamu y tu allan i ni'n hunain, bron, i feddwl pa mor ddinistriol y bydd hynny mewn gwirionedd.
A wnewch chi gadarnhau bod y ddeddfwriaeth ar gyfer targedau adfer natur, pan gaiff ei chyflwyno—? Rwy'n derbyn eich pwynt ynglŷn â sut nad ydych yn gwybod eto a ellir gwneud hyn yn ail flwyddyn y Senedd, er fy mod o ddifrif yn eich gwthio ar hynny unwaith eto, os gwelwch yn dda. A fydd hynny’n cael ei effeithio gan unrhyw oedi pellach yn uwchgynhadledd COP15, neu a oes prosesau yn y Llywodraeth i sicrhau nad yw hynny’n mynd i fod yn rhwystr pellach i’w chyflwyno, os gwelwch yn dda?
It's a real shame that it's been delayed for a variety of reasons. That really is a shame for the globe, never mind for Wales. One of the pieces of work that I want to see happening, and this is part of the deep dive process as well, to get advice on this, is how we can structure the targets so that they can be tightened but not loosened. It's easy to structure targets that can be changed, but I want to put a process in place where those targets can be accelerated but not relaxed easily. I mean, obviously, any Senedd could overturn the entire legislation and relax them, but we want a process whereby some methodology, statutory instruments, regulations—I don't know, something; it's what I have people working on—can accelerate those targets or add in new ones as appropriate as the evidence comes forward from COP and other processes, but not give us the discretion to be able to row back on them for any reason. That's really easy for me to say, but it's actually quite hard to do. So, part of what we're trying to work on is, with these experts, is that possible, and if so how can we do it.
It's about the initial targets, what the 30x30 thing looks like. Thirty per cent by 2030—that's great to say, but what does that actually mean? What is the 30 per cent? Thirty per cent of what? And is it 30 per cent of Wales or 30 per cent of every local authority area or 30 per cent of every community? What are we actually talking about? And then what are the 30 per cent of species that we're talking about? Or is it 30 per cent across all species or what? I don't know the answer to any of those questions yet. So, part of what we're doing is, 'What is the answer? Is there an answer? What's the consensus view?', and then how can we have an accelerating process to get more and more species and pieces of land protected, because we don't also want a system where we've got 30 per cent of land beautifully preserved and 70 per cent of land that's paved. That's clearly also not what we want.
This is all about the balance, how we use the 30 per cent, perhaps, as exemplars, how do we use that as a showcase for what can be done elsewhere in Wales, how can we get as much of the land mass of Wales included, and as many of the species and so on. So, it's an easy thing to say, but it actually turns out to be really, really complicated to do it in a way that's meaningful and actually holds our feet to the fire in a way that I can't just stand up and say, 'Oh yes, 30 per cent of all the land of Wales is currently protected', because that's not where any of us want to be. So, it's not for want of wanting to do it; it's for want of wanting to get it right that we're carrying on with these processes.
Mae'n drueni mawr ei bod wedi'i gohirio am amrywiaeth o resymau. Mae'n drueni mawr i'r byd, heb sôn am Gymru. Un agwedd yr hoffwn ei gweld ar y gwaith, ac mae hyn yn rhan o broses yr archwiliad dwfn hefyd, i gael cyngor ar hyn, yw sut y gallwn strwythuro’r targedau fel y gellir eu tynhau ond nid eu llacio. Mae’n hawdd strwythuro targedau y gellir eu newid, ond hoffwn roi proses ar waith lle y gellir cyflymu’r targedau hynny, ond lle na ellir eu llacio’n hawdd. Rwy'n sylweddoli, yn amlwg, y gallai unrhyw Senedd wrthdroi'r ddeddfwriaeth gyfan a’u llacio, ond hoffem gael proses lle y gall rhyw fath o fethodoleg, offerynnau statudol, rheoliadau—nid wyf yn gwybod, rhywbeth; dyma y mae gennyf bobl yn gweithio arno—gyflymu'r targedau hynny neu ychwanegu rhai newydd fel y bo'n briodol wrth i dystiolaeth ddod i'r amlwg yn sgil COP a phrosesau eraill, ond heb roi'r disgresiwn inni allu eu dadwneud am unrhyw reswm. Mae hynny'n hawdd iawn i mi ei ddweud, ond mae'n eithaf anodd ei wneud. Felly, mae rhan o'r hyn y ceisiwn weithio arno yn ymwneud â chanfod, gyda'r arbenigwyr hyn, a yw hynny'n bosibl, ac os felly, sut y gallwn ei wneud.
Mae'n ymwneud â'r targedau cychwynnol, sut beth yw 30x30. Tri deg y cant erbyn 2030—mae'n wych i'w ddweud, ond beth y mae hynny'n ei olygu mewn gwirionedd? Beth yw'r 30 y cant? Tri deg y cant o beth? Ac ai 30 y cant o Gymru neu 30 y cant o bob ardal awdurdod lleol neu 30 y cant o bob cymuned ydyw? Am beth y soniwn mewn gwirionedd? Ac yna beth yw'r 30 y cant o rywogaethau y soniwn amdanynt? Neu a yw'n 30 y cant ar draws pob rhywogaeth, neu beth? Nid wyf yn gwybod yr ateb i unrhyw un o’r cwestiynau hynny eto. Felly, rhan o'r hyn a wnawn yw, 'Beth yw'r ateb? A oes ateb? Beth yw'r consensws?', ac yna sut y gallwn gael proses gyflymu er mwyn gwarchod mwy a mwy o rywogaethau a darnau o dir, gan nad ydym am gael system ychwaith lle mae gennym 30 y cant o'r tir wedi'i gadw'n hyfryd a 70 y cant o'r tir wedi'i balmantu. Yn amlwg, nid dyna rydym am ei weld ychwaith.
Mae hyn oll yn ymwneud â’r cydbwysedd, sut y defnyddiwn y 30 y cant, efallai, fel esiampl, sut y defnyddiwn hynny fel enghraifft o'r hyn y gellir ei wneud mewn mannau eraill yng Nghymru, sut y gallwn gynnwys cymaint â phosibl o dirfas Cymru, a chymaint â phosibl o'r rhywogaethau ac yn y blaen. Felly, mae'n beth hawdd i'w ddweud, ond mewn gwirionedd, mae'n wirioneddol gymhleth i'w wneud mewn ffordd sy'n ystyrlon ac sy'n ein dwyn i gyfrif mewn ffordd lle na allaf godi a dweud, 'O ie, mae 30 y cant o holl dir Cymru wedi'i warchod ar hyn o bryd', gan nad dyna ble mae unrhyw un ohonom yn dymuno bod. Felly, nid yw'n fater o fod eisiau ei wneud; rydym yn parhau â'r prosesau hyn am ein bod eisiau ei wneud yn iawn.
3. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng hinsawdd a natur? OQ58051
3. How is the Welsh Government working with local authorities to tackle the climate and nature emergency? OQ58051
Thank you very much, Carolyn Thomas. We are working very closely with local authorities to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, together with our partnership council, the local government climate change strategy group and the local nature partnership network. Our funding to the Welsh Local Government Association, and through Local Places for Nature, supports our work.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Carolyn Thomas. Rydym yn gweithio’n agos iawn gydag awdurdodau lleol i fynd i’r afael â’r argyfyngau hinsawdd a natur, ynghyd â’n cyngor partneriaeth, y grŵp strategaeth newid hinsawdd llywodraeth leol a’r rhwydwaith partneriaethau natur lleol. Mae ein cyllid i Gymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru, a thrwy Lleoedd Lleol ar gyfer Natur, yn cefnogi ein gwaith.
Thank you for the answer, Minister. The Welsh local government elections have shown that there is a clear mandate across Wales for progressive policies to tackle the big issues our society faces, and perhaps the biggest threat is posed by climate change. Minister, how do you plan to ensure that the climate and nature emergency is high on the Cabinet agenda of the new Welsh authorities, as high as it is here in the Senedd and with Welsh Government? I've been really impressed at how much it's talked about here in the Chamber since becoming elected. I know that they are also facing pressures in delivering front-line services as well, so very often they're hitting the ground running all the time to deal with those issues. How can we make sure that it's high up on the agenda as well as tackling those really important front-line services? Thank you.
Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Mae etholiadau llywodraeth leol Cymru wedi dangos bod mandad clir ledled Cymru ar gyfer polisïau blaengar i fynd i’r afael â’r materion mawr y mae ein cymdeithas yn eu hwynebu, ac efallai mai newid hinsawdd yw’r bygythiad mwyaf. Weinidog, sut y bwriadwch sicrhau bod yr argyfwng hinsawdd a natur yn uchel ar agenda Cabinetau awdurdodau newydd Cymru, mor uchel ag y mae yma yn y Senedd a chyda Llywodraeth Cymru? Mae'n galonogol iawn gweld pa mor aml y soniwyd amdano yma yn y Siambr ers imi gael fy ethol. Gwn eu bod hefyd yn wynebu pwysau wrth ddarparu gwasanaethau rheng flaen, felly yn aml iawn, maent wrthi fel lladd nadroedd drwy'r amser yn mynd i'r afael â'r materion hynny. Sut y gallwn sicrhau bod hyn yn uchel ar yr agenda yn ogystal â mynd i’r afael â’r gwasanaethau rheng flaen hynod bwysig hynny? Diolch.
It's a very good point, isn't it, because we all recognise the challenge of balancing the day-to-day daily grind, if you want to put it like that, with a focus on critical and strategic work that's needed to respond to the climate and nature emergencies. I think I said yesterday in one of my statements that my colleague Rebecca Evans and I will be working with the new leadership teams in local government to work with the newly formed cabinets, the individual cabinet members, to make sure that there is no slacking off of the agenda. Prior to the local government elections, we had really good buy-in across all local authorities on this piece, and I don't anticipate any different result from the outcome now. We had some really interesting conversations with leaders who were leaders before the election, and continue to be leaders now, about structuring their cabinet in a way that has resource efficiency and climate emergency as a very serious part of their Cabinet portfolio work, and I hope to see at least some of those portfolio positions coming through. It's all about making sure that it stays at that strategic leadership level and doesn't slide down the organisation and lose focus.
So, I'm really clear that the political will is there. We'll do some central co-ordination as we always do with the WLGA and through the partnership council to keep this, and it's a standing item on the partnership council agenda, and continues to be. And we've allocated £1.49 million for WLGA to deliver the support programme to help authorities do a once-for-Wales approach with a lot of this. Can I just say, while I'm at it, that the work you've been doing on the verges and No Mow May and so on has been really helpful? I had a really interesting meeting yesterday in Torfaen with a No Mow May piece of amenity ground funded by a Local Places for Nature that's been building on some of the work you've done, which we're hoping to build on very much as we go forward.
Mae'n bwynt da iawn, onid ydyw, gan fod pob un ohonom yn cydnabod yr her o gydbwyso'r gwaith diflas bob dydd, os mynnwch, gyda ffocws ar waith hanfodol a strategol sydd ei angen i ymateb i'r argyfyngau hinsawdd a natur. Rwy'n credu imi ddweud ddoe yn un o fy natganiadau y bydd fy nghyd-Aelod, Rebecca Evans, a minnau’n gweithio gyda’r timau arweinyddiaeth newydd mewn llywodraeth leol i weithio gyda’r cabinetau sydd newydd eu ffurfio, yr aelodau cabinet unigol, i sicrhau nad yw'r agenda'n llacio. Cyn yr etholiadau llywodraeth leol, roedd gennym gefnogaeth dda iawn i hyn ar draws yr holl awdurdodau lleol, ac nid wyf yn rhagweld unrhyw newidiadau yn sgil y canlyniad. Cawsom sgyrsiau hynod ddiddorol ag arweinwyr a oedd yn arweinwyr cyn yr etholiad, ac sy’n parhau i fod yn arweinwyr o hyd, ynglŷn â strwythuro eu cabinet mewn ffordd sy'n cynnwys effeithlonrwydd adnoddau ac argyfwng hinsawdd fel rhan ddifrifol iawn o waith portffolio eu Cabinet, ac rwy'n gobeithio gweld o leiaf rai o'r swyddi portffolio hynny'n ymddangos. Mae'n ymwneud â sicrhau bod y mater yn aros ar y lefel arweinyddiaeth strategol honno ac nad yw'n llithro i lawr y sefydliad ac yn colli ffocws.
Felly, rwy'n wirioneddol argyhoeddedig fod yr ewyllys wleidyddol yno. Byddwn yn gwneud rhywfaint o gydgysylltu canolog fel y gwnawn bob amser gyda CLlLC a thrwy’r cyngor partneriaeth i gadw hyn, ac mae'n eitem sefydlog ar agenda’r cyngor partneriaeth, ac mae’n parhau i fod. Ac rydym wedi dyrannu £1.49 miliwn i CLlLC gyflawni'r rhaglen gymorth i helpu awdurdodau i ddefnyddio dull 'unwaith i Gymru' gyda llawer o hyn. A gaf fi ddweud, gyda llaw, fod y gwaith y buoch yn ei wneud ar y lleiniau ar ymylon ffyrdd a No Mow May ac ati wedi bod yn llawer o gymorth? Cefais gyfarfod hynod ddiddorol ddoe yn Nhorfaen gyda darn o dir amwynder No Mow May a ariannwyd gan fenter Lleoedd Lleol ar gyfer Natur sydd wedi bod yn adeiladu ar rywfaint o’r gwaith y buoch chi'n ei wneud, ac rydym yn sicr yn gobeithio adeiladu arno yn y dyfodol.
Minister, I certainly welcome your continued commitment to work closely with local authorities, particularly in this area of climate and nature emergency. As previously stated, I believe local authorities can play a crucial part in supporting and delivering the ambition for a greener and stronger economy here in Wales, and a prime example of this in my part of the Wales, in north Wales, has been the work of the Mersey Dee Alliance, and with local authorities there, working with local authorities across the border in England and other organisations, to look at delivering thousands of green jobs, such as the work around the hydrogen infrastructure, which will make a huge difference to the economy more broadly. So, in light of that, I wonder if you could outline how you see further opportunities for local authorities to play their part in supporting delivering a stronger economy, such as those green jobs that the Mersey Dee Alliance are looking to deliver, which will of course help to tackle the climate and nature emergency. Thank you.
Weinidog, rwy'n sicr yn croesawu eich ymrwymiad parhaus i weithio'n agos gydag awdurdodau lleol, yn enwedig ym maes yr argyfwng hinsawdd a natur. Fel y nodwyd eisoes, credaf y gall awdurdodau lleol chwarae rhan hanfodol yn y gwaith o gefnogi a chyflawni'r uchelgais ar gyfer economi wyrddach a chryfach yma yng Nghymru, ac un enghraifft wych o hyn yn fy rhan i o Gymru, yn y gogledd, yw gwaith Cynghrair Mersi a'r Ddyfrdwy, a chydag awdurdodau lleol yno, yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol dros y ffin yn Lloegr a sefydliadau eraill, i ystyried darparu miloedd o swyddi gwyrdd, megis y gwaith sy'n gysylltiedig â'r seilwaith hydrogen, a fydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth enfawr i'r economi yn ehangach. Felly, yng ngoleuni hynny, tybed a wnewch chi amlinellu sut rydych yn gweld cyfleoedd pellach i awdurdodau lleol chwarae eu rhan yn cefnogi'r gwaith o sicrhau economi gryfach, megis y swyddi gwyrdd hynny y mae Cynghrair Mersi a'r Ddyfrdwy yn bwriadu eu darparu, a fydd, wrth gwrs, yn helpu i fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng hinsawdd a natur. Diolch.
Yes, absolutely, Sam, and that hits the nail on the head, doesn't it, really? Because this is about the climate and nature emergencies, but it's also about changing the mindset to see that as an opportunity, an economic opportunity, a tourism opportunity and a whole series of services opportunities, as opposed to a barrier to that kind of thing. I think we've worked really hard to do that with our local authorities across Wales, and with the North Wales Economic Ambition Board and its various iterations. I know you played a pivotal part in much of that in your previous role too. So, we continue to work very hard with our local authority partnerships and regions to do some of this work. And then just to give one small example of how these things snowball, I'm very pleased that Wales retains its third-in-the-world on recycling, and we're about to roll that out to businesses in Wales. We've got a lot of positive consultation back from businesses whose mindsets have really changed over the last five years or so; their customers want them to be better in this space, with the whole global view of packaging that's completely changed in the last five years.
But off the back of the recycled material that we're now able to provide in Wales to re-processors, we are getting re-processor requests to come here to Wales and put new plants in Wales for recycled material that we don't even have yet. So, they're saying, 'If you collected this particular material, separately as well, then we could use it in Wales to create jobs and economic opportunities', particularly in places like the Mersey Dee Alliance, because of the wealth of material that would be got from a collection regime there. So, it's just one example, and there are many others, of the snowballing effect economically of doing the right thing for both the climate and nature emergencies, and I really look forward to working with local authorities to identify a lot more.
Ie, yn sicr, Sam, ac mae hynny'n taro'r hoelen ar ei phen, onid yw? Gan fod hyn yn ymwneud â'r argyfyngau hinsawdd a natur, ond mae hefyd yn ymwneud â newid y meddylfryd i weld hynny fel cyfle, cyfle yn economaidd, cyfle i dwristiaeth a llu o gyfleoedd i wasanaethau, yn hytrach na rhwystr i'r math hwnnw o beth. Rwy'n credu ein bod wedi gweithio'n galed iawn i wneud hynny gyda'n hawdurdodau lleol ledled Cymru, a chyda Bwrdd Uchelgais Economaidd Gogledd Cymru a'i wahanol fersiynau. Rwy'n gwybod eich bod wedi chwarae rhan ganolog yn llawer o hynny yn eich rôl flaenorol hefyd. Felly rydym yn parhau i weithio'n galed iawn gyda'n partneriaethau yn yr awdurdodau lleol a'r rhanbarthau i wneud peth o'r gwaith hwn. Ac yna os caf roi un enghraifft fach o sut y mae'r pethau hyn yn datblygu'n gyflym, rwy'n falch iawn fod Cymru'n parhau i fod yn drydydd yn y byd o ran ailgylchu, ac rydym ar fin cyflwyno hynny i fusnesau yng Nghymru. Rydym wedi cael llawer o adborth ymgynghori cadarnhaol yn ôl gan fusnesau y mae eu meddylfryd wedi newid llawer dros y pum mlynedd diwethaf; mae eu cwsmeriaid am iddynt fod yn well yn y maes hwn, gyda'r holl safbwynt byd-eang ar ddeunydd pacio wedi newid yn llwyr yn ystod y pum mlynedd diwethaf.
Ond oddi ar gefn y deunydd eildro y gallwn ei ddarparu yng Nghymru bellach i ailbroseswyr, rydym yn cael ceisiadau gan ailbroseswyr i ddod yma i Gymru ac agor gorsafoedd newydd yng Nghymru ar gyfer deunydd eildro nad yw gennym eto hyd yn oed. Felly, maent yn dweud, 'Pe baech yn casglu'r deunydd penodol hwn, ar wahân hefyd, yna gallem ei ddefnyddio yng Nghymru i greu swyddi a chyfleoedd economaidd', yn enwedig mewn mannau fel Cynghrair Mersi a'r Ddyfrdwy, oherwydd y cyfoeth o ddeunydd a fyddai'n deillio o'r drefn gasglu yno. Dim ond un enghraifft ydyw, ac mae llawer o rai eraill, o'r effaith gynyddol yn economaidd o wneud y peth iawn ar gyfer yr argyfyngau hinsawdd a natur, ac edrychaf ymlaen yn fawr at weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i nodi llawer mwy.
4. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gynlluniau plannu coed Llywodraeth Cymru? OQ58043
4. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's tree-planting schemes? OQ58043
We must plant 43,000 hectares of new woodland by 2030 if we are to meet UK Climate Change Committee's balanced pathway to get us to net zero. We have opened a new woodland creation planning scheme to support land managers in developing plans to plant trees, and new schemes to support the planting of new woodland will be opened later this year.
Mae'n rhaid inni blannu 43,000 hectar o goetir newydd erbyn 2030 os ydym am gyrraedd llwybr cytbwys Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd y DU i'n cael i sero net. Rydym wedi agor cynllun cynllunio newydd i greu coetiroedd er mwyn cefnogi rheolwyr tir i ddatblygu cynlluniau i blannu coed, a bydd cynlluniau newydd i gefnogi plannu coetiroedd newydd yn cael eu hagor yn ddiweddarach eleni.
It's been six months since you unveiled plans to grant a tree for every household in Wales. In the intervening months, there's been scant detail on this, and I have been inundated with queries from my constituents asking how they can get hold of their trees for planting. So, Deputy Minister, how and when do you plan to inform households on how they can get hold of their trees and how do you plan to maximise the uptake of the scheme?
Mae chwe mis wedi mynd heibio ers i chi ddatgelu cynlluniau i roi coeden i bob aelwyd yng Nghymru. Yn y misoedd dilynol, prin fu'r manylion am hyn, ac rwyf wedi cael fy llethu gan ymholiadau gan fy etholwyr yn gofyn sut y gallant gael gafael ar eu coed i'w plannu. Felly, Ddirprwy Weinidog, sut a phryd y bwriadwch roi gwybod i aelwydydd sut y gallant gael gafael ar eu coed a sut y bwriadwch sicrhau'r defnydd mwyaf posibl o'r cynllun?
Well, I think that's rather a daft question, if you don't mind me saying so, because there was plenty of information when we launched the scheme earlier this year. We made very clear that there would be an initial stage. We really wanted to do something in the last financial year, not wait until this financial year, so we had a soft launch where we had a final six different regional hubs open to begin the process, in partnership with the Woodland Trust. But we made clear right from the very beginning—and if the Member takes the trouble to Google this, I'm sure he'll find information—that we would have a fuller launch later this year for the October planting season. We intend to have in the order of 25 different regional hubs where people will be able to come along and collect their free tree.
It is going to be, by definition, a modest but important measure in terms of reaching our target of some 86 million trees. Giving every individual household a tree is an important symbolic gesture to raise people's awareness of the benefits of tree planting, but that's not going to meet our target. We have a comprehensive package of measures to meet that target, and I'm delighted that in the Senedd gallery today are members of the tree deep dive who worked very closely with me, and continue to work closely, on implementing a whole package of measures we identified to break down barriers to meet our target. I think the tree giveaway campaign is a really important initiative, and we'll be seeing more of it in the autumn.
Wel, credaf fod hwnnw'n gwestiwn braidd yn wirion, os nad oes ots gennych imi ddweud hynny, oherwydd roedd digon o wybodaeth pan lansiwyd y cynllun gennym yn gynharach eleni. Fe'i gwnaethom yn glir iawn y byddai cam cychwynnol. Roeddem yn awyddus iawn i wneud rhywbeth yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol ddiwethaf, nid aros tan y flwyddyn ariannol hon, felly cawsom lansiad ysgafn lle cafwyd chwe chanolfan ranbarthol wahanol yn agor i ddechrau'r broses, mewn partneriaeth â Coed Cadw. Ond fe'i gwnaethom yn glir o'r cychwyn cyntaf—a phe bai'r Aelod yn trafferthu chwilio ar Google, rwy'n siŵr y byddai'n dod o hyd i wybodaeth am hyn—y byddem yn cael lansiad llawnach yn ddiweddarach eleni ar gyfer tymor plannu mis Hydref. Rydym yn bwriadu cael tua 25 o wahanol hybiau rhanbarthol lle bydd pobl yn gallu dod draw i gasglu eu coeden am ddim.
Fe fydd, yn ôl ei ddiffiniad, yn fesur cymedrol ond pwysig o ran cyrraedd ein targed o tua 86 miliwn o goed. Mae rhoi coeden i bob aelwyd unigol yn arwydd symbolaidd pwysig i godi ymwybyddiaeth pobl o fanteision plannu coed, ond nid yw hynny'n mynd i gyrraedd ein targed. Mae gennym becyn cynhwysfawr o fesurau i gyrraedd y targed hwnnw, ac rwy'n falch iawn fod aelodau o'r archwiliad dwfn i goed yn oriel y Senedd heddiw a weithiodd yn agos iawn gyda mi, ac sy'n parhau i wneud hynny, ar weithredu pecyn cyfan o fesurau a nodwyd gennym i chwalu rhwystrau i gyrraedd ein targed. Rwy'n credu bod yr ymgyrch rhoi coed yn fenter bwysig iawn, a byddwn yn gweld mwy ohoni yn yr hydref.
Deputy Minister, just to assist you, you're right: already 5,000 trees have been given away as part of the scheme—5,000 in March; 200,000 are due to be given away in November. However, might I suggest that a rapid review of the terms and conditions to the programme operated by the Woodland Trust is undertaken to ensure that as many trees as possible are distributed this autumn and beyond. Because I have to say that the terms and conditions are rather restrictive and prohibit, for example, third parties collecting trees. That means that, if you have a community where there's a management company, where everybody's agreed to create a community hub, as is the case in one community here in Clwyd South, every single person at the moment would have to drive to one of the regional hubs. So, as part of any sort of review and relaxation, might I suggest that we utilise school estates for the distribution of them, and also, perhaps, not limit households to just one tree either.
Ddirprwy Weinidog, i'ch cynorthwyo, rydych yn iawn: mae 5,000 o goed eisoes wedi'u rhoi fel rhan o'r cynllun—5,000 ym mis Mawrth; bydd 200,000 yn cael eu rhoi ym mis Tachwedd. Fodd bynnag, a gaf fi awgrymu y cynhelir adolygiad cyflym o delerau ac amodau'r rhaglen a weithredir gan Coed Cadw er mwyn sicrhau bod cymaint o goed â phosibl yn cael eu dosbarthu yr hydref hwn a thu hwnt. Oherwydd mae'n rhaid imi ddweud bod y telerau a'r amodau braidd yn gyfyngol ac yn atal, er enghraifft, trydydd partïon rhag casglu coed. Mae hynny'n golygu, os oes gennych gymuned lle y ceir cwmni rheoli, lle mae pawb wedi cytuno i greu hyb cymunedol, fel sy'n wir mewn un gymuned yma yn Ne Clwyd, y byddai'n rhaid i bob unigolyn yrru i un o'r hybiau rhanbarthol ar hyn o bryd. Felly, fel rhan o unrhyw fath o adolygiad a llacio, a gaf fi awgrymu ein bod yn defnyddio ystadau ysgolion i'w dosbarthu, a hefyd, efallai, peidio â chyfyngu aelwydydd i un goeden yn unig ychwaith.
Thank you for that supplementary. It's certainly not the intention of the scheme to constrain people who want to plant trees. It's my understanding that the terms and conditions don't do that, and I'd be keen to hear more from you about your particular example to see what might have gone wrong there. In fact, we built into the design of the scheme the ability for the Woodland Trust to deliver to people who are unable to get to a hub, and I certainly want to use schools and other community groups to aggregate demand, if they can use schools as mini distribution centres to pass on trees to families. I certainly want to explore that.
We do need look at the logistics of this. It's a very complex scheme, but we have a limited budget for it, so we have to be pragmatic about what can be done. But I certainly want there to be a permissive approach taken so that we can get as many trees in the ground as possible. And I'd really welcome hearing more about the problems your constituents had.
Diolch ichi am y cwestiwn atodol hwnnw. Yn sicr, nid bwriad y cynllun yw cyfyngu ar bobl sydd am blannu coed. Yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, nid yw'r telerau ac amodau yn gwneud hynny, a byddwn yn awyddus i glywed mwy gennych am eich enghraifft benodol i weld beth a allai fod wedi mynd o'i le yno. Mewn gwirionedd, gwnaethom gynnwys yn y cynllun y gallu i Coed Cadw ddosbarthu i bobl nad ydynt yn gallu cyrraedd hyb, ac rwy'n sicr am ddefnyddio ysgolion a grwpiau cymunedol eraill i grynhoi'r galw, os gallant ddefnyddio ysgolion fel canolfannau dosbarthu bach i drosglwyddo coed i deuluoedd. Rwy'n sicr am edrych ar hynny.
Mae angen inni edrych ar logisteg hyn. Mae'n gynllun cymhleth iawn, ond mae gennym gyllideb gyfyngedig ar ei gyfer, felly rhaid inni fod yn bragmatig ynglŷn â'r hyn y gellir ei wneud. Ond rwy'n sicr am weld dull caniataol yn cael ei weithredu er mwyn inni allu cael cymaint o goed yn y ddaear â phosibl. A byddwn yn croesawu clywed mwy am y problemau a oedd gan eich etholwyr.
5. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn datblygu rhwydwaith trafnidiaeth gynaliadwy yng Ngogledd Cymru? OQ58037
5. How is the Welsh Government developing a sustainable transport network in North Wales? OQ58037
Our north Wales metro programme will transform rail, bus and active travel services across north Wales. We've also announced a north Wales transport commission, led by Lord Terry Burns, the former Treasury Permanent Secretary, who's done such good work for us around the M4 in Newport. And that is already beginning. It's meeting, I think, today, for the first time, to develop an evidence-led approach that will then develop a pipeline of recommendations for a stream of multimodal and integrated transport solutions for the north.
Bydd ein rhaglen metro gogledd Cymru yn trawsnewid gwasanaethau trên, bysiau a theithio llesol ar draws gogledd Cymru. Rydym hefyd wedi cyhoeddi comisiwn trafnidiaeth gogledd Cymru, dan arweiniad yr Arglwydd Terry Burns, cyn-Ysgrifennydd Parhaol y Trysorlys, sydd wedi gwneud gwaith mor dda i ni o amgylch yr M4 yng Nghasnewydd. Ac mae hynny eisoes yn dechrau. Mae'n cyfarfod am y tro cyntaf heddiw, rwy'n credu, i ddatblygu dull sy'n seiliedig ar dystiolaeth a fydd wedyn yn datblygu llif o argymhellion ar gyfer ffrwd o ddatrysiadau trafnidiaeth aml-ddull ac integredig ar gyfer y gogledd.
Electric vehicle charging points will be key to a sustainable transport network in north Wales. In February I wrote to you in support of a constituent who asked for help in finding out why Transport for Wales, TfW, was taking so long to install the 21 rapid electrical vehicle charging points announced last June. In your reply, you stated that the project referred to is a complex one, there'd been delays experienced in obtaining planning permissions, leases and wayleaves, and Transport for Wales have assured your officials that once they've secured the permissions, the sites will quickly move to the construction phase. How, therefore, do you respond to my constituent's subsequent statement that TfW really need to move this along with priority, as visitors driving electric vehicles will come to north Wales and find it unprepared for EV drivers, who will have disposable income, which our local tourism industry would like to be spent here, and that the Rhug estate announced that it's installing eight high-powered car chargers at Corwen—a few weeks to install eight high-powered chargers, when TfW and Welsh Government can only manage one medium-powered charger in 10 months?
Bydd mannau gwefru cerbydau trydan yn allweddol i rwydwaith trafnidiaeth gynaliadwy yng ngogledd Cymru. Ym mis Chwefror, ysgrifennais atoch i gefnogi etholwr a ofynnodd am help i ddarganfod pam fod Trafnidiaeth Cymru yn cymryd cyhyd i osod y 21 man gwefru cyflym ar gyfer cerbydau trydan a gyhoeddwyd fis Mehefin diwethaf. Yn eich ateb, fe ddywedoch chi fod y prosiect y cyfeiriwyd ato yn un cymhleth, y bu oedi cyn cael caniatâd cynllunio, lesoedd a ffyrddfreintiau a bod Trafnidiaeth Cymru wedi sicrhau eich swyddogion y bydd y safleoedd yn symud yn gyflym i'r cyfnod adeiladu ar ôl iddynt gael y caniatadau. Sut rydych chi'n ymateb felly i ddatganiad dilynol fy etholwr fod gwir angen i Trafnidiaeth Cymru symud hyn ymlaen gyda blaenoriaeth, gan y bydd ymwelwyr sy'n gyrru cerbydau trydan, a fydd ag incwm gwario, yr hoffai ein diwydiant twristiaeth lleol iddynt ei wario yma, yn dod i ogledd Cymru ac yn ei weld heb fod yn barod ar eu cyfer, a bod ystad Rhug wedi cyhoeddi ei bod yn gosod wyth gwefrydd ceir pŵer uchel yng Nghorwen—ychydig wythnosau i osod wyth gwefrydd pŵer uchel, pan na all Trafnidiaeth Cymru a Llywodraeth Cymru ymdopi â mwy nag un gwefrydd pŵer canolig mewn 10 mis?
I certainly share the Member's frustration that the scheme has hit some snags. Let me say a couple of things in response to the points he raises. First of all, I think he is a great champion of the private sector and I would've thought that, in this case, it is not for Government to be leading the roll-out of e-charging; the Government doesn't provide petrol stations and I don't think it's reasonable to expect Government to be the primary provider of e-charging facilities—that is a role, primarily, for the private sector. And the role of the public sector is to pump prime and deal with those areas that are going to be less likely to be served by the private sector, firstly.
TfW do have a programme of work and this does prove to be very complex, for the range of reasons that he set out, and there have been delays for a whole range of reasons, not least due to supply chains as well as legal hold-ups, and also, as we were discussing in the Senedd earlier, the constraints of the grid. And this is another problem where the grid that we have is not fit for purpose to deal with the climate change emergency. Now, these are not things that are within the control of the Welsh Government. So, it's a complex patchwork of reasons why there have been frustrations.
I would just say that the figures I've seen show that, per head, Wales has as many charging points as other parts of the UK. We have set out an e-charging action plan, which shows—[Inaudible.]—keep pace on that. But I won't deny that the progress to date on the TfW project hasn't been what I would've liked to have seen, but the number of reasons for that are as I've set out.
Rwy'n sicr yn rhannu rhwystredigaeth yr Aelod fod y cynllun wedi taro rhai rhwystrau. Gadewch imi ddweud ychydig o bethau mewn ymateb i'r pwyntiau y mae'n eu codi. Yn gyntaf oll, credaf ei fod yn hyrwyddwr gwych dros y sector preifat a byddwn wedi meddwl, yn yr achos hwn, nad mater i'r Llywodraeth yw arwain y gwaith o gyflwyno e-wefru; nid yw'r Llywodraeth yn darparu gorsafoedd petrol ac nid wyf yn credu ei bod yn rhesymol disgwyl i'r Llywodraeth fod yn brif ddarparwr cyfleusterau e-wefru—mae honno'n rôl i'r sector preifat yn bennaf. A rôl y sector cyhoeddus yw ysgogi ac ymdrin â'r meysydd hynny sy'n mynd i fod yn llai tebygol o gael eu gwasanaethu gan y sector preifat, yn gyntaf.
Mae gan Trafnidiaeth Cymru raglen waith ac mae hon yn gymhleth iawn, oherwydd yr ystod o resymau a nododd, ac fe fu oedi am ystod eang o resymau, yn enwedig oherwydd cadwyni cyflenwi yn ogystal ag oedi cyfreithiol, a chyfyngiadau'r grid hefyd, fel yr oeddem yn ei drafod yn y Senedd yn gynharach. Ac mae hon yn broblem arall lle nad yw'r grid sydd gennym yn addas i'r diben i ymdopi â'r argyfwng newid hinsawdd. Nawr, nid yw'r rhain yn bethau sydd o dan reolaeth Llywodraeth Cymru. Felly, mae yna glytwaith cymhleth o resymau pam y bu rhwystredigaethau.
Hoffwn ddweud bod y ffigurau a welais yn dangos bod gan Gymru, fesul y pen, gynifer o bwyntiau gwefru â rhannau eraill o'r DU. Rydym wedi nodi cynllun gweithredu e-wefru, sy'n dangos—[Anghlywadwy.]—cadw i fyny â hynny. Ond nid wyf yn gwadu nad yw'r cynnydd hyd yma ar brosiect Trafnidiaeth Cymru wedi bod cystal ag y byddwn wedi hoffi ei weld, ond mae nifer o resymau dros hynny fel y nodais.
Minister, sustainable transport networks have to have at the heart of them the interests of the travelling public. They must get people to where they need and want to be, and that means Welsh Government working with partners to build networks that work for people—and it's partners like our wonderful local government colleagues. And, Llywydd, if I may take this opportunity now to congratulate my friend Keith Jones, who has just been appointed to the esteemed position of transport cabinet member in Cardiff, a highly important job for all local authorities.
Minister, if we look across to my constituency, transport routes have to be cross-border, and that means working with partners cross-border, like the metro mayor, Steve Rotheram. Minister, can I commit you today to committing your officials to working with metro mayor Steve Rotheram's officials to ensure that residents in Alyn and Deeside get to their jobs and places of recreation nearest to their homes on sustainable transport networks?
Weinidog, rhaid i rwydweithiau trafnidiaeth gynaliadwy fod â buddiannau'r cyhoedd sy'n teithio yn ganolog iddynt. Rhaid iddynt gludo pobl i lle maent angen ac eisiau bod, ac mae hynny'n golygu bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda phartneriaid i adeiladu rhwydweithiau sy'n gweithio i bobl—a'i phartneriaid fel ein cydweithwyr gwych mewn llywodraeth leol. Lywydd, os caf achub ar y cyfle hwn yn awr i longyfarch fy nghyfaill, Keith Jones, sydd newydd gael ei benodi i swydd uchel ei pharch yr aelod cabinet dros drafnidiaeth yng Nghaerdydd, swydd bwysig iawn i bob awdurdod lleol.
Weinidog, os edrychwn ar fy etholaeth i, mae'n rhaid i lwybrau trafnidiaeth fod yn drawsffiniol, ac mae hynny'n golygu gweithio gyda phartneriaid ar draws y ffin, fel y maer metro, Steve Rotheram. Weinidog, a gaf fi eich ymrwymo heddiw i ymrwymo eich swyddogion i weithio gyda swyddogion y maer metro, Steve Rotheram, i sicrhau bod trigolion Alun a Glannau Dyfrdwy yn cyrraedd eu swyddi a'r mannau hamdden sydd agosaf at eu cartrefi ar rwydweithiau trafnidiaeth cynaliadwy?
Well, I can reassure Jack Sargeant that one of the consequences of working with Ken Skates for two and half years is that I absolutely understand the need to work cross-border and to work closely with the metro mayor. I can assure you that that's what we're doing. Good relationships were set up when Ken was in charge of the transport portfolio and they have been sustained, I'm pleased to say. In fact, the north Wales transport commission we've set up under Lord Burns has on it a member from Nottinghamshire council, as well as Ashley Rogers, chair of Growth Track 360, to show that we absolutely understand the east-west nature of transport links, particularly in the north-east, and we continue to make sure that that is central to the planning that TfW is doing.
Jack Sargeant is absolutely right, we need a range of networks and they need to make—. The right thing to do and the easiest thing to do—. At the moment, we have a 70-year legacy of a transport system where we've made it easy to drive and more difficult to use public transport. And unless we turn that on its head and make public transport the easy, obvious, pain-free, cost-effective way to make our daily journeys, we're never going to meet our climate targets. And I hope that the Burns commission will do a practical job of work to set up a pipeline of schemes and create the delivery of relationships in the north and that those can then be achieved at pace.
Wel, gallaf sicrhau Jack Sargeant mai un o ganlyniadau gweithio gyda Ken Skates am ddwy flynedd a hanner yw fy mod yn deall yn iawn yr angen i weithio'n drawsffiniol ac i weithio'n agos gyda'r maer metro. Gallaf eich sicrhau mai dyna a wnawn. Sefydlwyd cysylltiadau da pan oedd Ken yn gyfrifol am y portffolio trafnidiaeth ac maent wedi'u cadw, rwy'n falch o ddweud. Mewn gwirionedd, mae comisiwn trafnidiaeth gogledd Cymru a sefydlwyd gennym o dan yr Arglwydd Burns yn cynnwys aelod o gyngor swydd Nottingham, yn ogystal ag Ashley Rogers, cadeirydd Growth Track 360, i ddangos ein bod yn llwyr ddeall natur dwyrain-gorllewin y cysylltiadau trafnidiaeth, yn enwedig yn y gogledd-ddwyrain, ac rydym yn parhau i sicrhau bod hynny'n ganolog i'r cynllunio y mae Trafnidiaeth Cymru yn ei wneud.
Mae Jack Sargeant yn llygad ei le, mae arnom angen ystod o rwydweithiau ac mae angen iddynt wneud—. Y peth iawn i'w wneud a'r peth hawsaf i'w wneud—. Ar hyn o bryd, rydym wedi etifeddu system drafnidiaeth 70 oed lle rydym wedi'i gwneud yn hawdd i yrru ac yn anos defnyddio trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Ac oni bai ein bod yn troi hynny ar ei ben ac yn gwneud trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yn ffordd hawdd, amlwg, ddi-boen, gosteffeithiol o wneud ein teithiau dyddiol, ni fyddwn byth yn cyrraedd ein targedau hinsawdd. Ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd comisiwn Burns yn gwneud gwaith ymarferol i sefydlu llif o gynlluniau a chreu cysylltiadau yn y gogledd ac y gellir cyflawni'r rheini'n gyflym wedyn.
6. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y camau sy'n cael eu cymryd i wella ansawdd aer yng Ngorllewin Clwyd? OQ58045
6. Will the Minister provide an update on action to improve air quality in Clwyd West? OQ58045
Tackling polluting transport emissions has been a focus of our clean air programme of work. And, as I mentioned, the north Wales transport commission and the roads review panel are both carrying out work that'll help us with this target in mind.
Mae mynd i'r afael ag allyriadau trafnidiaeth sy'n llygru wedi bod yn ffocws i'n rhaglen waith aer glân. Ac fel y soniais, mae comisiwn trafnidiaeth gogledd Cymru a'r panel adolygu ffyrdd ill dau'n gwneud gwaith a fydd yn ein helpu gyda'r targed hwn mewn golwg.
Clean air is not just about the pollution that we have from road traffic, Deputy Minister, it's also pollution from other places, such as industrial plants. The Glasdir estate in Ruthin has been plagued in recent years with poor air quality as a result of the operation of nearby combined heat and power plants by Newbridge Energy Limited. And, regretfully, just very recently, in recent days, Natural Resources Wales has given a permit to operate a second combined heat and power plant from the same location, doubling, effectively, the emissions that go into the local atmosphere. The residents on that estate want to know what action the Welsh Government is going to take in order to make sure that that decision can be either unpicked or that the effective and efficient operation of those plants is properly monitored by Natural Resources Wales to ensure that they don't have to face continuous problems, which they feel are going to impact their health. Given that this is both a public health matter as well, I would like to know what engagement the Welsh Government has between the departments, and with NRW, to make sure that these sorts of schemes, the cumulative impact is considered, and that these sorts of schemes don't proceed where there are already concerns about pollution.
Mae aer glân yn ymwneud â mwy na'r llygredd sydd gennym o draffig ffyrdd, Ddirprwy Weinidog, mae hefyd yn cynnwys llygredd o leoedd eraill, megis gweithfeydd diwydiannol. Yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf, mae ystad Glasdir yn Rhuthun wedi'i phlagio ag ansawdd aer gwael o ganlyniad i weithgarwch gweithfeydd gwres a phŵer cyfunedig cyfagos Newbridge Energy Limited. Ac yn anffodus, yn ddiweddar iawn, yn y dyddiau diwethaf, mae Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru wedi rhoi trwydded i weithredu ail waith gwres a phŵer cyfunedig yn yr un lleoliad, gan ddyblu, i bob pwrpas, yr allyriadau sy'n codi i'r atmosffer yn lleol. Mae'r trigolion ar yr ystad honno eisiau gwybod pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd i'w cymryd er mwyn sicrhau, naill ai y gellir dadwneud y penderfyniad hwnnw, neu fod Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn monitro gweithrediad effeithiol ac effeithlon y gweithfeydd hynny'n briodol i sicrhau nad oes raid iddynt wynebu problemau parhaus y teimlant y byddant yn effeithio ar eu hiechyd. Gan fod hwn yn fater iechyd cyhoeddus hefyd, hoffwn wybod pa ymgysylltiad sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru rhwng yr adrannau, a chyda Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, i sicrhau gyda'r mathau hyn o gynlluniau, fod yr effaith gronnol yn cael ei hystyried, ac nad yw'r mathau hyn o gynlluniau'n mynd rhagddynt lle y ceir pryderon eisoes ynglŷn â llygredd.
Thank you for the question, and I'm aware of the concerns that he's raised previously on behalf of residents in relation to the facility at the Glasdir estate in Ruthin. It was my understanding that NRW did carry out an investigation alongside Denbighshire County Council last September, which did identify a number of minor issues that then resulted in a notice being served on the operator, and those issues were addressed and the notice was complied with. And since then, as I understand it, there's been a significant reduction in complaints regarding the site and Denbighshire County Council is monitoring closely the area to ensure that air quality remains good. Darren Millar mentioned a permit had been issued, and that is the point of the regulator, to issue permits, but also then to monitor the permits to make sure that they are complied with. Now, I think we've seen an example of where that has been done, and I'm sure NRW will continue to do that, and, if there are concerns by local residents, I'd encourage them to raise them with the local authority and with NRW.
Diolch am y cwestiwn, ac rwy'n ymwybodol o'r pryderon y mae wedi'u codi o'r blaen ar ran trigolion ynglŷn â'r cyfleuster ar ystad Glasdir yn Rhuthun. Yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, cynhaliodd Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru ymchwiliad ochr yn ochr â Chyngor Sir Ddinbych fis Medi diwethaf, a nododd nifer o fân broblemau a arweiniodd wedyn at gyflwyno hysbysiad i'r gweithredwr, ac ymdriniwyd â'r materion hynny a chydymffurfiwyd â'r hysbysiad. Ac ers hynny, yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, bu gostyngiad sylweddol yn nifer y cwynion am y safle ac mae Cyngor Sir Ddinbych yn monitro'r ardal yn fanwl er mwyn sicrhau bod ansawdd aer yn parhau'n dda. Fe soniodd Darren Millar fod trwydded wedi'i rhoi, a dyna yw pwynt y rheoleiddiwr, i roi trwyddedau, ond hefyd i fonitro'r trwyddedau i sicrhau y cydymffurfir â hwy. Nawr, rwy'n credu ein bod wedi gweld enghraifft o lle mae hynny wedi'i wneud, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn parhau i wneud hynny, ac os oes pryderon gan drigolion lleol, byddwn yn eu hannog i'w codi gyda'r awdurdod lleol a chyda Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru.
7. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i annog adeiladu tai newydd yn etholaeth Mynwy? OQ58063
7. What action is the Welsh Government taking to encourage new house building in the Monmouth constituency? OQ58063
Thank you for the question, Peter Fox. Housing, particularly social housing, is a key priority for this Government. This is reflected in our commitment to deliver 20,000 new low-carbon homes for social rent, and underpinned with record levels of investment. We also provide a range of support for house builders, including schemes specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises across Wales.
Diolch am y cwestiwn, Peter Fox. Mae tai, yn enwedig tai cymdeithasol, yn flaenoriaeth allweddol i'r Llywodraeth hon. Adlewyrchir hyn yn ein hymrwymiad i ddarparu 20,000 o gartrefi carbon isel newydd i'w rhentu'n gymdeithasol, ac fe'u hategir gan y lefelau buddsoddi uchaf erioed. Rydym hefyd yn darparu ystod o gymorth i adeiladwyr tai, gan gynnwys cynlluniau sy'n benodol ar gyfer mentrau bach a chanolig ledled Cymru.
Thank you, Minister, for that response. Llywydd, I'm sure everybody across the Chamber here knows the importance of having a good quality stock of housing. Without them, the housing stock will come under even more pressure, pricing people out from being able to own their own home, and we've seen that, sadly, all over. However, a number of new developments in my constituency have stalled as a consequence of the current rules around phosphate levels, with developments close to river catchments required to show how the design will not contribute to increased phosphate levels. Of course, I completely agree that new developments should not have an adverse impact on the environment, however, the current rules seem to have caused a real log jam in the building of much-needed new homes. And in fact, there are concerns that these rules will impact on the potential development of a cancer treatment centre in Nevill Hall in Abergavenny. I note that you will be having a summit at the Royal Welsh Show, which will reflect on not only phosphates but flooding also, but, Minister, how is the Welsh Government balancing environmental considerations with the need to build new homes to tackle the housing crisis? How is the Government working with planning authorities and developers to better understand the current rules, as well as unlocking stalled sites? And we also know that farming isn't the only player in this situation—
Diolch am yr ymateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Lywydd, rwy'n siŵr fod pawb ar draws y Siambr yma'n gwybod pa mor bwysig yw cael stoc o dai o ansawdd da. Hebddynt, bydd y stoc dai'n dod o dan fwy byth o bwysau, gan brisio pobl allan o allu bod yn berchen ar eu cartref eu hunain, ac rydym wedi gweld hynny, yn anffodus, ym mhob man. Fodd bynnag, mae nifer o ddatblygiadau newydd yn fy etholaeth wedi profi oedi o ganlyniad i'r rheolau presennol ynghylch lefelau ffosffad, gyda datblygiadau'n agos at ddalgylchoedd afonydd yn gorfod dangos sut na fydd y cynllun yn cyfrannu at lefelau ffosffad uwch. Wrth gwrs, rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr na ddylai datblygiadau newydd gael effaith andwyol ar yr amgylchedd, ond mae'n ymddangos bod y rheolau presennol wedi achosi tagfa wirioneddol yn y gwaith o adeiladu cartrefi newydd y mae eu hangen yn fawr. Ac yn wir, ceir pryderon y bydd y rheolau hyn yn effeithio ar ddatblygiad posibl canolfan trin canser yn Nevill Hall yn y Fenni. Sylwaf y byddwch yn cael uwchgynhadledd yn Sioe Frenhinol Cymru, a fydd yn ystyried nid yn unig ffosffadau ond llifogydd hefyd, ond Weinidog, sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cydbwyso ystyriaethau amgylcheddol â'r angen i adeiladu cartrefi newydd i fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng tai? Sut y mae'r Llywodraeth yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau cynllunio a datblygwyr i ddeall y rheolau presennol yn well, yn ogystal â datgloi safleoedd lle mae gwaith wedi oedi? A gwyddom hefyd nad ffermio yw'r unig chwaraewr yn y sefyllfa hon—
You need to come to your question now.
Mae angen ichi ddod at eich cwestiwn yn awr.
I'm coming to it.
Rwy'n dod ato.
I've been quite generous with you.
Rwyf wedi bod yn eithaf hael gyda chi.
Fine. How is the Government working with Welsh Water to upgrade sewage systems in Monmouthshire to ensure that more systems are able to treat phosphates at source and ensuring that new developments can connect to these? Thank you.
Iawn. Sut y mae'r Llywodraeth yn gweithio gyda Dŵr Cymru i uwchraddio systemau trin carthion yn sir Fynwy i sicrhau bod mwy o systemau'n gallu trin ffosffadau yn y ffynhonnell a sicrhau y gall datblygiadau newydd gysylltu â'r rhain? Diolch.
Yes, thank you, Peter Fox, for that series of questions, and, absolutely, we understand entirely that the phosphate issue is a really serious issue across Wales. It's affecting the delivery of our 20,000 social homes, it's affecting the delivery of a number of market housing that should have gone ahead for local development plan purposes and so on. It's also affecting a number of other developments across Wales. And, absolutely, there are a number of complexities. Each river catchment has a different set of players, who may or may not be contributing to the phosphate levels there. Phosphate is the headline issue, but we also have nitrates and ammonium, all kinds of other stuff that we've got going into our rivers for various reasons across Wales. We have a number of groups looking at the SAC rivers in particular, so, the Wye has a cross-border one, for example, that I know Peter's aware of.
But the reason for the summit at the Royal Welsh, chaired by the First Minister, is to bring the players together, because there's absolutely no doubt that everyone has to compromise here, because we just cannot have a situation where we can't have anything happening, but nor can we have a situation in which our rivers are visibly dying. What use is that to anyone, frankly? We allow the houses to be built, and then the river's an open sewer—that's clearly not acceptable either. So, this is all about reaching the best possible compromise for both the environment, the rivers and their catchments and the way they flow into the sea and affect our kelp and sea grass forests and all the rest of it, which is vital for climate and nature emergency action, but also the real problem that we have with insufficient housing, particularly in the social sector and so on.
There's a large number of pieces of work going on across the piece on this, it's a very, very difficult and complicated problem, and the reason for the summit is to bring those players together in the spirit of, 'How can we, together, reach the best possible compromise to take this forward in Wales?' Because, let there be no mistake, no-one who comes to that summit is going to go away with their agenda fulfilled 100 per cent and everybody else's put to one side. It's about compromise and reaching that best possible solution for everyone so that we can go forward together as a set of communities.
Ie, diolch, Peter Fox, am y gyfres honno o gwestiynau, ac yn sicr, rydym yn deall yn llwyr fod mater ffosffad yn fater difrifol iawn ledled Cymru. Mae'n effeithio ar y gwaith o ddarparu ein 20,000 o gartrefi cymdeithasol, mae'n effeithio ar y gwaith o ddarparu nifer o dai i'r farchnad agored a ddylai fod wedi mynd rhagddynt at ddibenion cynlluniau datblygu lleol ac yn y blaen. Mae hefyd yn effeithio ar nifer o ddatblygiadau eraill ledled Cymru. Ac yn sicr, ceir nifer o gymhlethdodau. Mae gan bob dalgylch afon set wahanol o chwaraewyr, a allai fod yn cyfrannu at y lefelau ffosffad yno neu beidio. Ffosffad yw'r prif fater, ond mae gennym nitradau ac amoniwm hefyd, pob math o bethau eraill sydd gennym yn mynd i mewn i'n hafonydd am wahanol resymau ledled Cymru. Mae gennym nifer o grwpiau sy'n edrych ar afonydd yr ardaloedd cadwraeth arbennig yn benodol, felly, mae gan afon Gwy un drawsffiniol, er enghraifft, y gwn fod Peter yn ymwybodol ohono.
Ond y rheswm dros yr uwchgynhadledd yn y Sioe Frenhinol, dan gadeiryddiaeth y Prif Weinidog, yw dod â'r chwaraewyr at ei gilydd, oherwydd nid oes amheuaeth o gwbl fod yn rhaid i bawb gyfaddawdu yma, oherwydd ni allwn gael sefyllfa lle na allwn gael dim byd yn digwydd, ond ni allwn ychwaith gael sefyllfa lle mae ein hafonydd yn amlwg yn marw. Pa ddefnydd yw hynny i unrhyw un? Rydym yn caniatáu i'r tai gael eu hadeiladu, ac yna mae'r afon yn garthffos agored—mae'n amlwg nad yw hynny'n dderbyniol ychwaith. Felly, mae hyn oll yn ymwneud â chyrraedd y cyfaddawd gorau posibl i'r amgylchedd, yr afonydd a'u dalgylchoedd a'r ffordd y maent yn llifo i'r môr ac yn effeithio ar ein fforestau lludwymon a glaswellt y môr ac ati, sy'n hanfodol ar gyfer gweithredu ar yr argyfwng hinsawdd a natur, ond hefyd y broblem wirioneddol sydd gennym gyda phrinder tai, yn enwedig yn y sector cymdeithasol ac yn y blaen.
Mae nifer fawr o ddarnau o waith yn mynd rhagddynt ar hyn yn gyffredinol, mae'n broblem anodd a chymhleth iawn, iawn, a'r rheswm dros yr uwchgynhadledd yw dod â'r chwaraewyr at ei gilydd mewn ysbryd o, 'Sut y gallwn ni, gyda'n gilydd, gyrraedd y cyfaddawd gorau posibl i fwrw ymlaen â hyn yng Nghymru?' Oherwydd, rhag bod unrhyw gamsyniad, ni fydd neb sy'n dod i'r uwchgynhadledd honno yn gadael gyda'u hagenda wedi'i bodloni 100 y cant ac agenda pawb arall wedi'i rhoi o'r neilltu. Mae'n ymwneud â chyfaddawdu a chyrraedd yr ateb gorau posibl i bawb er mwyn inni allu symud ymlaen gyda'n gilydd fel set o gymunedau.
8. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am gymorth ariannol ar gyfer prosiectau ynni'r llanw yng Nghymru? OQ58061
8. Will the Minister make a statement on financial support for tidal energy projects in Wales? OQ58061
Yes, thank you, Janet. As I advised in my written question response of 18 March 2022, the Welsh Government is developing a marine energy programme. As part of this work, I am considering what funding will be needed in future years to support marine energy projects.
Ie, diolch, Janet. Fel y dywedais yn fy ymateb i gwestiwn ysgrifenedig ar 18 Mawrth 2022, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn datblygu rhaglen ynni'r môr. Fel rhan o'r gwaith hwn, rwy'n ystyried pa gyllid y bydd ei angen mewn blynyddoedd i ddod i gefnogi prosiectau ynni'r môr.
Thank you, Minister. The UK Government has committed to investing £20 million per year in tidal stream energy—electricity—and the First Minister has informed this Senedd that the Welsh Government is committed to developing a tidal lagoon challenge. However, it seems that tidal range options have been left out at sea. TPGen24 has been designed to operate both in sync with the rise and fall of the tide and, through smart controls, independently of it too. A 24-hour energy generation, a refreshingly simple, turbine-loaded 15 times 7.5 km three lagoon system located at least 1 km offshore, TPGen 24 is a small-impact, low-maintenance and high-yield renewable power plant that can perpetually produce green energy for centuries to come. Clearly, TPGen24 does have some exceptional potential, so will you explain what steps you will take to help to see tidal range projects such as these become a reality here in Wales? As we've said before, it's a cocktail of measures that are needed, and this fits into that cocktail well. Thank you.
Diolch yn fawr, Weinidog. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi ymrwymo i fuddsoddi £20 miliwn y flwyddyn mewn ynni ffrwd lanw—trydan—ac mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi dweud wrth y Senedd hon fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i ddatblygu her môr-lynnoedd llanw. Fodd bynnag, mae'n ymddangos bod opsiynau amrediad llanw wedi'u gadael o dan ddŵr. Mae TPGen24 wedi'i gynllunio i weithredu ar y cyd ag ymchwydd a chwymp y llanw, a thrwy reolyddion clyfar, yn annibynnol arno hefyd. Gyda chynhyrchiant ynni 24 awr, a system tri morlyn hyfryd o syml â thyrbinau 15 x 7.5km wedi'u lleoli o leiaf 1 km oddi ar yr arfordir, gorsaf bŵer adnewyddadwy fach ei heffaith, hwylus, a chynhyrchiol yw TPGen24 a all gynhyrchu ynni gwyrdd yn barhaus am ganrifoedd i ddod. Yn amlwg, mae gan TPGen24 botensial eithriadol, felly a wnewch chi egluro pa gamau y byddwch yn eu cymryd i helpu i weld prosiectau amrediad llanw fel y rhain yn dod yn realiti yma yng Nghymru? Fel rydym wedi dweud o'r blaen, mae angen coctel o fesurau, ac mae'r cynllun hwn yn gweddu'n dda i'r coctel hwnnw. Diolch.
Well, I'm not one to be putting down any offer of a cocktail, Janet; let's start from there. [Laughter.] Quite clearly, we need a whole range of measures put in place to ensure not only that we develop a range of tidal energies: tidal range, tidal stream, tidal lagoons, all sorts—. We're very pleased to see the UK Government stepping into this space, but we need to see the action following that up as well. I gave evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee this morning on this; we're really pleased that the UK Government is making the right noises and coming towards us, but Lee Waters has just written to the Secretary of State asking him again to set out plans for the UK Government supporting funding for the development of tidal range generation in the UK and, frankly, the grid to support it, the interconnectability to support it and a range of other measures that mean that those small demonstrator projects don't bear the burden of the connection into the grid that they need to take their energy off and that we can properly spread out the load of some of the really quite high-risk things that those projects are asked to look at.
But I can assure you—I know she knows already the Morlais project we've already given the grant to—we are very keen to explore this, particularly the innovative projects that Janet has just enthusiastically outlined, because, obviously, one of the big issues for us is to capture the global manufacturing market as well as the global energy market that goes with that and the jobs that go with it. So, I absolutely agree entirely with you, Janet—I don't say that very often—and we really hope that the Secretary of State will work with us to make sure that we have all of that in place going forward.
Wel, nid wyf yn un i wrthod unrhyw gynnig o goctel, Janet; gadewch imi ddechrau gyda hynny. [Chwerthin.] Yn amlwg, mae arnom angen ystod eang o fesurau i sicrhau nid yn unig ein bod yn datblygu ystod o fathau o ynni llanw: amrediad llanw, ffrwd lanw, môr-lynnoedd llanw, pob math—. Rydym yn falch iawn o weld Llywodraeth y DU yn camu i'r maes hwn, ond mae angen inni weld y gweithredu i ddilyn hynny hefyd. Rhoddais dystiolaeth i'r Pwyllgor Materion Cymreig y bore yma ar hyn; rydym yn falch iawn fod Llywodraeth y DU yn gwneud y synau cywir ac yn dod tuag atom, ond mae Lee Waters newydd ysgrifennu at yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol yn gofyn iddo eto i nodi cynlluniau Llywodraeth y DU o ran cefnogi cyllid ar gyfer datblygu cynhyrchiant amrediad llanw yn y DU, a'r grid i'w gefnogi a dweud y gwir, y rhyng-gysylltedd i'w gefnogi ac ystod o fesurau eraill sy'n golygu nad yw'r prosiectau arddangos bach hynny'n ysgwyddo baich y cysylltiad â'r grid y maent angen iddo dynnu eu hynni oddi arnynt ac y gallwn fynd ati'n briodol i wasgaru llwyth rhai o'r pethau risg uchel y gofynnir i'r prosiectau hynny edrych arnynt.
Ond gallaf eich sicrhau—gwn ei bod eisoes yn ymwybodol o brosiect Morlais yr ydym eisoes wedi rhoi'r grant iddo—rydym yn awyddus iawn i archwilio hyn, yn enwedig y prosiectau arloesol y mae Janet newydd eu hamlinellu'n frwdfrydig, oherwydd, yn amlwg, un o'r materion mawr inni yw tynnu sylw'r farchnad weithgynhyrchu fyd-eang yn ogystal â'r farchnad ynni fyd-eang sy'n mynd gyda hynny a'r swyddi sy'n dilyn hynny. Felly, rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â chi, Janet—nid wyf yn dweud hynny'n aml iawn—ac rydym yn gobeithio'n fawr y bydd yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol yn gweithio gyda ni i sicrhau bod hynny i gyd ar waith wrth symud ymlaen.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog a'r Dirprwy Weinidog.
I thank the Minister and the Deputy Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, yw'r cwestiynau i Weinidog y Gymraeg ac Addysg, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf prynhawn yma gan Sioned Williams.
The next item, therefore, is questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, and the first question this afternoon is from Sioned Williams.
1. Sut mae'r Llywodraeth yn cefnogi gwaith y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol? OQ58054
1. How is the Government supporting the work of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol? OQ58054
Braint oedd mynychu dathliad dengmlwyddiant y coleg yr wythnos diwethaf. Rwy'n falch o ddarparu cyllid ychwanegol i'r coleg i gynyddu'r ddarpariaeth o ran prentisiaethau ac addysg bellach cyfrwng Cymraeg. Gwneir hyn ar y cyd gyda Cefin Campbell, Aelod dynodedig Plaid Cymru, fel rhan o'r cytundeb cydweithio rhwng y Llywodraeth a Phlaid Cymru.
It was an honour to attend the coleg's tenth birthday celebration last week. I'm pleased to be able to commit to providing additional funding to the coleg to increase the proportion of apprenticeships and Welsh-medium further education. This is being done in collaboration with Cefin Campbell, the Plaid Cymru designated Member, as part of the co-operation agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.
Diolch, Weinidog. Yn ei araith yma yn y Senedd yn nodi dengmlwyddiant y coleg, cyfeiriodd y prif weithredwr, Dr Ioan Matthews, at y nifer helaeth o siaradwyr Cymraeg yn astudio mewn prifysgolion ar draws Cymru sydd dal ddim yn gwneud y dewis hwnnw i astudio rhan o'u gradd drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Mae'n amlwg bod yna her o hyd o ran annog myfyrwyr i astudio eu pynciau drwy'r Gymraeg, ac yn ôl y coleg mae hynny'n enwedig o wir pan ddaw at bynciau gwyddonol. Mae'n debyg mai un o'r prif resymau yw nad yw'r gwyddorau'n cael eu cynnig yn y Gymraeg ym mhob ysgol cyfrwng Cymraeg. Yn ôl darlithwyr, unwaith mae dysgwr wedi newid iaith astudio pwnc i'r Saesneg, mae'n anodd eu darbwyllo i astudio'r pwnc drwy'r Gymraeg yn y brifysgol, sydd, wrth gwrs, yn creu cylch dieflig o ran athrawon sy'n cymhwyso yn y gwyddorau sy'n medru dysgu yn y Gymraeg. A yw'r Gweinidog yn cytuno bod angen ymyrraeth i gynyddu'r ddarpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg Safon Uwch os am gynyddu'r nifer o fyfyrwyr sy'n mynd ymlaen i astudio'r gwyddorau drwy'r Gymraeg yn y prifysgolion, ac felly sy'n mynd i hyfforddi fel athrawon uwchradd ym maes y gwyddorau? Ac a wnaiff y Gweinidog ymrwymo i gynnal arolwg i ganfod beth yw'r sefyllfa o fewn ein hysgolion Cymraeg o ran darpariaeth yn y gwyddorau? Diolch.
Thank you, Minister. In his speech in the Senedd to mark the tenth anniversary of the coleg, Dr Ioan Matthews, the chief executive, referred to the large number of Welsh speakers studying in universities across Wales who still don't make that choice to study part of their degree through the medium of Welsh. It's clear that there's still a challenge in terms of encouraging students to study their subjects through the medium of Welsh, and according to the coleg this is particularly true when it comes to scientific subjects. It appears that one of the main reasons is that the sciences aren't taught through the medium of Welsh in every Welsh-medium school. According to lecturers, once a pupil has changed their language of study to English, it's difficult to convince them to study through the medium of Welsh at university, which, of course, creates a vicious circle in terms of teachers who qualify in the sciences who are able to teach through the medium of Welsh. Does the Minister agree that we need intervention to increase the provision through the medium of Welsh at A-level if we are to increase the number of students who go on to study the sciences through the medium of Welsh at university, and then who are going to train as teachers in secondary schools in the sciences? Will the Minister commit to undertake a survey to find out what the situation is within our Welsh-medium schools in terms of provision in the sciences? Thank you.
Diolch am y cwestiwn hwnnw. Wel, rŷn ni'n gwybod beth yw'r sefyllfa. Mae angen recriwtio mwy o athrawon sy'n gallu dysgu pynciau gwyddoniaeth, er enghraifft, drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, ac mae gyda ni gynlluniau i wneud hynny drwy'r ysgogiadau ariannol i ysgogi pobl a dwyn pobl i mewn i'r proffesiwn i ddysgu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Felly, mae'r cwestiwn o ddilyniant y mae'r Aelod yn sôn amdano'n hollbwysig, dwi'n credu, ac mae, wrth gwrs, cyllideb bellach sy'n mynd i'r Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol yn mynd i allu cefnogi eu gwaith nhw i sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd hefyd. Erbyn hyn, mae rhyw 34 o 35 maes pwnc yn ein prifysgolion ni ar gael drwy'r Gymraeg ac mae'r coleg yn gwneud gwaith arloesol iawn, er enghraifft ym maes milfeddygaeth, parafeddygaeth a meysydd eraill gyda sail wyddonol. Felly, rwy'n edrych ymlaen at y ddegawd nesaf o'u gwaith nhw ac yn barod i wneud cymaint ag y gallwn ni i gefnogi eu gwaith nhw.
Thank you for the question. We know what the situation is. There is a need to recruit more teachers who can teach science subjects through the medium of Welsh, and we have plans to do so through financial incentives to incentivise people and draw people into the profession to teach through the medium of Welsh. So, the question of continuity that the Member talks about is vital, I think, and, of course, there is a further budget going to the coleg Cymraeg that is going to be able to support that to ensure that that happens also. By now, some 34 out of 35 subject areas in our universities are available through the medium of Welsh and the coleg is doing very innovative work, for example, in veterinary sciences, paramedicine and other areas with a science basis. So, I'm looking forward to the next decade of their work and we're ready to do as much as we can to support their work.
Minister, one of the key areas of work that needs to be addressed in our Welsh language strategies is the provision of Welsh-medium medical training, particularly up in north Wales. The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol have been doing invaluable work here in south Wales supporting doctoral students and providing subject grants to Cardiff and Swansea. Minister, what discussions have you had with the college about the role they play in delivering Welsh-medium medical training at the north Wales medical school to make it a truly national service? Thank you.
Weinidog, un o'r meysydd gwaith allweddol y mae angen mynd i'r afael ag ef yn ein strategaethau iaith Gymraeg yw darparu hyfforddiant meddygol cyfrwng Cymraeg, yn enwedig yng ngogledd Cymru. Mae'r Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol wedi bod yn gwneud gwaith amhrisiadwy yma yn ne Cymru yn cefnogi myfyrwyr doethurol ac yn darparu grantiau pwnc i Gaerdydd ac Abertawe. Weinidog, pa drafodaethau a gawsoch gyda'r coleg ynglŷn â'r rôl y maent yn ei chwarae yn darparu hyfforddiant meddygol cyfrwng Cymraeg yn ysgol feddygol gogledd Cymru i'w wneud yn wasanaeth gwirioneddol genedlaethol? Diolch.
Well, we look forward to supporting the coleg Cymraeg in expanding its reach through all parts of the higher education system in Wales, including those to which the Member refers in his question. The resources available to the coleg Cymraeg will be significantly extended as a consequence of the work that we're doing jointly with Plaid Cymru under the co-operation agreement, and it's in many of the areas with medical foundation, if you like, where some of the most innovative work that the coleg has been doing is most evident. So, I mentioned some of them in my answer to Sioned Williams a moment ago.
Wel, edrychwn ymlaen at gefnogi'r coleg Cymraeg i ehangu ei gyrhaeddiad drwy bob rhan o'r system addysg uwch yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys y rhai y mae'r Aelod yn cyfeirio atynt yn ei gwestiwn. Bydd yr adnoddau sydd ar gael i'r coleg Cymraeg yn cael eu hymestyn yn sylweddol o ganlyniad i'r gwaith a wnawn ar y cyd â Phlaid Cymru o dan y cytundeb cydweithio, ac mae peth o'r gwaith mwyaf arloesol y mae'r coleg wedi bod yn ei wneud yn fwyaf amlwg mewn llawer o'r meysydd sydd â sylfaen feddygol, os mynnwch. Fe soniais am rai ohonynt yn fy ateb i Sioned Williams eiliad yn ôl.
2. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi diweddariad am gynlluniau’r Llywodraeth i gefnogi plant a phobl ifanc dyslecsic yn etholaeth Arfon? OQ58053
2. Will the Minister provide an update on the Government's plans to support children and young people with dyslexia in the Arfon constituency? OQ58053
Rydyn ni wrthi'n datblygu sgiliau'r gweithlu addysg ac wedi darparu adnoddau a chanllawiau dwyieithog ychwanegol er mwyn helpu ymarferwyr i gyflawni anghenion addysgol dysgwyr sydd ag anawsterau dysgu penodol yn well, gan gynnwys dyslecsia yn hynny. Rydyn ni hefyd yn ceisio sefydlu'r hawl i brawf sgrinio dyslecsia newydd i bob oed yng Nghymru.
We are developing the skills of the education workforce and have made additional bilingual resources and guidance available to help practitioners better meet the educational needs of learners with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia. In addition, the rights are being sought to a new all-age Welsh dyslexia screening test.
Mae un o fy etholwyr i yn Arfon wedi cynnal astudiaeth ymchwil annibynnol ar ôl canfod diffygion yn y ddarpariaeth dyslecsia cyfrwng Cymraeg ar gyfer ei merch. Mae wedi cael ei siomi gan y diffyg adnoddau a gwasanaethau sydd ar gael drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, ac, ar hyn o bryd, er gobeithio i'r dyfodol y bydd yna brawf dyslecsia ar gael yn y Gymraeg, does yna ddim prawf dyslecsia ar gael i rywun ei gymryd yn ei mamiaith. Does yna ddim hyd yn oed gwefan cyfrwng Cymraeg a fyddai'n gallu bod yn adnodd gwybodaeth gwerthfawr tu hwnt. Dwi yn deall bod yna arbenigwyr ym Mhrifysgol Bangor yn awyddus iawn i greu adnoddau cyfrwng Cymraeg. Felly, pa gymorth fedrwch chi a'ch Llywodraeth ei gynnig iddyn nhw, ac a wnewch chi roi diweddariad i ni ynglŷn â'r datblygiadau i greu gwefan ddwyieithog i gefnogi plant a phobl ifanc gydag anghenion niwroamrywiol?
One of my constituents in Arfon has undertaken an independent study after finding failings in the dyslexia provision through the medium of Welsh for her daughter. She has been disappointed by the lack of resources and services available through the medium of Welsh, and, although hopefully in the future there will be a dyslexia test through the medium of Welsh, there is no dyslexia test available for someone to take in their mother tongue at the moment. There's not even a Welsh-medium website that could be a valuable information resource. I do understand that there are experts in Bangor University eager to create Welsh-medium resources. So, what support can you and your Government provide to them, and will you provide us with an update regarding the developments to create a bilingual website to support children and young people with neurodiverse conditions?
Wel, diolch am y cwestiwn hwnnw. Mae'n sicr bod angen gwneud mwy i sicrhau argaeledd adnoddau yn y Gymraeg ar gyfer dyslecsia yn gyffredinol. Fel rhan o’r cynllun i sicrhau bod y Ddeddf newydd yn cael ei gweithredu yn y ffordd fwyaf effeithiol, rŷn ni'n gweithio gyda grŵp llywio a byddwn yn recriwtio pobl ag arbenigedd arbennig o ran gweithredu’r system ALN drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, gan gynnwys mapio’r hyn y bydd angen inni ei ddarparu. Rŷn ni'n gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol yng nghyd-destun y cynlluniau strategol Cymraeg mewn addysg i sicrhau ein bod yn deall beth yw eu dadansoddiad nhw o'r angen ar gyfer adnoddau pellach hefyd.
Ond fel gwnes i ddweud yn fras yn fy ateb i'r cwestiwn ar y cychwyn, rŷn ni wrthi'n ceisio cael yr hawl i’r teclyn sy'n sgrinio ar gyfer dyslecsia trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Mae gyda ni eisoes drwy gyfrwng y Saesneg, ond wrth gwrs, mae angen cael hwnna yn Gymraeg hefyd ac mae’r trafodaethau hynny’n digwydd ar hyn o bryd.
Well, thank you for that question. Certainly we do need to do more to ensure the availability of resources through the medium of Welsh for dyslexia in general. As part of the plan to ensure that the new legislation is implemented in the most effective way, we are working with a steering group and we will be recruiting people with expertise in this area to implement the additional learning needs system through the medium of Welsh, including mapping what we will need to provide. We're working with local authorities in the context of the Welsh in education strategic plans to ensure that we understand what their analysis is of the need for further resources too.
But as I said briefly in my initial response to the question, we are currently seeking the rights to the test for Welsh language dyslexia screening. We already have it through the medium of English, but we need it in Welsh too and those discussions are ongoing.
The Member for Arfon raised a really important point, because we know that around 10 per cent of our population here in Wales is dyslexic. And I know, personally, that if it is not dealt with or supported properly at a young age, it can cause some difficulties for people later on in life. In addition to this, the signs and symptoms of dyslexia differ from person to person, so it's really important that any plans and support are perhaps done on an individual basis as well as the broader support that can be offered.
So, in light of this, Minister, what assessment have you made of the role of the new curriculum, what role that can play in ensuring that those with dyslexia receive the help and support that they may need as early as possible in order to help them thrive?
Cododd yr Aelod dros Arfon bwynt pwysig iawn, oherwydd gwyddom fod tua 10 y cant o'n poblogaeth yma yng Nghymru yn ddyslecsig. Ac rwy'n gwybod fy hun os nad yw'n cael ei drin neu os na roddir cymorth priodol tuag ato pan fydd rhywun yn ifanc, gall achosi anawsterau i bobl yn ddiweddarach mewn bywyd. Yn ogystal â hyn, mae arwyddion a symptomau dyslecsia yn amrywio o berson i berson, felly mae'n bwysig iawn fod unrhyw gynlluniau a chymorth yn cael eu darparu ar sail unigol efallai yn ogystal â'r cymorth ehangach y gellir ei gynnig.
Felly, yng ngoleuni hyn, Weinidog, pa asesiad a wnaethoch o rôl y cwricwlwm newydd, pa rôl y gall hwnnw ei chwarae i sicrhau bod y rheini sydd â dyslecsia yn cael y cymorth a'r gefnogaeth y gallai fod eu hangen arnynt cyn gynted â phosibl er mwyn eu helpu i ffynnu?
Well, the combined effect, I think, of the curriculum reforms and the ALN reforms is—. The focus on literacy will drive improvement in this area, and the training available through the professional learning programme that we've been investing in will specifically equip our teaching workforce to identify dyslexia and support pupils that need additional support. Of course, there is a range of needs within the rubric of dyslexia and some have relatively mild needs, and others have a requirement for more significant intervention. But the ethos of the new curriculum, as well as the ethos of the ALN reforms, are to make sure that that's provided as far as possible in a mainstream setting within the life of the school and in the classroom. And so, I think the combined effect of those two reforms will be a renewed focus on this area.
Wel, rwy'n credu mai effaith gyfunol diwygiadau'r cwricwlwm a'r diwygiadau ADY yw—. Bydd y ffocws ar lythrennedd yn sbarduno gwelliant yn y maes hwn, a bydd yr hyfforddiant sydd ar gael drwy'r rhaglen dysgu proffesiynol yr ydym wedi bod yn buddsoddi ynddi yn paratoi ein gweithlu addysgu yn benodol i ganfod dyslecsia a chefnogi disgyblion sydd angen cymorth ychwanegol. Wrth gwrs, ceir amrywiaeth o anghenion yn gysylltiedig â dyslecsia ac anghenion cymharol ysgafn fydd gan rai, a bydd angen ymyrraeth fwy sylweddol ar eraill. Ond ethos y cwricwlwm newydd, yn ogystal ag ethos y diwygiadau ADY, yw sicrhau bod hynny'n cael ei ddarparu cyn belled ag y bo modd mewn lleoliad prif ffrwd ym mywyd yr ysgol ac yn yr ystafell ddosbarth. Ac felly, credaf mai effaith gyfunol y ddau ddiwygiad fydd ffocws o'r newydd ar y maes hwn.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Laura Anne Jones.
Questions now from party spokespeople. Conservative spokesperson, Laura Anne Jones.
Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, as you know, in just four years' time, BTECs won't be available for our Welsh learners. Many professionals in colleges I've visited across Wales are getting extremely anxious now that no replacement has been announced. With such a short period of time to go, there has been no clear policy direction from this Welsh Government and, sadly, the response from Qualifications Wales was merely, 'Don't panic.' Minister, our educators need to know the plan and would greatly appreciate it if you could enlighten us today as to what that plan is.
Diolch, Lywydd. Weinidog, fel y gwyddoch, ymhen pedair blynedd yn unig, ni fydd cymwysterau BTEC ar gael i'n dysgwyr yng Nghymru. Mae llawer o weithwyr proffesiynol mewn colegau yr ymwelais â hwy ledled Cymru yn pryderu fwyfwy nad oes unrhyw beth wedi'i gyhoeddi i gymryd eu lle. Gyda chyfnod mor fyr i fynd, ni chafwyd unrhyw gyfarwyddyd polisi clir gan y Llywodraeth hon yng Nghymru ac yn anffodus, ymateb Cymwysterau Cymru oedd 'Peidiwch â chynhyrfu.' Weinidog, mae angen i'n haddysgwyr wybod beth yw'r cynllun a byddent yn falch iawn pe gallech ein goleuo heddiw beth yw'r cynllun hwnnw.
Well, that's an important question that the Member raises in her question. She's right to say that the UK Government is phasing out a number of qualifications in England, which will have an effect on learners in Wales because they're also studied here in Wales. That is a decision that is being taken without reference to the interests of learners in Wales, by the UK Government. What Qualifications Wales has been able to do is secure the extension of some of those key qualifications so that we have additional protection for learners in Wales, which those over the border will not have, as it happens.
She will also know that it's part of the co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru to undertake a review of vocational qualifications and to see how far we can extend the idea of made-in-Wales qualifications. We have done some of those. There is scope for doing more of those to make sure that learners in Wales don't lose out as a consequence of decisions in Westminster.
Wel, mae'r Aelod yn gofyn cwestiwn pwysig. Mae'n iawn i ddweud bod Llywodraeth y DU yn graddol ddiddymu nifer o gymwysterau yn Lloegr, a fydd yn effeithio ar ddysgwyr yng Nghymru oherwydd eu bod yn cael eu hastudio yma yng Nghymru hefyd. Mae hwnnw'n benderfyniad sy'n cael ei wneud gan Lywodraeth y DU heb ystyried buddiannau dysgwyr yng Nghymru. Yr hyn y mae Cymwysterau Cymru wedi gallu ei wneud yw sicrhau bod rhai o'r cymwysterau allweddol hynny'n cael eu hymestyn fel bod gennym ddiogelwch ychwanegol ar gyfer dysgwyr yng Nghymru, na fydd y rhai dros y ffin yn ei gael, fel y mae'n digwydd.
Bydd hefyd yn gwybod mai rhan o'r cytundeb cydweithio â Phlaid Cymru yw cynnal adolygiad o gymwysterau galwedigaethol a gweld i ba raddau y gallwn ymestyn y syniad o gymwysterau a wnaed yng Nghymru. Rydym wedi gwneud rhai o'r rheini. Mae lle i wneud mwy o'r rheini i sicrhau nad yw dysgwyr yng Nghymru ar eu colled o ganlyniad i benderfyniadau yn San Steffan.
Minister, that's not good enough. We need a world-class, high-quality vocational qualification, fit for the next generations, but our educators need time to prepare it and ensure that our students and our learners aren't being failed by the lack of preparation upon introduction. It is quite clear that your own pride and ideological view will mean that we don't follow England with the T-levels, but we aren't being told what the other options are. Minister, will they be made in Wales by our own regulator, like in Scotland, or will this be done through partnership with higher education institutions?
Weinidog, nid yw hynny'n ddigon da. Mae arnom angen cymhwyster galwedigaethol o ansawdd uchel ac o'r radd flaenaf, sy'n addas ar gyfer y cenedlaethau nesaf, ond mae angen amser ar ein haddysgwyr i'w baratoi a sicrhau nad yw ein myfyrwyr a'n dysgwyr yn cael cam yn sgil y diffyg paratoi ar gyfer ei gyflwyno. Mae'n gwbl glir y bydd eich balchder a'ch barn ideolegol eich hun yn golygu nad ydym yn dilyn Lloegr gyda'r lefelau T, ond nid ydym yn cael gwybod beth yw'r opsiynau eraill. Weinidog, a gânt eu gwneud yng Nghymru gan ein rheoleiddiwr ein hunain, fel yn yr Alban, ynteu a gaiff ei wneud drwy bartneriaeth â sefydliadau addysg uwch?
Well, I'm sorry to give the Member the same answer that I gave earlier, but I'm not sure she entirely followed what I was saying. There is a vocational qualifications review under way that will explore the extent to which made-in-Wales qualifications can be extended beyond the existing level of provision. And in the meantime, there is an extension to those most popular qualifications, to provide additional time for that to happen.
One of the challenges that we've faced throughout this process is that the UK Government has proceeded without regard to the needs of other parts of the UK. So, the best way of doing this, in the interest of learners in all parts of the UK, is to do this in a collaborative way. That has not generally been the experience. And so, the position that we find ourselves in is developing alternatives to protect the interests of Welsh learners, and negotiating extensions to those existing qualifications, which Qualifications Wales has been doing. I meet with them regularly. I discussed this question with a number of further education principals recently. And I think it's very important that there's an ongoing dialogue between QW and the colleges, so that, in the interests of learners, which are paramount in all these discussions, there is clarity and an understanding of what lies ahead.
Wel, mae'n ddrwg gennyf roi'r un ateb i'r Aelod ag a roddais yn gynharach, ond nid wyf yn siŵr ei bod wedi dilyn yr hyn yr oeddwn yn ei ddweud yn llwyr. Mae adolygiad o gymwysterau galwedigaethol ar y gweill a fydd yn archwilio i ba raddau y gellir ymestyn cymwysterau a wneir yng Nghymru y tu hwnt i'r lefel bresennol o ddarpariaeth. Ac yn y cyfamser, ceir estyniad i'r cymwysterau mwyaf poblogaidd, er mwyn rhoi amser ychwanegol i hynny ddigwydd.
Un o'r heriau a wynebwyd gennym drwy gydol y broses hon yw bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi bwrw ymlaen heb ystyried anghenion rhannau eraill o'r DU. Felly, y ffordd orau o wneud hyn, er budd dysgwyr ym mhob rhan o'r DU, yw ei wneud mewn ffordd gydweithredol. Nid dyna fu'r profiad yn gyffredinol. Ac felly, y sefyllfa yr ydym ynddi yw ein bod yn datblygu dewisiadau amgen i ddiogelu buddiannau dysgwyr Cymru, a thrafod estyniadau i'r cymwysterau presennol hynny, a dyna mae Cymwysterau Cymru wedi bod yn ei wneud. Rwy'n cyfarfod â hwy'n rheolaidd. Trafodais y cwestiwn hwn gyda nifer o benaethiaid addysg bellach yn ddiweddar. Ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn fod deialog barhaus rhwng Cymwysterau Cymru a'r colegau, fel y ceir eglurder a dealltwriaeth o'r hyn sydd o'n blaenau er budd y dysgwyr, sy'n hollbwysig yn yr holl drafodaethau hyn.
Minister, once again, there is a distinct lack of leadership from you being shown on such an important issue in education for our children and learners in Wales. You are failing to clarify your position on something that you've known about for a long time. This review could have been done a long time ago. People need time to prepare, our colleges need time to prepare these and know the direction that you're going to take. You've left our colleges without this direction, and, as a result, four further education colleges are developing a partnership to award qualification with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Will this be the model that you use for all of Wales?
Weinidog, unwaith eto, mae'n ymddangos bod diffyg arweiniad amlwg ar eich rhan ar fater mor bwysig mewn addysg i'n plant a'n dysgwyr yng Nghymru. Rydych yn methu egluro eich safbwynt ar rywbeth yr ydych wedi gwybod amdano ers amser maith. Gellid bod wedi cynnal yr adolygiad hwn amser maith yn ôl. Mae angen amser ar bobl i baratoi, mae angen amser ar ein colegau i baratoi'r rhain a gwybod i ba gyfeiriad y byddwch yn mynd. Rydych wedi gadael ein colegau heb y cyfarwyddyd hwn, ac o ganlyniad, mae pedwar coleg addysg bellach yn datblygu partneriaeth i ddyfarnu cymhwyster gyda Phrifysgol Cymru y Drindod Dewi Sant. Ai dyma'r model y byddwch yn ei ddefnyddio ar gyfer Cymru gyfan?
Well, the Member, I think, is conflating two separate things. The review that has been announced by the Welsh Government, in conjunction with Plaid Cymru, is around the made-in-Wales qualifications. There's an existing review that Qualifications Wales has already been undertaking and, as I'm sure she knows, has done a risk analysis of the impact on Welsh learners of the withdrawal of qualifications on a UK-wide basis. We know of the work they've already been doing around made-in-Wales qualifications in some key areas—which I'm sure she's across—and also commissioning additional qualifications for those gaps when they have emerged. So, the work is already under way. As she will know, the designation, the responsibility for managing this lies, as it does in all parts of the UK, outside the direct hands of the Government, in the qualifications regulator, which is what we would all wish to see. And the work that I've been telling you about is work that they are doing together with FE colleges. But it's absolutely important to make sure that that dialogue continues, so that learners know what the options are as those qualifications—many of which have been relied on for a long time—are withdrawn by the UK Government.
Wel, rwy'n credu bod yr Aelod yn drysu rhwng dau beth gwahanol. Mae'r adolygiad a gyhoeddwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru, ar y cyd â Phlaid Cymru, yn ymwneud â'r cymwysterau a wnaed yng Nghymru. Ceir adolygiad y mae Cymwysterau Cymru eisoes wedi'i gyflawni ac fel y gŵyr, mae'n siŵr, mae wedi gwneud dadansoddiad risg o effaith cael gwared ar gymwysterau DU gyfan ar ddysgwyr Cymru. Gwyddom am y gwaith y maent eisoes wedi bod yn ei wneud ar gymwysterau a wnaed yng Nghymru mewn rhai meysydd allweddol—ac rwy'n siŵr ei bod yn gwybod amdano—a hefyd yn comisiynu cymwysterau ychwanegol ar gyfer y bylchau a ddaeth i'r amlwg. Felly, mae'r gwaith eisoes ar y gweill. Fel y gŵyr hi, mae'r dynodiad, y cyfrifoldeb, dros reoli hyn, fel y mae ym mhob rhan o'r DU, y tu allan i ddwylo uniongyrchol y Llywodraeth, a chyda'r rheoleiddiwr cymwysterau, sef yr hyn y byddem i gyd yn dymuno'i weld. A'r gwaith y soniais wrthych amdano yw gwaith y maent yn ei wneud gyda cholegau addysg bellach. Ond mae'n dra phwysig sicrhau bod y ddeialog honno'n parhau, fel bod dysgwyr yn gwybod beth yw'r opsiynau wrth i'r cymwysterau hynny—y dibynnwyd ar lawer ohonynt ers amser maith—gael eu diddymu gan Lywodraeth y DU.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Heledd Fychan.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Heledd Fychan.
Diolch, Llywydd. Weinidog, ar 11 Mai, fe wnes i a Jayne Bryant gyfarfod ag aelodau NEU Cymru ar gyfer sesiwn a oedd yn canolbwyntio ar godi ymwybyddiaeth ynglŷn ag effaith pwysau gwaith ar iechyd meddwl a lles staff mewn ysgolion. Canfu arolwg diweddar o’u haelodau fod 95 y cant o addysgwyr yn gweithio mwy na’r oriau yn eu cytundeb, a bod 44 y cant o addysgwyr yn ystyried o ddifrif gadael y sector addysg. Canfu’r arolwg hefyd fod 79 y cant o'r ymatebwyr yn ansicr bod ganddynt gydbwysedd da rhwng bywyd a gwaith, a dywedodd 62 y cant nad yw eu cyflogwr yn gwneud unrhyw beth i leihau eu llwyth gwaith.
Er bod peth cefnogaeth wedi dod gan y Llywodraeth o ran cefnogi iechyd a lles staff, y neges glir a gefais ganddynt oedd nad oedd hyn yn ddigonol, ac mai'r peth pwysicaf y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud yw lleihau llwyth gwaith. Oes unrhyw gynlluniau ar waith i gefnogi’n bellach iechyd meddwl athrawon a staff mewn ysgolion drwy leihau llwyth gwaith, a sicrhau nad ydym yn colli mwy o athrawon?
Thank you, Llywydd. Minister, on 11 May, Jayne Bryant and I met with members of NEU Wales for a session that focused on raising awareness of the impact of workload on the mental health and well-being of staff in schools. A recent survey of its members found that 95 per cent of educators are working longer hours than those specified in their contracts, and that 44 per cent of educators are seriously considering leaving the education sector. The survey also found that 79 per cent of respondents feel uncertain whether they have a good work-life balance, and 62 per cent of respondents said that their employers aren’t doing anything to lessen their workloads.
Although some support has been given by the Government to support the health and well-being of staff, the clear message that I received from them was that this wasn’t being felt on the ground, and that the most important thing that the Welsh Government could do would be to help to lessen workloads. Do you have any plans to provide further support for the mental health of teachers and school staff through lessening their workloads, and ensuring that we don't lose more teachers?
'Oes' yw'r ateb. Mae dau beth ar waith. Rŷn ni wedi treblu'r gyllideb sydd ar gael i ddarparu cefnogaeth i athrawon sydd o dan bwysau penodol. Mae rhan o hynny'n adnoddau ar-lein, mae peth ohono fe'n gyngor un wrth un, ac mae peth ohono fe'n hyfforddiant i arweinwyr a phenaethiaid er mwyn adnabod beth mwy gellid ei wneud o ran cefnogaeth o fewn yr ysgol. Mae'r gyllideb ehangach yn mynd i alluogi'r gwasanaeth hwnnw i gyrraedd mwy o bobl. Y profiad fuaswn i'n dweud ar y cyfan yw, os ydych chi wedi bod mewn ysgol lle rydych chi wedi cael profiad o'r gwasanaeth hwnnw, mae'n beth positif, ond dyw e ddim wedi bod ar gael i ddigon o bobl. Felly, dyna'r bwriad wrth gynyddu'r gyllideb: sicrhau ei fod ar gael i fwy o athrawon.
Ond y cwestiwn sylfaenol yw: beth mae hynny'n golygu o ran pwysau gwaith? Mae gennym ni fforwm ar waith gyda'r undebau llafur, gyda'r awdurdodau addysg lleol, yn edrych ar yr hyn y gallwn ni ei wneud er mwyn sicrhau ein bod ni'n taro'r cydbwysedd iawn rhwng gofynion a hefyd y pwysau. Felly, mae'r broses yna'n digwydd ar hyn o bryd. Mae'r undebau i gyd yn rhan ohono fe, a rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yn dwyn ffrwyth cyn hir.
'Yes' is the answer. There are two things ongoing. We have tripled the budget to provide support to teachers who are under pressure. Part of that is online resources, some of it is one-to-one advice, and some of it is training for leaders and headteachers to identify what more could be done in terms of support within schools. The broader budget is going to enable that service to reach more people. The experience on the whole, I would say, is if you've been to a school where you've had experience of that service, it is a positive thing, but it hasn't been available to enough people. So, that's the intention in increasing the budget: to ensure that it is available for more teachers.
But the basic question is: what does that mean in terms of workload and work pressure? We have a forum with the trade unions and local education authorities looking at what we can do to ensure that we strike the right balance between the requirements and the pressure. So, that process is ongoing. The unions are all part of it, and I hope that that will come to fruition soon.
Diolch, Weinidog. Mae'n amlwg i'w groesawu eich bod chi'n ymwybodol ac yn trio ymateb i'r galw. Dwi'n meddwl mai un o'r heriau oedd yn cael ei adlewyrchu i ni ydy'r amser i fod yn edrych ar ôl eich iechyd a'ch lles, oherwydd y pwysau gwaith hwnnw. Felly, mae yn heriol ofnadwy.
Un o'r pethau roedden nhw'n pwysleisio i ni hefyd oedd y ffaith eu bod nhw'n dal i ymdopi efo COVID a'r heriau hynny, y gefnogaeth ychwanegol i ddisgyblion sydd ei hangen, tra hefyd wrth gwrs yn paratoi ar gyfer y datblygiadau sydd eu hangen, wrth gwrs, efo anghenion dysgu ychwanegol a hefyd y cwricwlwm newydd. Yn sicr, un o'r negeseuon clir o ran y cwricwlwm newydd, er eu bod nhw'n gyffrous iawn amdano fo, oedd bod yr heriau o ran paratoi ar gyfer mis Medi yn ofnadwy o heriol ac yn rhoi y pwysau cynyddol hwnnw. Felly, gyda Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwriadu cyflwyno hyn ym mis Medi, pa gynlluniau sydd ar waith yn benodol fel ein bod ni'n cefnogi'r athrawon hynny sydd efallai'n ystyried gadael y proffesiwn oherwydd y llwyth gwaith rŵan, ac i sicrhau hefyd y gwaith pontio angenrheidiol hwnnw rhwng y cwricwlwm presennol a’r un newydd?
Thank you, Minister. It is to be welcomed that you are aware and trying to respond to the demand. One of the challenges raised with us was the time that it takes to care for one's health and well-being, because of the pressures. So, it is a challenge.
One of the things that was emphasised to us was that they are still continuing to cope with COVID and those challenges, the additional support for those pupils who need it, and also preparing of course for the developments that are needed with the additional ALN provision and the new curriculum. Certainly, one of the clear messages that we heard regarding the new curriculum, even though they feel excited about it, was that the challenges in terms of preparing for September are very challenging and places additional pressure on them. So, with the Welsh Government intending to introduce this new curriculum from September onwards, what plans are in the pipeline to specifically support those teachers who perhaps are considering leaving the profession because of the current workload, and to ensure that essential transition between the current curriculum and the new curriculum?
Rwy'n derbyn y pwynt mai un o'r heriau yw cael yr amser i sicrhau eich bod chi'n gofalu am eich hunan. Mae hynny wedi bod yn heriol iawn. Rydych chi'n iawn hefyd i ddweud bod y profiad o'r ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf ddim ar ben, ac mae ymarferwyr addysg, athrawon a chynorthwywyr hefyd o dan bwysau ar hyn o bryd. Mae hynny'n sicr yn wir. O ran y gefnogaeth bellach, fe fyddwch chi wedi gweld y datganiad bod rhyw hanner o'r ysgolion uwchradd wedi penderfynu dechrau'r cwricwlwm ym mis Medi eleni yn hytrach nag aros tan flwyddyn nesaf, sydd i'w groesawu, wrth gwrs. Mae'n gallu ni i gynyddu lefelau staffio yn sgil COVID—hynny yw, rhyw 1,800 o staff ychwanegol i mewn i'r system—rwy'n credu, yn darparu rhywfaint ychwanegol o gymorth. Ond, wrth gwrs, mae'r anghenion yn uwch hefyd yn sgil y pwysau sydd wedi bod ar fyfyrwyr a disgyblion dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf.
Efallai bydd yr Aelod wedi gweld nôl ym mis Chwefror fe wnes i ddatgan cynllun o gefnogaeth i athrawon dros y misoedd nesaf, o ddechrau'r flwyddyn, i sicrhau eu bod nhw'n teimlo eu bod nhw'n barod ar gyfer mis Medi. Bydd athrawon mewn mannau gwahanol ar y llwybr o deimlo eu bod nhw'n barod, ac rwy'n sicr y bydd llawer yn meddwl eu bod nhw wedi colli'r amser ychwanegol hwnnw i ddarparu ar gyfer mis Medi. Ond, mae lot o waith wedi bod yn digwydd ers cyfnod hir i sicrhau bod yr adnoddau yno a'r hyfforddiant yno. A dyw e ddim yn rhy hwyr; mae lot o gefnogaeth ar gael i sicrhau bod pob un athro yn teimlo'n hyderus i ddysgu'r cwricwlwm newydd ym mis Medi.
I accept the point that one of the challenges is to have the time to look after yourself. That has been very challenging. You're right also to say that the experience of the last two years isn't at an end, and education practitioners, teachers and assistants are under pressure currently. Certainly, that is true. In terms of the further support, you will have seen the statement that about half of the secondary schools have decided to implement the curriculum in September this year rather than wait until next year, which is to be welcomed, of course. Our ability to increase staffing levels as a result of COVID—about 1,800 additional members of staff in the system—I think, provides some extra support. But, of course, the needs are greater as well as a result of the pressure on students and pupils over the last two years.
Perhaps the Member will have seen that back in February I announced a support scheme for teachers over the following months, from the beginning of the year, to ensure that they felt they were ready for September. Teachers may be on different parts of the path of feeling that they're ready, and I'm sure that many may feel they've lost that additional time to prepare for September. But, a lot of work has been ongoing for a long period of time to ensure that the training and the resources are there. And it's not too late; there is a lot of support available to ensure that every teacher feels confident to teach the new curriculum in September.
3. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda Gweinidog yr Economi ynghylch sut y gallai'r system addysg fynd i'r afael â'r bwlch sgiliau? OQ58041
3. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Economy regarding how the education system could address the skills gap? OQ58041
We discuss this issue regularly. We have most recently discussed a range of areas linked to the issue of addressing skills gaps, including careers and work-related experiences, the young person's guarantee, and the renew and reform project.
Rydym yn trafod y mater hwn yn rheolaidd. Yn fwyaf diweddar, rydym wedi trafod amrywiaeth o feysydd sy'n gysylltiedig â mynd i'r afael â bylchau sgiliau, gan gynnwys profiadau gyrfaoedd a chysylltiedig â gwaith, y warant i bobl ifanc, a'r prosiect adnewyddu a diwygio.
Thank you very much, Minister. Firstly, I want to thank you for the entertainment you provided yesterday with you breaking out a beat with the First Minister about your musical programme. I will be asking you a question on that very soon in future. But, for now, Minister, you'll be aware of the concerns that have been expressed by academics about plans to replace physics, chemistry and biology as separate subjects and to replace them with one integrated science award. One academic warned, and I quote, that a 'dumbing down' of science at GCSE level could see Wales
'miss out on some brilliant scientists in the future',
and widen existing skills gap in STEM subjects. Minister, I've spoken to a number of students on various levels and they don't want to have this programme put in front of them. They want to have the option of being able to have one science to study, such as biology, chemistry or physics, whatever their passion is. The Institution of Engineering and Technology has called on the UK Government to address the skills gap in England by embedding engineering and technology skills into primary school education. So, Minister, my question is: what assurance can you provide that changes to the teaching of science do not amount to dumbing down, what do you say to those students who want to specialise in just one science, and will you consider the proposal to embed engineering and technology skills into primary school education? Thank you.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Weinidog. Yn gyntaf, hoffwn ddiolch ichi am yr adloniant a ddarparwyd gennych ddoe wrth ichi guro'r drwm gyda'r Prif Weinidog am eich rhaglen gerddorol. Byddaf yn gofyn cwestiwn ichi am hynny'n fuan iawn yn y dyfodol. Ond am y tro, Weinidog, fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol o'r pryderon a fynegwyd gan academyddion am gynlluniau i ddisodli ffiseg, cemeg a bioleg fel pynciau ar wahân a chael un dyfarniad gwyddoniaeth integredig yn eu lle. Rhybuddiodd un academydd, ac rwy'n dyfynnu, y gallai 'gorsymleiddio' gwyddoniaeth ar lefel TGAU olygu bod Cymru
'yn methu meithrin gwyddonwyr gwych yn y dyfodol',
ac ehangu'r bwlch sgiliau presennol mewn pynciau STEM. Weinidog, rwyf wedi siarad â nifer o fyfyrwyr ar wahanol lefelau ac nid ydynt am i'r rhaglen hon gael ei chyflwyno. Maent am gael yr opsiwn o allu cael un wyddoniaeth i'w hastudio, megis bioleg, cemeg neu ffiseg, beth bynnag fo'u diddordeb. Mae'r Sefydliad Peirianneg a Thechnoleg wedi galw ar Lywodraeth y DU i fynd i'r afael â'r bwlch sgiliau yn Lloegr drwy ymgorffori sgiliau peirianneg a thechnoleg mewn addysg gynradd. Felly, Weinidog, fy nghwestiwn i yw: pa sicrwydd y gallwch ei roi nad yw newidiadau i addysgu gwyddoniaeth yn gyfystyr â gorsymleiddio, beth rydych chi'n ei ddweud wrth y myfyrwyr sydd am arbenigo mewn un wyddoniaeth yn unig, ac a wnewch chi ystyried y cynnig i ymgorffori sgiliau peirianneg a thechnoleg mewn addysg gynradd? Diolch.
Well, I can assure you that—I know that you've quoted an academic who feels strongly in support of the perspective that you describe—there are plenty of others who take exactly the opposite view. And she will have known that, yesterday, we had the Institute of Physics and the other comparable bodies for chemistry and biology here in the Senedd, and if you took the time to speak with some of those, you would have heard a lot of support for what is being proposed in relation to the new qualifications. Combining the qualifications provides additional space in order to allow learners to take additional exams, including in some of the STEM subjects that she is advocating that they should be encouraged to take up, and some of those in applied contexts, like engineering, as she mentioned in her question. And combining the sciences also enables connections to be made across the sciences, which is four-square with the ethos of the new curriculum—not simply to be learning, but to be understanding and to be understanding the connections between different parts of what you are learning—and I think that will provide the opportunity of doing that.
In relation to the work that she was mentioning in primary school, I think it's really important that we start the learner's journey very early on, understanding what the range of options might be for learners to study, for engineering or other STEM subjects in later life. There are a number of things that we fund which are specifically targeted at young people of primary school age, including in schools themselves, but also opportunities to go outside the world of the school to experience coding, space technology, and a range of other experiences that begin them on that journey, if you like, of understanding the range of options, broadening their horizons and, hopefully, encouraging many of them to take STEM subjects later on.
Wel, gallaf eich sicrhau—gwn eich bod wedi dyfynnu academydd sy'n teimlo'n gryf o blaid y safbwynt a ddisgrifiwch—mae digon o rai eraill sy'n arddel y farn gwbl groes i hynny. Ac fe fydd hi'n gwybod, ddoe, fod y Sefydliad Ffiseg a'r cyrff tebyg eraill ar gyfer cemeg a bioleg yma gyda ni yn y Senedd, a phe baech yn rhoi amser i siarad â rhai o'r rheini, byddech wedi clywed llawer o gefnogaeth i'r hyn sy'n cael ei gynnig mewn perthynas â'r cymwysterau newydd. Mae cyfuno'r cymwysterau yn darparu lle ychwanegol er mwyn caniatáu i ddysgwyr sefyll arholiadau ychwanegol, gan gynnwys mewn rhai o'r pynciau STEM y mae'n argymell y dylid eu hannog i'w dilyn, a rhai o'r rheini mewn cyd-destun cymhwysol, fel peirianneg, fel y soniodd yn ei chwestiwn. Ac mae cyfuno'r gwyddorau hefyd yn galluogi i gysylltiadau gael eu gwneud ar draws y gwyddorau, sy'n bendant yn cyd-fynd ag ethos y cwricwlwm newydd—i fod nid yn unig yn dysgu, ond i fod yn deall ac i fod yn deall y cysylltiadau rhwng gwahanol rannau o'r hyn rydych yn ei ddysgu—a chredaf y bydd yn rhoi cyfle i wneud hynny.
Mewn perthynas â'r gwaith y soniodd amdano yn yr ysgolion cynradd, credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn dechrau taith y dysgwr yn gynnar iawn, gan ddeall beth fyddai'r ystod o opsiynau posibl i ddysgwyr eu hastudio, ar gyfer peirianneg neu bynciau STEM eraill yn ddiweddarach mewn bywyd. Mae nifer o bethau yr ydym yn eu hariannu sydd wedi'u targedu'n benodol at bobl ifanc oedran cynradd, gan gynnwys yn yr ysgolion eu hunain, ond hefyd cyfleoedd i fynd y tu allan i fyd yr ysgol i brofi codio, technoleg y gofod, ac ystod o brofiadau eraill sy'n eu dechrau ar y daith honno, os mynnwch, o ddeall yr ystod o opsiynau, ehangu eu gorwelion, ac annog llawer ohonynt, gobeithio, i ddilyn pynciau STEM yn nes ymlaen.
4. Pa ymgysylltiad y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i gael â Choleg Pen-y-bont ar gynlluniau i ddatblygu'r campws? OQ58034
4. What engagement has the Minister had with Bridgend College on plans for campus development? OQ58034
My officials in the sustainable communities for learning programme team are actively involved in discussions with Bridgend College about this development, and I am delighted, personally, that the college is proposing to accelerate delivery of a future pipeline project, which could both improve its educational offer and support the regeneration of Bridgend town centre.
Mae fy swyddogion yn nhîm y rhaglen cymunedau cynaliadwy ar gyfer dysgu yn cymryd rhan weithredol mewn trafodaethau gyda Choleg Pen-y-bont am y datblygiad hwn, ac yn bersonol, rwy'n falch iawn fod y coleg yn bwriadu cyflymu'r broses o gyflawni prosiect llwybrau yn y dyfodol, a allai wella ei gynnig addysgol a chefnogi'r gwaith o adfywio canol tref Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr .
Well, I really welcome that, and the Minister has been a good friend to the college, and has met Simon Pirotte on several occasions recently, and has seen the STEAM Academy development in Pencoed, which, I have to say, is a Wales leader in bringing together engineering technology, the creative arts and others on one campus, and it is an absolutely superb development for those young people—young people and older people of all ages from throughout the Bridgend area. And, I have to say, Sarah Murphy has visited there with me as well, and others have been there. We've very excited about that, but we're also excited, I have to say, about future plans, including within our biggest local town, which is of course Bridgend, and what that could do not just for the young people of Bridgend, but also for urban renewal as well. So, will he commit to working with Simon Pirotte and the fantastic team that he has, and Bridgend County Borough Council, to bring Welsh Government's heft to that as well so that we make sure that we maximise the impact for young people and old people throughout the area, for lifelong learning and skills but also for town-centre regeneration as well?
Wel, rwy'n croesawu hynny'n fawr, ac mae'r Gweinidog wedi bod yn ffrind da i'r coleg, ac wedi cyfarfod â Simon Pirotte droeon yn ddiweddar, ac wedi gweld datblygiad academi STEAM ym Mhencoed, sydd, mae'n rhaid imi ddweud, yn arwain yng Nghymru ar ddod â thechnoleg peirianneg, y celfyddydau creadigol ac eraill at ei gilydd ar un campws, ac mae'n ddatblygiad hollol wych i'r bobl ifanc hynny—pobl ifanc a phobl hŷn o bob oed o bob rhan o ardal Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr. Ac mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud, mae Sarah Murphy wedi ymweld â'r fan honno gyda mi hefyd, ac mae eraill wedi bod yno. Rydym wedi cyffroi'n fawr am hynny, ond rydym hefyd yn gyffrous, mae'n rhaid imi ddweud, ynglŷn â chynlluniau ar gyfer y dyfodol, gan gynnwys yn ein tref fwyaf yn lleol, sef Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr wrth gwrs, a'r hyn y gallai ei wneud nid yn unig i bobl ifanc Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr, ond hefyd i adnewyddu trefol hefyd. Felly, a wnaiff ymrwymo i weithio gyda Simon Pirotte a'r tîm gwych sydd ganddo, a Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr, i ddod â phwysau Llywodraeth Cymru y tu ôl i hynny hefyd er mwyn inni wneud yn siŵr ein bod yn sicrhau'r effaith fwyaf posibl i bobl ifanc a hen bobl ledled yr ardal, ar gyfer dysgu a sgiliau gydol oes ond hefyd ar gyfer adfywio canol y dref hefyd?
Well, I'll take the opportunity, if I may, to compliment Huw Irranca-Davies and Sarah Murphy on their commitment to the work of the college, the support that you both provide for it, and for the further education offer in your constituencies as well. On both occasions I've been to the college in the last year, you've both been there, and it's been fantastic to see the level of community support for the work of the college.
The programme team in Welsh Government are working closely now with the college to identify what the funding requirements would be, and we're very supportive of the strategic proposal that the college has in this area. I believe it's also a brownfield site that they're looking at, so that's also very positive, for obvious reasons. Why I think it's exciting is, obviously, it strengthens the college's education offer, which we would all support, but also, I think, delivers on that mission that is so important to all FE colleges, which is supporting the local economy, encouraging footfall into the centre of the town, providing that local economic halo, if you like, around its activities, and I think that's also an exciting part of the proposal.
Wel, rwy'n mynd i achub ar y cyfle, os caf, i ganmol Huw Irranca-Davies a Sarah Murphy am eu hymrwymiad i waith y coleg, y gefnogaeth y mae'r ddau ohonoch yn ei roi iddo, ac i'r cynnig addysg bellach yn eich etholaethau hefyd. Ar y ddau achlysur y bûm yn y coleg yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, mae'r ddau ohonoch wedi bod yno, ac mae wedi bod yn wych gweld lefel y gefnogaeth gymunedol i waith y coleg.
Mae tîm y rhaglen yn Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio'n agos yn awr gyda'r coleg i nodi beth fyddai'r gofynion ariannu, ac rydym yn gefnogol iawn i'r cynnig strategol sydd gan y coleg yn yr ardal hon. Credaf eu bod yn edrych ar safle tir llwyd, felly mae hynny hefyd yn gadarnhaol iawn, am resymau amlwg. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn gyffrous, wrth gwrs, am ei fod yn cryfhau cynnig addysg y coleg, y byddem oll yn ei gefnogi, ond hefyd, rwy'n credu ei fod yn cyflawni'r genhadaeth sydd mor bwysig i bob coleg addysg bellach, sef cefnogi'r economi leol, gan annog nifer yr ymwelwyr i ganol y dref, gan ddarparu'r eurgylch economaidd lleol hwnnw, os mynnwch, o amgylch ei weithgareddau, a chredaf fod hynny hefyd yn rhan gyffrous o'r cynnig.
Minister, Bridgend council's website says,
'As well as illustrating the ambitious plans of Bridgend College for expanding and improving the quality and range of learning and training opportunities within the county borough, it also demonstrates how the council's regeneration masterplan is trying to work alongside key partners to deliver significant and long-term positive change for the town centre.'
This is an excellent example of major education providers being seen as an anchor in an economic regeneration scheme, so I'm also excited. However, for this to work, the college and the council need to ensure that those students who live beyond the town centre in some of the surrounding Valleys communities are able to access this via public transport. What discussions has the Minister had with the college, Bridgend council and neighbouring councils about the challenge of public transport to maximise the benefits of the campus expansion, not forgetting active travel?
Weinidog, mae gwefan cyngor Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr yn dweud,
'Yn ogystal â dangos cynlluniau uchelgeisiol Coleg Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr ar gyfer ehangu a gwella ansawdd ac ystod y cyfleoedd dysgu a hyfforddi yn y fwrdeistref sirol, mae hefyd yn dangos sut mae uwchgynllun adfywio'r cyngor yn ceisio gweithio ochr yn ochr â phartneriaid allweddol i sicrhau newid cadarnhaol sylweddol a hirdymor i ganol y dref.'
Mae hon yn enghraifft wych o ddarparwyr addysg mawr yn cael eu gweld fel angor mewn cynllun adfywio economaidd, felly rwy'n gyffrous hefyd. Fodd bynnag, er mwyn i hyn weithio, mae angen i'r coleg a'r cyngor sicrhau bod y myfyrwyr sy'n byw y tu hwnt i ganol y dref yn rhai o gymunedau cyfagos y Cymoedd yn gallu cael mynediad at hyn drwy drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda'r coleg, cyngor Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr a chynghorau cyfagos ynghylch her trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus er mwyn manteisio i'r eithaf ar ehangu'r campws, heb anghofio teithio llesol?
Yes, I think that's a really important point. Everything I know from having visited the college—and I was delighted to be able to officially open the STEAM Academy, actually, in Pencoed campus—is that the college has a real focus, actually, on making sure it's accessible to its students, obviously, but also to the community that it serves at large. There's a strong sense of mission, I think, in relation to that. So, I would expect that the priorities that Altaf Hussain has indicated in his question very much should be heart and centre of their considerations in relation to this. I think the proposed plan is itself a catalyst for economic regeneration, and I think the impact of that will be most broadly felt if the priorities that he's identified in his question are met, as I'm sure they will be.
Ie, credaf fod hwnnw'n bwynt pwysig iawn. Mae popeth rwy'n ei wybod o fod wedi ymweld â'r coleg—ac roeddwn yn falch iawn o allu agor yr Academi STEAM yn swyddogol ar gampws Pencoed—yw bod gan y coleg ffocws gwirioneddol ar sicrhau ei fod yn hygyrch i'w fyfyrwyr, yn amlwg, ond hefyd yn gyffredinol i'r gymuned y mae'n ei gwasanaethu. Ceir ymdeimlad cryf o genhadaeth mewn perthynas â hynny. Felly, byddwn yn disgwyl i'r blaenoriaethau y mae Altaf Hussain wedi'u nodi yn ei gwestiwn fod yn ganolog i'w hystyriaethau mewn perthynas â hyn. Credaf fod y cynllun arfaethedig ei hun yn gatalydd ar gyfer adfywio economaidd, a chredaf y bydd effaith hynny i'w theimlo'n fwyaf cyffredinol os caiff y blaenoriaethau y mae wedi'u nodi yn ei gwestiwn eu bodloni, fel y cânt, rwy'n siŵr.
5. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd i'r afael â phrinderau yn y proffesiwn addysgu? OQ58052
5. How is the Welsh Government addressing shortages in the teaching profession? OQ58052
We are continuing to work with our initial teacher education partnerships and other stakeholders to ensure that recruitment to programmes of initial teacher education meet the desired levels for the future workforce.
Rydym yn parhau i weithio gyda'n partneriaethau addysg gychwynnol i athrawon a rhanddeiliaid eraill i sicrhau bod recriwtio i raglenni addysg gychwynnol i athrawon yn bodloni'r lefelau a ddymunir ar gyfer gweithlu'r dyfodol.
Thank you for that answer, Minister. I've been in contact with those working in schools who are concerned about meeting expectations for accountability in terms of Estyn, and delivering the curriculum in Wales while struggling with capacity issues. I know that there's a real concern about the shortages of staff able to teach through the medium of Welsh, especially science teachers, as was mentioned earlier. So may I ask you: what are your long-term plans to improve recruitment and retainment in these specialisms, as well as the immediate support available for schools that are struggling in the short term? Thank you.
Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Rwyf wedi bod mewn cysylltiad â'r rhai sy'n gweithio mewn ysgolion sy'n poeni ynglŷn â bodloni disgwyliadau ar gyfer atebolrwydd mewn perthynas ag Estyn, a chyflwyno'r cwricwlwm yng Nghymru wrth ymrafael â materion capasiti. Gwn fod pryder gwirioneddol ynghylch y prinder staff sy'n gallu addysgu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, yn enwedig athrawon gwyddoniaeth, fel y crybwyllwyd yn gynharach. Felly, a gaf fi ofyn i chi: beth yw eich cynlluniau hirdymor i wella recriwtio a chadw staff yn yr arbenigeddau hyn, yn ogystal â'r cymorth sydd ar gael ar unwaith i ysgolion sy'n cael trafferth yn y tymor byr? Diolch.
Well, thank you for that, and I think it's absolutely an important point, as we've heard already today. I hope the Member will be reassured—I'll be publishing a 10-year plan very soon that will set out the steps we plan to take in partnership with a range of other organisations to increase the number of Welsh-medium teachers generally, but specifically as well in the areas that she has identified in her question as being ones of particular pressure. I think we've laid pretty solid foundations over the recent years, including the Iaith Athrawon Yfory incentive, which provides up to £5,000 for students to train to teach secondary subjects through the medium of Welsh, with additional incentives available for those students if they're teaching in areas of particular shortage, like the ones that she mentioned in her question. But also the employment-based schemes and the conversion schemes from primary to secondary I think all add to the capacity of our teaching workforce to teach these crucial subjects in Welsh. I've also invited schools to apply for grants to support capacity building in some parts of the education workforce through Welsh medium in this financial year, and I hope that that will lead to some innovative ways being used in those schools under particular pressure to look at creative ways of meeting the challenges. We've also set our ITE partnerships a target of ensuring that 30 per cent of their intake are Welsh-medium students, and that will be a target that is increased incrementally. So, I hope that provides the Member with some reassurance that, even without the benefit of a new plan, we're taking action, but that there's a new plan that I'll be shortly publishing for consultation, and I look forward to her views on that.
Wel, diolch am hynny, a chredaf ei fod yn bwynt cwbl bwysig, fel y clywsom eisoes heddiw. Gobeithio y gallaf roi sicrwydd i'r Aelod—byddaf yn cyhoeddi cynllun 10 mlynedd yn fuan iawn a fydd yn nodi'r camau y bwriadwn eu cymryd mewn partneriaeth ag ystod o sefydliadau eraill i gynyddu nifer yr athrawon cyfrwng Cymraeg yn gyffredinol, ond yn benodol hefyd yn y meysydd a nododd yn ei chwestiwn fel rhai lle y ceir pwysau penodol. Credaf ein bod wedi gosod sylfeini eithaf cadarn dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, gan gynnwys cymhelliant Iaith Athrawon Yfory, sy'n darparu hyd at £5,000 i fyfyrwyr hyfforddi i addysgu pynciau uwchradd drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, gyda chymhellion ychwanegol ar gael i'r myfyrwyr hynny os ydynt yn addysgu mewn meysydd lle y ceir prinder penodol, fel y rhai y soniodd amdanynt yn ei chwestiwn. Ond hefyd rwy'n credu bod y cynlluniau sy'n seiliedig ar gyflogaeth a'r cynlluniau trosi o'r cynradd i'r uwchradd oll yn ychwanegu at allu ein gweithlu addysgu i addysgu'r pynciau hollbwysig hyn yn Gymraeg. Rwyf hefyd wedi gwahodd ysgolion i wneud cais am grantiau i gefnogi meithrin gallu mewn rhai rhannau o'r gweithlu addysg drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon, ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd hynny'n arwain at ddefnyddio ffyrdd arloesol yn yr ysgolion sydd dan bwysau arbennig i edrych ar ffyrdd creadigol o ymateb i'r heriau. Rydym hefyd wedi gosod targed i'n partneriaethau AGA i sicrhau bod 30 y cant o'r rhai sy'n dechrau cyrsiau yn fyfyrwyr cyfrwng Cymraeg, a bydd hwnnw'n darged a gaiff ei gynyddu'n raddol. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd hynny'n rhoi rhywfaint o sicrwydd i'r Aelod ein bod yn gweithredu, hyd yn oed heb fudd cynllun newydd, ond byddaf yn cyhoeddi cynllun newydd cyn bo hir ar gyfer ymgynghori yn ei gylch, ac edrychaf ymlaen at ei barn ar hwnnw.
Minister, the latest available figures for initial teacher education, ITE, qualifiers in Wales show that the numbers of students completing their course in Welsh universities or the Open University fell from 1,740 students in 2010-11 to 1,030 in 2019-20, a drop of some 41 per cent. With that decrease over the 10-year period, the pool of talent available to schools to recruit from has shrunk. Therefore, what's gone wrong, and what's being done to put it right?
Weinidog, mae'r ffigurau diweddaraf sydd ar gael ar gyfer y rhai sy'n cymhwyso ar gyfer addysg gychwynnol i athrawon, AGA, yng Nghymru yn dangos bod nifer y myfyrwyr sy'n cwblhau eu cwrs ym mhrifysgolion Cymru neu'r Brifysgol Agored wedi gostwng o 1,740 o fyfyrwyr yn 2010-11 i 1,030 yn 2019-20, gostyngiad o tua 41 y cant. Gyda'r gostyngiad hwnnw dros y cyfnod o 10 mlynedd, mae'r gronfa o dalent sydd ar gael i ysgolion recriwtio ohoni wedi crebachu. Felly, beth sydd wedi mynd o'i le, a beth sy'n cael ei wneud i'w unioni?
The most recent figures that I've seen show acceptances for secondary priority subjects, which is the area of key concern, increasing by 8 per cent, and acceptances to train to teach through the medium of Welsh, including Welsh as a language, increasing by 45 per cent. So, that's the reality on the ground. But, actually, the issue is much bigger than the figures for one or two years; it's a strategic need to increase the supply of people coming into the profession able to teach Welsh and through the medium of Welsh, but also to ensure that we have teaching assistants able to do the important work that they do as well through the medium of Welsh. And I think there's a need for great creativity and I think there's a need to do things differently—to look for financial incentives; to make it easier for people to train, to convert from the work that they might already be doing; also to look at letting young people know as they are going through school what the options are for them to teach in Welsh, and marketing, if you like, teaching in Welsh and through Welsh to them as an option. So, I look forward to the Member's comments on the plan when it's published for consultation very shortly.
Mae'r ffigurau diweddaraf a welais yn dangos bod derbyniadau ar gyfer pynciau â blaenoriaeth uwchradd, sef y maes sy'n peri pryder allweddol, wedi cynyddu 8 y cant, a bod derbyniadau i hyfforddi i addysgu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, gan gynnwys y Gymraeg fel iaith, wedi cynyddu 45 y cant. Felly, dyna'r realiti ar lawr gwlad. Ond mewn gwirionedd, mae'r mater yn llawer mwy na'r ffigurau ar gyfer blwyddyn neu ddwy; mae'n angen strategol i gynyddu'r cyflenwad o bobl sy'n dod i mewn i'r proffesiwn sy'n gallu addysgu Cymraeg a thrwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, ond hefyd i sicrhau bod gennym gynorthwywyr addysgu sy'n gallu gwneud y gwaith pwysig a wnânt hwythau hefyd drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. A chredaf fod angen creadigrwydd mawr a chredaf fod angen gwneud pethau'n wahanol—chwilio am gymhellion ariannol; ei gwneud yn haws i bobl hyfforddi, trosi o'r gwaith y gallent fod yn ei wneud eisoes; hefyd edrych ar roi gwybod i bobl ifanc wrth iddynt fynd drwy'r ysgol beth yw'r opsiynau iddynt addysgu yn Gymraeg, a marchnata, os mynnwch, addysgu yn Gymraeg a thrwy'r Gymraeg fel opsiwn. Felly, edrychaf ymlaen at sylwadau'r Aelod ar y cynllun pan gaiff ei gyhoeddi ar gyfer ymgynghori yn ei gylch yn fuan iawn.
6. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn monitro i ba raddau y caiff Deddf Anghenion Dysgu Ychwanegol a’r Tribiwnlys Addysg (Cymru) 2018 ei gweithredu? OQ58056
6. How is the Welsh Government monitoring the implementation of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018? OQ58056
We are co-creating an accountability framework to understand the impact of the implementation of the new ALN legislation. This will include assessing the effectiveness of implementation, obviously, but also identifying barriers and also measures to support implementation and exploring the emerging impacts and benefits of the new system.
Rydym yn cyd-greu fframwaith atebolrwydd i ddeall effaith gweithredu'r ddeddfwriaeth ADY newydd. Bydd hyn yn cynnwys asesu effeithiolrwydd gweithredu, yn amlwg, ond hefyd nodi rhwystrau, yn ogystal â mesurau i gefnogi gweithredu ac archwilio effeithiau a manteision sy'n dod i'r amlwg yn sgil y system newydd.
Diolch. The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018, or ALN Act, aims to overhaul the current special educational needs system, placing the child or young person's views at the heart of the process and involving them and their families in the planning, intervention and review process from the outset, with schools themselves having more autonomy over their additional learning needs provision. The ALN code of practice states that local authorities should consider at strategic level whether changes to funding arrangements for supporting children and young people with ALN are appropriate. Although the ALN code's children's rights impact assessment states that children and young people currently recorded as having SEN are twice as likely to be eligible for free school meals as those who do not, there is concern that some local authorities are using free school meals as the sole measure to allocate ALN funding to schools, which could leave ALN pupils in schools with lower free school meal levels deprived of the resources they need to fulfil their potential. How is the Minister therefore ensuring that local authority allocation of ALN funding to schools allows the Act's aims to be implemented?
Diolch. Nod Deddf Anghenion Dysgu Ychwanegol a'r Tribiwnlys Addysg (Cymru) 2018, neu Ddeddf ADY, yw ailwampio'r system anghenion addysgol arbennig bresennol, gan roi barn y plentyn neu'r person ifanc wrth wraidd y broses a'u cynnwys hwy a'u teuluoedd yn y broses gynllunio, ymyrryd ac adolygu o'r cychwyn cyntaf, gyda'r ysgolion eu hunain yn cael mwy o ymreolaeth dros eu darpariaeth anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. Mae'r cod ymarfer ADY yn nodi y dylai awdurdodau lleol ystyried ar lefel strategol a yw newidiadau i'r trefniadau ariannu ar gyfer cefnogi plant a phobl ifanc ag ADY yn briodol. Er bod asesiad effaith hawliau plant y cod ADY yn nodi bod plant a phobl ifanc y cofnodir bod ganddynt AAA ar hyn o bryd ddwywaith yn fwy tebygol o fod yn gymwys i gael prydau ysgol am ddim na'r rhai nad ydynt yn gymwys, ceir pryder fod rhai awdurdodau lleol yn defnyddio prydau ysgol am ddim fel yr unig ddull o fesur ar gyfer dyrannu cyllid ADY i ysgolion, sefyllfa a allai olygu bod disgyblion ADY mewn ysgolion â lefelau is o brydau ysgol am ddim yn cael eu hamddifadu o'r adnoddau sydd eu hangen arnynt i gyflawni eu potensial. Sut felly y mae'r Gweinidog yn sicrhau bod dyraniad awdurdodau lleol o gyllid ADY i ysgolion yn caniatáu i nodau'r Ddeddf gael eu gweithredu?
[Inaudible.]—point. I think the additional funding that has been made available to local authorities in order to implement the new reforms has, of course, been significantly enhanced and extended in recent months. In January, I announced an additional £18 million, and I announced a further £4 million for special schools specifically at the beginning of March. But, the point he makes is very important—that we need to ensure that funding is invested in a way that enables the Act's requirements to be met, and that should follow need where it exists in schools in our system. So, one of the key aspects of the implementation review that we will be undertaking is to ensure that the emerging processes, as the Act is implemented, are delivering that outcome, but also ensuring that the co-creation I mentioned in my initial answer is really important, because that enables voices in all parts of the system to have a role in the accountability around the delivery of the Act. And I'm very certain that a key part of that work will be answering the question that he has just identified.
[Anghlywadwy.]—pwynt. Rwy'n credu bod yr arian ychwanegol sydd ar gael i awdurdodau lleol er mwyn gweithredu'r diwygiadau newydd wedi'i wella a'i ymestyn yn sylweddol yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf. Ym mis Ionawr, cyhoeddais £18 miliwn ychwanegol, a chyhoeddais £4 miliwn arall ar gyfer ysgolion arbennig yn benodol ddechrau mis Mawrth. Ond mae'r pwynt y mae'n ei wneud yn bwysig iawn—fod angen inni sicrhau bod cyllid yn cael ei fuddsoddi mewn ffordd sy'n galluogi i ofynion y Ddeddf gael eu bodloni, a dylai hynny ddilyn angen lle mae'n bodoli mewn ysgolion yn ein system. Felly, un o'r agweddau allweddol ar yr adolygiad gweithredu y byddwn yn ei gynnal yw sicrhau bod y prosesau sy'n dod i'r amlwg wrth i'r Ddeddf gael ei gweithredu yn cyflawni'r canlyniad hwnnw, ond hefyd yn sicrhau bod y cyd-greu a grybwyllais yn fy ateb cychwynnol yn bwysig iawn, oherwydd mae hynny'n ei gwneud hi'n bosibl i leisiau ym mhob rhan o'r system chwarae rhan yn yr atebolrwydd ynghylch cyflawni'r Ddeddf. Ac rwy'n sicr iawn mai rhan allweddol o'r gwaith hwnnw fydd ateb y cwestiwn y mae newydd ei nodi.
7. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i annog mwy o bobl ifanc i astudio pynciau STEM? OQ58062
7. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to encourage more young people to study STEM subjects? OQ58062
The Welsh Government has provided almost £1.5 million in grant funding this year to support the delivery of science, technology, engineering and mathematics initiatives, with the primary aims of supporting and developing STEM enrichment activities, narrowing the attainment gap and encouraging the take-up of STEM subjects at GCSE and A-level.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi darparu bron i £1.5 miliwn o gyllid grant eleni i gefnogi'r gwaith o gyflwyno mentrau gwyddoniaeth, technoleg, peirianneg a mathemateg, gyda'r prif nodau o gefnogi a datblygu gweithgareddau cyfoethogi STEM, lleihau'r bwlch cyrhaeddiad ac annog pobl i astudio pynciau STEM ar lefel TGAU a Safon Uwch.
I appreciate that answer, Minister. The vast majority of problems facing today's Wales can be addressed by having more scientists, engineers and mathematicians. Mathematicians have devised better surgery scheduling in order to eliminate cancelled operations. We need more doctors, radiographers and lab technicians in order to tackle our horrendous waiting lists, and if we are to address climate change, we need more scientists and engineers working on new battery technology and grid storage. Studying STEM subjects teaches one of life's greatest skills, which is critical thinking, a skill needed above all others in this age of disinformation. Minister, in order to gain the next generation of scientists and engineers, we have to train the next generation of scientists and engineers. How is the Welsh Government working with science outreach projects and science communicators in order to get young people hooked on STEM from a young age?
Rwy'n gwerthfawrogi'r ateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Gellir mynd i'r afael â'r mwyafrif helaeth o'r problemau sy'n wynebu Cymru heddiw drwy gael mwy o wyddonwyr, peirianwyr a mathemategwyr. Mae mathemategwyr wedi dyfeisio ffordd well o drefnu llawdriniaethau gyda'r nod o leihau nifer y llawdriniaethau sy'n cael eu canslo. Mae arnom angen mwy o feddygon, radiograffwyr a thechnegwyr labordy er mwyn mynd i'r afael â'n rhestrau aros erchyll, ac os ydym am fynd i'r afael â newid hinsawdd, rydym angen i fwy o wyddonwyr a pheirianwyr weithio ar dechnoleg batri a storio grid newydd. Mae astudio pynciau STEM yn dysgu un o sgiliau mwyaf bywyd, sef meddwl yn feirniadol, sgil sydd ei angen yn fwy na'r un yn yr oes hon o dwyllwybodaeth. Weinidog, er mwyn ennill y genhedlaeth nesaf o wyddonwyr a pheirianwyr, rhaid inni hyfforddi'r genhedlaeth nesaf o wyddonwyr a pheirianwyr. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda phrosiectau allgymorth gwyddoniaeth a chyfathrebwyr gwyddoniaeth er mwyn cael pobl ifanc i fwynhau STEM o oedran ifanc?
That's a really good question and a really good point that the Member makes in his question. The £1.5 million in grant funding that I referred to earlier, some of that is—. For example, we've recently invested in Techniquest to explore delivering programmes of work to enhance science and maths in primary and secondary schools, developing that love of science, if you like, at an early age, which I was mentioning to Natasha Asghar a little bit earlier. We fund Engineering Education Scheme Wales, which runs programmes right across Wales to inspire and motivate young people to choose careers in STEM, with a particular focus, as you'd expect with that name, on engineering. We fund computer coding workshops for pupils, we support the further maths support programme with Swansea University, which aims to widen access to further maths, which is obviously critical for some of the STEM disciplines, and we also support the Institute of Physics Stimulating Physics Network programme, amongst other investment. So, I agree wholeheartedly with him that it's really important to encourage our young people who have an aptitude and enthusiasm for STEM subjects to see those as realistic options for them.
Mae hwnnw'n gwestiwn da iawn ac yn bwynt da iawn y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud yn ei gwestiwn. Mae rhywfaint o'r £1.5 miliwn o gyllid grant y cyfeiriais ato'n gynharach—. Er enghraifft, rydym wedi buddsoddi yn Techniquest yn ddiweddar i archwilio'r posibilrwydd o gyflwyno rhaglenni gwaith i wella gwyddoniaeth a mathemateg mewn ysgolion cynradd ac uwchradd, gan ddatblygu cariad at wyddoniaeth yn ifanc iawn, fel y soniais wrth Natasha Asghar yn gynharach. Rydym yn ariannu Cynllun Addysg Beirianneg Cymru, sy'n cynnal rhaglenni ledled Cymru i ysbrydoli ac ysgogi pobl ifanc i ddewis gyrfaoedd mewn meysydd STEM, gan ganolbwyntio'n benodol, fel y byddech yn ei ddisgwyl gyda'r enw hwnnw, ar beirianneg. Rydym yn ariannu gweithdai codio cyfrifiadurol ar gyfer disgyblion, rydym yn cefnogi'r rhaglen gymorth mathemateg bellach gyda Phrifysgol Abertawe, sy'n anelu at ehangu mynediad at fathemateg bellach, sy'n amlwg yn hanfodol i rai o'r disgyblaethau STEM, ac rydym hefyd yn cefnogi rhaglen Stimulating Physics Network y Sefydliad Ffiseg, ymhlith buddsoddiadau eraill. Felly, cytunaf yn llwyr ag ef ei bod yn bwysig iawn annog ein pobl ifanc sydd â dawn a brwdfrydedd ynghylch pynciau STEM i ystyried y rheini'n opsiynau realistig iddynt.
I find myself agreeing with Gareth Davies this afternoon in what he says. [Laughter.] Llywydd, last night I had the privilege, as a former engineer myself—I started my career as an apprentice—of speaking alongside the Minister for Economy at the Science and the Senedd event. I spoke about the importance of encouraging young people to take up STEM subjects. Gareth Davies is right; if we are to create the next generation of carbon-neutral products here in Wales, then Wales does need to train its professional engineers and scientists. That simply won't happen, Minister, if we don't get young people engaged in STEM. Can I ask you then, Minister, not only what you're doing in the science industry and the education sector, but how you're working with industry partners and the Minister for Economy to ensure that science is available to everyone, that they can take it up, and that they do realise the world is in their hands when they take up STEM?
Rwy'n cytuno â'r hyn y mae Gareth Davies yn ei ddweud y prynhawn yma. [Chwerthin.] Lywydd, neithiwr cefais y fraint, fel cyn-beiriannydd fy hun—dechreuais fy ngyrfa fel prentis—o siarad ochr yn ochr â Gweinidog yr Economi yn nigwyddiad Gwyddoniaeth a'r Senedd. Siaradais am bwysigrwydd annog pobl ifanc i ddilyn pynciau STEM. Mae Gareth Davies yn iawn; os ydym am greu'r genhedlaeth nesaf o gynhyrchion carbon niwtral yma yng Nghymru, mae angen i Gymru hyfforddi ei pheirianwyr a'i gwyddonwyr proffesiynol. Ni fydd hynny'n digwydd, Weinidog, os na lwyddwn i gael pobl ifanc i ymddiddori mewn meysydd STEM. A gaf fi ofyn ichi felly, Weinidog, nid yn unig beth a wnewch yn y diwydiant gwyddoniaeth a'r sector addysg, ond sut rydych yn gweithio gyda phartneriaid yn y diwydiant a Gweinidog yr Economi i sicrhau bod gwyddoniaeth ar gael i bawb, y gall pawb ei hastudio, a sicrhau eu bod yn sylweddoli bod y byd yn eu dwylo pan fyddant yn astudio STEM?
The Minister for Economy and I work very closely on this area, because it's a cross-cutting theme and we're both passionate about it. It's really important, I think, to take full advantage of the opportunities that the new curriculum will bring, with a real focus on understanding career options from an early age—an earlier age than perhaps most children and young people currently have an opportunity. But it's those transition points as well, from school into further education, from FE into the world of work or into higher education. At each of those stages it's really important to equip our young people with the skills to get work, obviously, but also an understanding of the options available to them, and, crucially, that aspiration to look at the broadest range of options for them in the world of work, both in terms of their local economy—the kinds of initiatives that Huw Irranca-Davies was referring to in his question—but also globally. We are very committed to that as a Government and we do everything we can to make sure our young people have those opportunities.
Mae Gweinidog yr Economi a minnau'n gweithio'n agos iawn ar y maes hwn, oherwydd mae'n thema drawsbynciol ac mae'r ddau ohonom yn angerddol yn ei gylch. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn manteisio'n llawn ar y cyfleoedd a ddaw yn sgil y cwricwlwm newydd, gan ganolbwyntio'n wirioneddol ar ddeall opsiynau gyrfa o oedran ifanc—oedran iau nag y mae'r rhan fwyaf o blant a phobl ifanc efallai'n cael cyfle i'w wneud ar hyn o bryd. Ond mae'n ymwneud â'r pwyntiau pontio hynny hefyd, o'r ysgol i addysg bellach, o addysg bellach i fyd gwaith neu i addysg uwch. Ar bob un o'r camau hynny mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn darparu'r sgiliau sydd eu hangen i'n pobl ifanc allu dod o hyd i waith, yn amlwg, ond hefyd dealltwriaeth o'r opsiynau sydd ar gael iddynt, ac yn hollbwysig, y dyhead i edrych ar yr ystod ehangaf o opsiynau sydd ar gael iddynt ym myd gwaith, o ran eu heconomi leol—y mathau o fentrau yr oedd Huw Irranca-Davies yn cyfeirio atynt yn ei gwestiwn—ond hefyd yn fyd-eang. Rydym wedi ymrwymo'n llwyr i hynny fel Llywodraeth ac rydym yn gwneud popeth a allwn i sicrhau bod ein pobl ifanc yn cael y cyfleoedd hynny.
Cwestiwn 8 yn olaf—Sarah Murphy.
Finally, question 8—Sarah Murphy.
8. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi ysgolion i ganfod ac asesu anghenion addysgol arbennig mewn lleoliadau blynyddoedd cynnar ledled Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr? OQ58055
8. How is the Welsh Government supporting schools to identify and assess special educational needs in early years settings across Bridgend? OQ58055
Our additional learning needs reforms promote collaborative assessment and planning to facilitate early identification and intervention. Early years ALN lead officers and ALN co-ordinators are helping to ensure that additional learning needs are met, and the child development fund and Flying Start are responding to increased demand for additional developmental support.
Mae ein diwygiadau anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn hyrwyddo asesu a chynllunio cydweithredol i hwyluso'r broses o nodi ac ymyrryd yn gynnar. Mae cydlynwyr ADY a swyddogion arweiniol ADY y blynyddoedd cynnar yn helpu i sicrhau bod anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn cael eu diwallu, ac mae'r gronfa datblygiad plant a Dechrau'n Deg yn ymateb i'r galw cynyddol am gymorth datblygiadol ychwanegol.
Thank you, Minister. It has been great to visit lots of early years settings across my constituency in Bridgend, which I know are pleased to be able to return to pre-COVID routines and activities to benefit the children in their care. For many parents and pupils, schools and early years settings can often be the start of the journey for additional learning needs assessment. As we know, having trained staff and support systems that can identify early signifiers of additional learning needs is key to providing the best support packages for those children to thrive as early as possible. For the last two years, the pandemic has seen periods where children have, unfortunately, not been in school, and this has undoubtedly impacted on the ability of children to be assessed for any additional learning needs. Minister, what is the Welsh Government doing to support schools to be able to catch up on these assessments and ensure that no child falls through the gaps in additional learning needs support due to the pandemic?
Diolch yn fawr, Weinidog. Mae wedi bod yn wych ymweld â llawer o leoliadau blynyddoedd cynnar ar draws fy etholaeth ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr, a gwn eu bod yn falch o allu dychwelyd i drefniadau a gweithgareddau cyn COVID er budd y plant sy'n eu gofal. I lawer o rieni a disgyblion, gall ysgolion a lleoliadau blynyddoedd cynnar yn aml olygu dechrau'r daith ar gyfer asesu anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. Fel y gwyddom, mae cael staff hyfforddedig a systemau cymorth sy'n gallu nodi arwyddion cynnar o anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn allweddol i ddarparu'r pecynnau cymorth gorau i'r plant hynny fel y gallant ffynnu mor gynnar â phosibl. Dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, o ganlyniad i'r pandemig, cafwyd cyfnodau lle nad oedd plant yn gallu mynd i'r ysgol, yn anffodus, ac mae hyn yn sicr wedi effeithio ar ein gallu i asesu plant ar gyfer unrhyw anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. Weinidog, beth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gefnogi ysgolion wrth iddynt geisio dal i fyny â'r asesiadau hyn a sicrhau nad oes unrhyw blentyn yn cwympo drwy'r bylchau mewn perthynas â chymorth anghenion dysgu ychwanegol oherwydd y pandemig?
Thank you for that supplementary question. We are very aware of the impact that the pandemic has had on the capacity to assess and support the needs of learners with additional learning needs at all parts of their education journey.
Last year, we awarded a £10 million recovery package to local authorities, and the purpose of that was to fund the reintegration, if you like, of pupils with ALN back into the classroom following the pandemic. We have provided grants to local authorities—an implementation grant—to increase the capacity to move children from the SEN system to the ALN system, and to support staff to develop knowledge on how best to do that.
In addition to that, we have committed funding to each local authority in Wales for the next three years to support the provision of online individual development plans, to ensure that the information of pupils with ALN is captured and recorded, so that pupils with ALN are given suitable support.
Diolch ichi am y cwestiwn atodol hwnnw. Rydym yn ymwybodol iawn o'r effaith y mae'r pandemig wedi'i chael ar y gallu i asesu a chefnogi anghenion dysgwyr ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol ym mhob rhan o'u taith addysg.
Y llynedd, dyfarnwyd pecyn adfer gwerth £10 miliwn gennym i awdurdodau lleol, a diben hwnnw oedd ariannu'r gwaith o ailintegreiddio disgyblion ag ADY yn ôl i'r ystafell ddosbarth yn dilyn y pandemig. Rydym wedi darparu grantiau i awdurdodau lleol—grant gweithredu—i gynyddu'r gallu i symud plant o'r system AAA i'r system ADY, ac i gefnogi staff i ddatblygu gwybodaeth am y ffordd orau o wneud hynny.
Yn ogystal â hynny, rydym wedi ymrwymo cyllid i bob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru am y tair blynedd nesaf i gefnogi'r gwaith o ddarparu cynlluniau datblygu unigol ar-lein, er mwyn sicrhau bod gwybodaeth disgyblion ag ADY yn cael ei chofnodi, fel bod disgyblion ag ADY yn cael cymorth addas.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
I thank the Minister.
Y cwestiynau amserol fydd nesaf. Mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf y prynhawn yma i'w ofyn gan James Evans ac i'w ateb gan Weinidog yr Economi.
The topical questions are next. The first question this afternoon is to be asked by James Evans and is to be answered by the Minister for Economy.
1. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am brynu Fferm Gilestone yn Nhalybont-ar-Wysg? TQ622
1. Will the Minister provide a statement on the purchase of Gilestone Farm in Talybont-on-Usk? TQ622
The Welsh Government undertook the freehold acquisition and short-term leaseback of Gilestone Farm for £4.25 million. The acquisition of the property is being progressed in order to facilitate investment in local businesses, the community and the Welsh economy.
Llwyddodd Llywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau rhydd-ddaliad ac adles tymor byr Fferm Gilestone am £4.25 miliwn. Rydym yn caffael yr eiddo er mwyn hwyluso buddsoddiad mewn busnesau lleol, y gymuned ac economi Cymru.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.
Thank you for your statement, Minister. Over the last week, I have been inundated with phone calls, e-mails and social media comments around the Welsh Labour Government's decision to buy Gilestone Farm in Talybont-on-Usk. I, and many of my constituents, have some very valid questions over the purchase and letting of the farm to the owners of the Green Man Festival. They have some varied points that they would like to put to you, and I am going to do that now.
Minister, you have told us what the purchase price was. So, I'd like to know: was that subject to an independent evaluation by a district valuer? What tendering exercise was carried out to find a suitable tenant for the farm? Was anybody local offered the opportunity to apply for it, and if not, why not? What is the long-term ambition for the farm, given the current food security issues that we have, and why has a productive farm been taken out of use?
What economic exercise was done by the Welsh Labour Government to ensure that the 174 jobs that have been quoted can be realised when farms in my constituency can hardly employ a single person? Finally, Dirprwy Lywydd, is it now the Welsh Labour Government's policy to use taxpayer money to purchase farms and rent them out to private businesses and individuals to deliver on its biodiversity and climate change projects?
Diolch am eich datganiad, Weinidog. Dros yr wythnos ddiwethaf, rwyf wedi cael fy llethu gan alwadau ffôn, negeseuon e-bost a sylwadau ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol ynghylch penderfyniad Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru i brynu Fferm Gilestone yn Nhalybont-ar-Wysg. Mae gennyf fi, a llawer o fy etholwyr, gwestiynau dilys iawn ynghylch prynu a gosod y fferm i berchnogion Gŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd. Mae ganddynt bwyntiau amrywiol yr hoffent eu cyflwyno ichi, ac rwyf am wneud hynny yn awr.
Weinidog, rydych wedi dweud wrthym beth oedd y pris prynu. Felly, hoffwn wybod: a oedd hwnnw'n destun gwerthusiad annibynnol gan brisiwr dosbarth? Pa ymarfer tendro a gynhaliwyd i ddod o hyd i denant addas ar gyfer y fferm? A roddwyd cyfle i unrhyw un lleol wneud cais amdano, ac os na, pam? Beth yw'r uchelgais hirdymor ar gyfer y fferm, o ystyried y materion sy'n codi ynghylch diogeledd bwyd, a pham rhoi'r gorau i ddefnyddio fferm gynhyrchiol?
Pa ymarfer economaidd a wnaethpwyd gan Lywodraeth Lafur Cymru i sicrhau y gellir gwireddu'r 174 o swyddi y soniwyd amdanynt pan fo ffermydd yn fy etholaeth i yn ei chael hi'n anodd cyflogi un person? Yn olaf, Ddirprwy Lywydd, ai polisi Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru yn awr yw defnyddio arian trethdalwyr i brynu ffermydd a'u gosod ar rent i fusnesau ac unigolion preifat gyflawni ei phrosiectau bioamrywiaeth a newid hinsawdd?
There were a range of questions in there. I will try to deal with them as best I can, and as succinctly as I can—I'm looking at the Deputy Presiding Officer. The purchase price was independently certified by our consultant surveyors. You'll be pleased to know that we did not pay above the market value for it. When it comes back to where we are now, it has been leased back to the current owners. They have a range of issues to do to maintain the property, to harvest existing crops and to honour existing bookings on the site.
We are in discussion with the owners of the Green Man Festival about their potential leasing of the site, to give a greater level of certainty for them to invest in the festival, which, as the Member will know, is supported across a range of different sectors. It is one of five major independent festivals that still exist across the UK, with significant economic benefit to Wales, and they have plans and ambitions to be able to expand. We will need to see from them a business plan before going ahead with any further arrangement. We would then be looking at whether to have a short-term lease to manage the entire property for a period of time. But we do need to have further negotiations with them, either to look at the purchase or a further lease arrangement for the site.
The overall ambition is to make sure that one of the most significant economic undertakings in the festival scene, which has a particular group of people who are interested in it for the way that it's run and the values that underpin it as well, has a permanent home in Wales, because there has been significant interest from other festival providers who want to purchase the brand. We're very keen to keep that in Wales, with the significant economic benefit that has already been generated and will be in the future. I'll be more than happy, as those negotiations continue, to further update the Member and indeed other Members who will no doubt have an interest.
Cafwyd amryw o gwestiynau yn y fan honno. Fe geisiaf fynd i'r afael â hwy cystal ag y gallaf, ac mor gryno ag y gallaf—rwy'n edrych ar y Dirprwy Lywydd. Cafodd y pris prynu ei ardystio'n annibynnol gan ein syrfewyr ymgynghorol. Fe fyddwch yn falch o wybod na wnaethom dalu mwy na gwerth y farchnad amdano. O ran ein sefyllfa yn awr, mae wedi'i adlesio i'r perchnogion presennol. Mae ganddynt amrywiaeth o bethau i'w gwneud i gynnal a chadw'r eiddo, cynaeafu cnydau sydd yno eisoes a chadw archebion presennol ar y safle.
Rydym wedi bod yn trafod gyda pherchnogion Gŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd am y posibilrwydd y byddant hwy yn lesio'r safle, er mwyn rhoi mwy o sicrwydd iddynt fuddsoddi yn yr ŵyl, sydd, fel y gŵyr yr Aelod, yn ennyn cefnogaeth ar draws ystod o wahanol sectorau. Mae'n un o bum gŵyl annibynnol fawr sy'n dal i fodoli ledled y DU, gyda budd economaidd sylweddol i Gymru, ac mae ganddynt gynlluniau ac uchelgeisiau i allu ehangu. Bydd angen inni weld cynllun busnes ganddynt cyn bwrw ymlaen ag unrhyw drefniant pellach. Byddem yn ystyried wedyn a ddylid cael les tymor byr i reoli'r eiddo cyfan am gyfnod o amser. Ond mae angen inni gael trafodaethau pellach gyda hwy, naill ai i edrych ar y pryniant neu drefniant lesio pellach ar gyfer y safle.
Yr uchelgais cyffredinol yw sicrhau bod gan un o'r ymrwymiadau economaidd mwyaf sylweddol ym maes gwyliau cerddorol, sydd â grŵp penodol o bobl â diddordeb ynddo oherwydd y ffordd y caiff ei gynnal a'r gwerthoedd sy'n sail iddo hefyd, gartref parhaol yng Nghymru, oherwydd mae darparwyr gwyliau eraill sydd am brynu'r brand wedi dangos diddordeb sylweddol. Rydym yn awyddus iawn i gadw'r ŵyl yng Nghymru, gyda'r budd economaidd sylweddol sydd eisoes wedi'i gynhyrchu ac a gaiff ei gynhyrchu yn y dyfodol. Wrth i'r trafodaethau hynny barhau, rwy'n hapus iawn i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelod ac yn wir i Aelodau eraill a fydd, yn sicr, â diddordeb.
Minister, thank you for the answers you've given this afternoon. I think it clarifies that the purchase of Gilestone Farm is more a case of securing an exhibition/festival space rather than an agricultural space. If you could confirm that to be the case, as that was my understanding from the answer you gave. If it was to include an agricultural component to it, are you minded to give significant funding, like you've done with this particular purchase, to other areas in Wales that could release opportunities for agriculture and for new entrants into the business? Obviously, there has been a growing problem in accessing the agricultural industry for new entrants, and to hear that £4.25 million has been spent on one farm in one particular location, I think, would be quite depressing for some farmers, when their own family members are struggling to get their foot on the ladder. So, can you just confirm for me that this is an exhibition space you've secured rather than—[Interruption.] The Royal Welsh was purchased by members of the show, not by Government, I'd point out.
Weinidog, diolch am yr atebion a roesoch y prynhawn yma. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn egluro bod prynu Fferm Gilestone yn fwy o fater o sicrhau gofod arddangos/gŵyl yn hytrach na gofod amaethyddol. Os gallwch gadarnhau mai felly y mae hi, gan mai dyna oedd fy nealltwriaeth i o'r ateb a roesoch. Os oes elfen amaethyddol wedi'i chynnwys, a ydych yn ystyried rhoi cyllid sylweddol, fel y gwnaethoch gyda'r pryniant hwn, i ardaloedd eraill yng Nghymru a allai ryddhau cyfleoedd i amaethyddiaeth ac i newydd-ddyfodiaid i'r busnes? Yn amlwg, cafwyd problem gynyddol i sicrhau bod gan newydd-ddyfodiaid fynediad at y diwydiant amaethyddol, a byddai clywed bod £4.25 miliwn wedi'i wario ar un fferm mewn un lleoliad penodol, rwy'n credu, yn destun diflastod i rai ffermwyr, pan fo aelodau o'u teuluoedd eu hunain yn ei chael hi'n anodd cael eu troed ar yr ysgol. Felly, a wnewch chi gadarnhau i mi mai gofod arddangos a brynwyd gennych yn hytrach na—[Torri ar draws.] Hoffwn nodi mai aelodau'r sioe a brynodd y Sioe Frenhinol, nid y Llywodraeth.
As I say, the purchase price has been independently certified for us, and we're looking at the opportunity that does exist around the long-term future for Green Man. As ever, there are competing interests about land use and about economic benefit. I expect to see in the business plan how the whole estate would potentially be managed. It would be wrong for me to try to set out a land use policy for the entire estate when that's what we're looking to see delivered. We have, as I say, in the agreement that we already have, the leaseback to ensure that the crops that are already growing are harvested and that current bookings are honoured. As I say, I will further update the Chamber and Members as we receive a business plan from the people who own and run Green Man. I think it's important to maintain the independence of that festival and its link to Wales, which does in itself provide significant economic benefit. I'll then be able to provide more detail on answers about the whole land use that exists. I should also say that Powys County Council are supportive of the proposal and what it will allow us to do on that site.
Fel y dywedais, mae'r pris prynu wedi'i ardystio'n annibynnol i ni, ac rydym yn edrych ar y cyfle sy'n bodoli ynghylch dyfodol hirdymor Gŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd. Fel bob amser, mae yna fuddiannau'n cystadlu â'i gilydd mewn perthynas â defnydd tir a budd economaidd. Yn y cynllun busnes, rwy'n disgwyl gweld sut y byddai'r ystad gyfan yn cael ei rheoli. Byddai'n anghywir imi geisio nodi polisi defnydd tir ar gyfer yr ystad gyfan gan mai dyna y dymunwn ei weld yn cael ei gyflawni. Fel y dywedais, yn y cytundeb sydd gennym eisoes, mae gennym adles i sicrhau bod y cnydau sydd eisoes yn tyfu yn cael eu cynaeafu a bod yr archebion presennol yn cael eu cadw. Fel y dywedais, byddaf yn rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Siambr a'r Aelodau ar ôl inni gael cynllun busnes gan y bobl sy'n cynnal ac sy'n berchen ar Ŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig cynnal annibyniaeth yr ŵyl honno a'i chysylltiad â Chymru, sydd ynddo'i hun yn cynnig budd economaidd sylweddol. Byddaf wedyn yn gallu rhoi atebion manylach ynglŷn â'r defnydd tir cyfan. Dylwn ddweud hefyd fod Cyngor Sir Powys yn cefnogi'r cynnig a'r hyn y bydd yn caniatáu inni ei wneud ar y safle hwnnw.
Diolch i James Evans am ddod â'r cwestiwn pwysig yma ger ein bron ni. Yr hyn sydd gennym ni yn y fan yma yn Fferm Gilestone ydy tir amaethyddol da, a'r peryg ydy ein bod ni'n mynd i weld tir amaethyddol da unwaith eto yn cael ei golli ar gyfer dibenion masnachol eraill. Rydyn ni'n gwybod nad oes gan Lywodraeth Cymru record arbennig o dda pan fo'n dod i brynu tir amaethyddol, oherwydd rydyn ni wedi gweld tir amaethyddol yn cael ei brynu gan y Llywodraeth ac yn cael ei drosi i fod yn goedwig. Felly, pa sicrwydd fedrwch chi ei roi inni heddiw ar gyfer y tymor hir y bydd y tir yma a'r fferm yma yn cael ei gadw a'i ddefnyddio at ddibenion amaethyddol, sef cynhyrchu bwyd?
Hefyd, mae nifer o amaethwyr lleol wedi cysylltu efo'r swyddfa, efo fi, yn dweud ac yn cwyno eu bod nhw ddim wedi cael unrhyw gyfle i fod yn rhan o'r broses yma i dendro am y ffarm, am y tir, ac i fod yn denantiaid. Pa ymgynghoriad ddaru chi gynnal yn lleol er mwyn sicrhau mai'r tenantiaid newydd ydy'r rhai gorau ar gyfer y tir yma, a pham na ddaru ffermwyr eraill lleol gael cyfle i fod yn denantiaid ar y ffarm?
Ac yn olaf, mae'n dda gweld bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhoi pres i mewn i amaethyddiaeth. Yn anffodus, rydyn ni wedi gweld awdurdodau lleol yn gorfod gwerthu ffermydd dros y blynyddoedd. Ydyn ni rŵan yn medru edrych ymlaen i weld Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhoi mwy o bres i awdurdodau lleol i ailbrynu ffermydd nôl fel bod cyfle i ffermwyr ifanc fynd yn ôl mewn i amaeth eto?
Thank you to James Evans for bringing this important question before us. What we've got here in Gilestone Farm is good agricultural land, and the danger is that we're going to see good agricultural land once again being lost for other commercial purposes. We know that the Welsh Government doesn't have a good record when it comes to buying agricultural land, because we've seen agricultural land being bought by the Government and being turned into forests. So, what assurances can you provide us today for the long term that this land and this farm will be retained and kept for agricultural purposes, namely producing food?
Also, a number of local farmers have got in touch with my office to complain that they haven't had any opportunity to be part of this process to tender for the farm, for the land, and to be tenants. What consultation did you undertake locally in order to ensure that the new tenants would be the best ones for this land, and why were other local farmers not given the opportunity to be tenants on the farm?
And finally, it's good to see that Welsh Government is providing funding for agriculture. Unfortunately, we've seen local authorities having to sell farms over the years. Are we now able to look forward to Welsh Government giving more money to local authorities to rebuy these farms so that there are opportunities for young farmers to return into agriculture again?
With respect, I think we're confusing more than one issue in the series of questions that are being asked. I won't go into the historic matters that the Member invites me to relitigate today. The issue is about the vendors and their desire and willingness to sell, where the festival has currently been based, our ability to keep the festival in Wales with all the significant economic benefit that is returned, including, of course, significant economic benefit within rural Wales, and how we then make sure that this particular event, with a particular importance, isn't taken away and the brand used for an entirely different commercial purpose with all the jobs and the wider benefit disappearing to a different part of Wales. As I've indicated, we expect to receive a business plan. We'll then look at that business plan for the entire land use, but then also about whether this would be an issue where there'd be a longer term lease or purchase. So, when it comes to the amount we've invested in this area, it is about securing the longer term future for Green Man in Wales, and I believe we've made the right choice in doing so, but I will, as I say, happily update Members about the longer term question that Members have raised today about the entire land use for the estate that has been sold by the vendors.
Gyda phob parch, credaf ein bod yn drysu mwy nag un mater yn y gyfres o gwestiynau sy'n cael ei gofyn. Nid wyf am drafod y materion hanesyddol y mae'r Aelod yn fy ngwahodd i'w hailadrodd heddiw. Mae'r mater yn ymwneud â'r gwerthwyr a'u hawydd a'u parodrwydd i werthu, lle mae'r ŵyl wedi'i lleoli ar hyn o bryd, ein gallu i gadw'r ŵyl yng Nghymru gyda'r holl fudd economaidd sylweddol sy'n deillio o hynny, gan gynnwys, wrth gwrs, budd economaidd sylweddol yn y Gymru wledig, a sut y gwnawn yn siŵr nad yw'r digwyddiad hwn, gyda'i bwysigrwydd arbennig, yn cael ei golli a'r brand yn cael ei ddefnyddio at ddiben masnachol cwbl wahanol gyda'r holl swyddi a'r budd ehangach yn diflannu i ran wahanol o Gymru. Fel y dywedais, rydym yn disgwyl cael cynllun busnes. Byddwn yn edrych wedyn ar y cynllun busnes hwnnw ar gyfer y defnydd tir cyfan, ond byddwn hefyd yn ystyried a fyddai hyn yn broblem lle byddai les fwy hirdymor neu bryniant. Felly, o ran y swm a fuddsoddwyd gennym yn yr ardal, mae'n ymwneud â sicrhau dyfodol mwy hirdymor i Ŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd yng Nghymru, a chredaf ein bod wedi gwneud y dewis cywir wrth wneud hynny, ond rwy'n hapus, fel y dywedaf, i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau am y cwestiwn mwy hirdymor y mae'r Aelodau wedi'i godi heddiw am y defnydd tir cyfan ar gyfer yr ystad a werthwyd gan y gwerthwyr.
Diolch, Weinidog. Bydd y cwestiwn nesaf yn cael ei ateb gan y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, a galwaf ar Llyr Gruffydd.
Thank you, Minister. The next question is to be answered by the Minister for Health and Social Services, and I call on Llyr Gruffydd.
2. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am bederfyniad Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru (AGIC) fod adran achosion brys Ysbyty Glan Clwyd wedi ei nodi fel gwasanaeth sydd angen gwelliant sylweddol? TQ624
2. Will the Minister make a statement on Healthcare Inspectorate Wales's (HIW) decision that Ysbyty Glan Clwyd's emergency department has been identified as requiring significant improvement? TQ624
Diolch yn fawr. Mae hwn yn adroddiad siomedig, ac mae'r methiannau mewn gofal sydd wedi eu nodi yn annerbyniol. Mae'r bwrdd iechyd wedi cadarnhau i ni fod trefniadau goruchwyliaeth cadarn nawr mewn lle. Rŷn ni'n disgwyl i'r bwrdd iechyd weithio gydag Arolygaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru i gyflymu gwelliannau, ac mi fyddwn ni'n parhau i gynnig cefnogaeth er mwyn galluogi newid.
Thank you very much. This is a disappointing report, and the failings in care that have been noted are unacceptable. The health board has confirmed to us that stringent arrangements are in place. We expect the health board to work with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales to accelerate improvements, and we will continue to provide support in order to enable change.
Wel, faint o weithiau ydw i wedi clywed yr ateb yna o'r blaen, Gweinidog? Sgandal arall, adroddiad damniol arall, cwestiwn brys arall yn y Senedd, ac ateb tila arall, dwi'n ofni, gan y Llywodraeth. Rŷn ni'n mynd rownd mewn cylchoedd fan hyn, onid ydyn ni? Rŷn ni yn mynd rownd mewn cylchoedd fan hyn. Faint o weithiau ydyn ni'n gorfod gwrando arnoch chi yn addo bod pethau'n mynd i wella, tra bod cyrff fel Arolygaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru a chynghorau iechyd cymunedol ac eraill yn dweud stori wahanol iawn wrthyn ni? Pryd wnewch chi dderbyn bod geiriau fel hyn ddim yn ddigon bellach, a bod yr amser wedi dod i ystyried newidiadau strwythurol i sut mae gwasanaethau iechyd yn cael eu cyflwyno yn y gogledd?
Well, how many times have I heard that answer before, Minister? Another scandal, another damning report, another urgent question in the Senedd, and another poor response, I'm afraid, by the Government. We're going around in circles here, aren't we? We are going around in circles. How many times do we have to listen to you promising that things will improve, whilst bodies such as HIW and community health councils and others are telling us a very different story? When will you accept that words like this aren't enough, and that the time has come to consider structural changes to how health services are provided in north Wales?
Patients in north Wales have been promised improvements for years on end, and they just never seem to materialise. You tried special measures, and it failed; you tried all sorts of heightened interventions and they're clearly not delivering. Just a few weeks ago, we were here discussing the serious failings of vascular services in north Wales and the risk that was posing to patient safety. Before that, of course, it was the continued failures in mental health services in north Wales, and the way patients were coming to harm despite warnings from reports published years previously. And today, now, it's Healthcare Inspectorate Wales warning that the emergency department in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd is the worst it has ever seen, and that that, of course, has serious consequences for patient safety.
So, do you not agree, Minister, that the time has now come for the Welsh Government to start a wider conversation around reforming health services in the north of Wales? They say, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Well, do you know what? It is broke and it needs fixing. So, will you finally accept that this time, it's time up for Betsi?
Rydych wedi bod yn addo gwelliannau i gleifion yng ngogledd Cymru ers blynyddoedd mawr, ac nid ydynt byth i'w gweld yn cael eu gwireddu. Rydych wedi rhoi cynnig ar fesurau arbennig, ac roedd yn fethiant; rydych wedi rhoi cynnig ar bob math o ymyriadau dwysach ac mae'n amlwg nad ydynt yn gweithio. Ychydig wythnosau'n ôl, roeddem yma yn trafod methiannau difrifol gwasanaethau fasgwlaidd yn y gogledd a'r risg yn sgil hynny i ddiogelwch cleifion. Cyn hynny, wrth gwrs, roeddem yn trafod y methiannau parhaus mewn gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl yn y gogledd, a'r ffordd y câi cleifion eu niweidio er gwaethaf rhybuddion gan adroddiadau a gyhoeddwyd flynyddoedd ynghynt. A heddiw, yn awr, mae Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru yn rhybuddio mai'r adran achosion brys yn Ysbyty Glan Clwyd yw'r waethaf a welodd erioed, a bod hynny, wrth gwrs, yn arwain at ganlyniadau difrifol i ddiogelwch cleifion.
Felly, onid ydych yn cytuno, Weinidog, fod yr amser wedi dod yn awr i Lywodraeth Cymru ddechrau sgwrs ehangach ynghylch diwygio gwasanaethau iechyd yng ngogledd Cymru? Maent yn dweud, 'Os nad yw wedi torri, peidiwch â'i drwsio.' Wel, wyddoch chi beth? Mae wedi torri ac mae angen ei drwsio. Felly, a wnewch chi dderbyn o'r diwedd fod yr amser ar ben i Betsi y tro hwn?
I'm absolutely clear that this is not acceptable. The situation is—
Rwy'n gwbl glir nad yw hyn yn dderbyniol. Mae'r sefyllfa—
We've heard this before.
Rydym wedi clywed hyn o'r blaen.
If you let me finish—it's not acceptable. As soon as I heard there was an issue, I went to spend the whole day in the hospital just to see for myself what was going on and to see the pressures they were under. And I can tell you that I met some staff who had to stop because they were, frankly, in tears because of the pressure they were under. Of course we need to stand by those staff and we need to help them, and the health board now has assured us that they will strengthen operational and executive oversight over Glan Clwyd Hospital's emergency department. If your answer is to restructure at a time when people are waiting for operations, and you want the whole health board to be thrown up in a tizz at this point in time, when, frankly, I want to get on with the job of healing people—
Os gadewch imi orffen—nid yw'n dderbyniol. Cyn gynted ag y clywais fod problem, euthum i dreulio'r diwrnod cyfan yn yr ysbyty er mwyn gweld drosof fy hun beth oedd yn digwydd ac i weld y pwysau a oedd arnynt. A gallaf ddweud wrthych fy mod wedi cyfarfod â rhai aelodau o staff y bu'n rhaid iddynt roi'r gorau iddi am eu bod, mewn gwirionedd, yn eu dagrau oherwydd y pwysau a oedd arnynt. Wrth gwrs, mae angen inni gefnogi'r staff hynny ac mae angen inni eu helpu, ac mae'r bwrdd iechyd bellach wedi ein sicrhau y byddant yn cryfhau goruchwyliaeth weithredol dros adran achosion brys Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. Os mai eich ateb yw ailstrwythuro ar adeg pan fo pobl yn aros am lawdriniaethau, a'ch bod eisiau dadelfennu'r bwrdd iechyd cyfan ar yr adeg hon, pan wyf i, a bod yn onest, eisiau bwrw ymlaen â'r gwaith o wella pobl—
Well, it's not working. [Inaudible.]—is not working. [Inaudible.]—10 years. [Inaudible.]
Wel, nid yw'n gweithio. [Anghlywadwy.]—nid yw'n gweithio. [Anghlywadwy.]—deng mlynedd. [Anghlywadwy.]
Let—. I will—
Gadewch—. Byddaf—
If you think that restructuring is going to be the answer at this point in time—
Os ydych yn credu mai ailstrwythuro yw'r ateb ar hyn o bryd—
Minister—. I think it's important we let the Minister answer without interruptions, please.
Weinidog—. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig inni adael i'r Gweinidog ateb heb dorri ar draws, os gwelwch yn dda.
Restructuring at this point in time is not the answer. We will have a tripartite meeting in June and that will provide recommendations to me on the appropriate level of escalation. I have asked to make sure that my officials are ready for any eventuality that comes from that tripartite meeting, and we have different methods now of making sure that we can support and intervene in the most practical way possible to give the support that they need. Now, your answer is always to run down the service and the people—[Interruption.]—and the people working in that service who are on their knees, who are in tears. And, of course, we've got a duty and responsibility to serve the people of that community. If you think that restructuring at this point in time is the answer, I'm afraid I think you're mistaken. That is not what I'll be doing. I am not going to be restructuring in the middle of a pandemic. That is not the way to go about change. We are putting pressure on the health service in the area, we are meeting frequently with the NHS in the area, and we will continue to make sure that we are responding in a productive and in a progressive way, which is constructive. And, of course, this kind of situation is unacceptable, but we will stand by them to make sure that they make improvements.
Nid ailstrwythuro yw'r ateb ar hyn o bryd. Byddwn yn cael cyfarfod teirochrog ym mis Mehefin a bydd hwnnw'n darparu argymhellion i mi ar y lefel briodol o uwchgyfeirio. Rwyf wedi gofyn am sicrwydd fod fy swyddogion yn barod ar gyfer unrhyw bosibilrwydd a ddaw o'r cyfarfod teirochrog hwnnw, ac mae gennym ddulliau gwahanol yn awr o sicrhau y gallwn gefnogi ac ymyrryd yn y ffordd fwyaf ymarferol bosibl i ddarparu'r cymorth y maent ei angen. Nawr, eich ateb bob amser yw difrïo'r gwasanaeth a'r bobl—[Torri ar draws.]—a'r bobl sy'n gweithio yn y gwasanaeth hwnnw sydd ar eu gliniau, sydd yn eu dagrau. Ac wrth gwrs, mae gennym ddyletswydd a chyfrifoldeb i wasanaethu pobl y gymuned honno. Os ydych yn credu mai ailstrwythuro yw'r ateb ar hyn o bryd, mae arnaf ofn fy mod yn meddwl eich bod wedi camgymryd. Nid dyna fyddaf yn ei wneud. Nid wyf yn mynd i ailstrwythuro yng nghanol pandemig. Nid dyna'r ffordd i sicrhau newid. Rydym yn rhoi pwysau ar y gwasanaeth iechyd yn yr ardal, rydym yn cyfarfod yn aml â'r GIG yn yr ardal, a byddwn yn parhau i sicrhau ein bod yn ymateb mewn ffordd gynhyrchiol a blaengar, sy'n adeiladol. Ac wrth gwrs, mae sefyllfa o'r fath yn annerbyniol, ond byddwn yn eu cefnogi i sicrhau eu bod yn gwneud gwelliannau.
Minister, we are fed up, frankly, in north Wales, of you telling us that we cannot shine a light on the terrible things that are happening in our health service in north Wales. The report today was not just disappointing, it was, frankly, alarming. It might not be alarming for you, but it's alarming for those people in my constituency who that emergency department serves. People in my constituency depend on that emergency department, and when they read that there are problems in it because of insufficient beds, insufficient staff, poor or non-existent record keeping, patient safety being put at risk time and time again, vulnerable patients who should be seen in 10 minutes who don't get access to a consultant or a specialist for six hours, mental health patients who are suicidal being put in parts of a waiting area where they can't be seen or monitored and sometimes disappearing without the knowledge of anybody in the hospital that they've actually left—. This is a health board that has been in targeted intervention or special measures for its mental health services for over six years. The list goes on and on and on. And if you care to read the report, you'll see that there are echoes of nearly every report that has been brought to the attention of this Senedd while I've be a Senedd Member, well over a decade, as has already been said. And, frankly, I'm sorry to say that it came as no surprise to me, this report, because week in, week out, we get patients, we get their family members and loved ones, in our surgeries, e-mailing us and on the phone telling us that there are problems in these departments. We raise them with the health board and we get this sort of flannel, frankly, that you've just given us today—that they've paid attention to these things, that things are improving, that they've produced a wonderful plan that is on a shelf to be implemented.
Weinidog, rydym ni yng ngogledd Cymru wedi cael llond bol, a dweud y gwir, ar eich clywed yn dweud wrthym na allwn daflu goleuni ar y pethau ofnadwy sy'n digwydd yn ein gwasanaeth iechyd yn y gogledd. A bod yn onest, roedd yr adroddiad heddiw nid yn unig yn siomedig, roedd hefyd yn frawychus. Efallai nad yw'n frawychus i chi, ond mae'n frawychus i'r bobl yn fy etholaeth y mae'r adran achosion brys honno'n eu gwasanaethu. Mae pobl yn fy etholaeth yn dibynnu ar yr adran achosion brys honno, a phan fyddant yn darllen fod problemau ynddi oherwydd diffyg gwelyau, diffyg staff, cofnodion gwael neu gofnodion nad ydynt yn bodoli, diogelwch cleifion yn cael ei roi mewn perygl dro ar ôl tro, cleifion sy'n agored i niwed y dylid eu gweld mewn 10 munud nad ydynt yn cael mynediad at feddyg ymgynghorol neu arbenigwr am chwe awr, cleifion iechyd meddwl hunanladdol yn cael eu rhoi mewn rhannau o ardal aros lle na ellir eu gweld na'u monitro ac sydd weithiau'n diflannu heb i unrhyw un yn yr ysbyty wybod eu bod wedi gadael mewn gwirionedd—. Dyma fwrdd iechyd sydd wedi bod yn destun ymyrraeth wedi'i thargedu neu'n destun mesurau arbennig ar gyfer ei wasanaethau iechyd meddwl ers dros chwe blynedd. Mae'r rhestr yn mynd ymlaen ac ymlaen. Ac os darllenwch yr adroddiad, fe welwch ei fod yn adleisio bron bob adroddiad a ddaeth i sylw'r Senedd tra bûm yn Aelod ohoni, ymhell dros ddegawd, fel y dywedwyd eisoes. Ac a dweud y gwir, mae'n ddrwg gennyf ddweud nad oedd yn syndod i mi, yr adroddiad hwn, oherwydd wythnos ar ôl wythnos, rydym yn gweld cleifion, rydym yn gweld aelodau o'u teuluoedd a'u hanwyliaid, yn ein cymorthfeydd, yn anfon e-byst atom ac ar y ffôn yn dweud wrthym fod problemau yn yr adrannau hyn. Rydym yn eu codi gyda'r bwrdd iechyd a chawn y math o nonsens yr ydych newydd ei roi inni heddiw—eu bod wedi rhoi sylw i'r pethau hyn, fod pethau'n gwella, eu bod wedi cynhyrchu cynllun gwych sydd ar silff yn barod i gael ei weithredu.
The Member now needs to ask his question, please.
Mae angen i'r Aelod ofyn ei gwestiwn yn awr, os gwelwch yn dda.
And this is just two months after another report on the vascular services. You know, there are just two services in Wales that have been described as services requiring significant improvement by HIW. Both of them are in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board—nowhere else, just the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. This health board needs to improve, Minister. I don't know, frankly, whether a structural change is appropriate. I'm not yet persuaded that that is going to be the case—
A hyn gwta ddeufis ar ôl adroddiad arall ar y gwasanaethau fasgwlaidd. Wyddoch chi, dau wasanaeth yn unig yng Nghymru a ddisgrifiwyd gan Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru fel gwasanaethau sydd angen eu gwella'n sylweddol. Mae'r ddau ohonynt ym Mwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr—yn unman arall, dim ond ym Mwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr. Mae angen i'r bwrdd iechyd wella, Weinidog. Nid wyf yn gwybod, a dweud y gwir, a yw newid strwythurol yn briodol. Nid wyf wedi fy argyhoeddi o hynny eto—
Darren—
Darren—
I'm happy to have that conversation.
Rwy'n hapus i gael y sgwrs honno.
Darren, you need to ask the question. I know you're passionate, but you need to ask a question.
Darren, mae angen ichi ofyn y cwestiwn. Rwy'n gwybod eich bod yn teimlo'n angerddol, ond mae angen ichi ofyn cwestiwn.
I'm going to ask a question, and if you please allow me to ask it, I will. But the fundamental problem that staff tell me that there is in that hospital is that there are not enough in-patient beds, there are not enough members of staff. What are you going to do to make sure that the balance of in-patient beds is right for that local population in Conwy and Denbighshire that rely on that hospital? Because, demographically, it is the oldest population in Wales, and yet there are fewer beds for the number of residents who are served by that hospital than in any other part of the country. And do you accept—do you accept—that the decision that was taken by your predecessor, who's sat right next to you in the Chamber and has been smirking during this question—
Rwyf am ofyn cwestiwn, ac os gadewch imi ei ofyn, fe wnaf. Ond mae staff yn dweud wrthyf mai'r broblem sylfaenol yw nad oes digon o welyau i gleifion mewnol yn yr ysbyty hwnnw, ac nad oes digon o aelodau staff. Beth y bwriadwch ei wneud i sicrhau bod cydbwysedd y gwelyau i gleifion mewnol yn iawn ar gyfer y boblogaeth leol honno yng Nghonwy a sir Ddinbych sy'n dibynnu ar yr ysbyty hwnnw? Oherwydd, yn ddemograffig, dyma'r boblogaeth hynaf yng Nghymru, ac eto mae llai o welyau ar gyfer nifer y preswylwyr sy'n cael eu gwasanaethu gan yr ysbyty hwnnw nag mewn unrhyw ran arall o'r wlad. Ac a ydych yn derbyn—a ydych yn derbyn—fod y penderfyniad a wnaed gan eich rhagflaenydd, sy'n eistedd wrth eich ymyl yn y Siambr ac sydd wedi bod yn cilwenu yn ystod y cwestiwn hwn—
I have not been smirking.
Nid wyf wedi bod yn cilwenu.
You have been smirking during this question. Do you accept that the decision—
Rydych wedi bod yn cilwenu yn ystod y cwestiwn hwn. A ydych yn derbyn bod y penderfyniad—
Can I—? [Interruption.] Wait. Hang on a second, everyone, please. [Interruption.] Darren, wait a second. We need to be careful of the language being used in this Chamber on all sides, please. So, let's make sure the questions are focused on the issue that has been raised today, and let's keep to those questions on the issue.
A gaf fi—? [Torri ar draws.] Arhoswch. Arhoswch am eiliad, bawb, os gwelwch yn dda. [Torri ar draws.] Darren, arhoswch am eiliad. Mae angen inni fod yn ofalus o'r iaith sy'n cael ei defnyddio yn y Siambr hon ar bob ochr, os gwelwch yn dda. Felly, gadewch inni sicrhau bod y cwestiynau'n canolbwyntio ar y mater sydd wedi'i godi heddiw, a gadewch inni gadw at y cwestiynau hynny ar y mater.
The question is on the issue. Do you accept that the person who is sat next to you, your predecessor, took the wrong decision when he decided to remove this health board from special measures in advance of the last Senedd election? That was the wrong decision, Minister, and you need to sort it out.
Mae'r cwestiwn yn ymwneud â'r mater. A ydych yn derbyn bod y sawl sy'n eistedd wrth eich ymyl chi, eich rhagflaenydd, wedi gwneud y penderfyniad anghywir pan benderfynodd dynnu'r bwrdd iechyd allan o fesurau arbennig cyn etholiad diwethaf y Senedd? Roedd y penderfyniad hwnnw'n anghywir, Weinidog, ac mae angen ichi ddatrys y broblem.
I'm going to try and calm things down here a little bit, and let's try and get a little bit more constructive. Now, HIW have said exactly what needs to be done in this situation. They've said—they've listed what needs to be done. The response wasn't what it should have been when they went back in; now there has a been response from the health board. So, let me tell you what they are planning to do. They are planning to strengthen operational and executive oversight of Glan Clwyd Hospital's emergency department; they are planning to put more senior leadership input and spot checks in there—that was certainly something that I felt needed to be done on my visit; they are going to be having two-hourly safety meetings so that approaches are strengthened within the emergency quadrant, along with that senior increased visibility; training is going to be increased across a number of areas. You can imagine that training during the pandemic had to be paused because there was so much going on—that training is going to be reinstated. Vulnerable patients will be identified and discussed at the two-hourly safety meetings, and discharge planning will commence on arrival.
And beds, frankly, are not always the answer—that's certainly not what HIW is saying, and I would rather listen to HIW, who are the experts. And let's be clear that, actually, putting people in beds is not the answer. Our proposal and our policy approach is to get people home from hospital as soon as possible. There's going to be a new digital patient tracking system that is going to streamline patient journeys with increased training for staff to use it. So, there are measures in place. They've been very clear about how they intend to respond to this and we, of course, will be looking at this in the tripartite meeting in June.
Rwyf am geisio tawelu'r sefyllfa yma rywfaint, a gadewch inni geisio bod ychydig bach yn fwy adeiladol. Nawr, mae Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru wedi dweud yn union beth sydd angen ei wneud yn y sefyllfa hon. Maent wedi dweud—maent wedi rhestru'r hyn y mae angen ei wneud. Nid oedd yr ymateb fel y dylai fod pan aethant yn ôl i mewn; bellach cafwyd ymateb gan y bwrdd iechyd. Felly, gadewch imi ddweud wrthych beth y maent yn bwriadu ei wneud. Maent yn bwriadu cryfhau goruchwyliaeth weithredol ar adran achosion brys Ysbyty Glan Clwyd; maent yn bwriadu rhoi mwy o fewnbwn uwch-arweinwyr a hapwiriadau yn y fan honno—yn ystod fy ymweliad, roeddwn yn sicr yn teimlo bod angen gwneud hynny; byddant yn cael cyfarfodydd diogelwch bob dwy awr fel bod dulliau gweithredu'n cael eu cryfhau o fewn y cwadrant brys, ynghyd â'r amlygrwydd cynyddol i uwch-arweinwyr; bydd hyfforddiant yn cael ei gynyddu ar draws nifer o feysydd. Gallwch ddychmygu iddynt orfod oedi hyfforddiant yn ystod y pandemig oherwydd bod cymaint yn digwydd—bydd yr hyfforddiant hwnnw'n cael ei aildrefnu. Caiff cleifion sy'n agored i niwed eu nodi a'u trafod yn y cyfarfodydd diogelwch a gynhelir bob dwy awr, a bydd y gwaith o gynllunio ar gyfer rhyddhau cleifion yn dechrau pan fyddant yn cyrraedd.
Ac nid gwelyau yw'r ateb bob amser, a dweud y gwir—yn sicr nid dyna y mae AGIC yn ei ddweud, a byddai'n well gennyf wrando ar AGIC, sef yr arbenigwyr. A gadewch inni fod yn glir, mewn gwirionedd, nad rhoi pobl mewn gwelyau yw'r ateb. Ein cynnig a'n dull polisi yw rhyddhau pobl o'r ysbyty cyn gynted â phosibl. Bydd yna system olrhain cleifion ddigidol newydd a fydd yn symleiddio teithiau cleifion gyda mwy o hyfforddiant i staff ar sut i'w defnyddio. Felly, mae mesurau ar waith. Maent wedi bod yn glir iawn ynglŷn â sut y maent yn bwriadu ymateb i hyn ac wrth gwrs, byddwn yn edrych ar hyn yn y cyfarfod teirochrog ym mis Mehefin.
Minister, we already knew, as local Members, that, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd is not a good-performing emergency department in Wales. I'm just sad, myself, to read the report and learn that it is now the worst-performing emergency department in Wales. In March 2022 only 44.1 per cent of patients were seen within the four-hour target; 62.4 per cent within the eight-hour target; and 1,351 people spent more than half a day, 12 hours, in A&E. Now, our casework does highlight the critical situation at Glan Clwyd, but the HIW report gives us just a glimpse of how bad things really are there. And I do acknowledge that you acknowledge it, and I thank my colleague Llyr Gruffydd, because if you hadn't had raised this as a topical question, I was hoping to raise it as some kind of urgent question.
The comments by Darren Millar I stand by 100 per cent. It is heartbreaking to be a Member when people contact us on a daily basis with things that are going wrong in this health board. And we're not out to put undue criticism on this health board. We've got fantastic staff there working their socks off, but they themselves are becoming very stressed. You're going to lose members of staff, not because of what we say here, but because of the conditions and pressures that they're working under. And, Minister, how do you think I feel when I read this? That the generic environment, clinical room, resuscitation equipment, oxygen suction equipment, manual handling equipment are dirty; that the utility and ward kitchen was found to be dusty or soiled; that patients who require a trolley in the major areas, if available—
Weinidog, roeddem eisoes yn gwybod, fel Aelodau lleol, nad yw adran achosion brys Ysbyty Glan Clwyd yn un sy'n perfformio'n dda yng Nghymru. Rwy'n drist iawn, fy hun, ar ôl darllen yr adroddiad a dysgu mai dyma'r adran achosion brys sy'n perfformio waethaf yng Nghymru erbyn hyn. Ym mis Mawrth 2022, dim ond 44.1 y cant o gleifion a welwyd o fewn y targed pedair awr; cafodd 62.4 y cant eu gweld o fewn y targed wyth awr; a threuliodd 1,351 o bobl fwy na hanner diwrnod, 12 awr, yn yr adran ddamweiniau ac achosion brys. Nawr, mae ein gwaith achos yn tynnu sylw at y sefyllfa dyngedfennol yng Nglan Clwyd, ond cipolwg yn unig y mae adroddiad AGIC yn ei roi i ni ar ba mor ddrwg yw pethau mewn gwirionedd. Ac rwy'n cydnabod eich bod yn cydnabod hynny, a diolch i fy nghyd-Aelod, Llyr Gruffydd, oherwydd pe na baech chi wedi codi hyn fel cwestiwn amserol, roeddwn yn gobeithio ei godi fel rhyw fath o gwestiwn brys.
Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â sylwadau Darren Millar. Mae'n dorcalonnus bod yn Aelod pan fo pobl yn cysylltu â ni bob dydd gyda phethau sy'n mynd o chwith yn y bwrdd iechyd hwn. Ac nid ydym eisiau beirniadu'r bwrdd iechyd hwn yn ddi-sail. Mae gennym staff gwych yno'n gweithio'n galed iawn, ond maent hwy eu hunain o dan straen mawr. Fe fyddwch yn colli aelodau o staff, nid oherwydd yr hyn a ddywedwn yma, ond oherwydd yr amodau y maent yn gweithio ynddynt a'r pwysau sydd arnynt. Weinidog, sut y credwch chi rwy'n teimlo wrth ddarllen hyn? Fod yr amgylchedd generig, yr ystafell glinigol, offer dadebru, offer sugnedd ocsigen, offer codi a chario yn fudr; fod cyfleustodau a chegin ward yn llychlyd neu'n fudr; fod cleifion sydd angen troli yn y prif ardaloedd, os ydynt ar gael—
We need the question now, please.
Rydym angen y cwestiwn yn awr, os gwelwch yn dda.
Yes, I'll come to it now.
Iawn, rwy'n dod ato yn awr.
Now, please.
Yn awr, os gwelwch yn dda.
You've allowed others, allow me, please.
Rydych wedi rhoi amser i Aelodau eraill, rhowch amser i mi, os gwelwch yn dda.
Ask the question now, please.
Gofynnwch y cwestiwn yn awr, os gwelwch yn dda.
They're routinely accommodated in the waiting room; that high-risk patients aren't subject to any consistent or ongoing checks. That could be any one of our relatives or the relatives of our constituents. Compliance with—
Maent yn cael eu cadw yn yr ystafell aros fel mater o drefn; nid oes unrhyw wiriadau cyson na pharhaus i gleifion risg uchel. Gallai hynny fod yn unrhyw un o'n perthnasau neu berthnasau ein hetholwyr. Mae cydymffurfiaeth â—
I've turned the microphones off, because I've asked several Members to keep their questions—. You are limited in question time, you know that, and therefore you have gone beyond the time already allocated. Please keep to the question.
Rwyf wedi diffodd y meicroffonau, oherwydd gofynnais i sawl Aelod gadw eu cwestiynau—. Rydych yn gyfyngedig o ran amser cwestiynau, fe wyddoch hynny, ac felly rydych wedi mynd y tu hwnt i'r amser a neilltuwyd eisoes. Cadwch at y cwestiwn os gwelwch yn dda.
Okay, I will do. Thank you, Deputy Llywydd.
Minister, when the health board was placed in special measures in 2015, improvements were required in leadership and governance. The HIW report highlighted serious concerns. So, is it the case that, seven years on, these special measure objectives still haven't been fulfilled? That was question 1. And a final question, Deputy Llywydd: Minister, you know well my view on emergency departments in north Wales—in view of the failing of this particular hospital, will you look now to Llandudno General Hospital, and at putting some measures in place there that at least would take pressures off Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and hopefully bring about some safer outcomes for our constituents? Thank you.
Iawn, fe wnaf hynny. Diolch yn fawr, Ddirprwy Lywydd.
Weinidog, pan roddwyd y bwrdd iechyd mewn mesurau arbennig yn 2015, roedd angen gwelliannau o ran arweinyddiaeth a llywodraethu. Tynnodd adroddiad AGIC sylw at bryderon difrifol. Felly, a yw'n wir, saith mlynedd yn ddiweddarach, fod amcanion y mesurau arbennig hyn yn dal i fod heb eu cyflawni? Cwestiwn 1 oedd hwnnw. A'r cwestiwn olaf, Ddirprwy Lywydd: Weinidog, fe wyddoch yn iawn beth yw fy marn am adrannau achosion brys yng ngogledd Cymru—yng ngoleuni methiant yr ysbyty penodol hwn, a wnewch chi edrych yn awr ar Ysbyty Cyffredinol Llandudno, ac ar roi mesurau ar waith yno a fyddai o leiaf yn tynnu pwysau oddi ar Ysbyty Glan Clwyd ac yn arwain, gobeithio, at ganlyniadau mwy diogel ar gyfer ein hetholwyr? Diolch.
Thanks very much. Well, of course, Glan Clwyd, along with other accident and emergency departments, are seeing a massive increase in demand, some of which has come as a result of people not presenting themselves during the pandemic and now coming forward. But the situation in Glan Clwyd is worse than in other hospitals, which is why we do need to make sure we shine a light on Glan Clwyd—and nobody's saying that you shouldn't shine a light; my God, if you don't shine a light, I can tell you I'll be shining a light on it. So, it is important that we understand that that leadership and governance, which was part of special measures but is now part of targeted intervention, which is something we are still monitoring, and needs to be improved, which is why we'll be revisiting this when we have a response and the recommendation from the tripartite meeting in June—we'll see what they've got to say in terms of that. I think it's important that people understand that an enhanced hospital management team and an executive presence will be at the A&E department, and there will be an increased use of spot checks in terms of record keeping. It is utterly unacceptable for a situation to be described as 'dirty' in a hospital, especially in the climate in which we are living. It's not a pretty report, and it is clearly something that we need to make sure that they understand the seriousness of what is happening here.
What I can tell you is that Llandudno is already being used as a place where people go to be discharged. So, that is already being used, and I've been to visit—[Interruption.] I've been to visit it, and it is being—. It's quite successful in terms of taking some of the pressure off. And, obviously, if that needs to be continued for a longer term, I'm sure that the health board will consider that. But I do accept that the situation in Glan Clwyd is really in a very difficult situation, and we will certainly be making sure that the health board understand that there is a real urgency now to improve the situation.
Diolch yn fawr. Wel, wrth gwrs, mae Glan Clwyd, ynghyd ag adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys eraill, yn gweld cynnydd enfawr yn y galw, ac mae rhywfaint o'r galw hwnnw'n deillio o'r ffaith bod pobl na wnaeth geisio cymorth yn ystod y pandemig yn gwneud hynny yn awr. Ond mae'r sefyllfa yng Nglan Clwyd yn waeth nag mewn ysbytai eraill, a dyna pam y mae angen inni sicrhau ein bod yn tynnu sylw at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd—ac nid oes neb yn dweud na ddylech dynnu sylw ato; mawredd, os na thynnwch chi sylw ato, gallaf ddweud wrthych y byddaf i'n tynnu sylw ato. Felly, mae'n bwysig inni ddeall bod yr arweinyddiaeth a'r trefniadau llywodraethu a oedd yn destun mesurau arbennig ond sydd bellach yn destun ymyrraeth wedi'i thargedu, sy'n rhywbeth yr ydym yn dal i'w fonitro ac angen ei wella, a dyna pam y byddwn yn ailedrych ar hyn pan gawn ymateb a'r argymhelliad o'r cyfarfod teirochrog ym mis Mehefin—cawn weld beth fydd ganddynt i'w ddweud am hynny. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig fod pobl yn deall y bydd yna dîm rheoli ysbytai estynedig a phresenoldeb gweithredol yn yr adran ddamweiniau ac achosion brys, ac y bydd yna fwy o ddefnydd o hapwiriadau cadw cofnodion. Mae'n gwbl annerbyniol i ysbyty gael ei ddisgrifio'n 'fudr', yn enwedig yn yr hinsawdd presennol. Nid yw'n adroddiad deniadol, ac yn amlwg mae angen inni sicrhau eu bod yn deall difrifoldeb yr hyn sy'n digwydd yma.
Gallaf ddweud wrthych fod Ysbyty Cyffredinol Llandudno eisoes yn cael ei ddefnyddio fel man lle mae pobl yn mynd i gael eu rhyddhau. Felly, mae hwnnw eisoes yn cael ei ddefnyddio, ac rwyf wedi ymweld—[Torri ar draws.] Rwyf wedi ymweld ag ef, ac mae'n—. Mae'n eithaf llwyddiannus o ran ysgwyddo rhywfaint o'r baich. Ac yn amlwg, os oes angen parhau â'r trefniant hwnnw yn fwy hirdymor, rwy'n siŵr y bydd y bwrdd iechyd yn ystyried hynny. Ond rwy'n derbyn bod Ysbyty Glan Clwyd mewn sefyllfa anodd iawn mewn gwirionedd, a byddwn yn sicr yn sicrhau bod y bwrdd iechyd yn deall bod brys gwirioneddol yn awr i wella'r sefyllfa.
I myself read the HIW quality check report this morning, and what it contained was shocking—truly shocking. And I am deeply concerned for the safety of my constituents in the Vale of Clwyd, and I'm also concerned for my constituents working on the front line in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. Both patients and staff have been badly let down by the hospital and the health board's leadership over the last few years. The fact that this report highlighted the need for significant cultural change in order to make the department a safe and effective environment for patients and staff is extremely worrying, as is the fact that learning from incidents is not routinely shared across Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Minister, do you believe that the local health board is fit for purpose? And my colleague Darren Millar asked you the question, and I believe you didn't answer the question, so I'll ask you again: do you regret your Government's decision to take the health board out of special measures before the Senedd elections last year? And do you have any plans to review services across the region in order to ensure a safe environment for patients and staff?
Darllenais adroddiad gwirio ansawdd Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru y bore yma, ac roedd ei gynnwys yn frawychus—yn wirioneddol frawychus. Ac rwy’n bryderus iawn am ddiogelwch fy etholwyr yn Nyffryn Clwyd, ac rwy'n bryderus hefyd am fy etholwyr sy’n gweithio ar y rheng flaen yn Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. Mae'r ysbyty ac arweinyddiaeth y bwrdd iechyd wedi gwneud cam â'r cleifion a'r staff dros yr ychydig flynyddoedd diwethaf. Mae’r ffaith i’r adroddiad hwn dynnu sylw at yr angen am newid diwylliannol sylweddol er mwyn gwneud yr adran yn amgylchedd diogel ac effeithiol i gleifion a staff yn peri cryn bryder, fel y mae’r ffaith nad yw’r gwersi a ddysgir o ddigwyddiadau'n cael eu rhannu fel mater o drefn ar draws Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr. Weinidog, a ydych yn credu bod y bwrdd iechyd lleol yn addas at y diben? A gofynnodd fy nghyd-Aelod, Darren Millar, y cwestiwn i chi, ac ni chredaf ichi ateb y cwestiwn, felly fe ofynnaf i chi eto: a ydych yn gresynu at benderfyniad eich Llywodraeth i dynnu'r bwrdd iechyd allan o fesurau arbennig cyn etholiadau'r Senedd y llynedd? Ac a oes gennych unrhyw gynlluniau i adolygu gwasanaethau ar draws y rhanbarth er mwyn sicrhau amgylchedd diogel i gleifion a staff?
Thanks very much. Well, certainly we have seen massive pressure in Glan Clwyd, and it's one of the reasons why, as soon as I saw the first report, I made a beeline for the hospital and spent the day in the hospital, not just a quick visit, but I actually spent time with people on the front line in ED, just watching the kind of pressure they were under, and I can tell you that the pressure was intense. I also met with the trade unions, who talked me through how staff are coping. These are difficult times and difficult situations, but it's clear that Glan Clwyd and Betsi are not coping as well as some other health boards in Wales. And of course, therefore, we do need to look at that, and that's why the tripartite meeting will give us some indication of whether we need to escalate the situation.
I think that my predecessor did the right thing in actually looking at the way that Betsi was running and making sure that he did downgrade them from the intervention that they were on. But, since then, we've had a new chief executive, we've got I think a chair who is active and very engaged with the workforce and is absolutely determined to change the situation. And I think it's really important that we get the balance right here between making sure that we see massive improvements in Betsi, particularly in ED and vascular, but that we also make sure we stand by the staff, who have been under incredible pressure over a very long time.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Wel, yn sicr, rydym wedi gweld pwysau aruthrol yng Nglan Clwyd, ac mae hynny'n un o'r rhesymau pam yr euthum yn syth i'r ysbyty cyn gynted ag y gwelais yr adroddiad cyntaf, a threulio'r diwrnod yn yr ysbyty, nid ymweliad cyflym yn unig, ond treuliais amser gyda phobl ar y rheng flaen yn yr adran achosion brys, yn gweld y math o bwysau sydd arnynt, a gallaf ddweud wrthych fod y pwysau'n aruthrol. Cyfarfûm hefyd â’r undebau llafur, a soniodd wrthyf sut y mae staff yn ymdopi. Mae hwn yn gyfnod anodd ac maent yn sefyllfaoedd anodd, ond mae’n amlwg nad yw Glan Clwyd a Betsi'n ymdopi cystal â byrddau iechyd eraill yng Nghymru. Ac wrth gwrs, felly, mae angen inni edrych ar hynny, a dyna pam y bydd y cyfarfod teirochrog yn rhoi rhyw syniad i ni a oes angen inni uwchgyfeirio'r sefyllfa.
Credaf fod fy rhagflaenydd wedi gwneud y peth iawn yn edrych ar y ffordd yr oedd bwrdd Betsi'n cael ei redeg a sicrhau ei fod yn eu hisgyfeirio o’r ymyrraeth a oedd ar waith. Ond ers hynny, rydym wedi cael prif weithredwr newydd, credaf fod gennym gadeirydd sy'n weithgar ac sy'n ymgysylltu â'r gweithlu ac sy'n gwbl benderfynol o newid y sefyllfa. A chredaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn sicrhau'r cydbwysedd iawn yma rhwng sicrhau ein bod yn gweld gwelliannau enfawr ym mwrdd Betsi, yn enwedig yn yr adran achosion brys a gwasanaethau fasgwlaidd, a hefyd yn sicrhau ein bod yn cefnogi'r staff, sydd wedi bod dan bwysau aruthrol dros gyfnod hir iawn o amser.
Ac yn olaf, Carolyn Thomas.
And finally, Carolyn Thomas.
Thank you. I wasn't going to speak on this, but I will now, so hopefully what I say is okay. I often get asked do I think that the health board is too big. And my commonsense thought about it, gut reaction, would be, 'Yes, it is.' It's a huge region—[Interruption.] Common sense. But I like to ask people, so I asked health professionals, I asked people in social services, what did they really think, you know, do we need to do something now. And they said it would be a costly distraction to do something now, reorganisation is really expensive, and there are immediate things that need to be attended to right now. There are many services that are excellent in Betsi Cadwaladr health board, and I'm so glad that my daughter, who lives just across the border, was able to have her child in Wrexham, because, just across the border in Shropshire, it's really, really bad, the maternity health services there. So, there are really good departments, and I don't want to knock them, but there are some that need investment.
Diolch. Nid oeddwn am siarad ar y pwnc hwn, ond fe wnaf yn awr, felly gobeithio bod yr hyn a ddywedaf yn iawn. Yn aml, gofynnir i mi a wyf yn credu bod y bwrdd iechyd yn rhy fawr. Ac mae fy synnwyr cyffredin, fy adwaith greddfol, yn dweud, 'Ydy, mae'n rhy fawr.' Mae'n ardal enfawr—[Torri ar draws.] Synnwyr cyffredin. Ond rwy'n hoffi holi pobl, felly gofynnais i weithwyr iechyd proffesiynol, gofynnais i bobl yn y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, beth roeddent yn ei feddwl, hynny yw, a oes angen inni wneud rhywbeth yn awr. Ac roeddent yn dweud y byddai gwneud rhywbeth yn awr yn weithred gostus, fod ad-drefnu'n ddrud iawn, a bod pethau eraill y mae angen rhoi sylw iddynt yn gyntaf. Mae llawer o wasanaethau rhagorol ym mwrdd iechyd Betsi Cadwaladr, ac rwyf mor falch fod fy merch, sy’n byw ar yr ochr arall i'r ffin, wedi gallu cael ei phlentyn yn Wrecsam, oherwydd, dros y ffin yn swydd Amwythig, mae’r gwasanaethau iechyd mamolaeth yno'n wirioneddol wael. Felly, mae rhai adrannau da iawn, ac nid wyf am ladd arnynt, ond mae rhai sydd angen buddsoddiad.
But you need to ask your question as well, please.
Ond mae angen ichi ofyn eich cwestiwn hefyd, os gwelwch yn dda.
Sorry. Sorry, I did say I wasn't going to—. So, I know that the Royal Alexandra Hospital were hoping to have investment in that, to help take the pressure off minor injuries—[Interruption.] Minor injuries. But I know there is an issue because of a reduction in capital funding from the UK Government by 11 per cent—[Interruption.] No, I'm talking, I'm asking a question.
Mae'n ddrwg gennyf. Mae'n ddrwg gennyf, dywedais nad oeddwn am—. Felly, gwn fod Ysbyty Brenhinol Alexandra yn gobeithio cael buddsoddiad yn hynny, i helpu i leddfu'r pwysau ar yr uned mân anafiadau—[Torri ar draws.] Mân anafiadau. Ond gwn fod problem oherwydd y gostyngiad o 11 y cant yn y cyllid cyfalaf gan Lywodraeth y DU—[Torri ar draws.] Na, rwy'n siarad, rwy'n gofyn cwestiwn.
Wait a minute. Please, just ask your question, because we are moving on, the time is going on.
Arhoswch funud. Os gwelwch yn dda, gofynnwch eich cwestiwn, gan ein bod yn symud ymlaen, mae'r amser yn mynd rhagddo.
Yes. Thank you.
Iawn. Diolch.
Please ask the question.
Gofynnwch y cwestiwn.
So, I'm asking the Minister if that lack of capital funding, from UK Government to Welsh Government, does have an implication on us being able to build extra services to take the pressure off certain hospitals. Thank you.
Felly, rwy’n gofyn i’r Gweinidog a yw’r diffyg cyllid cyfalaf hwnnw, gan Lywodraeth y DU i Lywodraeth Cymru, yn cael effaith ar ein gallu i adeiladu gwasanaethau ychwanegol i dynnu’r pwysau oddi ar rai ysbytai penodol. Diolch.
Thanks very much. Well, I would agree with you, Carolyn, that I think that to think about reorganisation in the middle of the pandemic, when we have the longest waiting lists in history, would be a distraction. I think it's really important that we focus on what matters to people, and what they want is to be treated well and to make sure that they get seen in a very timely manner. I think also it's really important that we talk up where Betsi's doing well. They've got the best cancer rates, for example, in Wales.
I think it's important also to recognise that you're absolutely right that, due to the restriction on our capital funding, it is difficult therefore for us to put the investment in that we would have liked. Look, I think it's really important—[Interruption.] I think it's really important that we understand that, as a Government, we are committed to improving the situation in Glan Clwyd, but also more generally across Wales, where, frankly, all of our accident and emergency departments are under intense pressure. They have never seen demand like this before. I've had meetings today with the ambulance service, just to make sure that we understand the kind of pressure that they're under, and I can tell you that they are seeing a month-upon-month increase in terms of the numbers of people calling on their services.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Wel, byddwn yn cytuno â chi, Carolyn, fy mod yn credu y byddai meddwl am ad-drefnu yng nghanol y pandemig, pan fo gennym y rhestrau aros hiraf erioed, yn weithred ddiangen. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn inni ganolbwyntio ar yr hyn sy’n bwysig i bobl, a’r hyn y maent ei eisiau yw cael eu trin yn dda a bod yn siŵr eu bod yn cael eu gweld mewn modd amserol. Credaf hefyd ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn sôn am yr hyn y mae bwrdd Betsi'n ei wneud yn dda. Ganddynt hwy y mae'r cyfraddau canser gorau, er enghraifft, yng Nghymru.
Credaf ei bod yn bwysig cydnabod hefyd eich bod yn llygad eich lle ei bod yn anodd, oherwydd y cyfyngiad ar ein cyllid cyfalaf, inni roi’r buddsoddiad y byddem wedi’i ddymuno. Edrychwch, credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn—[Torri ar draws.] Credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn deall, fel Llywodraeth, ein bod wedi ymrwymo i wella’r sefyllfa yng Nglan Clwyd, ond hefyd yn fwy cyffredinol ledled Cymru, lle mae ein holl adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys o dan bwysau aruthrol. Nid ydynt erioed wedi gweld galw fel hyn o'r blaen. Rwyf wedi cael cyfarfodydd heddiw gyda’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans, i sicrhau ein bod yn deall y math o bwysau sydd arnynt, a gallaf ddweud wrthych eu bod yn gweld cynnydd o fis i fis yn nifer y bobl sy'n galw am eu gwasanaethau.
Diolch, Weinidog. Before I move on, can I just remind Members, please, that, when we have a passionate issue such as this—and it does create passion and emotion amongst Members, because you represent your constituents—please respect the Chair when the Chair requests that questions be asked and no long speeches. It is important that we get to the questions so that Members can ask them and the Ministers can answer them. Please keep your focus on that.
Diolch, Weinidog. Cyn imi symud ymlaen, a gaf fi atgoffa’r Aelodau, os gwelwch yn dda, pan fydd gennym fater angerddol fel hwn—ac mae’n ennyn angerdd ac emosiwn ymhlith yr Aelodau, gan eich bod yn cynrychioli eich etholwyr—i barchu'r Cadeirydd pan fydd y Cadeirydd yn gofyn ichi ofyn cwestiynau a dim areithiau hir. Mae’n bwysig inni gyrraedd y cwestiynau fel y gall yr Aelodau eu gofyn a’r Gweinidogion eu hateb. Canolbwyntiwch ar hynny.
Bydd y cwestiwn olaf heddiw yn cael ei ateb gan y Cwnsler Cyffredinol a Gweinidog y Cyfansoddiad. Galwaf ar Huw Irranca-Davies.
The final question today will be answered by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution. I call on Huw Irranca-Davies.
3. Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o unrhyw oblygiadau i Gymru o'r cyhoeddiad diweddar gan Ysgrifennydd Tramor y DU ynghylch y bwriad i ddeddfu i newid telerau protocol Gogledd Iwerddon? TQ626
3. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of any implications for Wales of the recent announcement by the UK Foreign Secretary regarding the intention to legislate to change the terms of the Northern Ireland protocol? TQ626
Thank you for the question. We need more detail about these proposals in order to assess their impact. We have a direct interest in anything that affects the way in which goods flow between Great Britain and the island of Ireland, and UK Ministers need urgently to engage with us on their proposals.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn. Mae angen mwy o fanylion arnom ynglŷn â'r cynigion hyn er mwyn asesu eu heffaith. Mae gennym ddiddordeb uniongyrchol mewn unrhyw beth sy’n effeithio ar y ffordd y mae nwyddau’n symud rhwng Prydain ac ynys Iwerddon, ac mae angen i Weinidogion y DU ymgysylltu â ni ar fyrder ynglŷn â'u cynigion.
Counsel General, the announcement by the UK Foreign Secretary raises clear concerns on the flow of goods between Great Britain and the island of Ireland for our west-facing ports, particularly for Holyhead, and for Welsh businesses more widely. And we ignore at our peril the paramount importance of safeguarding and protecting the Good Friday agreement. We note the will of the UK Government to unilaterally rewrite the Northern Ireland protocol. It's a binding international agreement, which they negotiated themselves, they agreed themselves, they sold to the UK Parliament and to the British public as part of the great oven-ready deal, and they also guaranteed no checks between Northern Ireland and the UK at the same time. And of course the undoing of the protocol undermines the reputation of the UK as a trusted international partner. So, Counsel General, was the Welsh Government party to any discussions on the UK Government's announcement to rewrite the Northern Ireland protocol? And, bearing in mind the importance of this directly for Wales as well as for the UK as a whole, has the UK Government agreed with the request from the First Minister to discuss this urgently at a meeting of the inter-ministerial group on UK-EU relations?
Gwnsler Cyffredinol, mae cyhoeddiad Ysgrifennydd Tramor y DU yn codi pryderon clir ynghylch llif nwyddau rhwng Prydain ac ynys Iwerddon i'n porthladdoedd sy’n wynebu’r gorllewin, yn enwedig Caergybi, ac i fusnesau Cymru yn fwy cyffredinol. A gwae ni os ydym yn anwybyddu pwysigrwydd diogelu ac amddiffyn cytundeb Gwener y Groglith. Rydym yn nodi dyhead Llywodraeth y DU i ailysgrifennu protocol Gogledd Iwerddon yn unochrog. Mae’n gytundeb rhyngwladol rhwymol, y gwnaethant ei negodi eu hunain, gwnaethant gytuno arno eu hunain, ac fe wnaethant ei werthu i Senedd y DU ac i’r cyhoedd ym Mhrydain fel rhan o’r cytundeb gwych a oedd yn barod i'w bobi, ac fe wnaethant hefyd warantu ar yr un pryd na fyddai unrhyw archwiliadau rhwng Gogledd Iwerddon a’r DU. Ac wrth gwrs, mae dadwneud y protocol yn tanseilio enw da’r DU fel partner rhyngwladol dibynadwy. Felly, Gwnsler Cyffredinol, a fu Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhan o unrhyw drafodaethau ynglŷn â chyhoeddiad Llywodraeth y DU i ailysgrifennu protocol Gogledd Iwerddon? Ac o gofio pwysigrwydd hyn yn uniongyrchol i Gymru yn ogystal ag i’r DU yn gyffredinol, a yw Llywodraeth y DU wedi cytuno â chais Prif Weinidog Cymru i drafod hyn ar fyrder yn un o gyfarfodydd y grŵp rhyngweinidogol ar gyfer cysylltiadau rhwng y DU a'r UE?
Thank you for that supplementary question, and, of course, you do raise some significant issues in respect of potential breaches of international law, and those must not be underestimated. The First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister on Monday 16 May to express his concerns about the proposals to introduce legislation to introduce parts of the protocol. The Minister for Economy had a call with James Cleverly on Monday evening, at which Minister Cleverly provided some information about the statement, but there has been no other substantive discussion. We recognise that the protocol is complex and a sensitive matter, and that is why it is only through dialogue, not through unilateral action, that a mutually agreeable solution can be found.
I think it is also—and it comes out of the supplementary question—essential that the current position is discussed with devolved Governments in relation to Wales specifically. We do have a direct interest in anything that affects the way in which goods flow between Great Britain and the island of Ireland and on matters that might affect Welsh businesses more widely. In particular, we do need to understand what their proposals will mean for imports from the island of Ireland for which we are developing the infrastructure necessary for SPS checks. So, for that reason, the First Minister called in his letter for further ministerial discussions, potentially at a meeting of the inter-ministerial group on UK-EU relations. We've not had a response to that yet. The last thing we really need is for the current cost-of-living crisis, on which the economic impacts of Brexit are already having an impact, to be further exacerbated by a trade dispute between the UK and its most important trading partner.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn atodol, ac wrth gwrs, rydych yn codi materion pwysig mewn perthynas ag achosion posibl o dorri cyfraith ryngwladol, ac ni ddylid tanbrisio'r rheini. Ysgrifennodd y Prif Weinidog at Brif Weinidog y DU ddydd Llun 16 Mai i fynegi ei bryderon ynghylch y cynigion i gyflwyno deddfwriaeth i gyflwyno rhannau o’r protocol. Cafodd Gweinidog yr Economi alwad gyda James Cleverly nos Lun, pan roddodd y Gweinidog Cleverly wybodaeth am y datganiad, ond ni chafwyd unrhyw drafodaeth arall o sylwedd. Rydym yn cydnabod bod y protocol yn gymhleth ac yn fater sensitif, a dyna pam mai drwy ddeialog yn unig, nid drwy gamau gweithredu unochrog, y gellir dod o hyd i ateb y gall y ddwy ochr gytuno arno.
Credaf ei bod hefyd yn hanfodol—ac mae’n deillio o’r cwestiwn atodol—fod y sefyllfa bresennol yn cael ei thrafod gyda Llywodraethau datganoledig mewn perthynas â Chymru yn benodol. Mae gennym ddiddordeb uniongyrchol mewn unrhyw beth sy’n effeithio ar y ffordd y mae nwyddau’n symud rhwng Prydain ac ynys Iwerddon ac ar faterion a allai effeithio ar fusnesau Cymru yn fwy cyffredinol. Yn benodol, mae angen inni ddeall beth fydd eu cynigion yn ei olygu i fewnforion o ynys Iwerddon yr ydym yn datblygu’r seilwaith angenrheidiol i gynnal archwiliadau iechydol a ffytoiechydol ar eu cyfer. Felly, am y rheswm hwnnw, galwodd y Prif Weinidog yn ei lythyr am drafodaethau gweinidogol pellach, o bosibl mewn un o gyfarfodydd y grŵp rhyngweinidogol ar gyfer cysylltiadau rhwng y DU a'r UE. Nid ydym wedi cael ymateb i hynny eto. Y peth olaf sydd ei angen arnom yw i’r argyfwng costau byw presennol, y mae effeithiau economaidd Brexit eisoes yn effeithio arno, gael ei waethygu ymhellach gan anghydfod masnach rhwng y DU a’i phartner masnachu pwysicaf.
I think it is important that there's further dialogue between the EU and the UK, and I think it's also very important that the UK Government engages with devolved Governments where there are impacts on people, particularly here in Wales, obviously. No-one wants to see unilateral action. The UK Government has made it clear that it didn't want to be in a position where it had to introduce potential changes to the agreement on just the one side, but it is important that there are pragmatic solutions. I think the Bill that was produced and the proposals that have been put forward by the UK Government yesterday were pragmatic. They were not talking about ripping up an international agreement at all; there were minor changes proposed in order to address some of the significant concerns that have been raised across Northern Ireland, particularly by the business community. Do you accept, Counsel General, that, whilst this matter isn't devolved, the engagement that has to take place with the Welsh Government can only be limited because of course the agreement is between the UK Government and the European Union? And do you accept that the European Union also needs to move and attempt to compromise if we're going to reach an agreement—[Interruption.]—if we're going to reach an agreement that secures the peace in Northern Ireland and upholds the principles of the Good Friday agreement?
Credaf ei bod yn bwysig fod deialog bellach rhwng yr UE a'r DU, a chredaf ei bod hefyd yn bwysig iawn fod Llywodraeth y DU yn ymgysylltu â'r Llywodraethau datganoledig lle y ceir effaith ar bobl, yn enwedig yma yng Nghymru, yn amlwg. Nid oes unrhyw un yn dymuno gweld camau gweithredu unochrog. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi dweud yn glir nad oedd yn dymuno bod mewn sefyllfa lle roedd angen iddi gyflwyno newidiadau posibl i’r cytundeb ar un ochr yn unig, ond mae’n bwysig cael atebion pragmatig. Credaf fod y Bil a luniwyd a’r cynigion a gyflwynwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU ddoe yn bragmatig. Nid oeddent yn sôn am rwygo cytundeb rhyngwladol o gwbl; cafodd mân newidiadau eu cynnig er mwyn mynd i’r afael â rhai o’r pryderon sylweddol sydd wedi'u codi ledled Gogledd Iwerddon, yn enwedig gan y gymuned fusnes. A ydych yn derbyn, Gwnsler Cyffredinol, er nad yw’r mater hwn wedi’i ddatganoli, mai cyfyngedig fydd yr ymgysylltu sy’n gorfod digwydd gyda Llywodraeth Cymru, am mai rhwng Llywodraeth y DU a’r Undeb Ewropeaidd y mae'r cytundeb, wrth gwrs? Ac a ydych yn derbyn fod angen i'r Undeb Ewropeaidd hefyd symud a cheisio cyfaddawdu os ydym am ddod i gytundeb—[Torri ar draws.]—os ydym am ddod i gytundeb sy'n sicrhau heddwch yng Ngogledd Iwerddon ac sy'n cynnal egwyddorion cytundeb Gwener y Groglith?
Thank you for that question. It is certainly the case that dialogue's important, and I think it's important that you recognise the importance of dialogue with devolved Governments. I don't think it is a minor matter. It is a matter that could involve devolved Governments right from day one, because there are significant economic interests. I think the previous Member, Huw Irranca-Davies, referred to the significant economic impacts for Welsh ports. I think you underestimate the implications of what the Government is proposing, that, within a couple of weeks, it is going to introduce legislation. I think we also do need to be clear about the mess the UK Government has got itself into, through what really is a failure of statesmanship and diplomacy.
Let's be clear: it signed up to an agreement that is legally binding in international law. It is the Prime Minister's agreement. Now, one proposal he put forward was that we should use article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol. That is only an emergency measure that can be used for temporary scope. It also opens the door too for the EU to use counter-measures. Effectively, the approach the UK Government's adopted is one that opens the door, effectively, to a trade war. There is potentially an independent arbitration process, but the Government hasn't made mention of that. Of course, what the UK Government is doing is opening itself to legal challenge in the Court of Justice of the European Union.
One thing that's very clear is this: however the UK Government wants to go about it, if it legislates, it is still required to comply with article 4 and article 7A of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, which has primacy. So, even if it introduces its own domestic legislation, it cannot get out of its international obligations. Whatever the UK does at domestic law level, it cannot revoke those international law obligations, so it is in grave danger of destroying its international reputation, its credibility in international law, and we really should be a country that keeps our word, otherwise why would any country ever seek to do business with the UK if it cannot be trusted?
I think two other points that do need to be made in response to your question are, firstly, what is happening: the approach adopted is, firstly, destabilising the political situation in Northern Ireland, and we must not underestimate that, but it also risks some very significant material damage to the British and to the Welsh economies. So, I do hope the UK Government will seriously reconsider its position, that it will engage in dialogue, but, above all, that it will engage with the devolved Governments over issues that have a direct impact on our economic well-being.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn. Mae'n sicr yn wir fod deialog yn bwysig, a chredaf ei bod yn bwysig eich bod yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd deialog â'r Llywodraethau datganoledig. Ni chredaf ei fod yn fater bach. Mae’n fater a allai gynnwys Llywodraethau datganoledig o’r diwrnod cyntaf un, gan fod buddiannau economaidd sylweddol ynghlwm wrth hyn. Credaf fod yr Aelod blaenorol, Huw Irranca-Davies, wedi cyfeirio at yr effeithiau economaidd sylweddol ar borthladdoedd Cymru. Credaf eich bod yn tanbrisio goblygiadau’r hyn y mae’r Llywodraeth yn ei gynnig, sef ei bod, o fewn ychydig wythnosau, yn mynd i gyflwyno deddfwriaeth. Credaf hefyd fod angen inni fod yn glir ynglŷn â'r llanast y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi'i greu, drwy'r hyn sy'n fethiant gwladweinyddol a diplomyddol.
Gadewch inni fod yn glir: llofnododd gytundeb sy'n gyfreithiol rwymol mewn cyfraith ryngwladol. Dyma gytundeb Prif Weinidog y DU. Nawr, un cynnig a awgrymodd oedd y dylem ddefnyddio erthygl 16 o brotocol Gogledd Iwerddon. Dim ond mesur brys y gellir ei ddefnyddio ar gyfer sefyllfa dros dro yw hwnnw. Mae hefyd yn agor y drws i'r UE ddefnyddio gwrthfesurau. I bob pwrpas, mae’r dull a fabwysiadwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU yn un sy’n agor y drws i ryfel masnach. Mae proses gymrodeddu annibynnol yn bosibl, ond nid yw’r Llywodraeth wedi sôn am hynny. Wrth gwrs, yr hyn y mae Llywodraeth y DU yn ei wneud yw gwneud ei hun yn agored i her gyfreithiol yn Llys Cyfiawnder yr Undeb Ewropeaidd.
Un peth sy’n glir iawn yw hyn: ni waeth beth a wnaiff Llywodraeth y DU, os yw’n deddfu, mae’n dal yn ofynnol iddi gydymffurfio ag erthygl 4 ac adran 7A o Ddeddf yr Undeb Ewropeaidd (Ymadael) 2018, sydd drechaf. Felly, hyd yn oed os yw’n cyflwyno ei deddfwriaeth ddomestig ei hun, ni all anwybyddu ei rhwymedigaethau rhyngwladol. Ni waeth beth a wnaiff y DU ar lefel cyfraith ddomestig, ni all ddirymu rhwymedigaethau cyfraith ryngwladol, felly mae mewn perygl difrifol o ddinistrio ei henw da rhyngwladol, ei hygrededd mewn cyfraith ryngwladol, a dylem fod yn wlad sy’n cadw at ein gair, neu fel arall, pam fyddai unrhyw wlad byth yn ceisio masnachu gyda'r DU os na ellir ymddiried ynddi?
Credaf mai dau bwynt arall sydd angen eu gwneud mewn ymateb i’ch cwestiwn yw, yn gyntaf, beth sy’n digwydd: mae’r dull a fabwysiadwyd, yn gyntaf, yn ansefydlogi’r sefyllfa wleidyddol yng Ngogledd Iwerddon, ac mae'n rhaid inni beidio â thanbrisio hynny, ond mae hefyd mewn perygl o greu difrod sylweddol iawn i economi Prydain ac i economi Cymru. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd Llywodraeth y DU yn ailystyried ei safbwynt o ddifrif, y bydd yn cymryd rhan mewn deialog, ond yn anad dim, y bydd yn ymgysylltu â’r Llywodraethau datganoledig ynghylch materion sy’n effeithio'n uniongyrchol ar ein llesiant economaidd.
Two weeks before the Brexit referendum, Sir John Major predicted that if Brexit happened, the peace process jigsaw would be thrown up in the air and nobody would have a single idea where all the pieces would land. But one man did have the answer, and not any answer, he had an oven-ready answer in 2019, and his Government signed, sealed and delivered that answer through the Northern Ireland protocol. He wants now to backtrack on that international binding agreement, and he's been warned by the US President, by the Irish Taoiseach not to do that. Isn't this the irony here, that the ultra Brexiteers who are so obsessed about Britain's standing in the world, Britain being great again in the world, are doing exactly the opposite? They are undermining Britain's status in the world—
Bythefnos cyn refferendwm Brexit, rhagwelodd Syr John Major, pe bai Brexit yn digwydd, y byddai pos jig-so’r broses heddwch yn cael ei daflu i’r awyr ac na fyddai gan unrhyw un syniad lle byddai’r holl ddarnau’n glanio. Ond roedd gan un dyn yr ateb, ac nid unrhyw hen ateb, roedd ganddo ateb parod i'w bobi yn 2019, ac arwyddwyd, seliwyd a thraddodwyd yr ateb hwnnw gan ei Lywodraeth drwy brotocol Gogledd Iwerddon. Mae bellach yn dymuno torri ei air ar y cytundeb rhyngwladol rhwymol hwnnw, ac mae wedi cael ei rybuddio gan Arlywydd yr Unol Daleithiau, gan Taoiseach Iwerddon i beidio â gwneud hynny. Onid dyma'r eironi yma, fod y Brexiteers rhonc sydd â chymaint o obsesiwn ynghylch statws Prydain yn y byd, a bod Prydain yn wych yn y byd unwaith eto, yn gwneud y gwrthwyneb yn llwyr? Maent yn tanseilio statws Prydain yn y byd—
Can you ask your question now, please?
A wnewch chi ofyn eich cwestiwn nawr, os gwelwch yn dda?
Does the Counsel General agree with me, let's all be honest, that the United Kingdom Government has no answers on how to solve the Northern Ireland border question, they have no answers on how to solve the constitutional issues facing the United Kingdom at the moment, and, in fact, their own actions are fast accelerating the end of their precious union?
A yw’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol yn cytuno â mi, gadewch inni fod yn onest, nad oes gan Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig unrhyw atebion ynghylch sut i ddatrys y cwestiwn ynglŷn â ffin Gogledd Iwerddon, nid oes ganddynt unrhyw atebion ynglŷn â sut i ddatrys y materion cyfansoddiadol sy’n wynebu’r Deyrnas Unedig ar hyn o bryd, ac mewn gwirionedd, fod eu gweithredoedd eu hunain yn prysur gyflymu tranc eu hundeb gwerthfawr?
The Member makes his point very well. I have two particular concerns. The first one is the undermining of international law, and that is something that any law officer should be concerned with, and I would hope that the other law officers across the UK Governments share those concerns that we have. The other point he makes, of course, is in terms of the destabilising impact. You referred to the US Government and the implications of undermining the Good Friday agreement that this whole process has, but above all it is a gross failure of diplomacy and statesmanship on behalf of the UK Government that's got it to the position it's in. Sabre rattling with the threat of legislation that breaches international law will solve nothing, and I really do hope the UK Government will reconsider. But I also do make, again, this fundamental point that bypassing or not properly engaging with those Governments in the UK that also have significant concerns about the economic impact shows contempt for those Governments. I hope it will reconsider its position and that there will be engagement from the UK Government with the Welsh Government in the very near future.
Mae’r Aelod yn gwneud ei bwynt yn dda iawn. Mae gennyf ddau bryder penodol. Y cyntaf yw tanseilio cyfraith ryngwladol, ac mae hynny’n rhywbeth a ddylai beri pryder i unrhyw un o swyddogion y gyfraith, a byddwn yn gobeithio bod swyddogion eraill y gyfraith ar draws Llywodraethau’r DU yn rhannu’r pryderon hynny sydd gennym. Mae'r pwynt arall y mae’n ei wneud, wrth gwrs, yn ymwneud â'r effaith ansefydlogi. Fe gyfeirioch chi at Lywodraeth yr Unol Daleithiau a goblygiadau'r broses hon o ran tanseilio cytundeb Gwener y Groglith, ond yn anad dim, methiant diplomyddiaeth a gwladweinyddiaeth ar ran Llywodraeth y DU sy'n gyfrifol am y sefyllfa y mae ynddi. Ni fydd clecian cleddyfau gyda'r bygythiad o ddeddfwriaeth sy’n torri cyfraith ryngwladol yn datrys unrhyw beth, ac rwy’n mawr obeithio y bydd Llywodraeth y DU yn ailfeddwl. Ond unwaith eto, rwy'n gwneud y pwynt hollbwysig hwn fod osgoi neu beidio ag ymgysylltu'n briodol â'r Llywodraethau yn y DU sydd hefyd â phryderon sylweddol am yr effaith economaidd yn dangos dirmyg tuag at y Llywodraethau hynny. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yn ailystyried ei safbwynt, ac y bydd Llywodraeth y DU yn ymgysylltu â Llywodraeth Cymru yn y dyfodol agos iawn.
Ac yn olaf, Joyce Watson.
And finally, Joyce Watson.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. We've already seen, of course, some of the damage from the oven-ready Brexit, or the half-baked idea, as I prefer to call it, on the ports in Wales, because they're bypassing our ports already. So, we've already seen that. It is, of course, Prime Minister Johnson who came up with this grand plan—which is not so grand, apparently, according to him now. So, I want to ask you, Counsel General, beyond the harm that tearing up this agreement will cause to the international standing of Wales and also the UK in the wider world, will you be having discussions with your counterparts in the devolved nations to urge the Prime Minister to reconsider what is going to be the most damaging international situation in terms of trade and trust that he is about to put upon the UK?
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Rydym eisoes wedi gweld rhywfaint o niwed y Brexit parod i’w bobi wrth gwrs, neu’r syniad hanner pan, fel y mae’n well gennyf ei alw, ar borthladdoedd Cymru, gan eu bod yn osgoi ein porthladdoedd yn barod. Felly, rydym eisoes wedi gweld hynny. Wrth gwrs, Prif Weinidog y DU, Boris Johnson, a luniodd y cynllun gwych hwn—nad yw mor wych, mae'n debyg, yn ôl yr hyn a ddywed bellach. Felly, hoffwn ofyn i chi, Gwnsler Cyffredinol, y tu hwnt i’r niwed y bydd rhwygo’r cytundeb hwn yn ei achosi i statws rhyngwladol Cymru a'r DU yn y byd ehangach, a fyddwch yn cael trafodaethau â’ch swyddogion cyfatebol yn y gwledydd datganoledig i annog Prif Weinidog y DU i ailystyried y sefyllfa ryngwladol niweidiol iawn i fasnach ac ymddiriedaeth y mae ar fin rhoi'r DU ynddi?
Well, thank you for that question. I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that the Minister for Economy and the First Minister will utilise every opportunity that there is to ensure that those international interests and UK interests, but in particular the Welsh interests, are at the forefront of any discussions and will use every opportunity to try and bring reason to this situation.
You mentioned the economic impact, and, of course, at a time when there is a cost-of-living crisis, perhaps I could just refer to what the director of the Confederation of British Industry in Northern Ireland has said. If the UK Government doesn't listen to the devolved Governments, then maybe it will listen to the CBI, the voice of business in Northern Ireland, who said that
'Politicians everywhere should be focused on helping the most vulnerable in society amid the worst cost of living crisis in decades.
'With firms already reeling from the rising cost of doing business, the last thing they want is further uncertainty in trading arrangements amid global supply chain challenges.'
I think that statement speaks for itself.
Wel, diolch am eich cwestiwn. Nid oes gennyf unrhyw amheuaeth o gwbl y bydd Gweinidog yr Economi a Phrif Weinidog Cymru yn manteisio ar bob cyfle i sicrhau bod y buddiannau rhyngwladol hynny a buddiannau’r DU, ond yn enwedig buddiannau Cymru, ar frig yr agenda mewn unrhyw drafodaethau, ac yn defnyddio pob cyfle i geisio dod â rhywfaint o synnwyr i'r sefyllfa hon.
Fe sonioch chi am yr effaith economaidd, ac wrth gwrs, ar adeg pan fo'n argyfwng costau byw, efallai y caf gyfeirio at yr hyn a ddywedodd cyfarwyddwr Cydffederasiwn Diwydiant Prydain yng Ngogledd Iwerddon. Os na fydd Llywodraeth y DU yn gwrando ar y Llywodraethau datganoledig, efallai y bydd yn gwrando ar Gydffederasiwn Diwydiant Prydain, llais busnes yng Ngogledd Iwerddon, a ddywedodd hyn:
'dylai gwleidyddion ym mhobman ganolbwyntio ar helpu'r rhai mwyaf agored i niwed mewn cymdeithas yng nghanol yr argyfwng costau byw gwaethaf ers degawdau.
'Gyda chwmnïau eisoes yn gwegian yn sgil cost gynyddol gwneud busnes, y peth olaf y maent am ei weld yw ansicrwydd pellach mewn trefniadau masnachu ynghanol heriau byd-eang gyda chadwyni cyflenwi.'
Credaf fod y datganiad hwnnw’n siarad drosto’i hun.
Diolch i'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol.
I thank the Counsel General.
Yr eitem nesaf yw'r datganiadau 90 eiliad, a'r un cyntaf gan Vikki Howells.
The next item is the 90-second statements, and the first comes from Vikki Howells.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Today is International Museum Day. First celebrated in 1977, last year over 37,000 museums in over 150 countries took part. The day aims to raise awareness of museums as arenas for cultural exchange, where we enrich our understanding of ourselves and others. This year's theme, the power of museums, taps into this transformative potential. It explores how museums benefit their communities by disseminating ideas around sustainability and the social economy; innovating and improving digitalisation to expand access; and, community building through a democratic, social fabric that provides lifelong learning opportunities. Truly, museums can be powerful tools of social change.
National museums in Wales remain free to enter. This is really important, ensuring that all can engage with our shared heritage. Pre pandemic, 1.8 million visits were made annually under this scheme. Today's announcement from the Deputy Minister for culture shows Welsh Government's continued commitment to invest in our museums. I welcome the pledges in the programme for government to support museums and also to ensure that other stories, such as the experiences of BAME people in Wales, are told.
To close, I want to mention Cynon Valley Museum. This is a real gem, well worth a visit at its site in front of the remains of the historic Gadlys ironwork furnaces. Thanks to the staff and volunteers at the museum for their work, not just on International Museum Day, but all year round.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Heddiw yw Diwrnod Rhyngwladol Amgueddfeydd. Fe'i dathlwyd am y tro cyntaf ym 1977, a'r llynedd, cymerodd dros 37,000 o amgueddfeydd ran mewn dros 150 o wledydd. Nod y diwrnod yw codi ymwybyddiaeth o amgueddfeydd fel arenâu ar gyfer cyfnewid diwylliannol, lle rydym yn cyfoethogi ein dealltwriaeth ohonom ein hunain ac eraill. Mae thema eleni, grym amgueddfeydd, yn canolbwyntio ar y potensial trawsnewidiol hwn. Mae’n archwilio sut y mae amgueddfeydd yn gwneud lles i’w cymunedau drwy ledaenu syniadau am gynaliadwyedd a’r economi gymdeithasol; arloesi a gwella prosesau digideiddio i ehangu mynediad; ac adeiladu cymunedol drwy wead democrataidd, cymdeithasol sy'n darparu cyfleoedd dysgu gydol oes. Yn wir, gall amgueddfeydd fod yn arfau pwerus ar gyfer newid cymdeithasol.
Mae mynediad i amgueddfeydd cenedlaethol Cymru yn parhau i fod yn rhad ac am ddim. Mae hyn yn bwysig iawn, gan ei fod yn sicrhau y gall pawb ymgysylltu â'n treftadaeth gyffredin. Cyn y pandemig, gwnaed 1.8 miliwn o ymweliadau bob blwyddyn o dan y cynllun hwn. Mae cyhoeddiad heddiw gan y Dirprwy Weinidog diwylliant yn dangos ymrwymiad parhaus Llywodraeth Cymru i fuddsoddi yn ein hamgueddfeydd. Rwy'n croesawu'r addewidion yn y rhaglen lywodraethu i gefnogi amgueddfeydd ac i sicrhau bod straeon eraill, megis profiadau pobl ddu, Asiaidd ac ethnig leiafrifol yng Nghymru, yn cael eu hadrodd.
I gloi, hoffwn sôn am Amgueddfa Cwm Cynon. Dyma berl go iawn, ac mae'n werth ymweld â’r safle o flaen olion hanesyddol ffwrneisiau gwaith haearn y Gadlys. Diolch i staff a gwirfoddolwyr yr amgueddfa am eu gwaith, nid yn unig ar Ddiwrnod Rhyngwladol Amgueddfeydd, ond drwy gydol y flwyddyn.
This week is Dementia Action Week. I wanted to put on record my thanks to those communities and services for the work they do to support individuals and families living with dementia, particularly those in my own region of Mid and West Wales. We have Brecon dementia-friendly family community, who won an award for their work in 2016; Llanelli market was the first dementia-friendly market in Wales; the Alzheimer's Society runs services in Pembrokeshire; Age Cymru Dyfed's support services; Dementia Matters in Powys; and, Crickhowell, a dementia-friendly town. There are so many of them around not just my region, but many others as well. The theme of this year's campaign is early diagnosis. Only 53 per cent of people living with dementia in Wales have a diagnosis, meaning that many go without the support they need to live with dignity.
I have my own personal experiences. My dad had Alzheimer's and my mum had dementia. Once they had been diagnosed, of course we got the services they needed, but before that we struggled as a family, particularly with the shame and stigma. So, I want to take the opportunity to ask the Senedd to put on record our thanks to all the volunteers, carers, and services that raised awareness of dementia to aid early diagnosis and improve the quality of life for those people affected by dementia. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Yr wythnos hon yw Wythnos Gweithredu ar Ddementia. Hoffwn gofnodi fy niolch i’r cymunedau a’r gwasanaethau hynny am y gwaith a wnânt i gefnogi unigolion a theuluoedd sy’n byw gyda dementia, yn enwedig y rheini yn fy rhanbarth i yng Nghanolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru. Mae gennym gymuned deall dementia Aberhonddu, a enillodd wobr am eu gwaith yn 2016; marchnad Llanelli oedd y farchnad gyntaf yng Nghymru sy’n deall dementia; mae Cymdeithas Alzheimer's yn cynnal gwasanaethau yn sir Benfro; gwasanaethau cymorth Age Cymru Dyfed; Materion Dementia ym Mhowys; a Chrucywel, tref sy'n deall dementia. Mae cymaint ohonynt, nid yn unig yn fy rhanbarth i, ond mewn llawer o rai eraill hefyd. Thema ymgyrch eleni yw diagnosis cynnar. Dim ond 53 y cant o'r bobl sy’n byw gyda dementia yng Nghymru sydd wedi cael diagnosis, sy’n golygu bod llawer yn mynd heb y cymorth sydd ei angen arnynt i fyw gydag urddas.
Mae gennyf fy mhrofiadau personol fy hun. Roedd clefyd Alzheimer ar fy nhad, ac roedd dementia ar fy mam. Pan gawsant ddiagnosis, wrth gwrs, cawsom y gwasanaethau a oedd eu hangen arnynt, ond cyn hynny, roeddem yn ei chael hi'n anodd fel teulu, yn enwedig gyda’r cywilydd a’r stigma. Felly, hoffwn achub ar y cyfle i ofyn i’r Senedd gofnodi ein diolch i’r holl wirfoddolwyr, y gofalwyr, a'r gwasanaethau sydd wedi codi ymwybyddiaeth o ddementia er mwyn cynorthwyo i gael diagnosis cynnar a gwella ansawdd bywyd y bobl y mae dementia’n effeithio arnynt. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
This week is Wales Tourism Week, and Wales Tourism Week 2022 is an opportunity for businesses and communities across Wales to raise awareness of the sector and showcase the quality of Wales's tourism offer to both UK and international tourists. Visitors spend over £6 billion a year, and tourism in Wales is responsible for the employment of nearly 10 per cent of the Welsh workforce. And to mark Wales Tourism Week 2022, the Wales Tourism Alliance theme supports the tourism and hospitality skills and recruitment campaign, 'the Experience makers'. And in partnership with the industry-led Wales tourism and skills partnership, in 2021 Visit Wales launched 'the Experience makers', which is a skills and recruitment campaign to support the sector by raising awareness of the high numbers of vacancies and of the variety of career opportunities available. The campaign targets young people, school leavers, students, those unsure about their future career, or young adults who might be looking for flexible working around, for example, childcare, and other older adults looking for part-time work or even a career change. The message of the campaign this year is to join the experience makers. So, wherever your tourism business is in Wales, I know that this Senedd will want to thank you for all of your continued efforts in showcasing Wales on a local, national and international level.
Yr wythnos hon yw Wythnos Twristiaeth Cymru, ac mae Wythnos Twristiaeth Cymru 2022 yn gyfle i fusnesau a chymunedau ledled Cymru godi ymwybyddiaeth o’r sector ac arddangos ansawdd cynnig twristiaeth Cymru i dwristiaid o’r DU a gweddill y byd. Mae ymwelwyr yn gwario dros £6 biliwn y flwyddyn, ac mae twristiaeth yng Nghymru yn cyflogi bron i 10 y cant o weithlu Cymru. Ac i nodi Wythnos Twristiaeth Cymru 2022, mae thema Cynghrair Twristiaeth Cymru yn cefnogi’r ymgyrch recriwtio a sgiliau twristiaeth a lletygarwch, ‘y rhai sy'n creu Profiadau’. Ac mewn partneriaeth â phartneriaeth twristiaeth a sgiliau Cymru, a arweinir gan y diwydiant, yn 2021, lansiodd Croeso Cymru 'y rhai sy'n creu Profiadau', sef ymgyrch sgiliau a recriwtio i gefnogi'r sector drwy godi ymwybyddiaeth o'r niferoedd uchel o swyddi gwag a'r amrywiaeth o gyfleoedd gyrfa sydd ar gael. Mae’r ymgyrch yn targedu pobl ifanc, pobl sy’n gadael ysgol, myfyrwyr, pobl sy’n ansicr am eu gyrfa yn y dyfodol, neu oedolion ifanc a allai fod yn chwilio am waith hyblyg, er enghraifft ym maes gofal plant, ac oedolion hŷn eraill sy’n chwilio am waith rhan-amser neu hyd yn oed newid gyrfa. Neges yr ymgyrch eleni yw ymuno â'r rhai sy'n creu profiadau. Felly, ble bynnag y bo eich busnes twristiaeth yng Nghymru, gwn y bydd y Senedd hon am ddiolch i chi am eich holl ymdrechion parhaus i arddangos Cymru ar lefel leol, genedlaethol a rhyngwladol.
Diolch, pawb.
Thank you, everyone.
Yr eitem nesaf yw'r ddadl ar adroddiad y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, yr Amgylchedd a Seilwaith, adroddiad ar bolisïau morol Llywodraeth Cymru, a galwaf ar Gadeirydd y pwyllgor i wneud y cynnig. Llyr Gruffydd.
The next item is the debate on the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee report, which is the report on the Welsh Government's marine policies, and I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion. Llyr Gruffydd.
Cynnig NDM8003 Llyr Gruffydd
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
Yn nodi adroddiad y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, yr Amgylchedd a Seilwaith: ‘Adroddiad ar bolisïau morol Llywodraeth Cymru’, a osodwyd ar 22 Chwefror 2022.
Motion NDM8003 Llyr Gruffydd
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee report: ‘Report on the Welsh Government’s marine policies’ laid on 22 February 2022.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd, a diolch yn wir am y cyfle i drafod cynnwys adroddiad y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, yr Amgylchedd a Seilwaith ar bolisïau morol Llywodraeth Cymru, oherwydd, yn gynnar yn ystod y Senedd yma, fe gytunodd y pwyllgor y dylai polisïau morol fod yn faes blaenoriaeth i ni yn ein gwaith dros y blynyddoedd nesaf yma. Y bwriad oedd i'r ymchwiliad byr yma fod yn rhywbeth cychwynnol, yn rhyw fath o gipolwg ar y sefyllfa bresennol o ran y polisïau morol sydd gennym ni yng Nghymru. Ac er nad oedd gennym ni lawer o amser i gymryd y cipolwg cychwynnol yma, fe lwyddon ni, mae'n rhaid imi ddweud, i ymdrin â nifer fawr o bynciau. Ac mae'r pwyllgor, wrth gwrs, yn ddiolchgar i'r holl randdeiliaid a gyfrannodd at ein gwaith ni, ac i RSPB Cymru a'r Gymdeithas Cadwraeth Forol yn arbennig am roi rhagor o wybodaeth inni hefyd cyn y ddadl yma y prynhawn yma.
Nawr, mae arfordir Cymru, wrth gwrs, dros 2,000 km o hyd, llawer ohono fe'n destun cenfigen i'r byd i gyd yn grwn. Mae'n creu cyfleoedd ynni morol enfawr inni—digon i'n helpu i gyrraedd ein targedau datgarboneiddio—ac mae hyn yn ei dro yn gallu arwain at swyddi, twf economaidd ac adfywio ein cymunedau arfordirol—rhai o'r cymunedau hynny, wrth gwrs, sydd angen ein cymorth ni fel ag y mae pethau erbyn heddiw.
Ac mae ein hamgylchedd morol ni hefyd yn gartref i rai o'r cynefinoedd a'r rhywogaethau mwyaf amrywiol a phwysig sydd gennym ni yn Ewrop, ac mae hynny hefyd yn rhywbeth i'w werthfawrogi ac i'w warchod ar yr un pryd. A thema allweddol ein hadroddiad ni oedd, wrth gwrs, y cydbwysedd rhwng y ddwy flaenoriaeth yma. Rŷn ni yn croesawu cynigion i gynyddu datblygiadau ynni morol dros y ddegawd nesaf, ond mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau bod y cydbwysedd priodol yn cael ei daro rhwng y datblygiadau hynny a'r elfen o gadwraeth ac amddiffyn yr hyn sydd gennym ni o safbwynt ecosystemau morol a bioamrywiaeth.
Mae ein hadroddiad hi'n dechrau drwy ganolbwyntio ar gynllunio morol. Nawr, ar hyn o bryd, yng Nghymru, mae gennyn ni gynllun morol cenedlaethol, ac fe ddywedodd y cyrff anllywodraethol amgylcheddol wrthym mai un o brif anfanteision y cynllun hwn yw nad yw e yn gynllun gofodol. Ac oherwydd hyn, dyw e ddim yn nodi, er enghraifft, ble y dylid lleoli datblygiadau na faint o ddatblygiadau fyddai yn gynaliadwy. Dyw e ddim yn caniatáu i ni ystyried effaith gronnol—cumulative impact—datblygiadau ar yr amgylchedd morol.
Roedd rhanddeiliaid o'r sector ynni adnewyddadwy yn credu'n gryf fod yn rhaid i'r degawd nesaf ganolbwyntio ar roi cynlluniau ar waith yn hytrach nag ailgynllunio strategaethau. Roedden nhw'n pryderu y byddai polisi newydd neu efallai dull newydd o weithredu yn arwain at ragor o oedi. Ar ôl ystyried y ddwy ddadl a'r ddau bersbectif yma, mae'r pwyllgor wedi dod i'r casgliad mai'r ymateb gorau yn y lle cyntaf fyddai i Lywodraeth Cymru gomisiynu adolygiad allanol o gynllun morol cenedlaethol Cymru. Dyma'r amser i ystyried a fydd y cynlluniau a'r strategaethau sydd yn eu lle ar hyn o bryd yn parhau i fod yn addas i'r diben yng ngoleuni'r cynnydd disgwyliedig rŷn ni'n ei weld, ac yn ei ragweld, mewn datblygiadau morol.
Er bod y Gweinidog wedi derbyn yr argymhelliad mewn egwyddor—ac mae gen i broblem weithiau efo derbyn pethau mewn egwyddor, achos dwi ddim wastad yn deall yn iawn beth mae hynny'n ei feddwl—rwy’n siomedig bod ei hymateb yn dangos na fydd dadansoddiad allanol yn cael ei gomisiynu ar gyfer yr adolygiad eleni, ond ar gyfer yr adolygiad nesaf, ond dyw hynny ddim yn cael ei gynnal tan 2025. Felly, Weinidog, mae hwn yn gyfle yn fy marn i sydd wedi’i golli, ac mae'n golygu na welwn ni'r newidiadau angenrheidiol am flynyddoedd eto i ddod.
Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you for the opportunity to discuss the content of the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee's report on the marine policies of the Welsh Government, because, early in this Senedd term, the committee agreed that marine policies should be a priority area for us in our work over the next few years. The intention was that this short inquiry would be an initial look, a snapshot of the current situation in terms of the marine policies we have in Wales. And even though we didn't have much time to take this initial snapshot, we did succeed in covering a lot of ground. The committee, of course, is grateful to all stakeholders who contributed to our work, and to RSPB Cymru and the Marine Conservation Society in particular for also providing the committee with further information in advance of this debate this afternoon.
Now, the Welsh coastline, of course, is over 2,000 km in length, and much of it is the envy of the world. It provides huge marine energy opportunities—enough to help reach our decarbonisation targets—and this in turn can lead to jobs, economic growth and the regeneration of our coastal communities—some of those communities, of course, that need our support as things stand today.
And our marine environment is also home to some of the most biologically diverse and important habitats and species that we have in Europe, and that is also something to be appreciated and to protect at the same time. The key theme of our report, of course, was the balance between these two priorities. We welcome proposals to ramp up marine energy development over the next decade, but we must strike the right balance between those developments and the element of conservation and protecting what we have in terms of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Our report starts by focusing on marine planning. Now, currently, in Wales, we have a national marine plan, and environmental non-governmental organisations told us that one of the main drawbacks of the plan is that it isn't a spatial one. And because of this, it doesn't set out, for example, where developments should be sited or how many developments would be sustainable. It doesn't allow us to consider the cumulative effect of developments on the marine environment.
Stakeholders from the renewables sector firmly believed that the next decade must be focused on delivery of renewable energy developments, rather than redesigning strategies. They were worried that a new approach or policy would risk further delay. Having considered both arguments and these perspectives, the committee concluded that the best solution in the first place would be for the Welsh Government to commission an external review of the Wales national marine plan. Now is the time to consider whether the current plans and strategies in place currently will continue to be fit for purpose in the light of the expected increase in marine developments.
Even though the Minister has accepted the recommendation in principle—and I have a problem sometimes in accepting things in principle, as I don't always understand what that means—I am disappointed that her response shows that the external analysis won’t be commissioned in time for this year’s review, but for the next review, which isn't being undertaken until 2025, of course. Minister, this is a missed opportunity and means that any necessary changes won't be seen for many years to come.
A second focus for the committee was the progress of the marine renewable energy sector. I should say here that we welcome the efforts of Ministers, through the deep dive into renewable energy, to remove some of the barriers to development. Members will have heard the Minister for Economy’s statement yesterday on progress in this area, and there is much to be welcomed, but the Minister’s comments would have done little to reassure some of the contributors to our committee work. Members will have heard the Minister for Economy saying that he expects offshore wind generation to increase from current levels of 726 MW to 2.8 GW by 2030, and a potential 6.8 GW by 2035. That is a significant increase in little more than a decade from now.
It's no wonder, in that context, that stakeholders again questioned how fit for purpose existing Welsh Government plans are. The marine energy plan was published back in 2016. It does not explain the Welsh Government’s ambitions for marine energy over the short and longer term. So, we think this needs to be looked at again. We need a route map for where we are going, and this would then provide certainty for developers and build confidence in the sector's long-term potential. Again, the Minister has agreed in principle to review the marine energy plan, but there’s no hint of a timetable for that work. [Interruption.] Of course, yes.
Ail ffocws y pwyllgor oedd cynnydd y sector ynni adnewyddadwy morol. Dylwn ddweud ein bod yn croesawu ymdrechion Gweinidogion, drwy'r archwiliad dwfn i ynni adnewyddadwy, i ddileu rhai o'r rhwystrau i ddatblygu. Bydd yr Aelodau wedi clywed datganiad Gweinidog yr Economi ddoe am y cynnydd yn y maes hwn, ac mae llawer i'w groesawu, ond ni fyddai sylwadau'r Gweinidog wedi gwneud fawr ddim i dawelu meddyliau rhai o'r cyfranwyr i'n gwaith pwyllgor. Bydd yr Aelodau wedi clywed Gweinidog yr Economi yn dweud ei fod yn disgwyl i gynhyrchiant gwynt ar y môr gynyddu o lefelau presennol o 726 MW i 2.8 GW erbyn 2030, gyda'r posibilrwydd o gynhyrchu 6.8 GW erbyn 2035. Mae hwnnw'n gynnydd sylweddol mewn ychydig mwy na degawd o nawr.
Nid yw'n syndod, yn y cyd-destun hwnnw, fod rhanddeiliaid unwaith eto wedi cwestiynu pa mor addas i'r diben yw cynlluniau presennol Llywodraeth Cymru. Cyhoeddwyd y cynllun ynni morol yn ôl yn 2016. Nid yw'n esbonio uchelgeisiau Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer ynni morol yn y tymor byr ac yn fwy hirdymor. Felly, credwn fod angen edrych ar hyn eto. Rydym angen pennu trywydd ar gyfer y dyfodol, a byddai hyn wedyn yn rhoi sicrwydd i ddatblygwyr ac yn magu hyder ym mhotensial hirdymor y sector. Unwaith eto, mae'r Gweinidog wedi cytuno mewn egwyddor i adolygu'r cynllun ynni morol, ond nid oes awgrym o amserlen ar gyfer y gwaith hwnnw. [Torri ar draws.] Wrth gwrs, gwnaf.
Thank you, Llyr, for giving way on that, and for the way you've introduced this debate today. Would you recognise that some of those organisations, like WWF, the Marine Conservation Society, the RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts and others, do actually get the need to drive forward on renewables, but they want to make sure that we protect some of those valuable species, including migratory birds and wildlife, but also cetaceans? We just need to get this right, and data and evidence are key.
Diolch am ildio ar y pwynt hwnnw, Llyr, ac am y ffordd yr ydych wedi cyflwyno'r ddadl hon heddiw. A fyddech yn cydnabod bod rhai o'r sefydliadau hynny, fel WWF, y Gymdeithas Cadwraeth Forol, yr RSPB, yr Ymddiriedolaethau Natur ac eraill, mewn gwirionedd yn deall yr angen i fwrw ymlaen ag ynni adnewyddadwy, ond maent eisiau sicrhau ein bod yn diogelu rhai o'r rhywogaethau gwerthfawr hynny, gan gynnwys bywyd gwyllt ac adar mudol, ond morfilod hefyd? Mae angen inni wneud hyn yn iawn, ac mae data a thystiolaeth yn allweddol.
That leads seamlessly on to the next part of my contribution. You are right; it isn't a binary choice of one or the other, but it's making sure that we have the frameworks and the strategies and the policies in place to make sure that these developments, which all of us, frankly, want to happen, and indeed need to happen in terms of the challenges that we face in relation to climate change, are done on the right terms, and within the right parameters.
You mentioned data and evidence gaps, and that was the third area covered in our work. Marine plans and strategies are only as good as the data that underpins them. We all know that. The lack of a robust evidence base to underpin those development decisions means, actually, that there are inherent risks in ramping up the development that many of us want to see. We recommended that the Welsh marine evidence strategy should be reviewed and updated in light of the deep dive, which committed to identifying priority marine evidence gaps and identifying mechanisms to fill them. So, we were surprised to read the Minister’s response to our recommendation, which says, and I quote, that
'Officials are content that the overarching strategic evidence priorities still represent the high-level evidence needs including those identified by the deep dive.'
So, apparently everything is okay, there’s nothing to worry about. Minister, the lack of evidence, as we've heard, is a real problem. Everybody told us that as part of the inquiry. And if the strategy is right, then something else isn't working, clearly, so maybe you can tell us what it is and what, more importantly, you’re going to do about it. And you are nodding, so I'm looking forward to your contribution. I always look forward to your contribution, but particularly now.
On marine protected areas, I am pleased that the Minister has accepted our recommendations, but delve a little deeper and there are still some areas of concern here. Recommendation 16 called for the Welsh Government to set out its latest plans for the designation of highly protected marine areas. The Minister says that the Welsh Government will look at this after the MPA network completion programme. But, the truth is that the consultation on that programme isn't due to take place until 2023. So, again, we may be looking at years of delay here. Where is the urgency?
The Minister's response to the committee's report does seem to raise more questions than answers. Anyone reading it would rightly feel that there are no problems in this policy area, no weaknesses that need to be strengthened, and no need for urgency. They might even think that the Minister is trying to kick these issues into the long sea grass. Take another example. We asked the Minister for a timeline for a consultation on the future of bottom trawling and dredging in marine protected areas. I know this is something that many Members have raised here in the Chamber in the past, and I know the Petitions Committee as well has considered this. The Welsh Government has yet to consult on the management of towed gear, including bottom trawling, within marine protected areas. In contrast, of course, the UK administrations have progressed to the introduction of management measures for all fisheries gears in marine protected areas. In her response, the Minister tells us that, and I quote again,
'The timescale for any consultation will be determined alongside other Welsh Government priorities at the time.'
What does that mean? No detail, no dates. We're already behind other parts of the UK and we might still be years away from seeing changes on that particular issue.
Minister, at the start of my speech, I said that this inquiry was a snapshot of the health of marine policies, so what was the committee's verdict? Well, we all expect a significant ramping up of marine energy development during this decade, yet all the while, our marine environment is under threat. So, to tackle this, we need a holistic system that considers the effects of cumulative development on the marine environment, whilst doing what it can, of course, to remove any unnecessary barriers that are identified to the utilisation of natural resources. The committee believes we are a long way from that right now. So, we need the Minister and the Government to accept that business as usual isn’t enough to respond to the climate change crisis and the biodiversity loss that we are facing. We need to do more and we need to do it sooner. Diolch.
Mae hynny'n arwain yn ddi-dor at ran nesaf fy nghyfraniad. Rydych yn iawn, nid yw'n ddewis deuaidd rhwng y naill neu'r llall, mae'n ymwneud â sicrhau bod gennym y fframweithiau a'r strategaethau a'r polisïau ar waith i sicrhau bod y datblygiadau hyn, y mae pob un ohonom eisiau iddynt ddigwydd, ac yn wir y mae pob un ohonom angen iddynt ddigwydd o ran yr heriau sy'n ein hwynebu mewn perthynas â newid hinsawdd, yn cael eu gwneud ar y telerau cywir, ac o fewn y paramedrau cywir.
Fe sonioch chi am fylchau yn y data a'r dystiolaeth, a hwnnw oedd y trydydd maes a drafodwyd yn ein gwaith. Nid yw cynlluniau a strategaethau morol ond cystal â'r data sy'n sail iddynt. Rydym i gyd yn gwybod hynny. Mae diffyg sylfaen dystiolaeth gadarn i ategu'r penderfyniadau datblygu hynny'n golygu, mewn gwirionedd, fod risgiau cynhenid ynghlwm wrth gynyddu'r datblygiad y mae llawer ohonom eisiau ei weld. Fe wnaethom argymell y dylid adolygu a diweddaru strategaeth tystiolaeth forol Cymru yng ngoleuni'r archwiliad dwfn, a oedd yn ymrwymo i nodi'r prif fylchau yn y dystiolaeth forol a nodi mecanweithiau i'w llenwi. Felly, roeddem yn synnu wrth ddarllen ymateb y Gweinidog i'n hargymhelliad, sy'n dweud hyn:
'Mae swyddogion yn fodlon bod y blaenoriaethau tystiolaeth strategol trosfwaol yn dal i gynrychioli'r anghenion tystiolaeth lefel uchel gan gynnwys y rhai a nodwyd gan yr archwilio dwfn.'
Felly, mae'n debyg fod popeth yn iawn, nid oes unrhyw beth i boeni yn ei gylch. Weinidog, mae'r diffyg tystiolaeth, fel y clywsom, yn broblem wirioneddol. Dywedodd pawb hynny wrthym fel rhan o'r ymchwiliad. Ac os yw'r strategaeth yn iawn, mae'n amlwg fod rhywbeth arall nad yw'n gweithio, felly efallai y gallwch ddweud wrthym beth ydyw ac yn bwysicach, beth y bwriadwch ei wneud yn ei gylch. Ac rydych yn nodio, felly rwy'n edrych ymlaen at eich cyfraniad. Rwyf bob amser yn edrych ymlaen at eich cyfraniad, ond yn enwedig yn awr.
Ar ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig, rwy'n falch fod y Gweinidog wedi derbyn ein hargymhellion, ond wrth edrych yn fanylach gwelwn fod rhai meysydd yn peri pryder o hyd. Roedd argymhelliad 16 yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i nodi ei chynlluniau diweddaraf ar gyfer dynodi ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig iawn. Dywed y Gweinidog y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn edrych ar hyn ar ôl rhaglen gwblhau'r rhwydwaith o ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig. Ond y gwir amdani yw na fydd yr ymgynghoriad ar y rhaglen honno yn cael ei gynnal tan 2023. Felly, unwaith eto, efallai y bydd blynyddoedd o oedi ar hyn. Ble mae'r brys?
Mae'n ymddangos bod ymateb y Gweinidog i adroddiad y pwyllgor yn creu mwy o gwestiynau nag o atebion. Byddai unrhyw un sy'n ei ddarllen yn teimlo, yn briodol, nad oes unrhyw broblemau yn y maes polisi hwn, nad oes unrhyw wendidau y mae angen eu cryfhau, ac nad oes angen brys. Efallai y byddent hyd yn oed yn meddwl bod y Gweinidog yn ceisio gwthio'r materion hyn i'r naill ochr. Cymerwch enghraifft arall. Gofynnwyd i'r Gweinidog am amserlen ar gyfer ymgynghoriad ar ddyfodol treillrwydo môr-waelodol a llusgrwydo mewn ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig. Gwn fod hyn yn rhywbeth y mae llawer o Aelodau wedi'i godi yma yn y Siambr yn y gorffennol, a gwn fod y Pwyllgor Deisebau hefyd wedi ystyried hyn. Nid yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymgynghori ar reolaeth gêr llusg eto, gan gynnwys treillrwydo môr-waelodol, mewn ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig. Mewn cyferbyniad, wrth gwrs, mae gweinyddiaethau'r DU wedi symud ymlaen i gyflwyno mesurau rheoli ar gyfer offer pysgodfeydd mewn ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig. Yn ei hymateb, dywed y Gweinidog wrthym:
'Bydd yr amserlen ar gyfer unrhyw ymgynghoriad yn cael ei phennu ochr yn ochr â blaenoriaethau eraill Llywodraeth Cymru ar y pryd.'
Beth y mae hynny'n ei olygu? Dim manylion, dim dyddiadau. Rydym eisoes yn llusgo ar ôl rhannau eraill o'r DU ac efallai y bydd yn flynyddoedd cyn y gwelwn newidiadau ar y mater penodol hwnnw.
Weinidog, ar ddechrau fy araith, dywedais fod yr ymchwiliad hwn yn gipolwg ar iechyd polisïau morol, felly beth oedd dyfarniad y pwyllgor? Wel, rydym i gyd yn disgwyl i ddatblygiadau ynni morol gynyddu'n sylweddol yn ystod y degawd hwn ac eto mae ein hamgylchedd morol dan fygythiad. Felly, er mwyn mynd i'r afael â hyn, mae arnom angen system gyfannol sy'n ystyried effeithiau datblygiadau cronnol ar yr amgylchedd morol, gan wneud yr hyn a all, wrth gwrs, i ddileu unrhyw rwystrau diangen a nodir i'r defnydd o adnoddau naturiol. Mae'r pwyllgor yn credu ein bod yn bell o hynny ar hyn o bryd. Felly, mae arnom angen i'r Gweinidog a'r Llywodraeth dderbyn nad yw meddylfryd busnes fel arfer yn ddigon i ymateb i'r argyfwng newid hinsawdd a cholli bioamrywiaeth a wynebwn. Mae angen inni wneud mwy ac mae angen inni ei wneud yn gynt. Diolch.
It's a pleasure to follow Llyr, our Chair on this committee, and to say a few words. I'll try not to replicate what he said, but I want to touch on a few points, including in the Welsh Government's response as well, before I come to what I think is the critical issue of data and evidence, which I'm going to major on, if that's okay.
First of all, in terms of recommendation 1, that an external analysis of the Wales national marine plan should be commissioned, we note that there's an agreement in principle there, but it is to inform the next statutory report. I think the committee would feel strongly that we'd like to see it earlier than that because of the urgency that the Chair has laid out so much. So, we would still, I think, push hard on that and I'm sure we'll return to it.
On the stakeholder engagement in recommendation 2, just to say to the Minister that it isn't that there aren't the structures in place to do the stakeholder engagement, it's actually the quality of the stakeholder engagement. The feeling from some—and I will confess and admit that it's from some particularly in the environmental sector—is that whilst they're engaged, and they stretch themselves to engage on the various stakeholder groups, they're not clear that they're being listened to in the way that we face the nature crisis and the biodiversity crisis. The baseline that they want to start from is not the baseline, always, that Government wants to start from. They want to see a picture of the sea bed and the flora and fauna as it should be, not as it is now, and so on. So, it would simply be an encouragement, on recommendation 2, Minister, to see that recommendation in the way that the subtext behind it is that it's the quality of the engagement and the listening. You do an enormous amount of stakeholder engagement, but it's actually the engagement and the detail to follow through as well. So, take that in the spirit it's meant. And I know I'm the worst nightmare of any Minister sitting in that position—[Interruption.] I know I am; thank you for a 'yes' there. As a former fisheries and marine Minister myself, I am the worst nightmare.
On recommendation 4, setting out the plans for the devolution of the management of the Crown Estate, I'm just wondering, Minister, if we have a contradiction, because you have accepted that, and that's wonderful, it really is wonderful, but then it talks about
'looking at the implications of devolution.... Once this task has been completed we will be able to finalise our plans for the Crown Estate.'
You've accepted the recommendation about the devolution of the management, setting out the plans, and so on. I guess you can't go any further yet, but it would be interesting if you could get on your feet today and say, 'Well, actually, it makes sense now to just move ahead with this and move to the devolution of it.' I'm not underplaying, by the way, the role that they have and the work that they are currently doing, but it would be interesting to have some of the levers of control here.
On recommendations 9, 10 and 11, on evidence and data—. Well, let me come back to that in a moment, because I do want to spend a couple of minutes going over it. Let me just skip ahead here. On recommendation 13, where we look at the lack of progress on the designation of marine protected areas and MCZs, and ask you to set out a timetable, you have accepted this, and you've said that this will be in the next phase of work to be launched in the coming months, which is great to hear. Subsequently, in recommendation 16, we go on to the slow progress on highly protected marine areas, and again, you accept that. You accept that
'The need, and appropriateness, for areas of higher protection should be considered as part of this process.'
We get all of that. All I would say to you—and I know you get this, Minister, I really know you get this—is that there is a real hunger out there to get on not only with the designation of those, but also, then, because that enables us to get on with the effective management of those areas as well, because that's the other thing. We've got a recommendation in here to do with trawling—that's the only other one I wanted to touch on before the issues over data and evidence. It's on dredging and bottom trawling. Again, you've accepted our recommendation, and you've said—and it's very well written—that you'll undertake
'a structured evaluation of potential fishing gear interactions with features of Welsh Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) referred to as the Assessing Welsh Fishing Activities project'
and that it'll be completed in summer 2022. That's really great, but we actually know the damage that these activities do to some of the most highly sensitive areas. And I know this is tricky for people involved in the fishing industry, but, actually, this is one of the areas we're going to have to make a decision on, ultimately, for that aspiration of returning these areas to what we know they should be as opposed to what they are now, and how they're being damaged.
I've run out of time already. I would ask you particularly, then, without referring to my notes, to look at this issue of evidence and data. There's a lot of good evidence that we took here. A lot of people said we are not at the point we need to be at with data and evidence, and unless we can actually see what is there in that great blue zone below the waves, and so on, it's going to be limited as to what we can do. I think, Minister, this has been going on for a decade and more, trying to pull together the evidence base. I know there are commercial sensitivities, and as my five minutes comes up, I would simply say, Minister, we need to go further with the marine science strategies and the work that the Welsh Government is doing to break down the barriers about sharing information between academia, commercial interests and NRW. Everybody should be pooling that, even if it's anonymised, so we can map more accurately what is actually happening out there now. Diolch yn fawr.
Mae'n bleser dilyn Llyr, ein Cadeirydd ar y pwyllgor hwn, a dweud ychydig eiriau. Ceisiaf beidio ag ailadrodd yr hyn a ddywedodd, ond hoffwn grybwyll ychydig o bwyntiau, gan gynnwys rhai yn ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru hefyd, cyn imi ddod at y mater allweddol, yn fy marn i, sef data a thystiolaeth, ac rwyf am ganolbwyntio ar hynny, os yw hynny'n iawn.
Yn gyntaf oll, o ran argymhelliad 1, y dylid comisiynu dadansoddiad allanol o gynllun morol cenedlaethol Cymru, nodwn fod cytundeb mewn egwyddor yno, ond bydd yn llywio'r adroddiad statudol nesaf. Credaf y byddai'r pwyllgor yn teimlo'n gryf y byddem eisiau ei weld yn gynharach na hynny oherwydd y brys y mae'r Cadeirydd wedi'i bwysleisio. Felly, byddwn yn dal i wthio'n galed ar hynny, rwy'n credu, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddwn yn dychwelyd ato.
Ar ymgysylltu â rhanddeiliaid yn argymhelliad 2, hoffwn ddweud wrth y Gweinidog nad dweud nad oes strwythurau ar waith i ymgysylltu â rhanddeiliaid y mae, ond yn hytrach, mae'n ymwneud ag ansawdd yr ymgysylltiad â rhanddeiliaid. Mae rhai yn teimlo—ac rwy'n cyfaddef mai unigolion o'r sector amgylcheddol ydynt yn bennaf—er eu bod yn ymgysylltu, ac yn ymestyn eu hunain i ymgysylltu â'r gwahanol grwpiau rhanddeiliaid, nad ydynt yn sicr eu bod yn cael eu clywed yn y ffordd yr ydym yn wynebu'r argyfwng natur a'r argyfwng bioamrywiaeth. Nid y llinell sylfaen y maent hwy eisiau dechrau ohoni yw'r llinell sylfaen y mae'r Llywodraeth eisiau dechrau ohoni. Maent eisiau gweld darlun o wely'r môr a'r fflora a'r ffawna fel y dylai fod, nid fel y mae ar hyn o bryd, ac yn y blaen. Felly, byddai'n anogaeth, mewn perthynas ag argymhelliad 2, Weinidog, i allu gweld yr argymhelliad hwnnw yn yr is-destun sy'n sail iddo sef ei fod yn ymwneud ag ansawdd yr ymgysylltu a'r gwrando. Rydych yn ymgysylltu'n helaeth â rhanddeiliaid, ond mewn gwirionedd mae'n ymwneud â'r ymgysylltiad a'r manylion i'w ddilyn hefyd. Felly, peidiwch â chymryd hynny o chwith. A gwn mai fi yw hunllef waethaf unrhyw Weinidog yn y swydd honno—[Torri ar draws.] Rwy'n gwybod hynny; diolch am ddweud 'ie'. Fel cyn-Weinidog pysgodfeydd a morol fy hun, fi yw'r hunllef waethaf.
Ar argymhelliad 4, sy'n nodi'r cynlluniau ar gyfer datganoli'r cyfrifoldeb dros reoli Ystad y Goron, rwy'n meddwl tybed, Weinidog, a oes yna wrth-ddweud, oherwydd rydych wedi derbyn hynny, ac mae hynny'n wych, ond wedyn mae'n sôn am
'edrych ar oblygiadau datganoli.... Unwaith y bydd y dasg hon wedi'i chwblhau, byddwn yn gallu cwblhau ein cynlluniau ar gyfer Ystâd y Goron.'
Rydych wedi derbyn yr argymhelliad ynghylch datganoli'r cyfrifoldeb dros reoli, sy'n nodi'r cynlluniau, ac yn y blaen. Mae'n debyg na allwch fynd ymhellach ar hyn o bryd, ond byddai'n ddiddorol pe gallech godi heddiw a dweud, 'Wel, mewn gwirionedd, mae'n gwneud synnwyr yn awr i symud ymlaen gyda hyn a'i ddatganoli.' Gyda llaw, nid wyf yn tanbrisio'r rôl sydd ganddynt a'r gwaith y maent yn ei wneud ar hyn o bryd, ond byddai'n ddiddorol cael rhai o'r dulliau rheoli yma.
Ar argymhellion 9, 10 ac 11, ar dystiolaeth a data—. Wel, gadewch imi ddod yn ôl at hynny mewn munud, oherwydd rwyf am dreulio ychydig funudau'n sôn amdano. Gadewch imi fwrw ymlaen yma. Ar argymhelliad 13, lle rydym yn edrych ar y diffyg cynnydd ar ddynodi ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig a pharthau cadwraeth morol, ac yn gofyn ichi nodi amserlen, rydych wedi derbyn hyn, ac rydych wedi dweud y bydd hyn yn digwydd yng ngham nesaf y gwaith sydd i'w lansio yn ystod y misoedd nesaf, sy'n wych i'w glywed. Yn dilyn hynny, yn argymhelliad 16, symudwn ymlaen at y cynnydd araf ar ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig iawn, ac unwaith eto, rydych yn derbyn hynny. Rydych yn derbyn y
'Dylid ystyried yr angen, a phriodoldeb, ar gyfer meysydd lle ceir mwy o ddiogelwch fel rhan o'r broses hon.'
Rydym yn deall hynny i gyd. Y cyfan y byddwn yn ei ddweud wrthych—a gwn eich bod yn deall hyn, Weinidog, rwy'n gwybod yn iawn eich bod yn deall hyn—yw bod yna ddyhead mawr allan yno i fwrw ymlaen â dynodi'r rheini, a hefyd, felly, oherwydd bod hynny'n ein galluogi i fwrw ymlaen â'r gwaith o reoli'r ardaloedd hynny'n effeithiol hefyd, oherwydd dyna'r peth arall. Mae gennym argymhelliad yma sy'n ymwneud â threillrwydo—dyna'r unig beth arall yr oeddwn eisiau sôn amdano cyn y materion sy'n ymwneud â data a thystiolaeth. Mae'n ymwneud â llusgrwydo a threillrwydo môr-waelodol. Unwaith eto, rydych wedi derbyn ein hargymhelliad, ac rydych wedi dweud—ac mae wedi'i ysgrifennu'n dda iawn—y byddwch yn cynnal
'gwerthusiad strwythuredig o'r rhyngweithio posibl rhwng offer pysgota â nodweddion Ardaloedd Morol Gwarchodedig Cymru y cyfeirir atynt fel prosiect Asesu Gweithgareddau Pysgota Cymru.'
ac y bydd yn cael ei gwblhau yn ystod haf 2022. Mae hynny'n wych iawn, ond rydym yn gwybod am y niwed y mae'r gweithgareddau hyn yn ei wneud i rai o'r ardaloedd mwyaf sensitif. A gwn fod hyn yn anodd i bobl sy'n ymwneud â'r diwydiant pysgota, ond mewn gwirionedd, dyma un o'r meysydd y bydd yn rhaid inni wneud penderfyniad arno yn y pen draw mewn perthynas â'r dyhead i newid yr ardaloedd hyn yn ôl i'r hyn y gwyddom y dylent fod yn hytrach na'r hyn ydynt ar hyn o bryd, a sut y cânt eu difrodi.
Mae fy amser wedi dod i ben yn barod. Gofynnaf i chi'n benodol, felly, heb gyfeirio at fy nodiadau, i edrych ar fater tystiolaeth a data. Clywsom lawer o dystiolaeth dda yma. Dywedodd llawer o bobl nad ydym lle y dylem fod mewn perthynas â data a thystiolaeth, ac oni bai ein bod yn gallu gweld beth sydd yno yn y parth mawr glas o dan y tonnau, ac yn y blaen, bydd yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud yn gyfyngedig. Weinidog, mae hyn wedi bod yn mynd rhagddo ers dros ddegawd, ceisio dwyn ynghyd y sylfaen dystiolaeth. Gwn fod sensitifrwydd masnachol, ac wrth i fy mhum munud ddirwyn i ben, hoffwn ddweud yn syml, Weinidog, fod angen inni fynd ymhellach gyda'r strategaethau gwyddoniaeth forol a'r gwaith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i chwalu'r rhwystrau sy'n gysylltiedig â rhannu gwybodaeth rhwng y byd academaidd, buddiannau masnachol a Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru. Dylai pawb fod yn rhannu'r wybodaeth honno, hyd yn oed os yw'n ddienw, fel y gallwn fapio'r hyn sy'n digwydd allan yno ar hyn o bryd yn fwy cywir. Diolch yn fawr.
I'm pleased that the report has been tabled for debate today. Fifteen of the recommendations have been accepted, and five accepted in principle. That does sound good, but I'm afraid the marine sector could be described as being let down when considering the detail.
In response to recommendation 1, the Welsh Government has committed to report on the effectiveness of the Welsh national marine plan. However, the Marine Conservation Society are very correct in highlighting that you should confirm that the review will consider the need for a statutory spatial and holistic marine development plan. I think the Minister and the Senedd have heard me mention this a few times. What I'm very concerned about—and I think it's something that my colleague Huw Irranca has mentioned—is that we need progressive renewable energy, but we've got to look after our ecological systems as well. I am very worried about this ad hoc approach—that developers come in and they seem to identify where they want to develop, but how does that then sit within an overall plan, a strategic plan?
You've heard me speak about the need for a Welsh marine development plan on a number of occasions. Nonetheless, it is what we need. For example, RSPB Cymru highlighted a lack of a spatial component or development control policies, which means the existing plan does not embed strategic forward planning or seek to proactively address conflict, and that can then cause delays to schemes. So, I would be pleased if the Minister could explain why she's willing for her Deputy Minister to pursue strategic resource areas, but isn't prepared to create a detailed marine development plan.
Similarly, we need greater ambition on the measures being taken to protect the marine environment. Already, you have acknowledged that there are evidence gaps in relation to interaction between the technology and the environment. This is despite the Welsh national marine plan encouraging the sharing of evidence. As the committee said in our report on the Welsh Government's draft budget 2022-23, the lack of a robust evidence base to underpin development decisions means that there are inherent risks in ramping up this marine development.
Emily Williams of Wales Environment Link advises that developers collect huge amounts of marine data when they are developing projects, but that a lot of those are then often cited as being commercially sensitive. So, I hope, Minister, that you will agree with me that we do need to reach a point where marine development licences require pre and post-construction monitoring and information sharing, so that developers do make a greater contribution to the evidence base that underpins marine planning.
I was surprised recently to learn that the Gwynt y Môr scheme, and this came from our local fishermen, actually—. Thirteen species of fish disappeared, and there are five species of fish that have never returned, and that was years ago. So, we need to see progress with the designation of future MPAs too. Successive Welsh Governments have delayed on this, despite it being a tool to address the dual threats of the climate and nature crises. In fact, there is no doubt that the Welsh Government consultation in 2012 was a disaster. Clare Trotman referred to it—and Clare did work for the Marine Conservation Society—as failing. Sue Burton called it woefully inadequate, and Dr Richard Unsworth advised that the consultation had failed to look at the experience of successful marine parks and marine protected areas anywhere else around the world. So, while you have confirmed, in response to recommendation 16, that you aim to assess the MPA network, it would be helpful if you could provide a target date for the completion of this work.
An October 2020 report in The Guardian said that 97 per cent of UK offshore MPAs were subject to bottom trawling in 2019. Now, we have heard NRW claim that those headline statistics don't really apply to Wales, but that their comments were based on an anecdotal understanding. Now, that would set alarm bells off with me, when even NRW are informing us that they cannot reach clear conclusions as to what is actually happening in our Welsh waters. As I have said before, NRW does have—what do they call it—a poacher/gamekeeper role here, because they issue the marine licences, and then they're responsible for the enforcement, and I know that there are issues there. So, this issue cannot be ignored.
Finally, you will be aware that COP15 is on the horizon. So, I think it appropriate to conclude with a question as to whether the Minister considers the current approach to implementing the WNMP as putting the nature emergency on an equal footing to the climate emergency. Diolch.
Rwy'n falch fod yr adroddiad hwn wedi'i gyflwyno i'w drafod heddiw. Derbyniwyd 15 o'r argymhellion, a derbyniwyd pump mewn egwyddor. Mae hynny'n swnio'n dda, ond mae arnaf ofn y gellid dweud bod y sector morol yn cael cam wrth inni ystyried y manylion.
Mewn ymateb i argymhelliad 1, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i adrodd ar effeithiolrwydd cynllun morol cenedlaethol Cymru. Fodd bynnag, mae'r Gymdeithas Cadwraeth Forol yn gywir iawn yn pwysleisio y dylech gadarnhau y bydd yr adolygiad yn ystyried yr angen am gynllun datblygu morol gofodol a chyfannol statudol. Credaf fod y Gweinidog a'r Senedd wedi fy nghlywed yn sôn am hyn sawl gwaith. Yr hyn rwy'n pryderu'n fawr amdano—a chredaf ei fod yn rhywbeth y mae fy nghyd-Aelod, Huw Irranca, wedi'i grybwyll—yw ein bod angen ynni adnewyddadwy blaengar, ond rhaid inni ofalu am ein systemau ecolegol hefyd. Rwy'n poeni'n fawr am y dull ad hoc hwn o weithredu—fod datblygwyr yn dod i mewn ac mae'n ymddangos eu bod yn nodi lle maent eisiau datblygu, ond sut y mae hynny wedyn yn cymryd ei le mewn cynllun cyffredinol, cynllun strategol?
Rydych wedi fy nghlywed yn siarad am yr angen am gynllun datblygu morol i Gymru droeon. Serch hynny, dyna sydd ei angen arnom. Er enghraifft, tynnodd RSPB Cymru sylw at ddiffyg elfen ofodol neu bolisïau rheoli datblygu, sy'n golygu nad yw'r cynllun presennol yn ymgorffori blaengynlluniau strategol nac yn ceisio mynd i'r afael â gwrthdaro mewn modd rhagweithiol, a gall hynny wedyn achosi oedi i gynlluniau. Felly, byddwn yn falch pe gallai'r Gweinidog egluro pam ei bod yn fodlon i'w Dirprwy Weinidog fynd ar drywydd ardaloedd adnoddau strategol, ond nad yw'n barod i greu cynllun datblygu morol manwl.
Yn yr un modd, mae arnom angen mwy o uchelgais ar y camau sy'n cael eu cymryd i ddiogelu'r amgylchedd morol. Eisoes, rydych wedi cydnabod bod bylchau yn y dystiolaeth mewn perthynas â rhyngweithio rhwng y dechnoleg a'r amgylchedd. Mae hyn er gwaethaf y ffaith bod cynllun morol cenedlaethol Cymru yn annog rhannu tystiolaeth. Fel y dywedodd y pwyllgor yn ein hadroddiad ar gyllideb ddrafft Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer 2022-23, mae'r ffaith nad oes gennym sylfaen dystiolaeth gadarn i ategu penderfyniadau datblygu yn golygu bod risgiau cynhenid o ran cynyddu'r datblygiad morol hwn.
Mae Emily Williams o Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru yn dweud bod datblygwyr yn casglu llawer iawn o ddata morol wrth iddynt ddatblygu prosiectau, ond bod llawer ohono wedyn yn aml yn cael ei nodi fel deunydd masnachol sensitif. Felly, Weinidog, rwy'n gobeithio y byddwch yn cytuno bod angen inni gyrraedd pwynt lle mae trwyddedau datblygu morol angen eu monitro cyn ac ar ôl gwaith adeiladu a rhannu gwybodaeth, fel bod datblygwyr yn gwneud mwy o gyfraniad i'r sylfaen dystiolaeth sy'n sail i gynllunio morol.
Yn ddiweddar, synnais glywed bod cynllun Gwynt y Môr, a'n pysgotwyr lleol a ddywedodd hyn wrthym, mewn gwirionedd—. Diflannodd 13 rhywogaeth o bysgod, ac mae pum rhywogaeth o bysgod nad ydynt erioed wedi dychwelyd, ac roedd hynny flynyddoedd yn ôl. Felly, mae angen inni weld cynnydd ar ddynodi ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig yn y dyfodol hefyd. Mae un Lywodraeth ar ôl y llall yng Nghymru wedi oedi ar hyn, er gwaethaf y ffaith ei fod yn arf i fynd i'r afael â bygythiadau deuol yr argyfwng hinsawdd a'r argyfwng natur. Yn wir, nid oes amheuaeth nad oedd ymgynghoriad Llywodraeth Cymru yn 2012 yn drychineb. Cyfeiriodd Clare Trotman ato—a bu Clare yn gwneud gwaith i'r Gymdeithas Cadwraeth Forol—fel methiant. Galwodd Sue Burton ef yn druenus o annigonol, a dywedodd Dr Richard Unsworth fod yr ymgynghoriad wedi methu edrych ar brofiad parciau morol llwyddiannus ac ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig yn unman arall ledled y byd. Felly, er eich bod wedi cadarnhau, mewn ymateb i argymhelliad 16, eich bod yn bwriadu asesu'r rhwydwaith o ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig, byddai'n ddefnyddiol pe gallech ddarparu dyddiad targed ar gyfer cwblhau'r gwaith hwn.
Dywedodd adroddiad ym mis Hydref 2020 yn The Guardian fod treillrwydo môr-waelodol wedi digwydd yn 97 y cant o ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig alltraeth y DU yn 2019. Nawr, rydym wedi clywed Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn honni nad yw'r prif ystadegau hynny'n berthnasol i Gymru mewn gwirionedd, ond bod eu sylwadau'n seiliedig ar ddealltwriaeth anecdotaidd. Nawr, mae hynny'n peri pryder imi, pan fo hyd yn oed Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn ein hysbysu na allant ddod i gasgliadau clir ynglŷn â'r hyn sy'n digwydd mewn gwirionedd yn nyfroedd Cymru. Fel y dywedais o'r blaen, mae gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru—beth y maent yn ei alw—rôl potsiwr a chiper yma, oherwydd maent yn darparu'r trwyddedau morol, ac yna maent yn gyfrifol am orfodaeth, a gwn fod problemau yno. Felly, ni ellir anwybyddu'r mater hwn.
Yn olaf, fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod COP15 ar y gorwel. Felly, credaf ei bod yn briodol cloi gyda chwestiwn ynglŷn ag a yw'r Gweinidog o'r farn fod y dull presennol o weithredu cynllun morol cenedlaethol Cymru yn rhoi'r argyfwng natur ar yr un lefel â'r argyfwng hinsawdd. Diolch.
I'm really pleased to speak in this debate today, and I thank Llyr for his expert chairing, and my fellow committee members for bringing forward the report and the recommendations. There's a lot to unpack, but the clear message we received was about the need for the national marine plan to consider the cumulative impacts of developments. I think that the economy Minister's statement yesterday on offshore marine energy underlined how the Welsh Government is determined that economic benefits and renewable energy benefits should deliver environmental benefits too. So, I trust that that approach will guide the forthcoming review of the Welsh national marine plan.
I was part of the predecessor committee that looked into the management of marine protected areas in the previous Senedd. Five years on from that initial inquiry, our recommendation regarding the identification and designation of marine conservation zones remain broadly unaddressed—which the Welsh Government has acknowledged. So, I look forward to receiving updates on the next phase of the work in the coming months. But I would welcome some clarity on what a marine conservation zone is. What happens within it? What can't possibly happen within it? There seems to be a lot of conflicting messages on that front. One of them, clearly, going forward, is going to be the licensing of renewable energy. So, we really need some clarity there.
I want to turn to blue carbon. I wouldn't miss an opportunity, of course, to talk about blue carbon. Our sea grass, saltmarsh and seaweed habitats, and all the carbon that is stored and absorbed by the Welsh marine environment is far more than that which is stored in our woodlands or on land. And there was a distressing story, wasn't there, about Bangor University laying sea grass and then someone coming along and destroying it in a very short time. So, maybe that fits with my earlier question about what is a marine protected zone.
I'm very pleased that the Welsh Government has accepted the recommendation to explore how our blue carbon habitats can be maintained and enhanced. The Minister cites the nature networks programme as a mechanism through which to do that, so it would be very useful to have an update on that programme soon. I'm also looking forward to an update on the shared blue carbon evidence plan, and I understand that's currently under development.
Finally, we did ask the Government to set out the purpose and timeline for the public consultation on dredging and bottom trawling in Welsh MPAs. I note the Petitions Committee recently considered a plea to 'Stop bulldozing our seas!' and I certainly sympathise with the petitioner's view. The Minister has accepted the recommendation, which is good news, but the timescales seem to be just a little bit hazy. Again, I should say that I've sat on previous Senedd committees that urged progress on this matter. I recall a draft consultation on towed gear in 2018. But to me there is something fundamentally wrong with being able to drag anything along the sea bed, taking out everything that exists there. And I'm sure, if this happened on land, if we went along just bulldozing the land and everybody could see it, there would be uproar, and I'm just concerned that people aren't at all in any way understanding what sea dredging really means and the damage that it does. So, I'd be grateful for a specific commitment and timeline on that. Thank you.
Rwy'n falch iawn o siarad yn y ddadl hon heddiw, a diolch i Llyr am ei gadeiryddiaeth arbenigol, a fy nghyd-aelodau ar y pwyllgor am gyflwyno'r adroddiad a'r argymhellion. Mae llawer i'w drafod, ond roedd y neges glir a gawsom yn ymwneud â'r angen i'r cynllun morol cenedlaethol ystyried effeithiau cronnol datblygiadau. Credaf fod datganiad Gweinidog yr Economi ddoe ar ynni morol alltraeth yn tanlinellu sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn credu y dylai manteision economaidd a manteision ynni adnewyddadwy ddarparu manteision amgylcheddol hefyd. Felly, hyderaf y bydd y dull hwnnw'n llywio'r adolygiad sydd ar y ffordd o gynllun morol cenedlaethol Cymru.
Roeddwn yn rhan o'r pwyllgor blaenorol a fu'n ymchwilio i reoli ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig yn y Senedd flaenorol. Bum mlynedd ers yr ymchwiliad cychwynnol hwnnw, at ei gilydd mae ein hargymhelliad ynghylch nodi a dynodi parthau cadwraeth morol yn dal i fod heb gael sylw—ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cydnabod hynny. Felly, edrychaf ymlaen at gael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gam nesaf y gwaith yn ystod y misoedd nesaf. Ond byddwn yn croesawu rhywfaint o eglurder ynghylch beth yw parth cadwraeth morol. Beth sy'n digwydd ynddo? Beth na all ddigwydd ynddo? Mae'n ymddangos bod llawer o negeseuon croes yn hynny o beth. Mae'n amlwg mai un ohonynt, wrth symud ymlaen, fydd trwyddedu ynni adnewyddadwy. Felly, mae gwir angen rhywfaint o eglurder arnom yn hynny o beth.
Rwyf am droi at garbon glas. Ni fyddwn yn colli cyfle, wrth gwrs, i siarad am garbon glas. Mae ein cynefinoedd morwellt, morfa heli a gwymon, a'r holl garbon sy'n cael ei storio a'i amsugno gan amgylchedd morol Cymru yn llawer mwy na'r hyn sy'n cael ei storio yn ein coetiroedd a'n tir. Ac roedd yna stori ofidus, onid oedd, am Brifysgol Bangor yn gosod morwellt a bod rhywun wedi ei ddinistrio mewn cyfnod byr iawn. Felly, efallai fod hynny'n cyd-fynd â fy nghwestiwn cynharach ynglŷn â beth yw parth morol gwarchodedig.
Rwy'n falch iawn fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi derbyn yr argymhelliad i archwilio sut y gellir cynnal a gwella ein cynefinoedd carbon glas. Mae'r Gweinidog yn cyfeirio at y rhaglen rhwydweithiau natur fel dull o wneud hynny, felly byddai'n ddefnyddiol iawn cael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y rhaglen honno'n fuan. Rwyf hefyd yn edrych ymlaen at gael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y cynllun tystiolaeth carbon glas a rennir, a deallaf fod hwnnw'n cael ei ddatblygu ar hyn o bryd.
Yn olaf, gofynnwyd i'r Llywodraeth nodi diben ac amserlen yr ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus ar lusgrwydo a threillrwydo môr-waelodol yn ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig Cymru. Sylwaf fod y Pwyllgor Deisebau wedi ystyried ymgyrch 'Rhowch y gorau i chwalu ein moroedd!' yn ddiweddar ac rwy'n sicr yn cydymdeimlo â barn y deisebydd. Mae'r Gweinidog wedi derbyn yr argymhelliad, sy'n newyddion da, ond mae'n ymddangos bod yr amserlenni braidd yn niwlog. Unwaith eto, dylwn ddweud fy mod wedi eistedd ar bwyllgorau blaenorol y Senedd a fu'n annog cynnydd ar y mater hwn. Cofiaf ymgynghoriad drafft ar gêr llusg yn 2018. Ond i mi mae rhywbeth yn sylfaenol anghywir mewn gallu llusgo unrhyw beth ar hyd gwely'r môr, gan ddinistrio popeth sy'n bodoli yno. Ac rwy'n siŵr, pe bai hyn yn digwydd ar dir, pe baem yn dinistrio tir a bod pawb yn ei weld yn digwydd, byddai pobl yn gandryll, ac rwy'n pryderu nad yw pobl yn deall o gwbl beth mae llusgrwydo môr yn ei olygu mewn gwirionedd a'r niwed y mae'n ei wneud. Felly, byddwn yn ddiolchgar am ymrwymiad ac amserlen benodol mewn perthynas â hynny. Diolch.
I welcome the report from the committee and thank them for all their work, and important work it is, as we move forward, because due to Wales's predominantly coastal geography, the marine sector is a huge contributor to the Welsh economy. Marine policy has a direct impact on people's livelihoods as well as on wildlife and ecosystems—many, often conflicting, demands on Wales's seas and coasts. The marine environment is used to secure clean renewable energy, sustainable food and for recreational purposes, as well as being crucial to Wales's biodiversity. For this reason, it is essential that the Welsh Government prioritises marine policy and gets the policy right, as well as ensures that it is protected and the biodiversity of our seas is protected.
Renewable energy is vital, and a growing sector, and is key in delivering on our commitment to addressing the climate and nature emergencies. However, it presents both opportunities and risks when not planned for comprehensively. Potential impacts to marine animals from marine developments include wildlife collision, disturbance, marine noise, habitat loss and loss of access to preferred feeding grounds. Any decisions on renewable development in Welsh seas should recognise that we are in a marine nature crisis and that marine wildlife has for too long been out of sight and out of mind.
In my view, and in the view of many others, up until now the Welsh Government has sadly failed to deliver upon its legal duty to achieve good environment status of marine habitats and species. Marine biodiversity continues to decline, and many marine protected areas are in unfavourable conditions. Admittedly, and to be fair, this is true of governments across the globe, but it is a particular sticking point for us Members who are species champions for marine wildlife—I, myself, being the species champion for the basking shark. It does boil down to this, in my view: the marine renewable sector is currently being driven by unencumbered market forces, resulting in incremental applications. As Welsh seas become more crowded, the marine planning system must operate at a strategic level to guide the siting of developments away from the most ecologically sensitive areas, as well as minimise the cumulative impacts on vulnerable habitats and species, and provide greater certainty to developers in the long term.
I welcome the recommendations made by the committee and I'd like to also echo as well some of the Marine Conservation Society's additional recommendations. Those include the Welsh national marine plan review, considering the need for a statutory marine development plan to complement the existing efforts the Welsh Government is taking to implement a more holistic approach. Furthermore, the deep dive must take into consideration the impacts of human activities on the marine environment and consider the interactions between all elements of the Welsh Government's marine work programme, for example fishing and marine planning, and not report on these elements in isolation. And finally, we need the Welsh Government to deliver a marine protected areas strategy that should include clear management actions for the existing network and, where feasible, any sites considered in the forthcoming MCZ process.
And one final point before I close, Dirprwy Lywydd: we can't tackle the climate crisis unless we have a healthy marine environment. That means finding cleaner ways of producing energy, not polluting the marine environment, and protecting its biodiversity. All life came from the sea, but life can't flourish without it. Again, thank you to the committee for its work and I genuinely look forward to seeing where the Government takes this.
Rwy'n croesawu'r adroddiad gan y pwyllgor a diolch iddynt am eu holl waith, ac mae'n waith pwysig iawn, wrth inni symud ymlaen, oherwydd yn sgil y ffaith bod daearyddiaeth Cymru yn arfordirol gan fwyaf, mae'r sector morol yn cyfrannu'n helaeth at economi Cymru. Mae polisi morol yn cael effaith uniongyrchol ar fywoliaeth pobl yn ogystal ag ar fywyd gwyllt ac ecosystemau—ac mae llawer o'r galwadau mewn perthynas â moroedd ac arfordiroedd Cymru yn aml yn gwrthdaro. Defnyddir yr amgylchedd morol i sicrhau ynni adnewyddadwy glân, bwyd cynaliadwy yn ogystal ag at ddibenion hamdden, ac mae'n hanfodol i fioamrywiaeth Cymru. Am y rheswm hwn, mae'n hanfodol fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn blaenoriaethu polisi morol ac yn cael y polisi'n iawn, yn ogystal â sicrhau ei fod yn cael ei ddiogelu a bod bioamrywiaeth ein moroedd yn cael ei diogelu.
Mae ynni adnewyddadwy yn hanfodol, mae'n sector sy'n tyfu, ac mae'n allweddol i gyflawni ein hymrwymiad i fynd i'r afael â'r argyfyngau hinsawdd a natur. Fodd bynnag, mae'n creu risgiau yn ogystal â chyfleoedd pan na chynllunnir ar eu cyfer yn gynhwysfawr. Mae effeithiau posibl datblygiadau morol ar anifeiliaid morol yn cynnwys gwrthdrawiadau bywyd gwyllt, aflonyddwch, sŵn morol, colli cynefinoedd a cholli mynediad at dir bwydo a ffefrir. Dylai unrhyw benderfyniadau ar ddatblygu adnewyddadwy ym moroedd Cymru gydnabod ein bod mewn argyfwng natur morol a bod bywyd gwyllt y môr wedi cael ei anwybyddu ers gormod o amser.
Yn fy marn i, ac ym marn llawer o bobl eraill, hyd yma, mae Llywodraeth Cymru, yn anffodus, wedi methu cyflawni ei dyletswydd gyfreithiol i sicrhau statws amgylcheddol da i gynefinoedd a rhywogaethau morol. Mae bioamrywiaeth forol yn parhau i ddirywio, ac mae llawer o ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig mewn cyflwr anffafriol. Rhaid cyfaddef, i fod yn deg, fod hyn yn wir am lywodraethau ledled y byd, ond mae iddo bwysigrwydd penodol i ni'r Aelodau sy'n hyrwyddwyr rhywogaethau bywyd gwyllt morol—er enghraifft, fi yw'r hyrwyddwr rhywogaethau ar gyfer yr heulgi. Yn y pen draw, yn fy marn i, mae'r sector ynni adnewyddadwy morol yn cael ei lywio gan rymoedd dilyffethair y farchnad ar hyn o bryd, gan arwain at geisiadau cynyddrannol. Wrth i foroedd Cymru fynd yn fwy gorlawn, rhaid i'r system cynllunio morol weithredu ar lefel strategol i lywio'r gwaith o leoli datblygiadau i ffwrdd o'r ardaloedd mwyaf sensitif yn ecolegol, yn ogystal â lleihau'r effeithiau cronnol ar gynefinoedd a rhywogaethau sy'n agored i niwed, a darparu mwy o sicrwydd i ddatblygwyr yn hirdymor.
Rwy'n croesawu'r argymhellion a wnaed gan y pwyllgor a hoffwn hefyd ategu rhai o argymhellion ychwanegol y Gymdeithas Cadwraeth Forol. Mae'r rheini'n cynnwys adolygiad o gynllun morol cenedlaethol Cymru, gan ystyried yr angen am gynllun datblygu morol statudol i ategu'r ymdrechion presennol gan Lywodraeth Cymru i weithredu dull mwy cyfannol. At hynny, rhaid i'r archwiliad dwfn ystyried effeithiau gweithgareddau dynol ar yr amgylchedd morol ac ystyried y rhyngweithio rhwng pob elfen o raglen waith forol Llywodraeth Cymru, er enghraifft pysgota a chynllunio morol, a pheidio ag adrodd ar yr elfennau hyn ar wahân. Ac yn olaf, mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru gyflawni strategaeth ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig a ddylai gynnwys camau rheoli clir ar gyfer y rhwydwaith presennol a lle bo'n ymarferol, unrhyw safleoedd a ystyrir ym mhroses y parthau cadwraeth morol sydd ar y ffordd.
Ac un pwynt olaf cyn imi ddirwyn i ben, Ddirprwy Lywydd: ni allwn fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng hinsawdd oni bai bod gennym amgylchedd morol iach. Mae hynny'n golygu dod o hyd i ffyrdd glanach o gynhyrchu ynni, peidio â llygru'r amgylchedd morol, a diogelu ei fioamrywiaeth. Daeth pob bywyd o'r môr, ond ni all bywyd ffynnu hebddo. Unwaith eto, diolch i'r pwyllgor am ei waith ac edrychaf ymlaen yn fawr at weld lle bydd y Llywodraeth yn mynd â hyn.
Galwaf ar y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd, Julie James.
I call on the Minister for Climate Change, Julie James.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd just also like to add my voice to thanking members of the committee and particularly the Chair for the review and the recent focus on the marine environment, absolutely recognising the vital role it plays in tackling both the climate and the nature emergencies. And just to say, Llyr, I think you did an amazing job of getting through what you got through in a short amount of time, and it's been really valuable to us that the committee does that work for us. They can collect a lot of evidence that will help inform our process. So, I'm genuinely really grateful for the work of the committee.
To state the sort of blindingly obvious, our seas are a priceless natural asset, and I absolutely am fully committed to seas that are clean, safe, productive and biologically diverse for future generations to enjoy. As all Members have pointed out, resilient seas play a vital role in addressing the climate change and nature emergencies, and I very much welcome this report and the debate we're having today.
Despite Llyr's evident disappointment, the Welsh Government's written response was absolutely trying to reflect the positive spirit in which we received the report, and our commitment in continuing to develop our marine policies and strengthen our approach. The committee highlighted the growing potential for marine renewable energy in particular, and many Members have highlighted it, and I absolutely agree that it's very important to get that sweet spot of balance between development and conservation and to ensure that all the developments in the sea are fit for purpose and enhance, where at all possible, both biodiversity and the environment that they find themselves within. So, I absolutely—[Interruption.]—certainly, Huw.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Hoffwn innau hefyd ddiolch i aelodau'r pwyllgor ac yn enwedig i'r Cadeirydd am yr adolygiad a'r ffocws diweddar ar yr amgylchedd morol, gan gydnabod yn llwyr y rôl hanfodol y mae'n ei chwarae wrth fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng hinsawdd a'r argyfwng natur. Ac os caf ddweud, Llyr, rwy'n credu eich bod wedi gwneud gwaith anhygoel o fynd drwy'r hyn a wnaethoch mewn amser byr, ac mae wedi bod yn werthfawr iawn i ni fod y pwyllgor yn gwneud y gwaith hwnnw i ni. Gallant gasglu llawer o dystiolaeth a fydd yn helpu i lywio ein proses. Felly, rwy'n wirioneddol ddiolchgar am waith y pwyllgor.
Yn amlwg, mae ein moroedd yn ased naturiol amhrisiadwy, ac rwyf wedi ymrwymo'n llwyr i foroedd sy'n lân, yn ddiogel, yn gynhyrchiol ac yn fiolegol amrywiol i genedlaethau'r dyfodol eu mwynhau. Fel y mae pob Aelod wedi'i ddweud, mae moroedd iach yn chwarae rhan hanfodol wrth fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng hinsawdd a'r argyfwng natur, ac rwy'n croesawu'r adroddiad hwn a'r ddadl a gawn heddiw.
Er gwaethaf siom amlwg Llyr, roedd ymateb ysgrifenedig Llywodraeth Cymru yn bendant yn ceisio adlewyrchu'r un ysbryd cadarnhaol ag y gwnaethom dderbyn yr adroddiad ynddo, a'n hymrwymiad i barhau i ddatblygu ein polisïau morol a chryfhau ein dull o weithredu. Tynnodd y pwyllgor sylw at y potensial cynyddol ar gyfer ynni adnewyddadwy morol yn enwedig, ac mae llawer o'r Aelodau wedi tynnu sylw ato, ac rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr ei bod yn bwysig iawn cael y cydbwysedd perffaith hwnnw rhwng datblygu a chadwraeth a sicrhau bod yr holl ddatblygiadau yn y môr yn addas i'r diben ac yn gwella bioamrywiaeth a'r amgylchedd y maent ynddo, lle bynnag y bo hynny'n bosibl. Felly, rwy'n hollol—[Torri ar draws.]—yn sicr, Huw.
Could I genuinely on a note of optimism say we are a world away from where we were 12 or 15 years ago? We actually have in place now all the things that are referred to in this report that the Welsh Government is working on—the marine planning, the ambition to deliver marine conservation zones, to have that balance rightly done to develop the evidence et cetera. So, there's a note of optimism there, but would she agree with me that, actually, this is the moment, when faced with both the cost-of-living crisis with runaway prices where we need to deal with renewables, and also a biodiversity crisis and a climate crisis—this is the moment where Wales could actually be the leader, take all those things we've had in place for a decade, and actually really bed them down, and show the UK, actually, what we can do here in Wales?
Ar nodyn cadarnhaol, a gaf fi ddweud o ddifrif ein bod ymhell iawn o lle roeddem 12 neu 15 mlynedd yn ôl? Mae'r holl bethau y cyfeirir atynt yn yr adroddiad hwn bellach ar waith gennym ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio arnynt—y cynlluniau morol, yr uchelgais i ddarparu parthau cadwraeth morol, i daro'r cydbwysedd priodol ar gyfer datblygu'r dystiolaeth ac yn y blaen. Felly, mae nodyn cadarnhaol yno, ond a fyddai'n cytuno â mi mai dyma'r adeg, mewn gwirionedd, a ninnau'n wynebu'r argyfwng costau byw, gyda phrisiau cynyddol, pan fo angen inni ymdrin ag ynni adnewyddadwy, a hefyd argyfwng bioamrywiaeth ac argyfwng hinsawdd—dyma'r adeg y gallai Cymru fod yn arweinydd mewn gwirionedd, cymryd yr holl bethau hynny sydd wedi bod ar waith gennym ers degawd a'u gwreiddio go iawn, a dangos i'r DU beth y gallwn ei wneud yma yng Nghymru mewn gwirionedd?
I'm never going to avoid the opportunity to do that, Huw, so I very much hope we will be able to do that.
Just to digress from my script just for a moment, I was giving evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee this morning about the grid and the energy network for Wales, and one of the real frustrations for us is not to have all the levers that we need. So, encouraging the UK Government to work with our distribution network operators, in particular the transmission operators for energy, to translate the jargon, to make sure that the onshoring of energy in the Celtic sea, for example, comes onshore in the right way, enhances our coastal communities and then helps us with our energy network through Wales. It will be absolutely pivotal to that, so we're working closely with the UK Government and with the Crown Estate.
I was making again the point this morning about the need for devolution of the Crown Estate in order to get the levers in place for us to be able to make sure that we have that balance between the planning. So, the committee asked me this morning if it was about the revenue, and I said, 'Well, of course the revenue would be lovely', but actually it's much more about having control of the planning levers to make sure that we can get the rounds of leasing and licensing quite right for Wales in exactly the right place, in exactly the right way. So, I think that's an important intervention, Huw, which allowed me to make that point.
Coming back to my script, we do actually have, of course, as everyone has acknowledged, the Wales national marine plan, and it is the first time—I introduced it in 2019—that we've had that strategic policy framework to guide the sustainable management of our seas. I agree with everyone who's set out the need for a spatial plan for Wales for the seas. Everyone will know that I'm very keen on spatial planning for land, and the sea is no exception. The fact that we can't see what's going on underneath it makes it all the more important that we have that kind of strategic plan.
So, the plan sets a framework for development that respects the environment and already established activity and it sets an agenda to secure lasting benefit from the opportunities. Our focus is on implementing the plan and, later this year, I will lay the first three-year annual report on the performance of the plan. To ensure a range of voices are heard, we are currently undertaking a stakeholder survey to inform the report that reports on the plan for that first three years. It's obviously been a very odd three years, with the pandemic and everything else, so I hope we'll be able to build on that.
Taking that spatial approach to marine planning, including identification of strategic resource areas, will help guide the right development to the right place, supporting our ambition for a thriving marine biodiversity alongside those renewables. And as everyone has said, the urgency of addressing climate change is clear; nobody is arguing with that. The deep dive into renewable energy reaffirmed our commitment to developing sustainable renewable marine energy.
I've just started the biodiversity deep dive, which will be looking at the whole issue of what protection means—so, the point that Joyce Watson made about what does it actually mean, a 'marine protection zone' or a 'marine conservation zone' or a 'highly protected marine area'? What does that actually mean? Does that mean that you can or can't do certain things in it? What does it mean for bottom trawling and so on? So, the review will be helping me to come to some conclusions on that. We will obviously need to take our stakeholders along with us. We've tried before; we really didn't get it right last time. It's important to get those communities on board as part of this and to make sure they understand it.
Ni wnaf osgoi'r cyfle i wneud hynny byth, Huw, felly rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr y byddwn yn gallu gwneud hynny.
Gan grwydro o fy sgript am eiliad, roeddwn yn rhoi tystiolaeth i'r Pwyllgor Materion Cymreig y bore yma am y grid a rhwydwaith ynni Cymru, ac un o'r rhwystredigaethau gwirioneddol i ni yw nad yw'r holl ddulliau sydd eu hangen arnom yn ein dwylo ni. Felly, annog Llywodraeth y DU i weithio gyda'n gweithredwyr rhwydwaith dosbarthu, yn enwedig y gweithredwyr trosglwyddo ynni, i gyfieithu'r jargon, i wneud yn siŵr fod yr ynni sy'n dod o'r môr Celtaidd, er enghraifft, yn dod i'r tir yn y ffordd gywir, yn gwella ein cymunedau arfordirol ac yna'n ein helpu gyda'n rhwydwaith ynni drwy Gymru. Bydd yn gwbl ganolog i hynny, felly rydym yn gweithio'n agos gyda Llywodraeth y DU a chydag Ystad y Goron.
Roeddwn yn gwneud y pwynt eto y bore yma am yr angen i ddatganoli Ystad y Goron er mwyn cael y dulliau ar waith inni allu sicrhau bod y cydbwysedd hwnnw gennym mewn perthynas â chynllunio. Felly, gofynnodd y pwyllgor imi y bore yma a oedd yn ymwneud â'r refeniw, a dywedais, 'Wel, wrth gwrs, byddai'r refeniw'n hyfryd', ond mewn gwirionedd mae'n ymwneud lawer mwy â chael rheolaeth dros y dulliau cynllunio i allu sicrhau bod y rowndiau lesio a thrwyddedu yn hollol iawn i Gymru yn yr union le iawn, yn yr union ffordd gywir. Felly, rwy'n credu bod hwnnw'n ymyriad pwysig, Huw, i ganiatáu imi wneud y pwynt hwnnw.
I ddychwelyd at fy sgript, fel y mae pawb wedi'i gydnabod wrth gwrs, mae gennym gynllun morol cenedlaethol Cymru, a dyma'r tro cyntaf—fe'i cyflwynais yn 2019—i ni fod â'r fframwaith polisi strategol hwnnw i lywio'r gwaith o reoli ein moroedd yn gynaliadwy. Rwy'n cytuno â phawb sydd wedi nodi'r angen am gynllun gofodol i Gymru ar gyfer y moroedd. Bydd pawb yn gwybod fy mod yn hoff iawn o gynlluniau gofodol ar gyfer tir, ac nid yw'r môr yn eithriad. Mae'r ffaith na allwn weld beth sy'n digwydd oddi tano'n golygu ei bod yn bwysicach fyth fod gennym y math hwnnw o gynllun strategol.
Felly, mae'r cynllun yn gosod fframwaith ar gyfer datblygu sy'n parchu'r amgylchedd a gweithgarwch sydd eisoes wedi'i sefydlu ac mae'n gosod agenda i sicrhau budd parhaol o'r cyfleoedd. Mae ein ffocws ar weithredu'r cynllun ac yn ddiweddarach eleni, byddaf yn cyflwyno'r adroddiad blynyddol tair blynedd cyntaf ar berfformiad y cynllun. Er mwyn sicrhau bod amrywiaeth o leisiau'n cael eu clywed, rydym wrthi'n cynnal arolwg rhanddeiliaid i lywio'r adroddiad sy'n adrodd ar y cynllun ar gyfer y tair blynedd gyntaf. Yn amlwg, mae wedi bod yn dair blynedd ryfedd iawn, gyda'r pandemig a phopeth arall, felly rwy'n gobeithio y byddwn yn gallu adeiladu ar hynny.
Bydd mabwysiadu'r dull gofodol hwnnw o gynllunio morol, gan gynnwys nodi ardaloedd adnoddau strategol, yn helpu i lywio'r datblygiad cywir i'r lle cywir, gan gefnogi ein huchelgais ar gyfer bioamrywiaeth forol ffyniannus ochr yn ochr â'r ffynonellau ynni adnewyddadwy hynny. Ac fel y dywedodd pawb, mae'r brys i fynd i'r afael â newid hinsawdd yn glir; nid oes neb yn dadlau ynghylch hynny. Mae'r archwiliad dwfn i ynni adnewyddadwy wedi ailbwysleisio ein hymrwymiad i ddatblygu ynni morol adnewyddadwy cynaliadwy.
Rwyf newydd ddechrau'r archwiliad dwfn i fioamrywiaeth a fydd yn edrych ar yr hyn y mae diogelu'n ei olygu—felly, y pwynt a wnaeth Joyce Watson am yr hyn y mae'n ei olygu mewn gwirionedd, 'parth diogelwch morol' neu 'barth cadwraeth morol' neu 'ardal forol warchodedig iawn'? Beth y mae hynny'n ei olygu mewn gwirionedd? A yw hynny'n golygu y gallwch ac na allwch wneud pethau penodol ynddynt? Beth y mae'n ei olygu ar gyfer treillrwydo môr-waelodol ac yn y blaen? Felly, bydd yr adolygiad yn fy helpu i ddod i rai casgliadau ar hynny. Yn amlwg, bydd angen inni ddod â'n rhanddeiliaid gyda ni. Rydym wedi rhoi cynnig arni o'r blaen; ni wnaethom lwyddo i'w gael yn iawn o gwbl y tro diwethaf. Mae'n bwysig bod y cymunedau hynny'n rhan o hyn ac mae'n bwysig sicrhau eu bod yn ei ddeall.
Thank you for giving way. Really, really quickly—it's a proper debate here—just two things: one is, in taking stakeholders with you, don't be afraid of actually being radical as well. The Lyme Bay issue is quite an instructive one. It was totally contested, but it led to massive replenishment of nature, and the fishermen now like it because of what it's done. So, please don't be afraid of doing that in taking stakeholders along.
Diolch am ildio. Yn gryno iawn—mae'n ddadl go iawn yma—dau beth: un yw, wrth ddod â rhanddeiliaid gyda chi, peidiwch â bod ofn bod yn radical hefyd. Mae mater Lyme Bay yn un eithaf addysgiadol. Cafodd ei wrthwynebu'n llwyr, ond arweiniodd at adfer byd natur ar raddfa aruthrol, ac mae'r pysgotwyr bellach yn ei hoffi oherwydd yr hyn y mae wedi'i wneud. Felly, peidiwch ag ofni gwneud hynny wrth ddod â rhanddeiliaid gyda chi.
I'm not renowned for being afraid of that kind of thing, Huw.[Laughter.] So, I don't think I'll start any time soon.
By 'taking them with us', I mean making sure that everyone fully understands the implications of what we're proposing and doesn't regard them as a negative to be fought, but actually as something to get on board with to enhance their own particular economic status and actually their own particular need to have the seas and their coastal communities be the way we'd all like them to be. So, I'm sure we can get those stakeholders on board. It's not just fishermen either; it’s a lot of other people that we need to talk to. Lots of fisherfolk have a full appreciation of this.
And then, just to accelerate, as the Deputy Llywydd is going to cut me off in my prime otherwise, events in Ukraine have clearly reinforced the need for a resilient energy supply, and green energy is clearly a hugely important part of that. I was delighted that the committee recognised our efforts in addressing the barriers to that development.
We’re also commissioning an independent review of the marine licensing process, as part of the deep dive follow-up, to improve the customer experience, ensuring works progress as effectively as they can, that it's agile for future demand. The review is under way. Part of that review is to make sure that, in deploying marine energy, we actually get cameras and so on out there to get the data that we need live on the ground so that we can continue to replenish our data source, rather than waiting until we've got it until we can do anything. So, I’m really keen to do that; happy to update Members as that goes ahead.
The next revision of the marine evidence strategy will set out how we can work even closer with the industry to make those kinds of provisions very much part of the licensing regime and make sure that the existing evidence is improved through data sharing. Huw Irranca and a number of other Members highlighted the need for that kind of data sharing all the way through. That robust evidence is critical to our planned strategies and policy decisions and I absolutely accept that action is needed to improve that evidence base. Just to be really clear, Llyr, we absolutely do accept that. We’re not complacent in any way. We’re working with a range of partners to identify and fill the evidence gaps that we know exist.
We have marine protected areas—139 of them; 50 per cent of all Welsh waters—long-term frameworks in place. The UK marine strategy and nature networks programme are important tools for understanding this as well. But, as Joyce Watson and others highlighted: what does that mean? The deep dive will be looking at that with me: what does it mean, a 'marine protected area'? What can you do and not do?
I’m also doing the deep dive overall. Thirty per cent of our land and sea by 2030 should be in good condition. We had a discussion during questions earlier on that Delyth started on that, and I think we’re all in the same place there.
We are supporting the MPA network with a management framework supported grant scheme, which includes blue carbon potential, climate change on protected features and a bilingual app called Wales Coast Explorer to inform and help plan visits to the marine environment. I've also allocated budget to fund five actions this year, including the development of citizen science programmes to help identify non-native species and further research to understand pressures the network faces, particularly marine litter, particularly plastic pollution. I hope many of you are doing the Big Plastic Count that's under way at the moment—I certainly am. We want to be—. Following the success of the first year collecting recycling—1.2 tonnes of end-of-life fishing gear; extraordinary success—we want to continue that scheme and spread it out to all the ports in Wales as fast as we possibly can. It reduces the risk of gear lost at sea potentially harming the environment, and we've all seen the terrible photographs of wildlife caught up in that.
We absolutely agree as well that we want to accelerate the review of so-called bottom trawling. That's clearly fundamental and I'm not putting that off at all; I absolutely see the need for that. And that will be part of this issue about what can you or can't you do in particular bits of the sea and so on. We'll also be setting out ambitions for a marine conservation zone designation process as part of the MPA network—again, what does that mean, how does it enhance resilience?
And then, turning just lastly, Dirprwy Lywydd—I know I'm testing your patience—
Nid wyf yn enwog am ofni'r math yna o beth, Huw. [Chwerthin.] Felly, nid wyf yn credu fy mod am ddechrau yn awr.
Yr hyn rwy'n ei olygu wrth ddweud 'dod â hwy gyda ni' yw sicrhau bod pawb yn deall goblygiadau'r hyn rydym yn ei gynnig yn iawn, ac nad ydynt yn eu hystyried yn rhywbeth negyddol i ymladd yn ei erbyn, ond yn rhywbeth i'w gefnogi er mwyn gwella eu statws economaidd eu hunain a'u hangen penodol eu hunain i sicrhau bod y moroedd a'u cymunedau arfordirol yn y cyflwr yr hoffai pob un ohonom iddynt fod. Felly, rwy'n siŵr y gallwn gael cefnogaeth y rhanddeiliaid hynny. Nid pysgotwyr yn unig ychwaith; mae angen inni siarad â llawer o bobl eraill. Mae llawer o bysgotwyr yn gwerthfawrogi hyn yn llwyr.
Ac yna, i gyflymu, gan fod y Dirprwy Lywydd yn mynd i dorri ar fy nhraws yn fy anterth fel arall, mae digwyddiadau yn Wcráin yn amlwg wedi atgyfnerthu'r angen am gyflenwad ynni cadarn, ac mae ynni gwyrdd yn amlwg yn rhan hynod bwysig o hynny. Roeddwn yn falch iawn fod y pwyllgor wedi cydnabod ein hymdrechion i fynd i’r afael â’r rhwystrau i’r datblygiad hwnnw.
Rydym hefyd yn comisiynu adolygiad annibynnol o'r broses drwyddedu morol, fel rhan o'r archwiliad dwfn dilynol, i wella profiad y cwsmer, gan sicrhau bod y gwaith yn mynd rhagddo mor effeithiol â phosibl, ei fod yn hyblyg ar gyfer y galw yn y dyfodol. Mae'r adolygiad wedi dechrau. Mae rhan o'r adolygiad hwnnw'n ymwneud â sicrhau, wrth ddefnyddio ynni’r môr, ein bod yn anfon camerâu ac ati allan i gasglu'r data sydd ei angen arnom yn y fan a'r lle fel y gallwn barhau i ailgyflenwi ein ffynhonnell ddata, yn hytrach nag aros tan y bydd y data gennym cyn gallu gwneud unrhyw beth. Felly, rwy’n awyddus iawn i wneud hynny; rwy'n fwy na pharod i roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i’r Aelodau wrth i hynny fynd rhagddo.
Bydd yr adolygiad nesaf o'r strategaeth tystiolaeth forol yn nodi sut y gallwn weithio hyd yn oed yn agosach gyda’r diwydiant i wneud y mathau hynny o ddarpariaethau'n rhan bendant o’r gyfundrefn drwyddedu, a sicrhau bod y dystiolaeth bresennol yn cael ei gwella drwy rannu data. Tynnodd Huw Irranca a nifer o Aelodau eraill sylw at yr angen i rannu data yn y ffordd honno drwy gydol y gwaith. Mae’r dystiolaeth gadarn honno’n hollbwysig i’r penderfyniadau polisi a'r strategaethau a gynlluniwyd gennym, ac rwy’n derbyn yn llwyr fod angen gweithredu i wella’r sylfaen dystiolaeth honno. Er eglurder, Llyr, rydym yn derbyn hynny'n llwyr. Nid ydym yn hunanfodlon mewn unrhyw ffordd. Rydym yn gweithio gydag ystod o bartneriaid i nodi a llenwi'r bylchau yn y dystiolaeth y gwyddom eu bod yn bodoli.
Mae gennym fframweithiau hirdymor ar waith ar gyfer ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig—139 ohonynt; 50 y cant o holl ddyfroedd Cymru. Mae rhaglen rhwydweithiau natur a strategaeth forol y DU yn arfau pwysig ar gyfer deall hyn hefyd. Ond fel y nododd Joyce Watson ac eraill: beth y mae hynny'n ei olygu? Bydd yr archwiliad dwfn yn edrych ar hynny gyda mi: beth y mae'n ei olygu, 'ardal forol warchodedig'? Beth y gallwch ei wneud a beth na allwch ei wneud?
Rwyf hefyd yn cynnal yr archwiliad dwfn cyffredinol. Dylai 30 y cant o'n tir a'n môr fod mewn cyflwr da erbyn 2030. Cawsom drafodaeth ar hynny a gychwynnwyd gan Delyth yn ystod y cwestiynau yn gynharach, a chredaf fod pob un ohonom o'r un farn mewn perthynas â hynny.
Rydym yn cefnogi rhwydwaith yr ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig gyda chynllun grant a gefnogir gan fframwaith rheoli, sy’n cynnwys potensial carbon glas, newid hinsawdd ar nodweddion gwarchodedig ac ap dwyieithog o’r enw Crwydro Arfordir Cymru i lywio a helpu i gynllunio ymweliadau â’r amgylchedd morol. Rwyf hefyd wedi dyrannu cyllideb i ariannu pum cam gweithredu eleni, gan gynnwys datblygu rhaglenni gwyddoniaeth dinasyddion i helpu i nodi rhywogaethau anfrodorol a gwaith ymchwil pellach i ddeall y pwysau y mae'r rhwydwaith yn ei wynebu, yn enwedig sbwriel môr, ac yn enwedig llygredd plastig. Rwy'n gobeithio bod llawer ohonoch yn cymryd rhan yn y Big Plastic Count sydd ar y gweill ar hyn o bryd—yn sicr, rwy'n cymryd rhan. Rydym am fod—. Yn dilyn llwyddiant y flwyddyn gyntaf o gasglu deunydd i'w ailgylchu—1.2 tunnell o offer pysgota a gyrhaeddodd ddiwedd ei oes; llwyddiant ysgubol—rydym am barhau â’r cynllun hwnnw a’i ymestyn i holl borthladdoedd Cymru cyn gynted ag y gallwn. Mae'n lleihau'r risg y gallai offer sy'n cael ei golli ar y môr wneud niwed i'r amgylchedd, ac mae pob un ohonom wedi gweld y ffotograffau ofnadwy o fywyd gwyllt wedi'i mynd yn sownd mewn offer.
Rydym yn cytuno’n llwyr hefyd ein bod am gyflymu’r adolygiad o dreillrwydo môr-waelodol, fel y’i gelwir. Mae hynny'n amlwg yn hollbwysig ac nid wyf yn gohirio hynny o gwbl; rwy’n sicr yn gweld yr angen am hynny. A bydd hynny'n rhan o'r cwestiwn ynglŷn â beth y gallwch neu beth na allwch ei wneud mewn darnau penodol o'r môr ac ati. Byddwn hefyd yn nodi uchelgeisiau ar gyfer proses o ddynodi parthau cadwraeth morol fel rhan o rwydwaith yr ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig—unwaith eto, beth y mae hynny'n ei olygu, sut y mae'n gwella cadernid?
Ac yna, gan droi, yn olaf, Ddirprwy Lywydd—gwn fy mod yn profi eich amynedd—
[Inaudible.]—but I do wish to keep to times.
[Anghlywadwy.]—ond rwy'n dymuno cadw at yr amseroedd.
I know; that's fine. I'm now gabbling, but I'll just turn to that last bit, which is, as Joyce Watson highlighted, the blue carbon piece. That's a hugely important role in our journey to net zero. We recognise the need to protect and restore sea grass, salt marsh restorations and habitats. The biodiversity deep dive specifically has a Professor from Swansea University on sea grass on it for that reason, and we're accelerating that all the way through.
So, finishing up, Deputy Presiding Officer—and thank you for your patience—I really welcome the committee's report. I assure you we are not dragging our feet, we are going as fast as humanly possible, and I very much welcome the recommendations, which we will look forward to reporting back with you on as we implement them.
Rwy'n gwybod; mae hynny'n iawn. Rwy’n parablu nawr, ond trof at y darn olaf, sef y darn sy'n ymwneud â charbon glas, fel y nododd Joyce Watson. Mae honno'n rôl hynod bwysig yn ein taith i gyrraedd sero net. Rydym yn cydnabod yr angen i warchod ac adfer glaswellt y môr, morfeydd heli a chynefinoedd. Mae'r archwiliad dwfn o fioamrywiaeth yn cynnwys Athro o Brifysgol Abertawe ar laswellt y môr am y rheswm penodol hwnnw, ac rydym yn cyflymu hynny yn gyffredinol.
Felly, i gloi, Ddirprwy Lywydd—a diolch am eich amynedd—rwy'n croesawu adroddiad y pwyllgor yn fawr. Gallaf eich sicrhau nad ydym yn llusgo ein traed, rydym yn gweithio mor gyflym â phosibl, ac rwy'n croesawu'r argymhellion yn fawr, ac edrychwn ymlaen at adrodd yn ôl arnynt wrth inni eu rhoi ar waith.
Galwaf ar Llyr Gruffydd i ymateb i'r ddadl.
I call on Llyr Gruffydd to reply to the debate.
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Wnaf i ddim ailadrodd y pwyntiau sydd wedi cael eu gwneud, dim ond diolch i'r Gweinidog ac i bawb arall, wrth gwrs, am eu cyfraniadau. Dwi'n meddwl bod natur y drafodaeth yn adlewyrchu pa mor eang oedd y meysydd wnaeth yr ymchwiliad byr yma geisio mynd i'r afael â nhw ac, yn amlwg, hefyd, pa mor eang yw'r gwaith sydd angen ei gyflawni gennym ni fel pwyllgor, a'r Llywodraeth, wrth gwrs, yn y cyd-destun hwnnw.
Jest cwpwl o bwyntiau, efallai, godwyd na wnes i gyffwrdd â nhw yn fy nghyflwyniad. Yn amlwg, mae Ystad y Goron yn allweddol. Mae yna rôl gwbl, gwbl ganolog yn fanna, a dwi'n falch o weld bod y Llywodraeth nawr ar yr un dudalen â nifer ohonom ni pan fo'n dod i ddatganoli rhai o'r grymoedd yna. Dwi'n gwybod mai barn fwyafrifol yn y pwyllgor, efallai, fyddai hynny, ond yn sicr mae e'n gyfle inni weld gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol. A dwi'n edrych ymlaen at groesawu prif weithredwr newydd Ystad y Goron yma i'r Senedd yr wythnos nesaf, a fydd yn gyfle inni, gobeithio, ddatblygu rhai o'r pwyntiau a'r trafodaethau yma.
Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I won't repeat the points that have been made, just thank the Minister and everybody else for their contributions. I think the nature of the discussion reflects how broad are the areas that this short inquiry tried to address and, clearly, how broad is the work that needs to be done by us as a committee, and the Government, of course, in that context.
Just a few points, perhaps, that were raised and that I didn't touch on in my introduction. Clearly, the Crown Estate is key. There is a completely central role there, and I'm pleased to see that the Government now is on the same page as a number of us when it comes to devolving some of those powers. I know that the majority view, perhaps, in the committee would be that, but certainly it's an opportunity for us to see a real difference. And I look forward to welcoming the new chief executive of the Crown Estate here to the Senedd next week, and hopefully it'll be an opportunity to develop some of the points and these discussions.
On bottom trawling, again, a number of Members raised that, and I think it is something that we've been grappling with for a long, long time, and we would all wish to be further ahead than we are at the moment. I'm glad to hear that the Minister's pledging to change gear on towed gear and bottom trawling, so let's move as swiftly as we can on that. Joyce Watson is absolutely right: five years on from our predecessor committee report on marine policies, nothing's changed, frankly, or at least we're still waiting for the recommendations to really be addressed.
The blue carbon agenda is a huge agenda, significant in locking in carbon—more so than terrestrial carbon stores. There are many fledgling schemes around Wales that I think deserve our support, and certainly deserve greater attention from us as a committee, and I hope that that is one of the areas that we will choose to pursue in detail.
Species champions were always going to come up, I thought, in this debate. And just to let you know, I'm at the—. Am I at the top or the bottom of your food chain? I can never remember. But, you know, without the sand eel, there wouldn't be basking sharks, okay. So, just keep that in mind. [Interruption.] Oh, yes. Well, the oyster is the Minister's. There we are. Okay.
O ran treillrwydo môr-waelodol, unwaith eto, cododd nifer o'r Aelodau hynny, a chredaf ei fod yn rhywbeth y buom yn ceisio mynd i'r afael ag ef ers amser maith, a byddai'n well gan bob un ohonom pe baem wedi gwneud mwy o gynnydd nag a wnaethom. Rwy'n falch o glywed bod y Gweinidog wedi addo newid gêr mewn perthynas â gêr llusg a threillrwydo môr-waelodol, felly gadewch inni symud mor gyflym ag y gallwn ar hynny. Mae Joyce Watson yn llygad ei lle: bum mlynedd ar ôl adroddiad y pwyllgor blaenorol ar bolisïau morol, nid oes unrhyw beth wedi newid, a dweud y gwir, neu o leiaf, rydym yn dal i aros i’r argymhellion gael sylw go iawn.
Mae’r agenda carbon glas yn agenda enfawr, sy’n hollbwysig o ran cloi carbon—yn fwy felly na storfeydd carbon daearol. Mae llawer o gynlluniau newydd ledled Cymru sy’n haeddu ein cefnogaeth yn fy marn i, ac yn sicr, maent yn haeddu mwy o sylw gennym fel pwyllgor, a gobeithio bod hwnnw'n un o'r meysydd y byddwn yn dewis eu harchwilio'n fanwl.
Mae'n debyg ei bod yn anochel fod hyrwyddwyr rhywogaethau yn codi yn y ddadl hon. Ac er gwybodaeth, fi yw'r—. A wyf i ar frig neu ar waelod eich cadwyn fwyd? Nid wyf byth yn cofio. Ond heb y llymrïen, ni fyddai gennym yr heulgi, iawn. Felly, cadwch hynny mewn cof. [Torri ar draws.] O, ie. Wel, yr wystrysen yw un y Gweinidog. Dyna ni. Iawn.
Lay off the salmon.
Gadewch i'r eog fod.
Yes. And lay off the salmon. Good, good.
And I think the point on spatial planning is important—terrestrial spatial planning, and then we have marine spatial planning. Well, surely there shouldn't be a disconnect either. We need that seamless spatial planning for terrestrial and marine, as far as I'm concerned. Using the work that we're now seeing accelerate in terms of developing renewable energy to enrich our data, to fill some of those evidence gaps, I think, is absolutely something that needs to happen.
So, this report, as I said, is very much a starter for 10. It's a snapshot of where we are. It's a snapshot of, I think, what we all know needs doing, but, if I was to simplistically sum up our message to Government, really it's, 'Get on with it.'
Ie. A gadewch i'r eog fod. Da iawn, da iawn.
A chredaf fod y pwynt ynglŷn â chynllunio gofodol yn bwysig—cynllunio gofodol daearol, ac yna mae gennym gynllunio gofodol morol. Wel, yn sicr, ni ddylai fod datgysylltiad rhwng y ddau beth hynny ychwaith. Mae arnom angen y cynllunio gofodol di-dor hwnnw ar gyfer cynllunio daearol a morol, yn fy marn i. Yn sicr, credaf fod angen defnyddio'r gwaith a welwn yn cyflymu ar hyn o bryd o ran datblygu ynni adnewyddadwy i gyfoethogi ein data, er mwyn llenwi rhywfaint o'r bylchau yn y dystiolaeth.
Felly, mae'r adroddiad hwn, fel y dywedais, yn fan cychwyn. Mae'n gipolwg o lle rydym arni. Mae'n gipolwg, yn fy marn i, o'r hyn y gŵyr pob un ohonom fod angen ei wneud, ond pe bawn yn crynhoi ein neges yn syml i'r Llywodraeth, 'Dewch yn eich blaenau' fyddai'r neges honno.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid nodi adroddiad y pwyllgor? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? Na. Felly, derbynnir y cynnig yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
The proposal is to note the committee's report. Does any Member object? No, therefore the motion is agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Derbyniwyd y cynnig yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Detholwyd y gwelliant canlynol: gwelliant 1 yn enw Lesley Griffiths.
The following amendment has been selected: amendment 1 in the name of Lesley Griffiths.
Eitem 6 y prynhawn yma yw dadl Plaid Cymru ar iechyd menywod. Galwaf ar Sioned Williams i wneud y cynnig.
Item 6 this afternoon is Plaid Cymru's debate on women's health. I call on Sioned Williams to move the motion.
Cynnig NDM8004 Siân Gwenllian
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
1. Yn gresynu at y diffyg sôn am iechyd menywod—gan gynnwys darpariaeth mamolaeth—yng nghynllun hirdymor presennol Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, 'Cymru Iachach', er gwaethaf y nod a ddatganwyd o fod yn 'lywodraeth ffeministaidd'.
2. Yn nodi bod costau sylweddol yn gysylltiedig â chyflyrau iechyd sy'n effeithio'n llwyr ar fenywod a'r rhai a bennwyd yn fenywod adeg eu geni, megis endometriosis, y menopos, a chlefydau sy'n effeithio'n anghymesur ar fenywod, gan gynnwys clefydau awtoimiwnedd a chardiofasgwlaidd, osteoporosis, a dementia.
3. Yn nodi bod y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol yn nodi bod menywod yn byw llai o flynyddoedd mewn iechyd da na dynion a'u bod yn fwy tebygol o fod mewn tlodi, a bod angen cymorth cymdeithasol ac ariannol arnynt.
4. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i:
a) datblygu Strategaeth Iechyd Menywod pwrpasol i Gymru a ddylai ganolbwyntio ar iechyd gydol oes menywod;
b) darparu gwasanaethau cyson o ansawdd uchel, gan gynnwys gofal trydyddol arbenigol, sydd ar gael i breswylwyr ar hyd a lled Cymru;
c) buddsoddi mewn ymchwil o ansawdd uchel i iechyd a thriniaethau menywod;
d) buddsoddi mewn gwell hyfforddiant ar gyfer gweithwyr gofal iechyd proffesiynol yng Nghymru mewn meysydd sy'n ymwneud ag iechyd menywod.
Motion NDM8004 Siân Gwenllian
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Regrets the lack of mention of women’s health—including maternity provision—in the Welsh Government’s existing long-term plan for health and social services, ‘A Healthier Wales’, despite the stated aim of becoming a 'feminist government'.
2. Notes that health conditions which solely affect women and those assigned female at birth, such as endometriosis, menopause, and diseases which disproportionately impact females, including auto-immune and cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and dementia, incur a significant cost burden.
3. Notes that the ONS details that women live fewer years in good health than men and are more likely to be in poverty, requiring both social and financial support.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) develop a bespoke Women’s Health Strategy for Wales which should focus on life-long women’s health;
b) provide consistent high-quality services, including specialist tertiary care, accessible to residents the length and breadth of Wales;
c) invest in high quality research into women’s health and treatment;
d) invest in enhanced training for healthcare professionals in Wales on women’s health areas.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I could open this debate by reeling off the statistics that clearly show the need for action on health inequalities and the reason why we have tabled this motion before Members today, and that the lack of a women's health strategy merits scrutiny and debate, especially given the Government's own stated aim of becoming a feminist Government. But I'll save my own words this afternoon and let others speak for me, because I want to share accounts and experiences of women who will put the case for our motion powerfully and overwhelmingly. In fact, giving them the platform of this Senedd Chamber, ensuring that we all hear their voices this afternoon, is vital. Because the sad truth is that the stigmatisation of women's health conditions such as endometriosis, menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and others restrict conversation and isolate women when, in fact, they're experiences that should unite us and spur us into action. These voices are not heard, nor their pleas for more support, for the attention they deserve, for better treatment, because, historically, with limited investment in research into women's health in general, there's been so little research into conditions such as endometriosis that we don't even know what causes it. And without knowing the cause, a cure cannot, of course, be found.
Kate Laska from Gwynedd suffers from endometriosis. She had to travel outside of Wales to get specialist help and pay privately for treatment, after waiting years to get a diagnosis and even longer to get treatment. And she's still in chronic pain now. These are her words:
'Imagine that, for years, you live in a lot of physical pain. You try to get help but you are told that the pain you are feeling is normal. In the meantime, you lose your job, your income and your partner. After changing my doctor, I finally had my diagnosis, but I had no idea that, for the next seven years, I would spend fighting for my right to treatment. Due to very often suboptimal care and a lack of awareness amongst the healthcare workers as well as society, including myself, endometriosis in my case progressed to stage 4 and required numerous complex surgeries. Now imagine you do not find much support around you in times when you mostly need it, because there is a belief in society that women are destined to experience pain. Women with endometriosis suffer in silence and very often alone, because no-one around them can imagine their pain. There is only one specialist clinic in Cardiff where women like myself can hope for relief. However, this clinic is currently overwhelmed with patients. Time is crucial with this chronic condition. This is why there is an urgent need for a local service based in north Wales.'
The lack of investment in treatment for women's health conditions like endometriosis has resulted in cross-border agreements for treatment—for example, women like Kate, who live in north Wales, attend the endometriosis specialist centre in Liverpool. But this does not always happen. One of my own constituents, Becci Smart, has been living with PMDD, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, since the age of 14, but wasn't diagnosed with the condition until age 30. PMDD is a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome, which can cause a range of emotional and physical symptoms every month during the week or two before your period. In her own experience, and from the experiences of others she has spoken to with PMDD, she says that there is a severe lack of mental health support available and a lack of understanding of the condition among GPs. Indeed, she says that sufferers of PMDD are being turned away from mental health services, as they are incorrectly told that it's a purely gynaecological condition, rather than a mental health one. It is, of course, both these things. They are told instead to see their GPs, who are not experts on mental health, every time PMDD severely affects their mental health, which is a week or two every month.
Currently, there are no blood or saliva tests or scans to diagnose PMDD. The only way to diagnose it is to track symptoms alongside the menstrual cycle for at least two full months. There is no cure, only symptom management. Diagnosis takes, on average, 12 years and approaching, on average, six different healthcare professionals. This, while PMDD affects one in 20 menstruators of reproductive age, and those with PMDD are at a 7 per cent increased risk of suicide than those without premenstrual disorders. Seventy-two per cent have active suicidal ideation during every PMDD cycle. That's each menstrual cycle. Thirty-four per cent have made active suicide attempts during PMDD weeks. Fifty-one per cent have self-injured in a non-suicidal way during PMDD weeks. I'm sure we will hear many more of these harrowing accounts as part of Members' contributions this afternoon. I'm glad that our motion means they will be heard, because this suffering is inexcusable, because there can be no doubt that there is gender inequality at play here.
While women in Wales have a longer life expectancy than men, it is clear that they are spending less of their life in good health, and this arises from a lack of medical research into women's health, which means researchers do not have the opportunity to identify and study sex differences in diseases. And it creates assumptions that similar medical treatments will work for both males and females. For example, diabetes, heart attacks, autism are all conditions that can present differently for males and females. There's also still this pervasive belief in parts of the medical community that stems from societal patriarchy and, to some extent, misogyny, that when a woman complains about her health, it's either hormonal, emotional or irrational and is often framed around their reproductive functions as women.
There is a gender health gap that must be better addressed. Why else has there been five times the amount of research into male erectile dysfunction, which afflicts 19 per cent of men, than there has been into premenstrual syndrome, which affects 90 per cent of women? What else can explain why, when there are concerns that some women across the UK were unable to obtain their prescriptions due to shortages of HRT products two years ago, there was a failure to deal with the shortages? And this, coupled with the impact of COVID-related global supply problems, means around 1 million women in the UK, who use HRT to relieve the symptoms of menopause, will be affected, and so will many women in Wales who rely on this treatment.
It is vital that we address the failures within women's health, so that we can open up the conversation and change its constricted culture. To do this, the Welsh Government needs to develop a bespoke women's health strategy for Wales, which should focus on lifelong women's health; high-quality services, including specialist tertiary care; and investment in high-quality and enhanced training for healthcare professionals. I look forward to Members' contributions to this important debate, and I urge all Members to support the motion. We owe it to the women who have told us of their pain and frustration to listen and to act. Diolch.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Gallwn agor y ddadl hon drwy restru’r ystadegau sy’n dangos yn glir yr angen i weithredu ar anghydraddoldebau iechyd a’r rheswm pam ein bod wedi cyflwyno’r cynnig hwn gerbron yr Aelodau heddiw, a bod angen craffu a dadlau ynghylch y diffyg strategaeth iechyd menywod, yn enwedig o ystyried nod datganedig y Llywodraeth ei hun o ddod yn Llywodraeth ffeministaidd. Ond rwyf am arbed fy ngeiriau fy hun y prynhawn yma a gadael i eraill siarad ar fy rhan, gan fy mod am rannu adroddiadau a phrofiadau menywod a fydd yn dadlau'r achos dros ein cynnig yn rymus ac yn llwyddiannus. Mewn gwirionedd, mae rhoi'r llwyfan iddynt hwy yn Siambr y Senedd, gan sicrhau bod pob un ohonom yn clywed eu lleisiau y prynhawn yma, yn hollbwysig. Oherwydd y gwir trist yw bod stigmateiddio cyflyrau iechyd menywod fel endometriosis, y menopos, syndrom ofarïau polysystig, anhwylder dysfforig cyn mislif ac eraill yn cyfyngu ar y sgwrs ac yn ynysu menywod pan fyddant, mewn gwirionedd, yn brofiadau a ddylai ein huno a'n sbarduno i weithredu. Nid yw'r lleisiau hyn yn cael eu clywed, na’u galwad am fwy o gymorth, am y sylw y maent yn ei haeddu, am driniaeth well, oherwydd, yn hanesyddol, gyda phrinder buddsoddiad mewn ymchwil i iechyd menywod yn gyffredinol, mae cyn lleied o ymchwil wedi bod i gyflyrau fel endometriosis fel nad ydym hyd yn oed yn gwybod beth sy'n ei achosi. A heb wybod yr achos, wrth gwrs, ni ellir dod o hyd i wellhad.
Mae Kate Laska o Wynedd yn dioddef o endometriosis. Bu’n rhaid iddi deithio y tu allan i Gymru i gael cymorth arbenigol a thalu’n breifat am driniaeth, ar ôl aros am flynyddoedd i gael diagnosis a hyd yn oed yn hwy i gael triniaeth. Ac mae hi mewn poen cronig o hyd. Dyma ei geiriau hi:
'Dychmygwch eich bod yn byw mewn cryn dipyn o boen corfforol ers blynyddoedd. Rydych yn ceisio cael cymorth, ond dywedir wrthych fod y poen a deimlwch yn normal. Yn y cyfamser, rydych yn colli eich swydd, eich incwm a'ch partner. Ar ôl newid fy meddyg, cefais fy niagnosis o’r diwedd, ond nid oedd gennyf unrhyw syniad y byddwn yn treulio'r saith mlynedd nesaf yn ymladd dros fy hawl i gael triniaeth. Oherwydd y gofal a oedd yn aml iawn yn llai na delfrydol a diffyg ymwybyddiaeth ymhlith y gweithwyr gofal iechyd yn ogystal â'r gymdeithas, gan gynnwys fi fy hun, gwaethygodd fy endometriosis i gam 4 ac roedd angen nifer o lawdriniaethau cymhleth arnaf. Nawr, dychmygwch nad ydych yn cael fawr o gefnogaeth ar yr adegau pan fydd ei hangen fwyaf arnoch, gan fod yna gred yn y gymdeithas mai tynged menywod yw profi poen. Mae menywod ag endometriosis yn dioddef yn dawel ac yn aml iawn ar eu pen eu hunain, gan na all unrhyw un o'u cwmpas ddychmygu eu poen. Un clinig arbenigol yn unig a geir, a hwnnw yng Nghaerdydd lle y gall menywod fel fi obeithio cael lleddfu eu poen. Fodd bynnag, mae'r clinig hwn yn llawn ar hyn o bryd. Mae amser yn hollbwysig gyda'r cyflwr cronig hwn. Dyna pam fod taer angen gwasanaeth lleol yng ngogledd Cymru.'
Mae’r diffyg buddsoddiad mewn triniaeth ar gyfer cyflyrau iechyd menywod fel endometriosis wedi arwain at gytundebau trawsffiniol ar gyfer triniaethau—er enghraifft, mae menywod fel Kate, sy’n byw yng ngogledd Cymru, yn mynychu'r ganolfan endometriosis arbenigol yn Lerpwl. Ond nid yw hyn yn digwydd bob amser. Mae un o fy etholwyr, Becci Smart, wedi bod yn byw gydag anhwylder dysfforig cyn mislif, PMDD, er pan oedd yn 14 oed, ond ni wnaed diagnosis o'r cyflwr tan oedd yn 30 oed. Mae PMDD yn fath difrifol iawn o syndrom cyn mislif, a all achosi amrywiaeth o symptomau emosiynol a chorfforol bob mis yn ystod yr wythnos neu ddwy cyn eich mislif. Yn ei phrofiad ei hun, ac o brofiadau pobl eraill â PMDD y mae hi wedi siarad â hwy, dywed fod prinder difrifol o gymorth iechyd meddwl ar gael a diffyg dealltwriaeth o’r cyflwr ymhlith meddygon teulu. Yn wir, dywed fod dioddefwyr PMDD yn cael eu troi ymaith gan wasanaethau iechyd meddwl, gan y dywedir wrthynt, yn anghywir, mai cyflwr gynaecolegol yn unig yw hwn, yn hytrach na chyflwr iechyd meddwl. Wrth gwrs, mae'r ddau beth yn wir. Yn hytrach, dywedir wrthynt fynd i weld eu meddyg teulu, nad ydynt yn arbenigwyr ar iechyd meddwl, bob tro y bydd PMDD yn effeithio'n ddifrifol ar eu hiechyd meddwl, ac mae'n gwneud hynny am wythnos neu ddwy bob mis.
Ar hyn o bryd, nid oes unrhyw brofion gwaed na phoer na sganiau a all wneud diagnosis o PMDD. Yr unig ffordd i wneud diagnosis ohono yw drwy olrhain symptomau ochr yn ochr â chylchred y mislif am o leiaf ddeufis llawn. Nid oes gwellhad, dim ond rheoli symptomau. Mae diagnosis yn cymryd 12 mlynedd ar gyfartaledd, ac mae'n rhaid mynd at chwe gweithiwr gofal iechyd proffesiynol gwahanol ar gyfartaledd. Hyn, tra bo PMDD yn effeithio ar un o bob 20 unigolyn o oedran atgenhedlu sy'n cael mislif, ac mae'r rheini sydd â PMDD yn wynebu risg 7 y cant yn uwch o hunanladdiad na phobl nad ydynt yn cael anhwylderau cyn mislif. Mae 72 y cant yn cael syniadau hunanladdol gweithredol yn ystod pob cylchred PMDD, hynny yw, ym mhob cylchred mislifol. Mae 34 y cant wedi gwneud ymdrechion hunanladdol gweithredol yn ystod wythnosau PMDD. Mae 51 y cant wedi hunan-niweidio mewn ffordd nad yw'n hunanladdol yn ystod wythnosau PMDD. Rwy’n siŵr y byddwn yn clywed llawer mwy o’r hanesion brawychus hyn yn rhan o gyfraniadau’r Aelodau y prynhawn yma. Rwy’n falch fod ein cynnig yn golygu y cânt eu clywed, gan fod y dioddefaint hwn yn anfaddeuol, gan nad oes unrhyw amheuaeth fod anghydraddoldeb rhwng y rhywiau ar waith yma.
Er bod gan fenywod yng Nghymru ddisgwyliad oes hirach na dynion, mae’n glir eu bod yn treulio llai o’u bywydau mewn iechyd da, ac mae hyn yn deillio o ddiffyg ymchwil feddygol i iechyd menywod, sy’n golygu nad yw ymchwilwyr yn cael cyfle i nodi ac astudio gwahaniaethau rhwng y rhywiau mewn clefydau. Ac mae’n creu rhagdybiaethau y bydd triniaethau meddygol tebyg yn gweithio i ddynion a menywod. Er enghraifft, mae diabetes, trawiadau ar y galon ac awtistiaeth yn gyflyrau a all edrych yn wahanol mewn dynion a menywod. Ceir cred hollbresennol hefyd mewn rhannau o’r gymuned feddygol sy’n deillio o batriarchaeth gymdeithasol, ac i ryw raddau, o gasineb at fenywod, fod menyw, pan fydd yn cwyno am ei hiechyd, naill ai’n hormonaidd, yn emosiynol neu’n afresymol, ac yn aml, caiff ei fframio o amgylch eu gweithrediadau atgenhedlol fel menywod.
Ceir bwlch iechyd rhwng y rhywiau y mae’n rhaid gwneud mwy i fynd i’r afael ag ef. Pam arall y gwnaed pum gwaith cymaint o waith ymchwil i anhawster codiad ymhlith gwrywod, sy'n effeithio ar 19 y cant o ddynion, nag a wnaed i syndrom cyn mislif, sy'n effeithio ar 90 y cant o fenywod? Beth arall a all egluro pam, pan fo pryderon nad oedd rhai menywod ledled y DU yn gallu cael eu presgripsiynau oherwydd prinder cynhyrchion therapi adfer hormonau, HRT, ddwy flynedd yn ôl, y bu methiant i fynd i'r afael â’r prinder? Ac mae hyn, ynghyd ag effaith problemau cyflenwi byd-eang sy’n gysylltiedig â COVID, yn golygu y bydd oddeutu 1 filiwn o fenywod yn y DU, sy’n defnyddio HRT i leddfu symptomau’r menopos, yn cael eu heffeithio, ac felly hefyd nifer o fenywod yng Nghymru sy’n dibynnu ar y driniaeth hon.
Mae’n hollbwysig ein bod yn mynd i’r afael â’r methiannau ym maes iechyd menywod, fel y gallwn agor y sgwrs a newid ei natur gul. Er mwyn gwneud hyn, mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru ddatblygu strategaeth iechyd menywod bwrpasol i Gymru, a ddylai ganolbwyntio ar iechyd gydol oes menywod; gwasanaethau o ansawdd uchel, gan gynnwys gofal trydyddol arbenigol; a buddsoddiad mewn gwell hyfforddiant a hyfforddiant o ansawdd uchel ar gyfer gweithwyr gofal iechyd proffesiynol. Edrychaf ymlaen at gyfraniadau’r Aelodau i’r ddadl bwysig hon, ac rwy'n annog yr holl Aelodau i gefnogi’r cynnig. Ein dyletswydd i'r menywod sydd wedi dweud wrthym am eu poen a'u rhwystredigaeth yw gwrando a gweithredu. Diolch.
Daeth y Llywydd i’r Gadair.
The Llywydd took the Chair.
Rwyf wedi dethol y gwelliant i'r cynnig, a dwi'n galw ar y Gweinidog iechyd i gynnig yn ffurfiol gwelliant 1.
I have selected the amendment to the motion, and I call on the Minister for Health and Social Services to formally move amendment 1.
Gwelliant 1—Lesley Griffiths
Dileu popeth a rhoi yn ei le:
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
1. Yn cydnabod nad yw iechyd menywod yn cael ei grybwyll yn benodol yng nghynllun hirdymor presennol Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, 'Cymru Iachach'. Strategaeth lefel uchel yw hon sy'n nodi'r fframwaith a'r egwyddorion allweddol ar gyfer sicrhau bod pawb yng Nghymru yn cael gofal sy'n canolbwyntio ar yr unigolyn ac, o’r herwydd, nid yw'n canolbwyntio ar grwpiau na chyflyrau penodol.
2. Yn nodi bod costau sylweddol yn gysylltiedig â chyflyrau iechyd sy'n effeithio'n unig ar fenywod ac ar rai a bennwyd yn fenywod adeg eu geni, megis endometriosis, y menopos, a chlefydau sy'n effeithio'n anghymesur ar fenywod, gan gynnwys clefydau awtoimiwnedd a chardiofasgwlaidd, osteoporosis a dementia.
3. Yn nodi bod y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol yn nodi bod menywod yn byw llai o flynyddoedd mewn iechyd da na dynion a'u bod yn fwy tebygol o fod mewn tlodi, sy’n golygu bod angen cymorth cymdeithasol ac ariannol arnynt.
4. Yn nodi bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i gyhoeddi Datganiad Ansawdd a chynllun i’r GIG yn yr haf gan ganolbwyntio ar ddarparu gwasanaethau cyson o ansawdd uchel ar draws holl feysydd iechyd menywod.
Amendment 1—Lesley Griffiths
Delete all and replace with:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Acknowledges that women’s health is not specifically mentioned in the Welsh Government’s existing long-term plan for health and social services, ‘A Healthier Wales’, as this is a high-level strategy setting out the framework and key principles for ensuring person-centred care for everyone in Wales and, as such, does not focus on particular groups or conditions.
2. Notes that health conditions which solely affect women and those assigned female at birth, such as endometriosis, menopause, and diseases which disproportionately impact females, including auto-immune and cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and dementia, incur a significant cost burden.
3. Notes that the ONS details that women live fewer years in good health than men and are more likely to be in poverty, requiring both social and financial support.
4. Notes that the Welsh Government have committed to publish a Quality Statement and NHS plan in the summer with a focus on providing consistent high-quality services across all areas of women’s health.
Cynigiwyd gwelliant 1.
Amendment 1 moved.
Yn ffurfiol.
Formally.
Can I thank Plaid for tabling this important debate today? When the health committee formed last year, as lots of committees do, it sent out a consultation to relevant stakeholders, and that was one overwhelming response that came back, the need to focus on women's health issues, and, as a result, all committee members agreed that this would be a priority for the health committee in this Senedd. So, can I thank Plaid Cymru for bringing forward the debate? And we will be supporting, as Welsh Conservatives, the Plaid motion as it's laid today as well.
As part of our work as a committee, we asked the Women's Health Wales Coalition to come and speak to us, to give us their perspectives in a public evidence session back in March, so I'm going to outline some of the issues that they raised. And from that, we also took up some of the issues with the Minister, but the evidence that we took on that day will help us to undertake some of our other work as well, across the rest of this term. What the coalition did tell us is that women are more likely to experience poorer health than men, and often symptoms go misdiagnosed or untreated. They said that women experience delays in diagnosis and care as well.
A report published back in December 2019 told all four UK nations that we need a women's healthcare plan, and in Scotland, in fact, they're leading the way, in fairness to Scotland. Their plan came forward in August 2021. The UK Government for England, their plan is currently out for consultation, so, of course, we're concerned that Wales is not left behind in this regard.
One of the issues that the coalition raised with us is the lack of data. One possible reason for this could be the under-representation of women on trials, often an issue that will lead to that lack of information, that lack of data.
Access to specialist services was another issue raised with us. The existing models of healthcare provision in Wales have historically not worked for women because they're being centred or not tailored to specific needs—an issue that the coalition specifically raised with us. Those requiring different specialists that they can find are not adequately being joined up, and the lack of collaboration as well between health boards in developing specialist services and making them universally available.
Information and communication is another issue that was raised strongly with us, as well. Of course, the example there was the recent miscommunication about the cervical screening programme. That's highlighted the importance of clear and accurate communications.
Mental health was, of course, another issue raised with us as a committee by the coalition. A report by the UK women's mental health taskforce found that women are more likely to experience common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression than men, and they say that this, especially in young women, particularly in younger groups of women, is mainly because their anxiety builds up about their conditions not being identified correctly.
Education and training was another issue raised. What the coalition highlighted to us there was the priority need for improved training for healthcare professionals. Again, they suggested areas of improvement, including improved medical training specifically on women's health to be prioritised in foundation doctors' training, to address unconscious bias and to raise awareness as well.
And then the last point I'd raise is preventative health. I'm sure we all agree with that and the Minister will agree with that as well. But the coalition suggested that, in many cases, alcohol consumption, smoking, et cetera, were quite common mechanisms for dealing with issues in life, including chronic illness as well. What they said is that without better understanding of what is driving girls and women to engage in these behaviours, it would be very difficult to design services to meet those particular needs. So, I hope—.
Thanks very much. My time's run out, I notice, but thanks to Plaid for bringing forward this debate today, and I look forward to the rest of the contributions from Members.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Blaid Cymru am gyflwyno’r ddadl bwysig hon heddiw? Pan ffurfiwyd y pwyllgor iechyd y llynedd, fel y mae llawer o bwyllgorau'n ei wneud, anfonodd ymgynghoriad at randdeiliaid perthnasol, a'r ymateb mwyaf a gafwyd oedd yr angen i ganolbwyntio ar faterion iechyd menywod, ac o ganlyniad, cytunodd holl aelodau'r pwyllgor y byddai hyn yn flaenoriaeth i’r pwyllgor iechyd yn y Senedd hon. Felly, a gaf fi ddiolch i Blaid Cymru am gyflwyno’r ddadl? Ac fel Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, byddwn yn cefnogi cynnig Plaid Cymru fel y'i cyflwynwyd heddiw hefyd.
Fel rhan o’n gwaith fel pwyllgor, gwnaethom ofyn i Glymblaid Iechyd Menywod Cymru ddod i siarad â ni, i roi eu safbwyntiau i ni mewn sesiwn dystiolaeth gyhoeddus yn ôl ym mis Mawrth, felly rwyf am amlinellu rhai o’r materion a godwyd ganddynt. Ac o hynny hefyd, tynnwyd sylw'r Gweinidog at rai o’r materion, ond bydd y dystiolaeth a gawsom ar y diwrnod hwnnw yn ein helpu i wneud rhywfaint o’n gwaith arall hefyd drwy gydol gweddill y tymor hwn. Yr hyn a ddywedodd y glymblaid wrthym yw bod menywod yn fwy tebygol o brofi iechyd gwaeth na dynion, ac y gwneir diagnosis anghywir o symptomau’n aml neu ni chânt eu trin. Roeddent yn dweud hefyd fod menywod yn wynebu oedi cyn cael diagnosis a gofal.
Dywedodd adroddiad a gyhoeddwyd yn ôl ym mis Rhagfyr 2019 wrth bob un o bedair gwlad y DU fod angen cynllun gofal iechyd menywod arnom, ac yn yr Alban, maent yn arwain y ffordd, er tegwch i’r Alban. Cyflwynwyd eu cynllun ym mis Awst 2021. Mae cynllun Llywodraeth y DU ar gyfer Lloegr yn destun ymgynghoriad ar hyn o bryd, felly rydym yn awyddus i sicrhau na chaiff Cymru ei gadael ar ôl yn hyn o beth wrth gwrs.
Un o’r materion a nododd y glymblaid yw prinder data. Un rheswm posibl am hyn yw'r ffaith nad yw menywod wedi'u cynrychioli'n ddigonol mewn treialon, sy'n aml yn broblem a fydd yn arwain at y diffyg gwybodaeth, at y prinder data.
Roedd mynediad at wasanaethau arbenigol yn fater arall a nodwyd. Yn hanesyddol, nid yw’r modelau darparu gofal iechyd presennol yng Nghymru wedi gweithio i fenywod gan eu bod wedi'u canoli neu heb eu teilwra i anghenion penodol—mater a nododd y glymblaid yn benodol. Nid yw’r modelau sydd angen arbenigwyr gwahanol y gallant ddod o hyd iddynt yn cael eu cydgysylltu’n effeithiol, a’r diffyg cydweithredu hefyd rhwng byrddau iechyd wrth ddatblygu gwasanaethau arbenigol a sicrhau eu bod ar gael i bawb.
Mae gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu'n fater arall a nodwyd yn bendant hefyd. Wrth gwrs, yr enghraifft yno oedd y camgyfathrebu diweddar ynghylch y rhaglen sgrinio serfigol. Mae hynny wedi amlygu pwysigrwydd cyfathrebu clir a chywir.
Roedd iechyd meddwl, wrth gwrs, yn fater arall a gafodd ei ddwyn i'n sylw fel pwyllgor gan y glymblaid. Canfu adroddiad gan dasglu iechyd meddwl menywod y DU fod menywod yn fwy tebygol o gael cyflyrau iechyd meddwl cyffredin fel gorbryder ac iselder na dynion, a dywedant fod hyn, yn enwedig ymhlith menywod ifanc, ac mewn grwpiau iau o fenywod yn benodol, yn deillio'n bennaf o'u gorbryder cynyddol nad ydynt yn gwybod yn iawn pa gyflwr sydd arnynt.
Roedd addysg a hyfforddiant yn fater arall a godwyd. Tynnodd y glymblaid ein sylw at yr angen blaenoriaethol am well hyfforddiant i weithwyr gofal iechyd proffesiynol. Unwaith eto, gwnaethant awgrymu meysydd i'w gwella, gan gynnwys blaenoriaethu gwell hyfforddiant meddygol ar iechyd menywod yn benodol mewn hyfforddiant sylfaenol i feddygon, er mwyn mynd i'r afael â rhagfarn ddiarwybod ac i godi ymwybyddiaeth hefyd.
A'r pwynt olaf yr hoffwn ei godi yw iechyd ataliol. Rwy’n siŵr fod pob un ohonom yn cytuno â hynny ac y bydd y Gweinidog yn cytuno â hynny hefyd. Ond awgrymodd y glymblaid, mewn sawl achos, fod yfed alcohol, ysmygu, ac ati, yn ddulliau eithaf cyffredin o ymdopi â phroblemau mewn bywyd, gan gynnwys salwch cronig. Heb ddealltwriaeth well o'r hyn sy'n ysgogi'r ymddygiad hwn ymhlith merched a menywod, roeddent yn dweud y byddai'n anodd iawn cynllunio gwasanaethau i ddiwallu'r anghenion penodol hynny. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio—.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Nodaf fod fy amser wedi dod i ben, ond diolch i Blaid Cymru am gyflwyno’r ddadl hon heddiw, ac edrychaf ymlaen at weddill y cyfraniadau gan yr Aelodau.
I'll focus my remarks on something that Sioned Williams has mentioned: the normalisation of pain for women in medical procedures and the ways in which girls and women are brought up to expect and tolerate discomfort as part of their daily lives. Perhaps most worryingly, when women complain about experiencing pain, as we've heard, there's ample research to suggest that they are routinely ignored or not taken as seriously as men in medical settings. In January, the cross-party group on women's health held a discussion about pain experienced in gynaecological out-patient settings, and, Llywydd, we heard truly harrowing stories about how some women feel they can't complain when they're in pain. We heard about a resistance amongst some practitioners to introducing more widespread pain relief and about a disconnect between patients and clinicians in terms of how they estimate pain.
On this question in terms of how we estimate pain, the disconnect seems to come about because women and girls are very often told that a level of discomfort will be something like period pain, and there's a significant problem here because period pain will be drastically different for different individuals, and the assumption that period pain will be a constant will mean that some clinicians either give patients an unrealistically low expectation about the kind of pain they should expect or they don't understand how some women's bodies work. And why should women be expected as a matter of course to tolerate pain similar to period pain? Why should there be an assumption that women's tolerance for pain will be higher because of childbirth? Why should that be normal?
Our motion talks about the cost of women's health. The monetary cost is well rehearsed: sanitary products that until relatively awfully recently were taxed as luxuries; over-the-counter pain medication. But, again, what about mental health? It's been mentioned already, the mental health impact of a failure to acknowledge women's health issues, the cost to society and the economy of sustaining a taboo, a veil of shame when it comes to talking about some conditions. How many women feel that they can't tell their employer that they can't go into work because their period pains are debilitating? How many women suffer in silence or can't tell their colleagues that they've had a miscarriage and that they need time off to get over it? How many women are summoned by HR to explain why their sickness record is so long, when, in fact, they're going through the menopause? Society both normalises women's pain and expects us to shut it away, not to mention it, not to consider it as appropriate for polite conversation. That is a double injustice, an intensified injury and a wrong that's wrought upon women.
Now, research suggests that women in acute pain go longer without being treated in hospitals than men suffering from similar conditions. They're also, as we've heard, more likely to be misdiagnosed with mental health problems and given anti-anxiety medication rather than having their pain or the cause of that pain treated. The tendency to dismiss women's pain is rooted in a centuries-old bias. The words for hysterectomy and hysteria have the same root, and this medieval notion that women were made mad or unbalanced because of their wombs, that still has aftershocks today—an ancient, outdated prejudice upheld by modern medical practices.
Chronic pain conditions that affect women, like fibromyalgia and endometriosis, are treated with a lack of seriousness and urgency. Women wait longer to receive pain medication; they face longer waits before being diagnosed with cancer; they're less likely to receive CPR because their symptoms are so often ignored or dismissed. And this isn't just a cognitive bias that we're battling; it's the fact that textbooks tend to focus on the male anatomy. The norm is always male, and not enough funding is put into conditions that affect women. These failures, Llywydd, result in unacceptable numbers of women dying, and before that, horrendously high numbers of women thinking that the level of pain they're going through is normal when it isn't. That's the cost of a lack of attention to women's health: you can count it in bodies or prescription scripts.
So, in closing, Llywydd, instead of normalising women's pain, we should be normalising talking about how we experience pain, talking about gynaecological conditions, improving training, because this gender pain gap has to be closed once and for all.
Rwyf am ganolbwyntio fy sylwadau ar rywbeth y mae Sioned Williams wedi’i grybwyll: normaleiddio poen i fenywod mewn gweithdrefnau meddygol a’r ffyrdd y mae merched a menywod yn cael eu magu i ddisgwyl a goddef anghysur yn rhan o’u bywydau bob dydd. Yr hyn sy'n peri'r pryder mwyaf efallai, pan fydd menywod yn cwyno am boen, fel y clywsom, yw y ceir digonedd o ymchwil i awgrymu eu bod yn cael eu hanwybyddu fel mater o drefn, neu nad ydynt yn cael eu cymryd o ddifrif i'r un graddau â dynion mewn lleoliadau meddygol. Ym mis Ionawr, cynhaliodd y grŵp trawsbleidiol ar iechyd menywod drafodaeth am brofiadau o boen mewn lleoliadau gynaecolegol i gleifion allanol, a chlywsom straeon gwirioneddol frawychus, Lywydd, ynglŷn â sut y mae rhai menywod yn teimlo na allant gwyno pan fyddant mewn poen. Clywsom am anfodlonrwydd ymhlith rhai ymarferwyr i ddarparu cyffuriau lleddfu poen ar raddfa ehangach ac am ddatgysylltiad rhwng cleifion a chlinigwyr yn y ffordd y maent yn amcangyfrif poen.
Ar y cwestiwn ynglŷn â sut rydym yn amcangyfrif poen, ymddengys bod y datgysylltiad yn deillio o'r ffaith bod menywod a merched yn cael clywed yn aml iawn y bydd lefel yr anghysur yn debyg i boen mislif, ac mae problem fawr yn hynny o beth gan y bydd poen mislif yn dra gwahanol i wahanol unigolion, a bydd y dybiaeth fod poen mislif yn gyson yn golygu bod rhai clinigwyr naill ai’n rhoi disgwyliad afrealistig o isel i gleifion ynglŷn â'r math o boen y dylent ei disgwyl, neu nid ydynt yn deall sut y mae cyrff rhai menywod yn gweithio. A pham y dylid disgwyl i fenywod oddef poen tebyg i boen mislif fel mater o drefn? Pam y dylid cael rhagdybiaeth y bydd menywod yn gallu goddef mwy o boen am eu bod yn geni plant? Pam y dylai hynny fod yn normal?
Mae ein cynnig yn sôn am gost iechyd menywod. Mae'r gost ariannol wedi'i hailadrodd lawer gwaith: eitemau ar gyfer y mislif yn cael eu trethu fel pethau moethus tan yn ofnadwy o ddiweddar; meddyginiaeth lleddfu poen dros y cownter. Ond unwaith eto, beth am iechyd meddwl? Mae wedi'i grybwyll eisoes, effaith y methiant i gydnabod problemau iechyd menywod ar iechyd meddwl, cost cynnal tabŵ i gymdeithas ac i’r economi, llen o gywilydd wrth sôn am rai cyflyrau. Faint o fenywod sy'n teimlo na allant ddweud wrth eu cyflogwr na allant fynd i'r gwaith am fod eu poen mislif yn wanychol? Faint o fenywod sy'n dioddef yn dawel neu'n methu dweud wrth eu cydweithwyr eu bod wedi cael camesgoriad a bod angen amser i ffwrdd arnynt i ymdopi? Faint o fenywod sy'n cael eu galw gan yr adran adnoddau dynol i egluro pam fod eu cofnod salwch mor hir, pan fyddant, mewn gwirionedd, yn mynd drwy'r menopos? Mae cymdeithas yn normaleiddio poen menywod ac yn disgwyl i ni ei anwybyddu, peidio â sôn amdano, ei ystyried yn amhriodol ar gyfer sgwrs gwrtais. Mae hynny'n anghyfiawnder dwbl, yn anaf dwysach ac yn gamwedd ar fenywod.
Nawr, mae ymchwil yn awgrymu bod menywod sydd mewn poen acíwt yn mynd yn hirach heb gael eu trin mewn ysbytai na dynion sy'n dioddef o gyflyrau tebyg. Maent hefyd, fel y clywsom, yn fwy tebygol o gael diagnosis anghywir o broblemau iechyd meddwl a chael meddyginiaeth gwrth-bryder yn hytrach na bod eu poen neu achos y boen yn cael ei drin. Mae'r duedd i ddiystyru poen menywod wedi'i gwreiddio mewn rhagfarn sy'n ganrifoedd oed. Mae’r geiriau am hysterectomi a hysteria yn dod o'r un gwreiddyn, a’r syniad canoloesol hwn fod menywod wedi mynd yn wallgof neu’n ddryslyd oherwydd eu crothau, sy'n dal atseinio heddiw—rhagfarn hynafol, hen ffasiwn sy'n cael ei chynnal gan arferion meddygol modern.
Mae cyflyrau poen cronig sy'n effeithio ar fenywod, fel ffibromyalgia ac endometriosis, yn cael eu trin â diffyg difrifoldeb a brys. Mae menywod yn aros yn hirach i gael meddyginiaeth lleddfu poen; maent yn wynebu amseroedd aros hirach cyn cael diagnosis o ganser; maent yn llai tebygol o gael triniaeth adfywio cardio-pwlmonaidd am fod eu symptomau'n cael eu hanwybyddu neu eu diystyru mor aml. Ac nid rhagfarn wybyddol yn unig yr ydym yn brwydro yn ei herbyn, ond y ffaith bod gwerslyfrau'n tueddu i ganolbwyntio ar anatomeg wrywaidd. Mae’r norm yn wrywaidd bob amser, ac nid oes digon o gyllid yn cael ei roi tuag at y cyflyrau sy’n effeithio ar fenywod. Mae'r methiannau hyn, Lywydd, yn arwain at niferoedd annerbyniol o fenywod yn marw, a chyn hynny, niferoedd ofnadwy o uchel o fenywod yn meddwl bod lefel y boen y maent yn ei dioddef yn normal pan nad yw'n normal. Dyna gost diffyg sylw i iechyd menywod: gallwch ei gyfrif mewn cyrff neu bresgripsiynau.
Felly, i gloi, Lywydd, yn hytrach na normaleiddio poen menywod, dylem fod yn normaleiddio siarad am y ffordd yr ydym yn profi poen, yn siarad am gyflyrau gynaecolegol, yn gwella hyfforddiant, gan fod yn rhaid cau’r bwlch poen hwn rhwng y rhywiau unwaith ac am byth.
I'm always pleased to take part in any debate about women's health, but I think that the way the motion has been phrased is a little unfortunate because it isn't either timely nor is it strategic in its approach, so it's going to have limited impact. This is because the health Minister has already announced in the Senedd a few weeks ago that she was working on an equality statement on women's health that she was going to deliver before the summer recess, and she's also told us in the Chamber that she's conducting line-by-line scrutiny of health boards' intermediate development plans. I'm confident that she's looking through the lens of women's health as well as the more general efficiency and effectiveness with which they are deploying their obligations towards women.
Rwyf bob amser yn falch o gymryd rhan mewn unrhyw ddadl am iechyd menywod, ond credaf fod y ffordd y mae’r cynnig wedi’i eirio braidd yn anffodus gan nad yw’n amserol nac yn strategol o ran ei ymagwedd, felly mae’n mynd i gael effaith gyfyngedig. Y rheswm am hynny yw bod y Gweinidog iechyd eisoes wedi cyhoeddi yn y Senedd rai wythnosau’n ôl ei bod yn gweithio ar ddatganiad cydraddoldeb ar iechyd menywod y bydd yn ei wneud cyn toriad yr haf, ac mae hefyd wedi dweud wrthym yn y Siambr ei bod yn craffu fesul llinell ar gynlluniau datblygu canolraddol y byrddau iechyd. Rwy'n hyderus ei bod yn edrych drwy lens iechyd menywod yn ogystal ag effeithlonrwydd ac effeithiolrwydd mwy cyffredinol y ffordd y maent yn cyflawni eu rhwymedigaethau i fenywod.
Having said that, obviously, all the points that have been made by other Members are really important. It's always going to be a good idea to be focusing the lens on women's health, because women have traditionally never had the same care as men. We have to remember that, before the NHS was founded by the post-war Labour Government, women next to never had any healthcare, because they always put their children and their husband, who was then supposedly the main breadwinner, before them in getting paid-for healthcare. So, the beginning of the NHS was a really, really important event in women's lives.
Focusing on 'A Healthier Wales', published in 2021, that didn't quite do it for me either, because you've got a new Senedd, a new health Minister and several really important plans that I feel we really do need to stay focused on. However, having said all that, we clearly need to focus on these issues. It really shouldn't take eight years to correctly diagnose endometriosis. It was a delight to meet Suzy Davies upstairs today—she's here for her work with the tourism board—because she, above all, put this on the agenda. And now, as a result of Suzy's interventions particularly, we have menstrual well-being education for boys and girls in all our schools so that girls are not suffering in silence about something they don't realise is not normal in the way they menstruate. And boys will be able to support girls in that when they're having those intimate conversations about the person they're in a close relationship with.
We do hope that the appointment of specialist endo nurses in each health board will improve the performance of GPs and, more worryingly, some gynaecologists' understanding of the presenting symptoms of endometriosis, because for me it is inexplicable that something that effects one in 10 women—. It's not some rare disease that only a specialist physician understands, this is one in 10 women. How is it possible that gynaecologists can't see endometriosis symptoms when they come through the door? So, there's clearly a lot of work to do for those endo nurses.
Jane Dodds referred to dementia and her personal experience of that earlier this afternoon. We have to remember that dementia, I read, is the biggest killer of women these days, and that's, obviously, something we really do need to reflect on, because some of it will be to do with loneliness, some of it will be to do with the quality of women's food, exercise, and all manner of other things that we really do need to understand, because this is a veritable pandemic.
On telemedical abortions, Wales has led the way in ensuring that what we developed during the pandemic has now become a permanent feature, so that women can get a telemedical abortion without having to leave the house, safely be able to do it in the privacy of their own home, and not delay getting treatment and have to then have a surgical abortion. So, well done the health Minister for having the guts to do that, because the UK Government has certainly sold the pass.
But there are many more things we need to learn from other countries. For example, in France, you get 10 free sessions of physiotherapy after the birth of a child. That's not because they're very keen to give people free sessions—it's because it's a preventative intervention to ensure that women are not having prolapses, back problems, incontinence, and all the other things that can go with pregnancy. For those of you who've never done it, I can tell you that it is quite a physical as well as mental exercise. So, I think that that is one thing that I would certainly want to come back to.
This cannot be about grandstanding. We need to really have this adult discussion and have it backed by all stakeholders. It's great that Sioned and others have brought the views of stakeholders into the Chamber. There will be an opportunity for anybody else who's interested in this subject to hear from Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales and the British Heart Foundation Cymru in the cross-party group on women's health tomorrow lunchtime, which is being held virtually, so, wherever you happen to be, you can join. Because this is the way we have to go about having this women's health strategy—to ensure that all women are included, and girls. I look forward to having a path-breaking plan, which I'm sure the Minister will be producing in due course.
Wedi dweud hynny, mae'n amlwg fod yr holl bwyntiau a wnaed gan Aelodau eraill yn bwysig iawn. Mae bob amser yn mynd i fod yn syniad da troi'r ffocws ar iechyd menywod, oherwydd yn draddodiadol nid yw menywod erioed wedi cael yr un gofal â dynion. Cyn i'r GIG gael ei sefydlu gan y Llywodraeth Lafur ar ôl y rhyfel, rhaid inni gofio mai prin y câi menywod unrhyw ofal iechyd o gwbl, oherwydd byddent bob amser yn rhoi eu plant a'u gŵr, a oedd yn brif enillydd cyflog, yn gyntaf i gael gofal iechyd am dâl. Felly, roedd dechrau'r GIG yn ddigwyddiad gwirioneddol bwysig ym mywydau menywod.
Gan ganolbwyntio ar 'Cymru Iachach', a gyhoeddwyd yn 2021, nid oedd hwnnw'n fy mhlesio'n llwyr ychwaith, oherwydd mae gennych Senedd newydd, Gweinidog iechyd newydd a nifer o gynlluniau pwysig iawn y teimlaf fod gwir angen inni barhau i ganolbwyntio arnynt. Fodd bynnag, wedi dweud hynny i gyd, mae'n amlwg fod angen inni ganolbwyntio ar y materion hyn. Ni ddylai gymryd wyth mlynedd i wneud diagnosis cywir o endometriosis. Roedd yn bleser cyfarfod â Suzy Davies i fyny'r grisiau heddiw—mae hi yma yn rhinwedd ei gwaith gyda'r bwrdd twristiaeth—am mai hi, yn anad neb, a roddodd hyn ar yr agenda. Ac yn awr, o ganlyniad i ymyriadau Suzy yn arbennig, mae gennym addysg llesiant mislif i fechgyn a merched ym mhob un o'n hysgolion fel nad yw merched yn dioddef mewn distawrwydd am rywbeth nad ydynt yn sylweddoli nad yw'n arferol yn y ffordd y maent yn cael y mislif. A bydd bechgyn yn gallu cefnogi merched yn hynny o beth pan fyddant yn cael y sgyrsiau agos hynny am y person y maent mewn perthynas agos â hwy.
Rydym yn gobeithio y bydd penodi nyrsys endo arbenigol ym mhob bwrdd iechyd yn gwella perfformiad meddygon teulu ac yn fwy pryderus, dealltwriaeth rhai gynecolegwyr o symptomau endometriosis, oherwydd i mi mae'n anesboniadwy fod rhywbeth sy'n effeithio ar un o bob 10 dynes—. Nid rhyw glefyd prin nad oes neb ond meddyg arbenigol yn ei ddeall ydyw, mae'n un o bob 10 dynes. Sut y mae'n bosibl na all gynaecolegwyr weld symptomau endometriosis pan ddônt drwy'r drws? Felly, mae'n amlwg fod llawer o waith i'r nyrsys endo hynny ei wneud.
Cyfeiriodd Jane Dodds at ddementia a'i phrofiad personol o hynny yn gynharach y prynhawn yma. Rhaid inni gofio mai dementia, yn ôl yr hyn a ddarllenais, sy'n lladd fwyaf o fenywod y dyddiau hyn, ac mae hynny, yn amlwg, yn rhywbeth y mae gwir angen inni fyfyrio arno, oherwydd bydd rhywfaint ohono'n ymwneud ag unigrwydd, bydd rhywfaint ohono'n ymwneud ag ansawdd bwyd menywod, ymarfer corff, a phob math o bethau eraill y mae gwir angen inni eu deall, oherwydd mae'n bandemig go iawn.
Ar erthyliadau telefeddygol, mae Cymru wedi arwain y ffordd ar sicrhau bod yr hyn a ddatblygwyd gennym yn ystod y pandemig bellach wedi dod yn nodwedd barhaol, fel y gall menywod gael erthyliad telefeddygol heb orfod gadael y tŷ, gallu ei wneud yn ddiogel ym mhreifatrwydd eu cartref eu hunain, a pheidio ag oedi cyn cael triniaeth a gorfod cael erthyliad llawfeddygol wedyn. Felly, da iawn Weinidog iechyd, am fod yn ddigon dewr i wneud hynny, oherwydd mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi bradychu'r achos.
Ond mae llawer mwy o bethau y mae angen inni eu dysgu gan wledydd eraill. Er enghraifft, yn Ffrainc, fe gewch 10 sesiwn ffisiotherapi am ddim ar ôl geni plentyn, nid oherwydd eu bod yn awyddus iawn i roi sesiynau am ddim i bobl—y rheswm dros ei wneud yw ei bod yn ymyrraeth ataliol i sicrhau nad yw menywod yn cael prolapsau, problemau cefn, anymataliaeth, a'r holl bethau eraill sy'n gallu mynd law yn llaw â beichiogrwydd. I'r rhai ohonoch nad ydych erioed wedi'i wneud, gallaf ddweud wrthych ei fod yn ymarfer eithaf corfforol yn ogystal â meddyliol. Felly, credaf fod hwnnw'n un peth y byddwn yn sicr o fod eisiau dod yn ôl ato.
Rhaid i hyn fod yn fwy na siarad gorchestol. Mae angen inni gael y drafodaeth aeddfed hon a sicrhau cefnogaeth yr holl randdeiliaid. Mae'n wych fod Sioned ac eraill wedi dod â barn rhanddeiliaid i'r Siambr. Bydd cyfle i unrhyw un arall sydd â diddordeb yn y pwnc glywed gan Triniaeth Deg i Fenywod Cymru a Sefydliad Prydeinig y Galon Cymru yn y grŵp trawsbleidiol ar iechyd menywod amser cinio yfory, sy'n cael ei gynnal yn rhithiol, felly, lle bynnag y byddwch chi, fe allwch ymuno. Oherwydd dyma'r ffordd y mae'n rhaid inni fynd ar hyd-ddi i gael strategaeth iechyd menywod—i sicrhau bod pob dynes yn cael ei chynnwys, a merched. Edrychaf ymlaen at gael cynllun arloesol, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd y Gweinidog yn ei gynhyrchu maes o law.
Dwi’n falch ein bod ni'n cael y drafodaeth bwysig hon heddiw. Er ein bod ni wedi cael ymrwymiad gan y Gweinidog, dwi'n meddwl bod y ffaith bod cymaint o etholwyr yn parhau i gysylltu efo ni yn dangos pwysigrwydd siarad a chodi ymwybyddiaeth bob cyfle rydyn ni'n ei gael ynglŷn ag iechyd menywod a phobl gydag organau benywaidd. Dwi'n gwybod bod pethau, fel rydw i'n sôn, ar y gweill, ond mae pobl yn byw mewn poen, ac mae gwybod eu bod nhw'n gorfod efallai dioddef y boen yna am flynyddoedd i ddod, gan y bydd cynllun, neu y bydd datrysiadau, yn eithriadol o anodd pan fo'n cael effaith andwyol ar eich gallu chi i fyw o ddydd i ddydd.
Mae yna gyfeiriadau wedi bod at endometriosis yn barod, pwnc y gwnes i godi yn ddiweddar yn sgil cael etholwraig yn cysylltu gyda mi wedi iddi gael ar ddeall gan fwrdd iechyd Cwm Taf bod y driniaeth hanfodol roedd hi ei hangen, ac oedd i fod i ddigwydd cyn y cyfnod clo cyntaf COVID nôl yn 2020, ddim jest wedi ei ohirio, ond wedi'i ganslo yn llwyr. Ers hynny, mae hi wedi cysylltu gyda mi i ddweud ei bod wedi gwrthod yr unig opsiwn a roddwyd iddi hi, sef triniaeth er mwyn ei gorfodi mewn i'r menopos, oherwydd bod ganddi hefyd gyflwr esgyrn, a allai waethygu yn ddirfawr gyda meddyginiaeth o'r fath. Yn hytrach na bod yn gefnogol, aeth y nyrs yn flin iawn gyda hi a bygwth y byddai'n cael ei rhyddhau o ofal gynaecolegydd os nad oedd yn fodlon derbyn y meddyginiaeth yn hytrach na pharhau i fynnu y llawdriniaeth y mae ei hangen. Mae hyn er gwaetha’r ffaith ei bod mewn poen sydd yn cael effaith ar ei gwaith a’i bywyd personol. Yn anffodus, mae achosion o’r fath yn llawer rhy gyffredin a dydy o ddim digon da ein bod yn disgwyl i fenywod ddioddef fel hyn.
Hoffwn hefyd yn fy nghyfraniad heddiw ganolbwyntio ar feichiogrwydd yn benodol, a’r problemau y mae’n rhaid i strategaeth o’r fath fynd i’r afael â nhw. Er bod beichiogrwydd yn y Deyrnas Unedig yn cael ei ystyried yn ddiogel ar y cyfan, mae menywod a babanod yn dal i farw'n ddiangen o ganlyniad uniongyrchol i gymhlethdodau beichiogrwydd y gellir eu hatal. Bob blwyddyn mae tua 5,000 o fabanod yn y Deyrnas Unedig naill ai’n farwanedig neu’n marw yn fuan ar ôl eu geni, ac mae 70 o famau’n marw o ganlyniad i gyflyrau beichiogrwydd-penodol. Rydyn ni'n gwybod bod menywod du bedair gwaith yn fwy tebygol o farw o gymhlethdodau yn ystod beichiogrwydd na merched gwyn, a merched Asiaidd ddwywaith yn fwy tebygol. Mae mamau hŷn, y rheini o grwpiau difreintiedig, a menywod o ethnigrwydd cymysg hefyd yn fwy tebygol o farw yn ystod beichiogrwydd, neu’n fuan ar ôl hynny. Mae gofal menywod yn cael ei rwystro'n ddifrifol gan ddiffyg meddyginiaethau addas y gwyddom yn bendant eu bod yn ddiogel ac yn effeithiol i'w defnyddio yn ystod beichiogrwydd neu wrth fwydo ar y fron. Ond dros y 40 mlynedd diwethaf, dim ond dwy feddyginiaeth newydd sydd wedi'u cymeradwyo i'w defnyddio yn ystod beichiogrwydd.
Pwnc arall sydd hefyd angen sylw, ac sydd yn adeiladu ar bwynt Jenny Rathbone, yw anafiadau mae merched yn eu dioddef wrth eni plentyn sydd yn cael effaith andwyol a hirdymor ar allu person i weithio, hyd yn oed gadael y tŷ, a chael rhyw, oherwydd anymataliaeth y coluddyn. Maen nhw hefyd yn colli cysylltiad efo'u plant. Mae hyn yn cael effaith seicolegol dirfawr. Prin yw hyn yn cael ei drafod. Mi oeddwn i'n falch iawn ddydd Llun o gael mynychu lansiad hyb iechyd pelfig yn Ysbyty’r Barri. Dan arweiniad Julie Cornish, dyma’r unig hyb yng Nghymru sydd yn cefnogi menywod gydag anafiadau o’r fath. Bûm yn siarad gyda’r elusen MASIC am hyn, wnaeth rannu gyda mi bod un ym mhob 20 menyw neu berson sy’n rhoi genedigaeth am y tro cyntaf yn dioddef anaf difrifol. Wrth ganmol i’r cymylau gwaith yr hyb newydd hwn, fe ddywedon nhw pa mor annerbyniol oedd o nad yw hyb o’r fath ym mhob bwrdd iechyd, a bod y mwyafrif o fenywod yng Nghymru yn methu â chael unrhyw gefnogaeth o gwbl gyda hyn. Ni all hyn barhau.
Ac nid dyma’r unig faes sydd angen gwella. Mae 65 y cant o bobl sy'n byw gyda dementia yn fenywod ond mae 60 i 70 y cant o ofalwyr pobl â dementia yn fenywod. Hefyd, mae 20 y cant o ofalwyr benywaidd wedi mynd o gyflogaeth amser llawn i waith rhanamser oherwydd eu cyfrifoldebau gofalu, ac roedd 17 y cant yn teimlo eu bod yn cael eu cosbi yn y gwaith.
Rydyn ni'n gwybod hefyd bod yna lu o ystadegau o ran clefydau'r galon, ffigurau dirdynnol iawn bod merched ddim yn cael y cydnabyddiaeth bod ganddynt clefyd coronaidd y galon, ac ati, i gymharu efo dynion. Mae menyw 50 y cant yn fwy tebygol na dyn o gael y diagnosis cychwynnol anghywir ar gyfer trawiad ar y galon. Felly, mae yna anomalïau llwyr yn fan hyn o ran merched a dynion efo cyflyrau sy'n gyffredin iawn. Mae hwn yn gallu bod yn ddigalon eithriadol o ran gweld yr holl bethau rydyn ni'n eu hwynebu fel heriau. Ond, y mwyaf rydyn ni'n siarad amdanyn nhw a gobeithio, hefyd, annog merched i fynd at feddygon yn lle dioddef yn dawel—dwi'n meddwl am y ffaith roedden ni bron yn sibrwd am rai o'r cyflyrrau yma yn y gorffennol—y mwyaf rydym yn siarad, trafod a sicrhau ein bod ni yn symud ymlaen yn y meysydd hyn. Dwi'n falch ein bod ni'n cael cyfleoedd fel hyn, ac mi fyddwn ni, wrth gwrs, yn croesawu gweld y strategaeth yma, ond hefyd y gweithredu ar lawr gwlad i gefnogi menywod Cymru.
I’m pleased that we’re having this very important discussion today. Although we've had a commitment from the Minister, I think the fact that so many constituents continue to contact us demonstrates the importance of raising awareness with every opportunity that we have with regard to women's health, and the health of those assigned female at birth. I know that plans are afoot in this area, but people are living in pain, and knowing that they perhaps have to suffer that pain for years to come whilst a plan emerges is very difficult, because it has a detrimental impact on your ability to live on a daily basis.
References have been made to endometriosis already, and this is a subject that I raised recently having been contacted by a constituent after she was told by Cwm Taf health board that the vital treatment that she needed, which was supposed to take place before the first lockdown back in 2020, hadn’t just been postponed, but had been cancelled entirely. Since then, she has contacted me again to let me know that she has refused the only option she was given, namely treatment to bring on early menopause, because she also has a bone condition, which could deteriorate severely with menopause medication. Instead of being supportive, the nurse became very angry with her and threatened to release her from the gynaecologist’s care if she wasn’t willing to take the medication, rather than continuing to call for the treatment and surgery that she needs. All this despite the fact that she is in such pain that it is having an impact on her work and personal life. Unfortunately, cases of this kind are far too common, and it isn’t good enough that we expect women to suffer like this.
I would also, in my contribution today, like to focus on pregnancy and the problems that a strategy must tackle. Although pregnancy in the United Kingdom is, on the whole, considered to be safe, women and babies are still dying unnecessarily as a direct result of complications with pregnancy that could be prevented. Every year, around 5,000 babies in the UK are either stillborn or die soon after birth, and 70 mothers die as a result of specific pregnancy-related conditions. We know that black women are four times more likely to die from complications during pregnancy than white women, and Asian women twice as likely. Older mothers, mothers from deprived backgrounds and women of mixed ethnicity are also more likely to die during pregnancy or soon afterwards. Care for women is being seriously hampered by a lack of suitable medications that we know for certain are safe and effective during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Over the past 40 years, only two new forms of medication have been approved for use during pregnancy.
Another subject that demands attention, and which builds on Jenny Rathbone's point, is the injuries that women suffer during childbirth, which have a detrimental and long-term impact on a person’s ability to work, leave the house and have sexual intercourse, due to bowel incontinence. They also lose touch with their children, and this has a major psychological impact. This issue is rarely discussed. On Monday I was pleased to be able to attend the launch of a pelvic health hub at Barry Hospital. Led by Julie Cornish, this is the only hub in Wales that supports women with injuries of this kind. I spoke to the MASIC charity about this, and I was told that one in 20 women or people who give birth for the first time suffers a serious injury. Whilst praising to the skies the work of this new hub, the charity said how unacceptable it is that there wasn’t a hub of this kind in every health board area, and that the majority of women in Wales cannot access any support with this issue. This cannot go on.
And this isn’t the only area where improvement is needed. Sixty-five per cent of people living with dementia are women, but 60 to 70 per cent of carers of people with dementia are also women. Also, 20 per cent of female carers have gone from full-time to part-time employment due to their caring responsibilities, and 17 per cent felt that they were being penalised at work.
We also know that there is a whole host of statistics with regard to heart disease, and these are very powerful figures in terms of the fact that women aren't receiving the recognition that they have coronary heart disease. Women are 40 per cent more likely than a man of having an incorrect initial diagnosis of heart attack. So, there are anomalies here in terms of women and men with conditions that are very common. This can be very disheartening in terms of all of the things that we face as challenges. But, the more we talk about these challenges and encourage women to attend surgeries, rather than suffering in silence—I think about the fact that we have whispered about these conditions in the past—the more we will be talking about them and making progress in these areas. I'm pleased that we have an opportunity like this debate and we would, of course, welcome this new strategy, but also the action taken on the ground to support women in Wales.
I'm pleased to be speaking in this hugely important debate today. We've heard about the number of diseases that are unique to women and also a whole host of other diseases that disproportionately impact women's health and well-being. One of the key focuses of the Welsh Government's 'A Healthier Wales: our Plan for Health and Social Care' is preventative healthcare, and a number of the diseases that impact women's health are largely preventable or have much better outcomes if they're diagnosed at an early stage.
Cardiovascular disease is an example. Despite cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in women, there is often an assumption by some health professionals and the general public that women are at a lower risk of this disease. Whilst this is true to some extent, this difference diminishes with age, particularly over the age of 50, and potentially even earlier in women who experience early menopause. So, here again, the menopause is significant in women's health. That is backed up, of course, by research, and it shows that, when it comes to cardiovascular disease, women are more likely to be diagnosed more slowly or completely misdiagnosed when compared to men. This, of course, can have devastating impacts on the individual's mortality and morbidity. Some of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease are preventable, including lifestyle choices, diet, high blood pressure and cholesterol. With that in mind, I believe that health screening can also play an important role in preventing disease in the first place. As I understand it, we were all supposed to, in Wales, receive an annual screening at the age of 50—everybody. And I somehow think that that hasn't happened, first of all because of COVID, but hasn't actually happened after COVID because of the pressures that has brought to bear. That clearly is part of a preventative course of action, and I just hope that we can get that back on track.
Education, of course, is a major factor in helping to prevent disease and diagnose it at an earlier age. How many women, for example, are aware of cardiovascular disease being the biggest threat to their health? I chose this deliberately because I almost anticipated what everybody else would speak about. It's interesting, isn't it, that it isn't one of the things that has been spoken about. I wasn't aware of this until I started looking for those things that people weren't talking about affecting most women. So, I think those messages need to get out. Of course, there are a number of other relevant illnesses, and ovarian cancer is one of those. That has a number of non-specific symptoms, like abdominal bloating, feeling full after eating, changes in urination and bowel habits, extreme fatigue and tiredness, amongst others. But, many of the symptoms are similar to less serious health conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome, and they go unnoticed. So, education is absolutely vital, because we know that ovarian cancer is called the silent killer. And my question is this: why is it called the silent killer? Is it because people don't know about it and don't recognise it, or is it because people aren't talking about it? So, I think we need a real focus on that.
I'm really pleased, Minister, that you did announce that you're bringing forward a women's health plan, and I really do welcome that move. I hope that you're able to tell us your indication as to when we might be able to debate that in the Senedd. I'm really pleased that we do have a Minister who has committed herself to women's health, to bringing forward what I believe will be the first women's health plan, and I've sat here a few times—others have been here since 1999. So, it's a huge step forward, and I can see by today—and I do welcome this debate being brought forward today—that you have huge support in delivering it.
Rwy'n falch o siarad yn y ddadl hynod bwysig hon heddiw. Rydym wedi clywed am y nifer o glefydau sy'n unigryw i fenywod a llu o glefydau eraill sy'n effeithio'n anghymesur ar iechyd a llesiant menywod. Un o nodau allweddol 'Cymru Iachach: ein Cynllun Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol' gan Lywodraeth Cymru yw gofal iechyd ataliol, ac mae modd atal nifer o'r clefydau sy'n effeithio ar iechyd menywod i raddau helaeth, neu bydd iddynt ganlyniadau llawer gwell, os cânt ddiagnosis ar gam cynnar.
Mae clefyd cardiofasgwlaidd yn enghraifft. Er mai clefyd cardiofasgwlaidd yw'r prif achos marwolaeth ymhlith menywod, mae rhai gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol a'r cyhoedd yn aml yn tybio bod menywod mewn llai o berygl o'r clefyd hwn. Er bod hyn yn wir i ryw raddau, mae'r gwahaniaeth yn lleihau gydag oedran, yn enwedig dros 50 oed, a hyd yn oed yn gynharach o bosibl mewn menywod sy'n cael menopos cynnar. Felly, yma eto, mae'r menopos yn ffactor arwyddocaol yn iechyd menywod. Ategir hynny gan ymchwil, wrth gwrs, ac mae'n dangos, yn achos clefyd cardiofasgwlaidd, fod menywod yn fwy tebygol o gael diagnosis arafach neu o gael diagnosis hollol anghywir o'u cymharu â dynion. Gall hyn, wrth gwrs, gael effaith ddinistriol ar gyfradd farwolaethau ac afiachedd unigolion. Gellir atal rhai o'r ffactorau risg sy'n gysylltiedig â chlefyd cardiofasgwlaidd, gan gynnwys dewisiadau ffordd o fyw, deiet, pwysedd gwaed uchel a cholesterol. Gyda hynny mewn golwg, credaf y gall sgrinio iechyd hefyd chwarae rhan bwysig yn atal clefydau yn y lle cyntaf. Yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, roeddem i gyd i fod i gael sgriniad blynyddol yng Nghymru yn 50 oed—pawb. Ac rwy'n meddwl rywsut nad yw hynny wedi digwydd, yn gyntaf oll oherwydd COVID, ond nid yw wedi digwydd ar ôl COVID mewn gwirionedd oherwydd y pwysau a ddaeth i'r amlwg yn ei sgil. Mae hynny'n amlwg yn rhan o ddull gweithredu ataliol, ac rwy'n gobeithio y gallwn gael hynny'n ôl ar y trywydd iawn.
Mae addysg, wrth gwrs, yn ffactor pwysig i helpu i atal clefydau a chael diagnosis ohonynt yn gynharach. Faint o fenywod, er enghraifft, sy'n ymwybodol mai clefyd cardiofasgwlaidd yw'r bygythiad mwyaf i'w hiechyd? Dewisais hyn yn fwriadol oherwydd roeddwn bron yn rhagweld yr hyn y byddai pawb arall yn siarad amdano. Mae'n ddiddorol, onid yw, nad yw'n un o'r pethau y siaradwyd amdano. Nid oeddwn yn ymwybodol o hyn nes imi ddechrau chwilio am y pethau nad oedd pobl yn siarad amdanynt sy'n effeithio ar y rhan fwyaf o fenywod. Felly, credaf fod angen lledaenu'r negeseuon hynny. Wrth gwrs, ceir nifer o afiechydon perthnasol eraill, ac mae canser yr ofari yn un o'r rheini. Mae nifer o symptomau amhenodol yn perthyn i'r canser hwnnw, fel bol chwyddedig, teimlo'n llawn ar ôl bwyta, newidiadau mewn arferion gwneud dŵr ac ysgarthu, lludded eithafol a blinder, ymhlith eraill. Ond mae llawer o'r symptomau'n debyg i gyflyrau iechyd llai difrifol, fel syndrom coluddyn llidus, ac nid ydynt yn cael sylw. Felly, mae addysg yn gwbl hanfodol, oherwydd gwyddom mai lladdwr tawel yw canser yr ofari. A fy nghwestiwn i yw hwn: pam y'i gelwir yn lladdwr tawel? Ai oherwydd nad yw pobl yn gwybod amdano ac nad ydynt yn ei adnabod, neu ai am nad yw pobl yn siarad amdano? Felly, credaf fod arnom angen ffocws gwirioneddol ar hynny.
Weinidog, rwy'n falch iawn eich bod wedi cyhoeddi eich bod yn cyflwyno cynllun iechyd menywod, ac rwy'n croesawu'r cam hwnnw'n fawr. Gobeithio y gallwch ddweud wrthym pryd y credwch y gallem drafod hynny yn y Senedd. Rwy'n falch iawn fod gennym Weinidog sydd wedi ymrwymo i iechyd menywod, i gyflwyno'r hyn a fydd yn gynllun iechyd menywod cyntaf, rwy'n credu, ac rwyf wedi eistedd yma sawl gwaith—mae eraill wedi bod yma ers 1999. Felly, mae'n gam enfawr ymlaen, a gallaf weld erbyn heddiw—ac rwy'n croesawu'r ffaith bod y ddadl hon wedi'i chyflwyno heddiw—fod gennych gefnogaeth enfawr i'w chyflawni.
Mae iechyd menywod yn rhywbeth mae angen i ni gyd ddeall. Mae yna ddyletswydd arnon ni i sicrhau gwell ymwybyddiaeth, a bod gwell darpariaeth gofal ar gael i'r amryw o gyflyrau mae menywod o bob oedran yn eu dioddef, a hynny yn aml yn dawel a heb gymorth digonol, fel y clywon ni'n gynharach gan Sioned Williams.
Yn y misoedd diwethaf, mae nifer o etholwyr wedi cysylltu â fi ynglŷn ag un cyflwr yn benodol, sef endometriosis. Mae'n gyflwr sy'n achosi poen cronig i un o bob 10 menyw yng Nghymru—tua 300,000 i gyd. Ac er fy mod i'n ymwybodol bod y Llywodraeth eisoes wedi cyhoeddi y bydd pob bwrdd iechyd yn cyflogi nyrsys arbenigol i ofalu am ferched sy'n dioddef o endometriosis—a dwi'n croesawu hynny yn fawr iawn—mae'r bwlch iechyd, fodd bynnag, o ran rhywedd yn parhau. Fel rŷn ni wedi clywed eisoes, yng Nghymru mae'n cymryd naw mlynedd i dderbyn diagnosis o'r cyflwr endometriosis, yr hiraf yn yr holl Deyrnas Unedig.
Women's health is something that we all need to understand. There is a duty on us to ensure improved awareness, and that there's better care provision available for the various conditions suffered by women of all ages, very often in silence and without sufficient support, as we heard earlier from Sioned Williams.
In the last few months, a number of constituents have contacted me regarding one specific condition, namely endometriosis. It's a condition that causes chronic pain for one in 10 women in Wales—about 300,000 in total. Although I'm aware that the Government has already announced that every health board will employ specialist nurses to care for women suffering from endometriosis—and I welcome that very much—the health gap in gender terms, however, continues. As we've already heard, in Wales it takes nine years to have a diagnosis of the condition, the longest in the whole of the United Kingdom.
I want to share with you the story of one of my constituents, Emily from Carmarthenshire. She is now 23 years old, but Emily knew things weren't quite right when she started having her periods at the age of 12. Every month, she had unbearable pain. However, for years, her doctor didn't believe the severity of her condition. It was only after Emily collapsed and was rushed to hospital with sepsis in August 2019 that her condition was taken seriously.
Emily has written in harrowing terms the experience she has endured in a recent edition of Glamour magazine, and I quote: 'Doctors told me I was trying to find answers that weren't there, that I was being dramatic, that they were more concerned about my mental health; basically, it was all in my head. I was prescribed antidepressants, which, of course, I knew I didn't need. I had more mental health referrals than I had scans on my ovaries.'
When she was eventually admitted to hospital, a 25 cm cyst was found on her ovaries, and a diagnosis of stage 4 endometriosis—the most advanced stage of all. Emily also suffers from adenomyosis, a condition that goes hand in hand with severe endometriosis, and can cause the womb to swell to three times its normal size.
Emily has proven how inadequate the care available is for young women suffering from this condition through the years she took to get a diagnosis on the NHS. After further pain and severe discomfort, she eventually had to pay for private care across the border in England. This is a sad indictment of the way we support women's health in Wales, in particular the treatment of this debilitating condition. In the three years since the initial diagnosis, she has received several surgeries to alleviate her symptoms, and is now experiencing chemically induced menopause. Yes, sorry, I'll give way.
Hoffwn rannu stori un o fy etholwyr, Emily o sir Gaerfyrddin, gyda chi. Mae hi bellach yn 23 oed, ond roedd Emily yn gwybod nad oedd pethau'n iawn pan ddechreuodd gael ei mislif yn 12 oed. Bob mis, câi boen annioddefol. Fodd bynnag, am flynyddoedd, nid oedd ei meddyg yn credu pa mor ddifrifol oedd ei chyflwr. Nid tan i Emily lewygu a chael ei chludo i'r ysbyty gyda sepsis ym mis Awst 2019 y rhoddwyd ystyriaeth ddifrifol i'w chyflwr.
Mae Emily wedi ysgrifennu'n ddirdynnol am ei phrofiad mewn rhifyn diweddar o gylchgrawn Glamour, ac rwy'n dyfynnu: 'Dywedodd meddygon wrthyf fy mod yn ceisio dod o hyd i atebion nad oeddent yno, fy mod yn bod yn ddramatig, eu bod yn poeni mwy am fy iechyd meddwl; yn y bôn, roedd y cyfan yn fy mhen. Cefais dabledi gwrth-iselder ar bresgripsiwn, a gwyddwn wrth gwrs nad oeddwn eu hangen. Cefais fwy o atgyfeiriadau iechyd meddwl nag a gefais o sganiau ar fy ofarïau.'
Pan gafodd ei derbyn i'r ysbyty yn y pen draw, canfuwyd syst 25 cm ar ei hofarïau, a chafodd ddiagnosis o endometriosis cam 4—y cam mwyaf difrifol. Mae Emily hefyd yn dioddef o adenomyosis, cyflwr sy'n mynd law yn llaw ag endometriosis difrifol, a gall achosi i'r groth chwyddo i dair gwaith ei maint arferol.
Mae Emily wedi profi pa mor annigonol yw'r gofal sydd ar gael i fenywod ifanc sy'n dioddef o'r cyflwr hwn drwy'r blynyddoedd a gymerodd i gael diagnosis gan y GIG. Ar ôl poen pellach ac anesmwythyd difrifol, bu'n rhaid iddi dalu am ofal preifat dros y ffin yn Lloegr yn y pen draw. Dyma feirniadaeth drist o'r ffordd y cefnogwn iechyd menywod yng Nghymru, yn enwedig y ffordd y caiff y cyflwr gwanychol hwn ei drin. Yn y tair blynedd ers y diagnosis cychwynnol, mae wedi cael sawl llawdriniaeth i leddfu ei symptomau, ac mae bellach yn mynd drwy fenopos wedi'i gymell yn gemegol. Ie, mae'n ddrwg gennyf, fe ildiaf.
Thank you very much. I wanted to intervene earlier. It is with regard to the pain, and regarding endometriosis, which does not involve only one organ—it is a multi-organ problem. Pain is just a pointer. It points that you have to see the patient as a whole, which is not happening over the last so many years. We have been treating the symptoms. That is why I have been very vocal about it over the last 15 or 20 years—that we kindly see the patient as a whole, prioritise treatment and the continuation of treatment. These are very important things, and this is not happening. That's why we are suffering, and that is why we are not getting anywhere with these diagnoses, especially in women. My heart goes out. I have a wife, I have a daughter, I have a grand-daughter. Why should they suffer? This is mainly because we don't see them as a whole. Thank you.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Roeddwn am ymyrryd yn gynharach. Mae'n ymwneud â'r boen, ac endometriosis, nad yw'n ymwneud ag un organ yn unig—mae'n broblem sy'n effeithio ar sawl organ. Tynnu sylw'n unig a wna poen. Mae'n tynnu sylw at y ffaith fod yn rhaid ichi weld y claf cyfan, rhywbeth nad yw'n digwydd dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Rydym wedi bod yn trin y symptomau. Dyna pam fy mod wedi bod yn llafar iawn yn ei gylch dros y 15 neu 20 mlynedd diwethaf—y dylem weld y claf yn ei gyfanrwydd, blaenoriaethu triniaeth a pharhau â'r driniaeth. Mae'r rhain yn bethau pwysig iawn, ac nid yw'n digwydd. Dyna pam ein bod yn dioddef, a dyna pam nad ydym yn cyrraedd unman gyda'r mathau hyn o ddiagnosis, yn enwedig mewn menywod. Mae fy nghalon yn gwaedu drostynt. Mae gennyf wraig, mae gennyf ferch, mae gennyf wyres. Pam y dylent ddioddef? Mae'n digwydd yn bennaf am nad ydym yn edrych ar yr unigolyn cyfan. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Well, I thank you for that, and I think that we've heard already how the symptoms are treated, not the root cause of the problem. Can I just quote Emily once again? I remind you that she's only 23 years of age:
'I live in everyday pain and try to manage as best I can. My fertility isn't looking great. I just hope all the time for some sort of relief. But because my endometriosis was left to develop to such a severe state, my chances of living a normal, pain-free life are slim. My advice to any other women out there who are being let down by the gender health gap is to not take "no" for an answer. Listen to your body, and don't let anyone gaslight you into thinking that it's all in your head. You know your body better than anyone else. Fight for its right to be heard.'
Wel, diolch ichi am hynny, ac rwy'n credu ein bod eisoes wedi clywed sut yr ymdrinnir â'r symptomau yn hytrach na gwraidd y broblem. Os caf ddyfynnu Emily unwaith eto? Fe'ch atgoffaf mai dim ond 23 oed yw hi:
'Rwy'n byw mewn poen bob dydd ac yn ceisio ymdopi gystal ag y gallaf. Nid yw pethau'n edrych yn wych gyda fy ffrwythlondeb. Rwy'n gobeithio drwy'r amser am ryw fath o ryddhad. Ond oherwydd bod fy endometriosis wedi cael ei adael i ddatblygu i gyflwr mor ddifrifol, mae fy ngobaith o fyw bywyd normal, di-boen yn fychan. Fy nghyngor i unrhyw fenywod eraill sy'n cael cam yn sgil y bwlch iechyd rhwng y rhywiau yw peidio â chymryd "na" fel ateb. Gwrandewch ar eich corff, a pheidiwch â gadael i unrhyw un wneud i chi feddwl bod y cyfan yn eich pen. Rydych chi'n adnabod eich corff yn well na neb arall. Ymladdwch dros hawl eich corff i gael ei glywed.'
Wrth restru ei phryderon am y gofal sydd ar gael i'r rheini sy'n dioddef o'r cyflwr, roedd mam Emily yn glir ei barn fod angen mwy o ganolfannau endometriosis ar draws Cymru er mwyn darparu gofal arbenigol sydd yn hollol angenrheidiol i gleifion. Er bod yna un yng Nghaerdydd, mae hi o'r farn bod angen gwella'r gofal yno yn fawr iawn.
Yn ail, a dwi'n gorffen gyda hyn, codwyd pryderon gan y teulu am yr ymwybyddiaeth sydd ar gael yn gyffredinol am y cyflwr yma, boed yn gymdeithasol neu yn y byd meddygol, ac sydd, yn anffodus, yn arwain at naw mlynedd i dderbyn diagnosis. Mae tystiolaeth cymaint o ferched yn awgrymu bod gormod o feddygon teulu yn diystyru difrifoldeb y cyflwr. Dyw awgrymu bod 'hyn yn arferol i ferched o'ch oedran chi, a chymerwch gwpwl o barasetamols' ddim yn ddigon da.
Dwi yn gorffen gyda hwn, sori, os caf i jest eiliad arall—
Listing her concerns regarding the care available to sufferers, Emily's mother was clear in her view that there is a need for more endometriosis centres across the whole of Wales to provide specialist care that is completely necessary for patients. While there is a specialist centre in Cardiff, she is of the view that there needs to be an improvement in the care provided.
Secondly, and I finish with this, the family raised concerns regarding the general awareness of this condition, whether that's in society or in the medical field, and which, unfortunately, leads to a nine-year wait for a diagnosis. The evidence of so many women suggests that too many GPs disregard the seriousness of the condition. Suggesting that 'this is normal for women of your age, and take a few paracetamols' isn't good enough.
And I am finishing with this, sorry, if I could just have one more second—
Eiliad?
A second?
Wel, hanner munud, os caf i.
Half a minute, if I may.
Na. 'Na' yw'r ateb. Dŷn ni ddim yn negodi heddiw.
No. 'No' is the answer. We are not negotiating today.
Ocê. Dwi'n dod â hyn i ben.
Okay. I'll bring this to a close.
Sarah Murphy.
Sarah Murphy.
Diolch, Llywydd. I want to thank you, Plaid Cymru, for bringing this incredibly important debate to the Chamber today. On Monday night, I attended a local menopause cafe event run by Sarah Williams from Equality Counts, where women and those dealing with similar health-related issues came to discuss their experiences. Open spaces like menopause cafes and events like this in my community are undoubtedly so empowering.
At the cafe, women discussed the lack of awareness around menopause. The constituents have asked for a specialty clinic and for more flexible ways to access HRT for those suffering from menopause symptoms. Sarah has said to me that evidence suggests that women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are less likely to even take up HRT treatment, and that this is perpetuating health inequalities for the most vulnerable. The session also explored how menopause experiences are individual and nuanced. This is why we need compassionate cultural practitioners that practice without assumption of sexual orientation or gender identity, because this type of bias is deterring people from accessing support and treatment.
I want to emphasise that our experience of undiagnosed conditions, unexplained pain, the lack of treatment options are never about us as individuals. They are about a system that has always put the healthcare of heterosexual, straight, white males front and centre. And that's why, via social media, I asked women to share their experiences so I can share their voices here today, just as you have said, Sioned Williams. It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to do that.
One constituent said she wished that she could just feel listened to. Another told me about their experience of going to the GP regarding a chronic urinary tract infection, where they were told that there was nothing that can be done, and that the only thing to do is take paracetamol and have a bath. I have spoken to other women in my constituency who have undergone a late assessment for neurodivergence such as autism and ADHD. The current waiting list for that assessment is two years. Women in their late 30s and 40s have been denied the right to support their entire lifetime, simply because the signals for an assessment have been constructed around the way that young boys display signs of neurodivergence.
On another point, my constituent Samantha said that, 'There is no gynaecology ward at our local hospital.' To hear about a woman going through a late-term miscarriage next to people delivering their full-term babies, on the same ward as people going through an abortion, is not only heartbreaking but unacceptable.
Another constituent told me that she passed out from the pain of an intrauterine device insertion for endometriosis. She was told that the pain would be like a slight period cramp. It was only after attending a meeting with other women facing these same issues that she realised there is pain relief that she could have been administered during the procedure; she was just never told about it. She said to me, 'If you go to the dentist to have a tooth removed, no matter how wobbly, they will numb your gums. My procedure to have an IUD, through my cervix, came with no pain relief. I was so angry to realise that I could have just asked.'
The British Heart Foundation Cymru has found that women sometimes do not realise that they are having a heart attack because the pain of their period is worse than their symptoms—going into what you were saying earlier on, Delyth—because, as we have heard many times today, when you are a woman you are told that pain is something that you just have to live with.
So, whilst I applaud the societal changes that allow us to talk about health more openly, we must be aware that historic shame and bias still haunt our experiences of healthcare. And in addition, women's healthcare has always been seen as a single issue. Consequently, the complexity and diversity of many issues, like we've heard about today that have been raised, are often clustered together into one area, and this has led to that lack of research, awareness and investment, and we must do more to change this.
But I do also want to echo my colleagues today—Jenny Rathbone and Joyce Watson. I do believe that our Welsh Government health Minister gets this. I do believe that you don't see it as a single issue. I do believe that what you're trying to do is really to address this inequality. And I also want to say that we have some fantastic work already taking place across our communities. I don't want to lose sight of that. I am fortunate to have Wings Cymru in Bridgend, which is working to destigmatise period dignity. We have the wonderful menopause cafes, as I've mentioned. They are revolutionising the workplaces to be more inclusive.
I want to end my contribution by thanking all those healthcare professionals—GPs, nurses, midwives and specialists—who are working tirelessly to listen and support women in these circumstances. We are up against a system, but that does not mean the system cannot change, and women are shouting loud enough. We must listen and we must act. Diolch.
Diolch, Lywydd. Hoffwn ddiolch i Blaid Cymru am ddod â'r ddadl hynod bwysig hon i'r Siambr heddiw. Nos Lun, bûm mewn digwyddiad caffi menopos lleol a gynhaliwyd gan Sarah Williams o Equality Counts, lle daeth menywod a'r rhai sy'n ymdrin â materion iechyd tebyg at ei gilydd i drafod eu profiadau. Heb os, mae mannau agored fel caffis menopos a digwyddiadau fel hyn yn fy nghymuned yn eithriadol o rymusol.
Yn y caffi, trafododd menywod ddiffyg ymwybyddiaeth o'r menopos. Mae'r etholwyr wedi gofyn am glinig arbenigol ac am ffyrdd mwy hyblyg o gael HRT i'r rhai sy'n dioddef o symptomau menopos. Mae Sarah wedi dweud wrthyf fod tystiolaeth yn awgrymu bod menywod o gefndiroedd economaidd-gymdeithasol is yn llai tebygol o fanteisio ar driniaeth HRT hyd yn oed, a bod hyn yn parhau anghydraddoldebau iechyd i'r rhai mwyaf agored i niwed. Roedd y sesiwn hefyd yn archwilio sut y mae profiadau menopos yn unigryw ac yn amrywio rhwng un unigolyn a'r llall. Dyna pam y mae arnom angen ymarferwyr diwylliannol tosturiol sy'n ymarfer heb ragdybio cyfeiriadedd rhywiol neu hunaniaeth o ran rhywedd, oherwydd mae rhagfarnau o'r fath yn atal pobl rhag cael gafael ar gymorth a thriniaeth.
Rwyf am bwysleisio nad yw ein profiad o gyflyrau na wnaed diagnosis ohonynt, poen heb esboniad, y diffyg opsiynau triniaeth byth yn ymwneud â ni fel unigolion. Maent yn ymwneud â system sydd bob amser wedi rhoi gofal iechyd dynion heterorywiol, gwyn yn flaenaf. A dyna pam, drwy'r cyfryngau cymdeithasol, y gofynnais i fenywod rannu eu profiadau fel y gallaf rannu eu lleisiau yma heddiw, yn union fel y dywedoch chi, Sioned Williams. Mae'n gyfle gwych i allu gwneud hynny.
Dywedodd un etholwr mai'r hyn a ddymunai oedd gallu teimlo bod rhywun yn gwrando arni. Dywedodd un arall wrthyf am eu profiad o fynd at y meddyg teulu ynghylch haint cronig ar y llwybr wrinol, lle y dywedwyd wrthynt nad oedd dim y gellir ei wneud, ac mai'r unig beth i'w wneud oedd cymryd parasetamol a chael bath. Rwyf wedi siarad â menywod eraill yn fy etholaeth sydd wedi cael asesiad hwyr ar gyfer niwroamrywiaeth megis awtistiaeth ac ADHD. Yr amser aros ar hyn o bryd ar gyfer yr asesiad hwnnw yw dwy flynedd. Ar hyd eu hoes, gwrthodwyd hawl i fenywod yn eu 30au a'u 40au hwyr gael cymorth, a hynny'n unig am fod yr arwyddion ar gyfer asesiad wedi'u hadeiladu o amgylch y ffordd y mae bechgyn ifanc yn arddangos arwyddion o niwroamrywiaeth.
Ar bwynt arall, dywedodd fy etholwr, Samantha, 'Nid oes ward gynaecoleg yn ein hysbyty lleol.' Mae clywed am ddynes yn mynd drwy gamesgoriad wrth ymyl pobl sy'n geni eu babanod tymor llawn, ar yr un ward â phobl sy'n mynd drwy erthyliad, nid yn unig yn dorcalonnus, mae hefyd yn annerbyniol.
Dywedodd etholwr arall wrthyf ei bod wedi llewygu oherwydd y boen o osod dyfais yn y groth ar gyfer endometriosis. Dywedwyd wrthi y byddai'r boen fel ychydig bach o gramp mislif. Dim ond ar ôl mynychu cyfarfod gyda menywod eraill a wynebodd yr un problemau y sylweddolodd y gallai fod wedi cael cyffuriau lleddfu poen yn ystod y driniaeth, ond ni ddywedwyd hynny wrthi. Dywedodd wrthyf, 'Os ewch at y deintydd i gael tynnu dant, ni waeth pa mor barod i ddod allan yw'r dant, byddant yn lladd y teimlad yn eich deintgig. Cefais driniaeth i gael IUD drwy geg y groth heb unrhyw gyffur lleddfu poen. Roeddwn mor ddig pan sylweddolais y gallwn fod gofyn amdano.'
Mae Sefydliad Prydeinig y Galon Cymru wedi canfod nad yw menywod weithiau'n sylweddoli eu bod yn cael trawiad ar y galon oherwydd bod poen eu mislif yn waeth na'u symptomau—gan droi at yr hyn yr oeddech yn ei ddweud yn gynharach, Delyth—oherwydd, fel y clywsom droeon heddiw, os ydych chi'n ddynes, dywedir wrthych fod poen yn rhywbeth y mae'n rhaid ichi fyw gydag ef.
Felly, er fy mod yn cymeradwyo'r newidiadau cymdeithasol sy'n caniatáu inni siarad am iechyd yn fwy agored, rhaid inni fod yn ymwybodol fod cywilydd a rhagfarn hanesyddol yn dal i fwrw eu cysgod dros ein profiadau o ofal iechyd. Ac yn ogystal, mae gofal iechyd menywod bob amser wedi cael ei weld fel mater unigol. O ganlyniad, mae cymhlethdod ac amrywiaeth llawer o broblemau, fel y clywsom amdanynt heddiw, yn aml wedi'u clystyru gyda'i gilydd mewn un maes, gan arwain at ddiffyg ymchwil, ymwybyddiaeth a buddsoddiad, a rhaid inni wneud mwy i newid hyn.
Ond rwyf hefyd am adleisio fy nghyd-Aelodau heddiw—Jenny Rathbone a Joyce Watson. Rwy'n credu bod Gweinidog iechyd Llywodraeth Cymru yn deall hyn. Nid wyf yn credu eich bod yn ei weld fel un mater unigol. Credaf mai'r hyn y ceisiwch ei wneud mewn gwirionedd yw mynd i'r afael â'r anghydraddoldeb. Ac rwyf hefyd am ddweud bod gennym waith gwych eisoes yn digwydd ar draws ein cymunedau. Nid wyf am golli golwg ar hynny. Rwy'n ffodus o gael Wings Cymru ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr, sy'n gweithio i ddadstigmateiddio urddas mislif. Mae gennym y caffis menopos gwych, fel y soniais. Maent yn chwyldroi gweithleoedd i fod yn fwy cynhwysol.
Rwyf am ddod â fy nghyfraniad i ben drwy ddiolch i'r holl weithwyr gofal iechyd proffesiynol—meddygon teulu, nyrsys, bydwragedd ac arbenigwyr—sy'n gweithio'n ddiflino i wrando ar fenywod a'u cefnogi yn yr amgylchiadau hyn. Rydym yn herio system gyfan, ond nid yw hynny'n golygu na all y system newid, ac mae menywod yn gweiddi'n ddigon uchel. Rhaid inni wrando a rhaid inni weithredu. Diolch.
Galwaf nawr ar y Gweinidog iechyd i gyfrannu i'r ddadl. Eluned Morgan.
I now call on the Minister for health to contribute to the debate. Eluned Morgan.
Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Many thanks for allowing me to reply to this opposition debate around women's health, which I know most people in the Chamber are aware is an issue that I'm passionate about addressing, and it's great to see that there is absolute consensus on the issue, if not on the motion itself.
Now, women, as we know, make up just over half of our population and account for 47 per cent of the workforce. But that evidence is mounting that women don't always receive the health support needed to deliver the improved outcomes we expect. Gender inequalities in terms of health remain very significant. For example, with heart diseases, as we've heard, women are less likely to be aware of their risks and symptoms, less likely to be diagnosed quickly, less likely to be given optimal treatment, and less likely to access rehabilitation. I'm really grateful to the British Heart Foundation for drawing my attention to this in a briefing, which led me to commission a quality statement on women very shortly after I was appointed last year.
Women, we know, are under-represented in clinical trials, and these inequalities come at a huge cost. Research suggests that the deaths of at least 8,000 women could have been prevented through equitable cardiac treatment over a 10-year period in England and Wales.
People have mentioned different responses of women, for example to autism, to mental health. But, crucially, I think also something that is not talked about is, in an ageing population, the huge impact of incontinence on older women—disproportionately, once again, affecting women rather than men. There is a particular approach taken in 'A Healthier Wales', and that's our long-term plan for health and social services, and the whole ethos of the programme is for the services to be equitable, designed around the individual and around groups of people, based on their unique needs and what matters to them.
But, when it comes to women's health, all too often in the NHS women's healthcare is confined to reproductive health issues. Now, I want a health service in Wales that supports and nurtures women's wider health and well-being, and I've instructed officials to take this broader approach when it comes to developing that quality statement.
Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. Diolch yn fawr am ganiatáu imi ymateb i'r ddadl hon gan yr wrthblaid ar iechyd menywod, y gwn fod y rhan fwyaf o bobl yn y Siambr yn ymwybodol ei fod yn fater rwy'n teimlo'n angerddol yn ei gylch, ac mae'n wych gweld bod consensws llwyr ar y mater, os nad ar y cynnig ei hun.
Nawr, fel y gwyddom, menywod yw ychydig dros hanner ein poblogaeth a 47 y cant o'r gweithlu. Ond mae'r dystiolaeth yn cynyddu nad yw menywod bob amser yn cael y cymorth iechyd sydd ei angen i gyflawni'r canlyniadau gwell a ddisgwyliwn. Mae anghydraddoldebau iechyd rhwng y rhywiau yn parhau i fod yn sylweddol iawn. Er enghraifft, gyda chlefydau'r galon, fel y clywsom, mae menywod yn llai tebygol o fod yn ymwybodol o'u risgiau a'u symptomau, yn llai tebygol o gael diagnosis cyflym, yn llai tebygol o gael y driniaeth orau bosibl, ac yn llai tebygol o gael mynediad at gymorth adsefydlu. Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn i Sefydliad Prydeinig y Galon am dynnu fy sylw at hyn mewn sesiwn friffio, gan fy arwain i gomisiynu datganiad ansawdd ar fenywod yn fuan iawn ar ôl i mi gael fy mhenodi y llynedd.
Gwyddom fod menywod wedi'u tangynrychioli mewn treialon clinigol, ac mae'r anghydraddoldebau hyn yn costio'n fawr. Mae ymchwil yn awgrymu y gellid bod wedi atal marwolaeth o leiaf 8,000 o fenywod drwy driniaeth gardiaidd deg dros gyfnod o 10 mlynedd yng Nghymru a Lloegr.
Mae pobl wedi sôn am ymatebion gwahanol menywod, er enghraifft i awtistiaeth, i iechyd meddwl. Ond yn hollbwysig hefyd, rwy'n credu mai un peth nad yw'n cael ei drafod mewn poblogaeth sy'n heneiddio, yw effaith enfawr anymataliaeth ar fenywod hŷn—sy'n effeithio'n anghymesur, unwaith eto, ar fenywod yn hytrach na dynion. Ceir ymagwedd benodol yn 'Cymru Iachach', sef ein cynllun hirdymor ar gyfer iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, a holl ethos y rhaglen yw i'r gwasanaethau fod yn deg, wedi'u cynllunio o amgylch yr unigolyn ac o amgylch grwpiau o bobl, yn seiliedig ar eu hanghenion unigryw a'r hyn sy'n bwysig iddynt.
Ond gydag iechyd menywod, mae gofal iechyd menywod yn y GIG yn rhy aml o lawer wedi'i gyfyngu i faterion iechyd atgenhedlol. Nawr, rwyf am gael gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru sy'n cefnogi ac yn meithrin iechyd a llesiant ehangach menywod, ac rwyf wedi cyfarwyddo swyddogion i fabwysiadu'r ymagwedd ehangach hon wrth ddatblygu'r datganiad ansawdd hwnnw.
Will the Minister give way?
A wnaiff y Gweinidog ildio?
Of course.
Wrth gwrs.
Thank you, Minister, for giving way, and I welcome and I commend your efforts in creating a women's health plan. I think it's a fantastic step forward in what you're trying to do. You mentioned about broadening the plan to meet everything—it reminds me of a petition on improving endometriosis healthcare and the petitioner, Beth Hales; we'll be reviewing that again on Monday. But a comment she made to me: this is not just a gender health gap, it's not just a health inequality, it's actually a social justice issue. Would you agree with that?
Diolch am ildio, Weinidog, ac rwy'n croesawu ac yn cymeradwyo eich ymdrechion i greu cynllun iechyd menywod. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn gam gwych ymlaen yn yr hyn y ceisiwch ei wneud. Fe sonioch chi am ehangu'r cynllun i ateb popeth—mae'n fy atgoffa o ddeiseb ar wella gofal iechyd endometriosis a'r deisebydd, Beth Hales; byddwn yn adolygu honno eto ddydd Llun. Ond sylw a wnaeth i mi: nid bwlch iechyd rhwng y rhywiau yn unig yw hwn, nid anghydraddoldeb iechyd yn unig ydyw, mae'n fater cyfiawnder cymdeithasol mewn gwirionedd. A fyddech yn cytuno â hynny?
Absolutely. I think there is an injustice that has been going on for way too long, and the very fact that women are not in trials, that there's a disproportionate amount of money invested in certain research areas rather than others—it's women who lose out almost every time. That has got to be something that we address. It is a social justice issue, absolutely.
In 2019, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists published 'Better for women: Improving the health and wellbeing of girls and women'. Now, this report argues that a strategic approach across the life course of a woman is necessary to prevent predictable morbidity and mortality and to address the determinants of health specific to women. I absolutely agree that our health services need to provide advice and care to girls and women across their whole life course. The NHS in Wales must deliver a model of care that enables women to live healthy and productive lives, and not simply be a service that intervenes when women experience problems.
In recent years, much of our response to addressing issues in women's health has been delivered through the work of the women's health implementation group, which has focused on reproductive issues. Since its establishment, the WHIG has been allocated £1 million per year from the Welsh Government, and this funding has been used to establish a network of pelvic health and well-being co-ordinators in each health board. More recently, this funding has allowed for the recruitment of a network of specialist endometriosis nurses in each health board, and that's to develop national pathways, to reduce diagnostic times and to support women living with endometriosis. And I can assure you in this Chamber today that I've spent more time on the need to improve our response to endometriosis than I have on almost any other health condition.
We have to put a stop to the harrowing experiences of people like Emily, and, I imagine, Beth, and other petitioners as well. We know that taboos and a lack of education about menstruation have tangible negative effects on girls' and women's lives, and, last year, we launched Bloody Brilliant, our online resource and educational platform. It was designed with significant input from young people to help break taboos and enable open conversations about period health, including what is normal and when they should seek help. Welsh Government is also working to help improve services to support women experiencing menopause. A task and finish group is being established, looking to share local best practice and establish an improved care pathway. We're also participating in the UK menopause taskforce, which is taking a four-nations approach to improve knowledge about the menopause and better support women experiencing it.
Yn bendant. Credaf fod anghyfiawnder wedi bod yn digwydd ers gormod o amser, a'r union ffaith nad yw menywod mewn treialon, fod swm anghymesur o arian yn cael ei fuddsoddi mewn rhai meysydd ymchwil yn hytrach nag eraill—menywod sydd ar eu colled bron bob tro. Rhaid i hynny fod yn rhywbeth yr ydym yn mynd i'r afael ag ef. Mae'n fater cyfiawnder cymdeithasol, yn hollol.
Yn 2019, cyhoeddodd Coleg Brenhinol yr Obstetryddion a'r Gynaecolegwyr 'Better for women: Improving the health and wellbeing of girls and women'. Nawr, mae'r adroddiad hwn yn dadlau bod angen dull strategol ar hyd oes dynes er mwyn atal afiachedd a marwolaethau rhagweladwy ac i fynd i'r afael â phenderfynyddion iechyd sy'n benodol i fenywod. Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr fod angen i'n gwasanaethau iechyd ddarparu cyngor a gofal i ferched a menywod ar hyd eu hoes. Rhaid i'r GIG yng Nghymru ddarparu model gofal sy'n galluogi menywod i fyw bywydau iach a chynhyrchiol, ac nid bod yn wasanaeth sydd ond yn ymyrryd pan fydd menywod yn cael problemau.
Yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf, mae llawer o'n hymateb i fynd i'r afael â materion iechyd menywod wedi'i gyflawni drwy waith y grŵp gweithredu ar iechyd menywod, sydd wedi canolbwyntio ar faterion atgenhedlol. Ers ei sefydlu, dyrannwyd £1 miliwn y flwyddyn i'r grŵp gan Lywodraeth Cymru, a defnyddiwyd y cyllid hwn i sefydlu rhwydwaith o gydlynwyr iechyd y pelfis a llesiant ym mhob bwrdd iechyd. Yn fwy diweddar, mae'r cyllid hwn wedi ei gwneud hi'n bosibl recriwtio rhwydwaith o nyrsys endometriosis arbenigol ym mhob bwrdd iechyd, a hynny er mwyn datblygu llwybrau cenedlaethol, lleihau amseroedd diagnostig a chefnogi menywod sy'n byw gydag endometriosis. A gallaf eich sicrhau yn y Siambr hon heddiw fy mod wedi treulio mwy o amser ar yr angen i wella ein hymateb i endometriosis nag y gwneuthum ar bron unrhyw gyflwr iechyd arall.
Rhaid inni roi diwedd ar brofiadau dirdynnol pobl fel Emily, ac rwy'n tybio, Beth, a deisebwyr eraill hefyd. Gwyddom fod tabŵs a diffyg addysg am y mislif yn cael effeithiau negyddol gwirioneddol ar fywydau merched a menywod, a'r llynedd, lansiwyd Mislif Fi, ein hadnoddau ar-lein a'n platfform addysgol. Fe'i lluniwyd gyda mewnbwn sylweddol gan bobl ifanc i helpu i dorri tabŵs a hwyluso sgyrsiau agored am iechyd mislif, gan gynnwys yr hyn sy'n normal a phryd y dylent ofyn am gymorth. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru hefyd yn gweithio i helpu i wella gwasanaethau i gefnogi menywod sy'n mynd drwy'r menopos. Mae grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen yn cael ei sefydlu i geisio rhannu arferion gorau lleol a sefydlu llwybr gofal gwell. Rydym hefyd yn cymryd rhan yn nhasglu menopos y DU, sy'n defnyddio dull pedair gwlad o wella gwybodaeth am y menopos a rhoi gwell cefnogaeth i fenywod sy'n mynd drwyddo.
Mae’r cynllun adfer ar gyfer gofal a gynlluniwyd wedi’i gyhoeddi ac mae hwn yn gosod nifer o dargedau heriol i fyrddau iechyd eu cyflawni ar draws pob arbenigedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau gofal eilaidd gynaecolegol. Bydd y bwrdd gynaecoleg sydd newydd gael ei ffurfio yn datblygu cynlluniau i gyflawni'r targedau. Bydd hyn yn cynnwys amryw o gamau gweithredu, gan gynnwys e-gyngor, gwell llwybrau atgyfeirio a rhyddhau, cyflwyno siopau un-stop, sylw yn ôl symptomau, a chamau dilynol ar gais y claf.
Nawr, fel mae Aelodau'n ymwybodol, dwi wedi cytuno ar ddull dwy elfen o sicrhau gwell canlyniadau, a sicrhau bod menywod yn cael y gofal a'r cymorth gorau posibl i aros yn iach drwy gydol eu bywydau. Fel dwi wedi nodi, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn datblygu datganiad ansawdd iechyd menywod a fydd yn ein galluogi i roi darlun strategol o'n disgwyliadau o ran darparu gwasanaethau iechyd menywod ledled Cymru. Bydd hwn yn disgrifio beth ddylai darpariaeth dda edrych fel, nid yn unig ar gyfer iechyd atalgenhedlol menywod, ond hefyd er mwyn mynd i'r afael â'r bias rhyw sydd yn ein system prif ffrwd ar hyn o bryd. Nawr, mi fydd hwn yn cael ei gyhoeddi y tymor yma, ac mi fyddwn ni'n trafod hwnna ar lawr y Senedd, dwi'n meddwl ym mis Gorffennaf.
Yn ail, bydd cydweithfa'r gwasanaeth iechyd yn arwain y gwaith o ddatblygu cynllun 10 mlynedd ar gyfer iechyd menywod. Bydd hwn yn nodi'r camau y bydd y gwasanaeth yn eu cymryd i fodloni'r disgwyliadau yn y datganiad ansawdd. Bydd y cynllun yn dilyn yr un dull cwrs bywyd a argymhellir gan Goleg Brenhinol yr Obstetryddion a'r Gynecolegwyr yn ei adroddiad 'Better for Women', a'r bwriad yw lleihau anghydraddoldeb mewn iechyd, gwella tegwch gwasanaethau a gwella canlyniadau iechyd i fenywod yng Nghymru. Bydd y cynllun yn cynnwys camau gweithredu tymor byr, canolig a thymor hir, a byddaf i'n cyflwyno hwnnw yn ystod yr hydref. Dwi'n awyddus y dylai defnyddwyr gwasanaethau gael cyfrannu'n sylweddol i'r cynllun er mwyn sicrhau bod lleisiau menywod yn ganolog iddo. Felly, bydd ymgysylltu'n digwydd gyda rhanddeiliaid drwy gydol y broses o ddatblygu'r cynllun, yn ogystal â'r ymgynghoriad arferol. Dwi'n ddiolchgar iawn i'r Gynghrair Iechyd Menywod am y gwaith maen nhw wedi'i wneud i godi proffil iechyd menywod, a dwi'n edrych ymlaen i gyfarfod a gweithio gyda nhw wrth inni ddatblygu ein cynlluniau. Dwi'n sylweddoli bod llawer i'w wneud o hyd, ond dwi'n sicr y bydd y datganiad a'r cynllun ansawdd, law yn llaw â'r gwaith sydd ar y gweill sydd gyda ni eisoes, yn arwain at ofal llawer gwell i fenywod ledled Cymru.
The recovery plan for planned care has been published and this sets out a number of challenging targets for health boards to achieve across all specialisms, including secondary gynaecological care services. The gynaecological board that has just been formed will develop plans to reach these targets. This will include a variety of actions, including e-advice, better referral and discharge pathways, introducing one-stop shops, responses to symptoms, and responding to patients' concerns.
Now, as Members are aware, I have agreed on a two-step plan to ensure that women receive the best possible care and assistance to remain healthy throughout their lives. As I have noted, the Welsh Government is developing a quality statement for women's health that will enable us to provide a strategic picture of our expectations in terms of the provision of women's healthcare services across Wales. This will describe what good provision should look like, not just in terms of reproductive health for women, but also to tackle the gender bias in our mainstream system at present. Now, this will be published this term, and we will be discussing and debating that statement, I believe in July, in the Senedd.
Secondly, the health service collaborative will lead the work of developing a 10-year plan for women's health. This will outline the steps that the service will take to meet the expectations in the quality statement. The plan will follow the same whole-life course outlined and recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in their 'Better for Women' report, and the intention is to decrease inequalities in health, to improve the fairness of services and to improve the health outcomes for women in Wales. The plan will include short-term actions and long-term actions, and I will present that in the autumn. I'm eager that service users should be able to contribute significantly to the plan to ensure that the voices of women are at the heart of the plan. So, engagement will take place with stakeholders throughout the process of developing the plan, as well as the usual consultation. I'm very grateful to the Women's Health Alliance for the work that they have done to raise the profile of women's health, and I look forward to meeting and working with them as we develop the plans. I'm aware that there's a great deal to do yet, but I'm certain that the statement and the quality plan, together with the work that is in the pipeline already, will lead to far better care for women across Wales.
Rhun ap Iorwerth i ymateb i'r ddadl.
Rhun ap Iorwerth to reply to the debate.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Diolch am bob cyfraniad i'r ddadl bwysig yma heddiw ac am ymateb y Gweinidog. Mae hwn yn faes sydd wedi cael ei esgeuluso yn llawer, llawer rhy hir, ac mae'n rhyfeddol ei fod o wedi cael ei esgeuluso mor hir. Mae yna, dwi'n meddwl, ryw fath o ddeffroad wedi bod—a dwi ddim yn sôn am Gymru'n benodol yn y fan yna, ond yn fwy cyffredinol. Dwi'n nodi'r gwaith yn Lloegr, er enghraifft, ar y strategaeth iechyd i ferched, sydd wedi cael ei chroesawu yno. Rydyn ni fel y pwyllgor iechyd, fel rydyn ni wedi clywed yn barod, yn gwneud gwaith yn y maes yma, a dwi'n ddiolchgar i Joyce Watson am ei bod wedi gwthio i sicrhau bod hynny yn digwydd. Yma yng Nghymru, rydyn ni wedi clywed y Gweinidog heddiw yn sôn am yr ystod o gamau mae hi'n bwriadu eu cymryd. Rydyn ni'n gweld yng ngwelliant y Llywodraeth y cyfeiriad at y datganiad ansawdd a'r cynllun NHS sydd i ddod. Mi gafon ni, os gwnes i glywed yn iawn gan Aelod sydd wedi gadael y Siambr erbyn hyn, ein cyhuddo o 'grandstand-o'. Roeddwn i'n gobeithio gofyn iddi hi egluro ai dyna ddywedodd hi, ond dydy hi ddim yma i wneud hynny.
Dwi'n deall bod Senedd.tv wedi 'crash-o' y prynhawn yma, bosib iawn oherwydd bod yna gymaint o bobl yn gwylio'r sesiwn yma—mor bwysig ydy hyn. A'r gwir amdani ydy, dydy clywed geiriau gan y Gweinidog ynddo fo'i hun ddim yn ddigon. Dwi'n croesawu'r geiriau, ond beth sy'n bwysig ydy beth sy'n mynd i fod yn digwydd o hyn ymlaen.
Mi oedd yr Aelod, eto sy'n absennol, wedi awgrymu bod ein dadl ni heddiw ddim yn amserol oherwydd bod y Gweinidog wedi gwneud sylwadau yn ddiweddar ynglŷn â'r cynlluniau mae'n mynd i'w datblygu. Ond ydych chi'n gwybod beth? Mi wnaf i fanteisio, mi wnawn ni i gyd fanteisio, ar y negeseuon positif yna. Mae yna Weinidogion Llafur mewn lle ers 1999, felly allwch chi ddim gweld bai arnom ni am amau beth sy'n digwydd dan law Gweinidogion yn y fan hyn. Ond beth sy'n bwysig i mi ydy mai dyma'r union gyfle felly i wthio ar Weinidog sy'n dweud ei bod hi'n benderfynol o wneud gwahaniaeth yn y maes yma. Dwi'n gwybod bod y Dirprwy Weinidog â chyfrifoldeb dros iechyd meddwl yn frwd iawn dros wneud gwahaniaeth yn y maes hwnnw, a dyna pam fy mod i'n gwthio mor galed arni hi i'w wneud, achos dwi'n gweld bod yna ddrws agored yno. Mae i fyny i chi, fel Llywodraeth, brofi bod eich geiriau chi yn eiriau sy'n gallu cael eu troi'n realiti.
Mae yna gymaint o elfennau i hyn dŷn ni wedi'u trafod a chlywed amdanyn nhw. Mae gennym ni'r afiechydon sy'n effeithio ar ferched yn unig, a lle mae yna wendid dirfawr wedi bod mewn ymchwil ac mewn buddsoddiad—endometriosis rŷn ni wedi clywed amdano fo'n barod, sy'n golygu bod cymaint o ferched yn byw mewn poen bob dydd. A dydyn ni ddim hyd yn oed wedi rhoi'r parch iddyn nhw o fuddsoddi yn yr ymchwil a all ganfod beth yn union sy'n achosi hyn er mwyn gallu gwneud buddsoddiad mewn canfod ffordd o drin endometriosis.
Mae yna sylw dŷn ni'n gallu rhoi ar gefnogaeth i ferched sydd yn mynd drwy'r menopos: hanner ein poblogaeth ni—hanner ein poblogaeth ni—yn mynd drwy'r menopos. A tan yn ddiweddar iawn, doedd yna brin sôn amdano fo, ac ar y gorau, ar y gorau, mae'r ddarpariaeth sydd ar gael yng Nghymru yn anghyson—mae hynny'n bod yn garedig. Mae yna ferched ym mhob cwr o Gymru sy'n methu â chael y gofal maen nhw ei angen.
Mae tair o bob pedair merch feichiog yn cymryd rhyw fath o feddyginiaeth yn ystod beichiogrwydd—lle mae'r ymchwil ar ganfod beth sydd yn ddiogel i'w cymryd fel meddyginiaeth yn ystod beichiogrwydd a thra'n bwydo o'r fron? Mae angen buddsoddi yn hynny.
Dyna chi rai materion sy'n gwbl benodol i ferched. Ond wedyn mae gennych chi'r materion hynny sy'n berthnasol i'r boblogaeth gyfan ond lle mae yna impact mwy ar ferched, oherwydd diffyg sylw, diffyg buddsoddiad, diffyg ei gymryd o ddifrif, diffyg ystyriaeth o anghenion penodol merched—anghydraddoldeb rhwng dynion a merched, mor syml â hynny.
Thank you very much, Llywydd. Thank you for every contribution to this important debate today and for the Minister's response. This is an area that has been neglected for far too long, and it's remarkable that it has been neglected for so long. There has been, I think, some sort of awakening—and I'm not talking about Wales specifically there, but more generally. I note the work in England, for example, on the women's health strategy, which has been welcomed there. We, as the health committee, as we've heard already, are doing work in this area, and I'm grateful to Joyce Watson for pushing to ensure that that happens. Here in Wales, we've heard the Minister today talking about the range of steps that she intends to take. We see in the Government's amendment a reference to the quality statement and the NHS plan that is to come. If I heard correctly, from a Member who has left the Chamber now, we were accused of grandstanding. I was hoping to ask her to explain if that's what she had said, but she's not here to do that.
I understand that Senedd.tv has crashed this afternoon, possibly because so many people are viewing this session—that's how important this is. And the truth is, hearing words from the Minister in itself isn't enough. I welcome the words, but what's important is what's going to happen from now on.
The Member, again who is absent, had suggested that our debate today wasn't timely because the Minister had made comments recently about the plans that she is going to develop. But do you know what? I will take advantage, we'll all take advantage, of those positive messages. There are Labour Ministers in place since 1999, so you can't find fault with us for doubting what's happening under the Ministers here. But what's important is that this is the right opportunity to push a Minister who says that she is determined to make a difference in this field. I know that the Deputy Minister with responsibility for mental health is very keen to make a difference in that field, and that's why I'm pushing so hard on her to do so, because I think that there is an open door there. It is up to you, as a Government, to prove that your words are words that can be turned into reality.
There are so many elements to what we've discussed and heard about this afternoon. We have the conditions that affect women only, and where there have been terrible weaknesses in research and in investment—endometriosis we've heard about already, which means that so many women are living in pain every day. And we haven't even given them the respect of investing in the research that could discover what exactly is causing this so that we can make an investment in finding a way of treating endometriosis.
We can draw attention to support for women who are going through the menopause: half of our population—half of our population—go through the menopause. And until recently, there was not much mention of it, and at best, at best, the provision available in Wales is inconsistent—and that's being kind. There are women in all parts of Wales who cannot access the care that they require.
Three in every four pregnant women take some form of medication during their pregnancy—where is the research in finding out what's safe to take as medication during pregnancy and while breastfeeding? There is a need for investment in that.
Those are some issues that are specific to women. And then you have issues that are relevant to the whole population, but where there is a bigger impact on women, because of lack of attention, lack of investment, lack of taking it seriously, lack of consideration of the specific needs of women—inequality between women and men, as simple as that.
The gender gap in heart disease we've heard about today. It's costing women's lives. And that groundbreaking report in 2019, 'Bias and biology: The heart attack gender gap', by the British Heart Foundation, really opened my eyes to what was happening, or what was not happening, in the treatment of heart disease in women: heart attacks in women being misdiagnosed as anxiety or panic attacks. It was spelt out to me in this way: cardiac specialists have traditionally been overwhelmingly men, so the needs of women amongst the speciality itself have been overlooked for too long.
Migraine—I was talking to a group interested in pushing the agenda forward on migraine recently. It's far more common in women than in men; perhaps a third of women will experience migraine, compared with 13 per cent of men. There may be some underreporting by men, but the higher level among women is likely to be as a result of hormonal factors, genetic differences and so on.
One hundred and eighty thousand women in Wales have asthma. Figures suggest that asthma kills twice as many women as men. This is a women's health issue that needs addressing. One charity has said that women have been failed by a lack of research into links between hormone changes and asthma. Asthma + Lung UK said that women are stuck in a cycle of being in and out of hospital and, in some cases, losing their lives because of a lack of research. Research in itself is an area where there needs to be a new focus on women. Russell George touched on this. Clinical trials have traditionally been focused at men, older men, and not enough women taking part.
I can see that time is running out. We as parliamentarians today are making this demand to Government. Despite what it's promised, we're making that demand to insist that the promises made now are put into action. I know that a coalition of organisations has come together to put together its case for a women's health strategy, as we're calling for today. It's time to take action on this. We've talked a lot about health inequalities recently in this Senedd. This is yet another example of inequality, perhaps the most glaring of inequalities that we simply have to stamp out.
Y bwlch rhwng y rhywiau mewn perthynas â chlefyd y galon y clywsom amdano heddiw. Mae'n costio bywydau menywod. Ac fe wnaeth yr adroddiad arloesol yn 2019, 'Bias and biology: The heart attack gender gap', gan Sefydliad Prydeinig y Galon, agor fy llygaid i'r hyn a oedd yn digwydd, neu'r hyn nad oedd yn digwydd, wrth drin clefyd y galon mewn menywod: trawiadau ar y galon mewn menywod yn arwain at ddiagnosis anghywir o orbryder neu byliau o banig. Cafodd ei wneud yn glir i mi yn y ffordd hon: yn draddodiadol mae'r mwyafrif llethol o arbenigwyr cardiaidd wedi bod yn ddynion, felly mae anghenion menywod o fewn yr arbenigedd ei hun wedi'u hanwybyddu'n rhy hir.
Meigryn—roeddwn yn siarad â grŵp a oedd â diddordeb mewn gwthio'r agenda ar feigryn yn ei blaen yn ddiweddar. Mae'n llawer mwy cyffredin mewn menywod nag mewn dynion; efallai y bydd traean o fenywod yn profi meigryn, o'i gymharu â 13 y cant o ddynion. Efallai y bydd rhywfaint o danadrodd gan ddynion, ond mae'r lefel uwch ymhlith menywod yn debygol o ddeillio o ffactorau hormonaidd, gwahaniaethau genetig ac yn y blaen.
Mae asthma ar 180,000 o fenywod yng Nghymru. Mae ffigurau'n awgrymu bod asthma yn lladd ddwywaith cymaint o fenywod â dynion. Mae'n broblem iechyd menywod y mae angen mynd i'r afael â hi. Mae un elusen wedi dweud bod menywod wedi cael cam yn sgil diffyg ymchwil i gysylltiadau rhwng newidiadau hormonaidd ac asthma. Dywedodd Asthma + Lung UK fod menywod yn cael eu dal mewn cylch o fod i mewn ac allan o'r ysbyty ac mewn rhai achosion, yn colli eu bywydau oherwydd diffyg ymchwil. Mae ymchwil ynddo'i hun yn faes lle mae angen canolbwyntio o'r newydd ar fenywod. Crybwyllodd Russell George hyn. Yn draddodiadol, mae treialon clinigol wedi canolbwyntio ar ddynion, dynion hŷn, heb ddigon o fenywod yn cymryd rhan.
Gallaf weld bod amser yn brin. Rydym ni fel seneddwyr heddiw yn gwneud yr alwad hon ar y Llywodraeth. Er gwaethaf yr hyn y mae wedi'i addo, gwnawn yr alwad i fynnu bod yr addewidion a wnaed yn cael eu rhoi ar waith yn awr. Gwn fod cynghrair o sefydliadau wedi dod at ei gilydd i lunio ei hachos dros strategaeth iechyd menywod, fel y galwn amdani heddiw. Mae'n bryd gweithredu ar hyn. Rydym wedi siarad llawer am anghydraddoldebau iechyd yn y Senedd hon yn ddiweddar. Dyma enghraifft arall eto o anghydraddoldeb, yr anghydraddoldeb mwyaf amlwg o bosibl, a rhaid inni ei ddileu.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid derbyn y cynnig heb ei ddiwygio? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? [Gwrthwynebiad.] Oes, mae yna wrthwynebiad, felly dwi'n gohirio'r bleidlais tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
The proposal is to agree the motion without amendment. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There is an objection, therefore I defer voting until voting time.
Gohiriwyd y pleidleisio tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
Voting deferred until voting time.
Detholwyd y gwelliannau canlynol: gwelliant 1 yn enw Lesley Griffiths, a gwelliant 2 yn enw Siân Gwenllian. Os derbynnir gwelliant 1, bydd gwelliant 2 yn cael ei ddad-ddethol.
The following amendments have been selected: amendment 1 in the name of Lesley Griffiths, and amendment 2 in the name of Siân Gwenllian. If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be deselected.
Y ddadl nesaf yw dadl y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig ar iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed. Dwi'n galw ar James Evans i wneud y cynnig. James Evans.
The next debate is the Welsh Conservatives' debate on child and adolescent mental health. I call on James Evans to move the motion. James Evans.
Cynnig NDM8005 Darren Millar
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
1. Yn nodi effaith y pandemig COVID-19 ar iechyd meddwl plant a phobl ifanc.
2. Yn gresynu bod amseroedd aros iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed yn parhau i fod yn wael, gyda llai nag un o bob dau o bobl o dan 18 oed yn derbyn asesiad gwasanaethau cymorth iechyd meddwl sylfaenol lleol o fewn 28 diwrnod i'w hatgyfeirio.
3. Yn mynegi ei phryder ynghylch nifer y plant a phobl ifanc o dan 18 oed sy'n cael eu cadw o dan adran 136.
4. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i:
a) cynnal adolygiad brys o hyfywedd gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed;
b) sicrhau bod gwasanaeth argyfwng 24 awr ar gael i blant a phobl ifanc ledled Cymru; ac
c) ystyried dichonoldeb agor uned anhwylderau bwyta yng Nghymru.
Motion NDM8005 Darren Millar
To propose that Senedd:
1. Notes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and young people.
2. Regrets that child and adolescent mental health waiting times continue to be poor, with less than one in two under 18s receiving a local primary mental health support services assessment within 28 days of referral.
3. Expresses its concern about the number of section 136 detentions of children and young people under the age of 18.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) conduct an urgent review into the viability of child and adolescent mental health services;
b) ensure a 24 hour crisis service is available for children and young people across Wales; and
c) consider the feasibility of opening an eating disorders unit in Wales.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Llywydd, and I will just wait for Members to exit the Chamber so that it quietens down just a little bit.
Diolch, Lywydd, ac fe wnaf aros i Aelodau adael y Siambr iddi gael tawelu ychydig.
Yes. Carry on. It's fine.
Iawn. Parhewch. Mae'n iawn.
Thank you, Llywydd. This vital debate today on the mental health of children and young people, I think, is one of the most important debates we've had in the Senedd, and it is a shame that so many Members have just left the Chamber when we are debating such an important topic.
Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. Rwy'n credu bod y ddadl hollbwysig hon heddiw ar iechyd meddwl plant a phobl ifanc yn un o'r dadleuon pwysicaf a gawsom yn y Senedd, ac mae'n drueni fod cynifer o Aelodau newydd adael y Siambr a ninnau'n trafod pwnc mor bwysig.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair.
A lot of people in this Chamber have personal experience of dealing with mental health problems. I have suffered with mental health problems myself in the past, and I think it's very important that more people come forward to talk about mental health issues, so that we can destigmatise mental health and allow people to come forward to seek the help and support they need.
Young people today have far different issues facing them than those of previous generations. Today's youth live in both the real world and the digital world. They can be influenced and contacted by organisations and businesses that they've never heard of, on social media and online forums, creating, for them, a warped perception of what life is. Many young people are vulnerable and susceptible to being influenced in this way, and if they are sucked down the wrong path, they could struggle to find a way out or seek the help that they need.
I speak with young people regularly. I even consider myself a young person, Deputy Llywydd, so I understand the struggles that many of my generation are going through. There is huge concern by many that they can't earn enough money to meet the standards they think society has for them. Many try to portray that they live a glamorous life on social media in order to impress others on platforms. Sadly, this has become very common, with people only sharing the good times and not wanting to show the bad, while they sit at home suffering in silence. A survey by Mind Cymru found that 75 per cent of young people said their mental health had worsened in the early months of the pandemic. I would say that this is due to the media and political choices and the resulting lockdowns, which saw a huge surge in people's mental health declining.
This led to a growth in people suffering with eating disorders, with support services very nearly being cut off overnight and many left to suffer on their own. We need to ensure that more staff are trained to identify and support children who are suffering with eating disorders. Currently, medical students receive less than two hours of training on eating disorders, and that's over four to six years of undergraduate study. Many young people who need specialist services are removed from their communities, away from their family with no support network. So, we need to explore the possibility of setting up an eating disorder unit here in Wales.
Our schools also play a major role in preventing and dealing with this issue. Schools should be building an emotionally resilient population of young people. Sadly, UNICEF estimates that more than one in seven adolescents aged 10 to 19 live with a diagnosed mental health disorder. If we then add those who are undiagnosed, this is an extremely worrying picture going forward. Our child and adolescent mental health services also play a major role in this area. Sadly, after being the shadow Minister for mental health for over a year now, I've been told by many young people that they have been let down by these services, with too many left waiting for an appointment with nowhere else to turn, and feeling isolated and alone. So, we need urgent reform to CAMHS to make sure that their support is there when they need it.
One of those reforms could be increasing the number of support teams in schools, and I believe, and I know the Deputy Minister believes, that every school should have a dedicated member of staff who deals with mental health within schools, to make sure that they're supported. Another thing that the Deputy Minister and I agree on is utilising the third sector so that the void between referral and appointment is filled, so that that young person gets seen straightaway and is not left waiting to suffer at home.
Filling historic vacancies in specialist CAMHS posts is also an issue that I'm sure everyone is well aware of, and it's one that now needs to be urgently addressed. For the last year, I've been told on a number of occasions that this is a priority, but things are not getting better; they're getting worse. This is an issue too great for politicians to just simply declare that it's a priority yet fail to deliver the resources needed to match the statements. More money has been welcomed and is welcome, but we need to make sure that that money is delivering the outcomes that we want for our young people in Wales.
There are many challenges facing young people in Wales, and, sadly, those challenges will continue to get worse unless politicians in here do more. There are many triggers that can cause detrimental mental health in children and young people, whether it be bullying in school, forms of actually not knowing where you want to be in life, not being able to get appropriate housing, school pressures. It goes on and on, and I could talk about that for hours. We must ensure that appropriate support is available for children and young people, but also take steps to address the triggers that can cause detrimental mental health. So, we need to set up 24-hour crisis services for children and young people right across Wales, so that when they reach out for help that help can be provided. Too many young people are waiting far too long for an appointment and many are getting to a crisis point before anything is done, and this simply cannot continue.
I do look forward to hearing many Members' contributions to this debate today. It's a shame that the Government did their standard—as they do every week—'delete all' to our motion. We will be supporting the Plaid Cymru amendment today. This is not a day to pat the Welsh Government on the back, but to do our jobs in this place, to hold the Government to account and get an urgent review under way into the viability of child and adolescent mental health services here in Wales. It's time to act, and I urge all Members right across this Chamber to support our motion today.
Mae gan lawer o bobl yn y Siambr hon brofiad personol o ymdrin â phroblemau iechyd meddwl. Rwyf wedi dioddef problemau iechyd meddwl fy hun yn y gorffennol, a chredaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn fod mwy o bobl yn siarad am broblemau iechyd meddwl, er mwyn inni allu dadstigmateiddio iechyd meddwl a chaniatáu i bobl ofyn am y cymorth a'r gefnogaeth sydd eu hangen arnynt.
Mae'r problemau sy'n wynebu pobl ifanc heddiw'n wahanol iawn i'r rhai a wynebai genedlaethau blaenorol. Mae ieuenctid heddiw yn byw yn y byd go iawn a'r byd digidol. Gall sefydliadau a busnesau nad ydynt erioed wedi clywed amdanynt ddylanwadu arnynt a chysylltu â hwy, ar gyfryngau cymdeithasol a fforymau ar-lein, gan greu, iddynt hwy, ganfyddiad camystumiedig o beth yw bywyd. Mae llawer o bobl ifanc yn agored i niwed ac i gael eu dylanwadu fel hyn, ac os cânt eu sugno ar hyd y llwybr anghywir, gallent ei chael yn anodd dod o hyd i ffordd allan neu ofyn am y cymorth sydd ei angen arnynt.
Rwy'n siarad â phobl ifanc yn rheolaidd. Rwyf hyd yn oed yn ystyried fy hun yn berson ifanc, Ddirprwy Lywydd, felly rwy'n deall y trafferthion y mae llawer o fy nghenhedlaeth i yn eu hwynebu. Mae llawer yn pryderu'n fawr na allant ennill digon o arian i fodloni'r safonau sydd gan gymdeithas ar eu cyfer yn eu barn hwy. Mae llawer yn ceisio dangos eu bod yn byw bywyd hudolus ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol er mwyn creu argraff ar eraill ar lwyfannau. Yn anffodus, mae hyn wedi dod yn gyffredin iawn, gyda phobl ond yn rhannu'r amseroedd da heb fod eisiau dangos yr adegau gwael, tra byddant yn eistedd gartref yn dioddef mewn distawrwydd. Canfu arolwg gan Mind Cymru fod 75 y cant o bobl ifanc yn dweud bod eu hiechyd meddwl wedi gwaethygu yn ystod misoedd cyntaf y pandemig. Byddwn yn dweud mai'r rheswm am hyn yw'r cyfryngau a dewisiadau gwleidyddol a'r cyfyngiadau symud a ddeilliodd o hynny, a welodd gynnydd enfawr yn y dirywiad yn iechyd meddwl pobl.
Arweiniodd hyn at gynnydd yn nifer y bobl sy'n dioddef o anhwylderau bwyta, gyda gwasanaethau cymorth wedi'u dileu dros nos bron iawn a llawer yn cael eu gadael i ddioddef ar eu pen eu hunain. Mae angen inni sicrhau bod mwy o staff yn cael eu hyfforddi i nodi a chefnogi plant sy'n dioddef o anhwylderau bwyta. Ar hyn o bryd, mae myfyrwyr meddygol yn cael llai na dwy awr o hyfforddiant ar anhwylderau bwyta, ac mae hynny dros bedair i chwe blynedd o astudio israddedig. Mae llawer o bobl ifanc sydd angen gwasanaethau arbenigol yn cael eu symud o'u cymunedau, i ffwrdd oddi wrth eu teuluoedd heb rwydwaith cymorth. Felly, mae angen inni archwilio'r posibilrwydd o sefydlu uned anhwylderau bwyta yma yng Nghymru.
Mae ein hysgolion hefyd yn chwarae rhan bwysig yn atal ac yn ymdrin â'r mater hwn. Dylai ysgolion fod yn adeiladu poblogaeth o bobl ifanc sy'n wydn yn emosiynol. Yn anffodus, mae UNICEF yn amcangyfrif bod mwy nag un o bob saith unigolyn ifanc rhwng 10 a 19 oed yn byw gyda diagnosis o anhwylder iechyd meddwl. Os ychwanegwn y rhai nad ydynt wedi cael diagnosis, mae hwn yn ddarlun sy'n peri pryder mawr wrth symud ymlaen. Mae ein gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed hefyd yn chwarae rhan bwysig yn y maes hwn. Yn anffodus, ar ôl bod yn Weinidog yr wrthblaid dros iechyd meddwl ers dros flwyddyn bellach, mae llawer o bobl ifanc wedi dweud wrthyf eu bod wedi cael cam gan y gwasanaethau hyn, gyda gormod yn aros am apwyntiad heb unman arall i droi, ac yn teimlo'n ynysig ac yn unig. Felly, mae angen diwygio CAMHS ar fyrder i sicrhau bod eu cymorth ar gael pan fydd ei angen.
Gallai un o'r diwygiadau hynny gynnwys cynyddu nifer y timau cymorth mewn ysgolion, ac rwy'n credu, a gwn fod y Dirprwy Weinidog yn credu, y dylai fod gan bob ysgol aelod penodol o staff sy'n ymdrin ag iechyd meddwl mewn ysgolion, er mwyn sicrhau eu bod yn cael eu cefnogi. Peth arall y mae'r Dirprwy Weinidog a minnau'n cytuno yn ei gylch yw defnyddio'r trydydd sector fel bod y bwlch rhwng atgyfeirio ac apwyntiad yn cael ei lenwi, er mwyn i'r unigolyn ifanc gael ei weld ar unwaith ac nad yw'n cael ei adael i ddioddef gartref.
Mae llenwi swyddi CAMHS arbenigol sy'n wag ers amser maith hefyd yn fater rwy'n siŵr fod pawb yn ymwybodol iawn ohono, ac mae'n un y mae angen mynd i'r afael ag ef ar frys yn awr. Dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, dywedwyd wrthyf droeon fod hyn yn flaenoriaeth, ond nid yw pethau'n gwella; maent yn gwaethygu. Mae hwn yn fater sy'n rhy fawr i wleidyddion ddatgan ei fod yn flaenoriaeth a methu darparu'r adnoddau sydd eu hangen i ategu'r datganiadau. Mae rhagor o arian yn rhywbeth i'w groesawu, ac wedi'i groesawu, ond mae angen inni sicrhau bod yr arian hwnnw'n cyflawni'r canlyniadau a ddymunwn i'n pobl ifanc yng Nghymru.
Mae llawer o heriau'n wynebu pobl ifanc yng Nghymru, ac yn anffodus, bydd yr heriau hynny'n parhau i waethygu oni bai bod gwleidyddion yn y fan hon yn gwneud rhagor. Ceir llawer o sbardunau a all achosi iechyd meddwl niweidiol mewn plant a phobl ifanc, boed yn fwlio yn yr ysgol, ffurfiau ar fethu gwybod lle rydych chi am fod mewn bywyd, methu cael tai priodol, pwysau ysgol. Mae'n rhestr ddiddiwedd, a gallwn siarad am hynny am oriau. Rhaid inni sicrhau bod cymorth priodol ar gael i blant a phobl ifanc, a chymryd camau yn ogystal i fynd i'r afael â'r sbardunau a all achosi iechyd meddwl niweidiol. Felly, mae angen inni sefydlu gwasanaethau argyfwng 24 awr i blant a phobl ifanc ledled Cymru, er mwyn gallu darparu cymorth pan fyddant yn gofyn am gymorth. Mae gormod o bobl ifanc yn aros yn rhy hir o lawer am apwyntiad ac mae llawer yn cyrraedd pwynt argyfwng cyn i unrhyw beth gael ei wneud, ac ni all hyn barhau.
Edrychaf ymlaen at glywed cyfraniadau llawer o Aelodau i'r ddadl hon heddiw. Mae'n drueni fod y Llywodraeth wedi gwneud eu 'dileu popeth' arferol—fel y gwnânt bob wythnos—i'n cynnig. Byddwn yn cefnogi gwelliant Plaid Cymru heddiw. Nid yw'n ddiwrnod i ganmol Llywodraeth Cymru, ond yn hytrach, i wneud ein gwaith yn y lle hwn, i ddwyn y Llywodraeth i gyfrif a chael adolygiad brys ar y gweill o hyfywedd gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed yma yng Nghymru. Mae'n bryd gweithredu, ac rwy'n annog pob Aelod ar draws y Siambr i gefnogi ein cynnig heddiw.
Rwyf wedi dethol y ddau welliant i'r cynnig. Os derbynnir gwelliant 1, caiff gwelliant 2 ei ddad-ddethol. Galwaf ar y Dirprwy Weinidog Iechyd Meddwl a Llesiant i gynnig yn ffurfiol welliant 1 a gyflwynwyd yn enw Lesley Griffiths.
I have selected the two amendments to the motion. If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be deselected. I call on the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Well-being to formally move amendment 1, tabled in the name of Lesley Griffiths.
Gwelliant 1—Lesley Griffiths
Dileu popeth a rhoi yn ei le:
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
1. Yn nodi effaith y pandemig ar iechyd meddwl a lles emosiynol plant a phobl ifanc.
2. Yn cydnabod effaith y pandemig ar amseroedd aros ar gyfer Gwasanaethau Iechyd Meddwl Plant a'r Glasoed (CAMHS).
3. Yn croesawu ffocws Llywodraeth Cymru ar helpu gwasanaethau i wella wrth iddynt adfer a gwaith parhaus gyda phartneriaid i atal dwysáu i argyfwng a darparu ymateb amlasiantaeth, priodol.
4. Yn nodi adolygiad Uned Gyflawni’r GIG o CAMHS, a gomisiynwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ac y disgwylir ei adroddiad erbyn diwedd 2022.
5. Yn croesawu’r gwaith i barhau i gyflwyno 111, pwyso 2 ar gyfer iechyd meddwl i oedolion a phobl ifanc ledled Cymru.
6. Yn nodi ymgynghoriad presennol Pwyllgor Gwasanaethau Iechyd Arbenigol Cymru ar Strategaeth Gwasanaeth Arbenigol Iechyd Meddwl ar gyfer Cymru, gyda rhanddeiliaid allweddol, sy’n cynnwys cwmpasu dichonoldeb Uned Anhwylderau Bwyta ar gyfer Cymru.
Amendment 1—Lesley Griffiths
Delete all and replace with:
To propose that Senedd:
1. Notes the impact of the pandemic on the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.
2. Recognises the impact of the pandemic on waiting times for CAMHS.
3. Welcomes the Welsh Government's focus on supporting services to improve as they recover and continued work with partners to prevent escalation to crisis and provide an appropriate, multi-agency response.
4. Notes the NHS Delivery Unit’s review of CAMHS services, commissioned by Welsh Government, due to report by the end 2022.
5. Welcomes the continued roll-out of 111, press 2 for mental health for adults and young people across Wales.
6. Notes the current Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee: Mental Health Specialised Service Strategy for Wales consultation with key stakeholders, which includes scoping the feasibility of an Eating Disorder Unit for Wales.
Cynigiwyd gwelliant 1.
Amendment 1 moved.
Formally.
Yn ffurfiol.
Galwaf ar Rhun ap Iorwerth i gynnig gwelliant 2, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Siân Gwenllian.
I call on Rhun ap Iorwerth to move amendment 2, tabled in the name of Siân Gwenllian.
Gwelliant 2—Siân Gwenllian
Ychwanegu pwynt newydd ar ôl pwynt (2) ac ailrifo yn unol â hynny:
Yn nodi'r prosiect peilot arfaethedig i sefydlu cyfleusterau yn y gymuned, i bobl ifanc gael mynediad hawdd at gymorth iechyd meddwl a lles emosiynol, er mwyn cynnig ymyrraeth gynnar ac osgoi uwchgyfeirio, ac yn annog cyflwyno cyfleusterau ymyrraeth gynnar i Gymru gyfan.
Amendment 2—Siân Gwenllian
Add as new point after point (2) and renumber accordingly:
Notes the planned pilot project to establish community-based facilities, for young people to easily access mental health and wellbeing support, in order to offer early intervention and avoid escalation, and urges the rollout of early intervention facilities to the whole of Wales.
Cynigiwyd gwelliant 2.
Amendment 2 moved.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd. Dwi'n falch o gael cyfrannu i'r ddadl yma a dwi'n ddiolchgar ei bod hi wedi cael ei chyflwyno o'n blaenau ni. Mae iechyd meddwl yn destun rydyn ni yn ei drafod yn reit gyson yn y Senedd erbyn hyn, sydd yn dda o beth, yn wahanol i'r sefyllfa ers talwm, lle'r oedd iechyd meddwl yn cael prin dim sylw o gwbl, yn cael ei sgubo dan y carped. Ond fel dwi'n dweud, mae'n dda cael cyfle eto heddiw, achos drwy ddyfal donc mae gwneud yn siŵr bod camau gweithredu yn cael eu rhoi mewn lle sydd, gobeithio, yn mynd i helpu pobl efo'u hiechyd meddwl, a dwi'n falch ein bod ni eto yn rhoi sylw i iechyd meddwl pobl ifanc yn benodol.
Mi gefnogwn ni'r cynnig heddiw. Rydyn ni yn cytuno ynglŷn â'r impact gafodd y pandemig ar iechyd meddwl plant a phobl ifanc. Mi oedd o'n gyfnod digynsail o bryder am golli gwaith ysgol, o unigrwydd, o golli'r profiadau hynny sydd mor bwysig i bobl ifanc, o golli rhwydweithiau cefnogaeth ac yn y blaen. Dwi'n dad i dri o blant ac wedi gweld hynny drosof fi fy hun. Rydyn ni, wrth gwrs, yn gresynu at yr amser mae llawer gormod o blant a phobl ifanc yn gorfod aros am gefnogaeth a thriniaeth.
Mae'r trydydd pwynt, wedyn, ynglŷn â defnydd pwerau adran 136 yn ein symud ni at faes dydyn ni ddim wedi bod yn rhoi cymaint o sylw iddo fo, sef afiechyd meddwl difrifol a goblygiadau hynny. O edrych yn ôl dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, wrth ymchwilio ar gyfer heddiw, dwi ddim yn gweld bod Gweinidogion yn Llywodraeth Cymru wedi siarad am afiechyd meddwl difrifol o gwbl, ac mae'n bwysig iawn, dwi'n meddwl, fod hynny yn cael sylw.
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm very pleased to be able to contribute to this debate, and I'm very grateful that it has been proposed. Mental health is an issue that we discuss often in the Senedd now, and that's good to see, as opposed to the situation in the past where mental health had next to no attention and was swept under the carpet. But, as I said, it's good to have an opportunity once again today, because it's by diligent work that we'll ensure that actions are taken that will, hopefully, assist people with their mental health, and I'm pleased that we once again are giving attention to mental health amongst young people in particular.
We'll support the motion today. We agree with regard to the impact that the pandemic had on the mental health of children and young people. It was an unprecedented period of anxiety about missing school work, of loneliness, of missing out on those experiences that are so important to young people, of losing support networks and so on. I'm a father to three children, and I saw that for myself amongst them. We also regret the time that far too many children and young people are having to wait for support and treatment.
The third point, then, with regard to the use of section 136 powers takes us to an area that we haven't been giving as much attention to, namely serious mental health issues and the implications of those. Looking back on the past two years while researching for today, I don't see that Ministers in Welsh Government have spoken about serious mental illness at all, and it's very important that that is given due attention.
Serious mental illnesses, SMIs, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, often first develop between the ages of 14 and 25. It's a critical stage for young people, because of the neurological, biological and cognitive changes of adolescence to young adulthood. It's a time of big change in their lives, reaching major educational milestones.
We often talk, don't we, about the need for early intervention to avoid mental health issues deteriorating. Plaid Cymru's long championed early intervention, including in more informal ways, or perhaps in less formal ways: the one-stop-shop drop-in centres, you'll have heard us promote, along the New Zealand model, and our amendment today refers to pilot schemes being introduced under the co-operation agreement, which I look forward to seeing develop, and they must develop. But these less formal interventions can affect clinical outcomes. Being aware of early signs of serious mental illness is a crucial first step in people getting the help they need, and clinical prevention is important. For many, it's the intervention of clinical teams that prevents further deterioration and illness. Early intervention and preventative strategies offer the opportunity to mitigate the stressors that impact on physical, emotional and psychological well-being at this really vulnerable time in a young person's life.
Psychosis affects one in 100 people. The first episode is most likely to happen between the ages of 18 and 24, but recent research says that fewer than one in five young people would be confident in spotting early signs—a quarter had never heard of it. So, Welsh Government has to meaningfully invest in specialist psychiatric medical provision in Wales, both now and in the long term.
Yn aml, mae salwch meddwl difrifol megis sgitsoffrenia, anhwylder deubegynol, yn datblygu'n gyntaf rhwng 14 a 25 oed. Mae'n gyfnod tyngedfennol i bobl ifanc, oherwydd newidiadau niwrolegol, biolegol a gwybyddol y glasoed i fod yn oedolion ifanc. Mae'n gyfnod o newid mawr yn eu bywydau, pan fyddant yn cyrraedd cerrig milltir addysgol mawr.
Rydym yn aml yn siarad, onid ydym, am yr angen am ymyrraeth gynnar er mwyn osgoi gadael i broblemau iechyd meddwl ddirywio. Bu Plaid Cymru'n hyrwyddo ymyrraeth gynnar ers amser maith, gan gynnwys mewn ffyrdd mwy anffurfiol, neu efallai mewn ffyrdd llai ffurfiol: fe fyddwch wedi ein clywed yn hyrwyddo'r canolfannau galw heibio siop un stop yn debyg i fodel Seland Newydd, ac mae ein gwelliant heddiw yn cyfeirio at gyflwyno cynlluniau peilot o dan y cytundeb cydweithio, ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at weld y rheini'n datblygu, a rhaid iddynt ddatblygu. Ond gall yr ymyriadau llai ffurfiol hyn effeithio ar ganlyniadau clinigol. Mae bod yn ymwybodol o arwyddion cynnar o salwch meddwl difrifol yn gam cyntaf hollbwysig i bobl gael yr help sydd ei angen arnynt, ac mae atal clinigol yn bwysig. I lawer, ymyrraeth timau clinigol sy'n atal dirywiad a salwch pellach. Mae ymyrraeth gynnar a strategaethau ataliol yn cynnig cyfle i liniaru'r straen sy'n effeithio ar les corfforol, emosiynol a seicolegol ar adeg hynod agored i niwed ym mywyd unigolyn ifanc.
Mae seicosis yn effeithio ar un o bob 100 o bobl. Mae'r pwl cyntaf yn fwyaf tebygol o ddigwydd rhwng 18 a 24 oed, ond mae ymchwil ddiweddar yn dweud y byddai llai nag un o bob pump o bobl ifanc yn ddigon hyderus i sylwi ar arwyddion cynnar—nid oedd eu chwarter erioed wedi clywed amdano. Felly, mae'n rhaid i Lywodraeth Cymru fuddsoddi'n ystyrlon mewn darpariaeth feddygol seiciatrig arbenigol yng Nghymru, yn awr ac yn hirdymor.
Rydyn ni wedi sôn yn helaeth am anghydraddoldebau iechyd yn ddiweddar. Buon ni'n sôn am hynny yng nghyd-destun iechyd merched ychydig funudau yn ôl. Mae'r anghydraddoldebau y mae pobl efo afiechyd meddwl difrifol yn eu hwynebu'n sylweddol iawn. Maen nhw'n fwy tebyg o wynebu problemau iechyd corfforol ac yn marw, ar gyfartaledd, 15 i 20 mlynedd yn fwy ifanc. Mae'n cael ei amcangyfrif bod dau o bob tri o bobl efo afiechydon meddwl difrifol yn marw o afiechydon corfforol a allai gael eu hatal. Felly, mae'n rhaid gwneud yn siŵr bod yna fonitro gofalus ar iechyd corfforol pobl sydd yn dioddef.
Mae Rhan 2 Mesur Iechyd Meddwl (Cymru) 2010 yn dweud bod pob person ifanc sy'n derbyn triniaeth iechyd gan wasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a glasoed arbenigol i fod i gael cynllun gofal a thriniaeth cynhwysfawr i'w helpu nhw i wella. Mae'n ymddangos bod llawer o bobl ifanc ddim hyd yn oed yn gwybod am hynny.
Dirprwy Lywydd, i gloi, gallwn ni ddim cefnogi gwelliant y Llywodraeth heddiw. Er bod yna waith da yn mynd ymlaen mewn rhai meysydd, gallwn ni ddim jest derbyn pethau fel ag y maen nhw; rydyn ni'n gwneud cam gwag â'n hunain wrth wneud hynny. Er bod gennym ni ein gwelliant ein hunain a fy mod i wedi egluro pwysigrwydd yr hyn sydd dan sylw yn hwnnw, mae'n bosib na wnawn ni gyrraedd at hwnnw, pwy a ŵyr, felly beth wnawn ni heddiw ydy mi gefnogwn ni'r cynnig gwreiddiol fel ag y mae o i ddechrau ac i uchafu'r siawns o gael cefnogaeth i rai o'r egwyddorion creiddiol sydd yn hwnnw.
Mae yna wastad gymaint y gallwn ni gyffwrdd arno fo pan rydyn ni'n sôn am iechyd meddwl, ond dwi'n falch o fod wedi gallu gwneud yr ychydig sylwadau yna, beth bynnag.
We've spoken a great deal about health inequalities recently. We spoke about them in the context of women's health a few minutes ago. The inequalities that people with serious mental illness face are very significant. They're more likely to face physical health issues and they die, on average, 15 to 20 years younger. It's estimated that two out of three people with serious mental illnesses die as a result of preventable physical conditions. So, we have to ensure that there's careful monitoring of the physical health of people who are suffering.
Part 2 of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 says that every young person receiving healthcare from a specialist child and adolescent mental health service should have a comprehensive care and treatment plan to help them to recover. It appears that many young people don't even know about that.
Dirprwy Lywydd, in closing, we can't support the Government's amendment today. Even though there is good work being done in some areas, we can't just accept things as they are. It would be a mistake to do that. Even though we have our own amendment and I have explained the importance of what is mentioned there, it's possible that we might not even get to that stage, so what we will do today is we will support the original motion as it is laid out to increase the chance of receiving support for some of those core principles that are in that original motion.
There are so many things that we could touch on when we talk about mental health, but I'm pleased to be able to make those few comments there.
I'd like to start by thanking James Evans for bringing this debate to our Senedd today. It is a very, very important subject to discuss, but as the Member for Ynys Môn said, it's wonderful to see that we are talking about it now and that these conversations are real, because the situation that we face is very real, and it's nice to see that it's no longer a taboo subject, as you said, Rhun.
As James said, mental health is something that affects us all in one way or another, most recently, as has been said already, with our youngest in society with the struggles and pressures that they faced in education and growing up during the pandemic. Sadly, despite Welsh Labour continually claiming that the mental health and well-being of our children and young people is a priority, as James said, the reality is very different. Children and young people are waiting longer for mental health services and, in some health boards, well over nine in 10 are waiting longer than the target time for assessments. Clearly, these problems are historic. Before COVID-19 hit in Wales, waiting times for children and young people were already long, and concerns had been raised by the Children, Young People and Education Committee nearly four years ago now about these problems within the child and adolescent mental health services.
Hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddiolch i James Evans am ddod â'r ddadl hon i'n Senedd heddiw. Mae'n bwnc pwysig iawn i'w drafod, ond fel y dywedodd yr Aelod dros Ynys Môn, mae'n wych gweld ein bod yn siarad amdano yn awr a bod y sgyrsiau hyn yn real, oherwydd mae'r sefyllfa sy'n ein hwynebu yn real iawn, ac mae'n braf gweld nad yw bellach yn bwnc tabŵ, fel y dywedoch chi, Rhun.
Fel y dywedodd James, mae iechyd meddwl yn rhywbeth sy'n effeithio ar bob un ohonom mewn rhyw ffordd neu'i gilydd, yn fwyaf diweddar, fel y dywedwyd eisoes, gyda'n pobl ieuengaf mewn cymdeithas a'r trafferthion a'r pwysau y gwnaethant eu hwynebu mewn addysg ac wrth dyfu i fyny yn ystod y pandemig. Yn anffodus, er bod Llafur Cymru'n honni'n barhaus fod iechyd meddwl a llesiant ein plant a'n pobl ifanc yn flaenoriaeth, fel y dywedodd James, mae'r realiti'n wahanol iawn. Mae plant a phobl ifanc yn aros yn hirach am wasanaethau iechyd meddwl ac mewn rhai byrddau iechyd, mae ymhell dros naw o bob 10 yn aros yn hirach na'r amser targed ar gyfer asesiadau. Yn amlwg, mae'r problemau hyn yn rhai hanesyddol. Cyn i COVID-19 daro yng Nghymru, roedd amseroedd aros ar gyfer plant a phobl ifanc eisoes yn hir, a chafodd pryderon eu lleisio gan y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg bron i bedair blynedd yn ôl bellach am y problemau hyn yn y gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed.
Will you take an intervention?
A wnewch chi dderbyn ymyriad?
Yes.
Gwnaf.
I'm not sure whether you recall the numerous reports the Children, Young People and Education Committee did in this area, but our landmark one, 'Mind over matter', recognised that, actually, waiting times had significantly improved and that the focus needed to go to early intervention. Maybe you ought to have a look at some of those reports.
Nid wyf yn siŵr a ydych yn cofio'r adroddiadau niferus a wnaeth y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg yn y maes hwn, ond cydnabu'r un pwysicaf gennym, 'Cadernid Meddwl', fod amseroedd aros wedi gwella'n sylweddol mewn gwirionedd a bod angen canolbwyntio ar ymyrraeth gynnar. Efallai y dylech edrych ar rai o'r adroddiadau hynny.
They've gone back, Lynne, since then, though.
Ond maent wedi mynd ar yn ôl ers hynny, Lynne.
I'm going to cover that.
Rwy'n mynd i roi sylw i hynny.
Nearly four years ago we were talking about these problems, and still a lot of action has not been taken, Deputy Minister. I find it staggering looking at the latest figures, which show that less than two thirds of young people are receiving their assessments within 28 days and, on average, over the last six months, 48.5 per cent—less than one in two—were seen within this time period. In my own region in South Wales East, we see waiting times for specialist CAMHS is in a bad way, with over 14 per cent of young people waiting over four weeks for that first appointment. It is clear now that this isn't good enough and that our current services cannot deal with the pressure it's facing. We're now nearly three years since the joint thematic review in 2019, and more than two years after the fifth Senedd's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee's report into section 135 and 136 detentions. The committee at this time noted that improving crisis care services, particularly out-of-hours services, is a key to both reducing the overall use of section 136 and ensuring those discharged from section 136 following assessment go on to achieve adequate care and support in their community. As waiting times get longer, more and more children and young people are needing crisis support, with 30 under-18s being detained under the Mental Health Act. Simply detaining children and young people won't provide the specialist support they need, so it's crucial that a 24-hour crisis service is made available so that they are treated in a safe and appropriate environment, something which, of course, is a debate on its own.
It is clear to me and others on these benches that proposed mental health crisis centres must be set up so that we can ensure people who have mental health issues have a safe place to be assessed and treated, simultaneously lowering the number of people who are detained and transferred.
Sadly, we also see this with autism waiting times. There are an estimated 30,000 or more autistic people in Wales, and although everyone has heard of autism, too few people understand what it's actually like to be autistic and how hard life can be if autistic people don't receive that right support. Thousands of children are waiting many months or even years for assessment. A recent study found that 28 per cent of autistic pupils in Wales felt their teachers understood autism, and new Office for National Statistics data suggests that just 29 per cent of autistic people are in any form of work. Without support, many autistic people develop mental health problems, sometimes to the point of crisis.
The time for talking is over. The longer we wait to tackle the true root and causes of the mental health crisis and its treatment, the worse the situation will get. We need clear action and regular updates in this Senedd, outlining just how this Government plan to tackle the crisis and if their methods are working.
Bron i bedair blynedd yn ôl roeddem yn sôn am y problemau hyn, ac nid oes llawer o weithredu wedi bod o hyd, Ddirprwy Weinidog. Rwy'n ei chael yn syfrdanol edrych ar y ffigurau diweddaraf, sy'n dangos bod llai na dwy ran o dair o bobl ifanc yn cael eu hasesiadau o fewn 28 diwrnod ac ar gyfartaledd, dros y chwe mis diwethaf, gwelwyd 48.5 y cant—llai nag un o bob dau—o fewn yr amser hwn. Yn fy rhanbarth i yn Nwyrain De Cymru, gwelwn fod amseroedd aros am CAMHS arbenigol yn wael, gyda thros 14 y cant o bobl ifanc yn aros dros bedair wythnos am apwyntiad cyntaf. Mae'n amlwg yn awr nad yw hyn yn ddigon da ac na all ein gwasanaethau presennol ymdopi â'r pwysau y maent yn ei wynebu. Mae bron i dair blynedd bellach ers y cyd-adolygiad thematig yn 2019, a dros ddwy flynedd ers adroddiad Pwyllgor Iechyd, Gofal Cymdeithasol a Chwaraeon y pumed Senedd ar y defnydd o osod dan gadwad o dan adran 135 a 136. Nododd y pwyllgor ar y pryd fod gwella gwasanaethau gofal argyfwng, yn enwedig gwasanaethau y tu allan i oriau, yn allweddol i leihau'r defnydd cyffredinol o adran 136 a sicrhau bod y rhai a ryddheir o adran 136 ar ôl asesiad yn mynd ymlaen i gael gofal a chymorth digonol yn eu cymuned. Wrth i amseroedd aros ymestyn, mae angen cymorth argyfwng ar fwy a mwy o blant a phobl ifanc, gyda 30 o blant dan 18 oed dan gadwad o dan y Ddeddf Iechyd Meddwl. Ni fydd gosod plant a phobl ifanc dan gadwad yn darparu'r cymorth arbenigol sydd ei angen arnynt, felly mae'n hanfodol fod gwasanaeth argyfwng 24 awr ar gael er mwyn iddynt gael eu trin mewn amgylchedd diogel a phriodol, rhywbeth sydd, wrth gwrs, yn destun dadl ar ei ben ei hun.
Mae'n amlwg i mi ac i eraill ar y meinciau hyn fod yn rhaid sefydlu canolfannau argyfwng iechyd meddwl er mwyn inni allu sicrhau bod gan bobl sydd â phroblemau iechyd meddwl le diogel i gael eu hasesu a'u trin, gan leihau nifer y bobl dan gadwad ac a drosglwyddir.
Yn anffodus, gwelwn hyn hefyd gydag amseroedd aros ar gyfer awtistiaeth. Amcangyfrifir bod 30,000 neu fwy o bobl awtistig yng Nghymru, ac er bod pawb wedi clywed am awtistiaeth, nid oes digon o bobl yn deall sut beth yw bod yn awtistig a pha mor galed y gall bywyd fod os nad yw pobl awtistig yn cael y cymorth cywir. Mae miloedd o blant yn aros am fisoedd lawer neu flynyddoedd hyd yn oed i gael eu hasesu. Canfu astudiaeth ddiweddar mai 28 y cant o ddisgyblion awtistig yng Nghymru a deimlai fod eu hathrawon yn deall awtistiaeth, ac mae data newydd y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol yn awgrymu mai dim ond 29 y cant o bobl awtistig sydd mewn unrhyw fath o waith. Heb gymorth, mae llawer o bobl awtistig yn datblygu problemau iechyd meddwl, sydd weithiau'n troi'n argyfwng.
Mae'r amser i siarad ar ben. Po hwyaf yr arhoswn i fynd i'r afael â gwir wraidd ac achosion yr argyfwng iechyd meddwl a'i driniaeth, y gwaethaf y bydd y sefyllfa'n mynd. Mae arnom angen gweithredu clir a diweddariadau rheolaidd yn y Senedd hon, yn amlinellu sut y mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn bwriadu mynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng ac i weld a yw ei dulliau'n gweithio.
I want to start by thanking you for bringing this debate to the Chamber today. Child and adolescent mental health is one of the key issues that young people raise with me across Bridgend and Porthcawl. In Bridgend last week, it was great to host our young person's fair on this very topic with Bridgend Youth Council, where schools, pupils and local support groups came together to discuss how we can make mental health provision better for young people in our community. Because, as with a lot of issues, or all issues related to young people, there are often very well-meaning adults who assume what is best, and this shouldn't be the case. Any decisions that impact young people should at least have the consultation and engagement to ensure that we provide support that will make a difference. I know that our Deputy Minister is absolutely committed to this. I also wanted to add in that one of our Youth Parliament Members from Bridgend, Ollie, who represents the Carers Trust Wales, did also want to say that people's voices and opinions sometimes are overlooked and undervalued in decision making, so we do want to make sure that that is always a priority.
I believe it is worth as well remembering the integral role that I think young people have played in bringing the conversation around depression and anxiety into our daily lives. We owe much of the work that has been done to break down barriers and the shame of talking about mental health to young people across our communities, and I know this is a priority for our Youth Parliament Member for Bridgend, Ewan Bodilly, who said that, since the pandemic, it has been easy for young people to feel alienated, and it is only through engaging with young people that things will improve. And at the mental health fair, our youth mayor, Xander, said young people have been calling for mental health to be a priority for too long, but the pandemic has shown how important it is that we make sure services are available and mental health is a priority, going forward.
I also want to say that I am thankful to the Welsh Government for their commitment to prioritise mental health for young people through schools with the whole-school approach. There are already schools across my constituency doing this work, with Porthcawl Comprehensive School working with local mental health support groups to destigmatise reaching out and ensuring that all young people know where to turn to if they need to. But this should be standardised, and every child and young person should know where to reach out to. Every child should be given the tools to have access to support when and if they need it, for whatever the circumstance is.
I want to end by saying I didn't actually plan to speak on this today, but, James, I want to say this in support of your call for an eating disorder unit in Wales, and preferably a residential eating disorder unit. I myself had anorexia nervosa when I was 14. It was absolutely terrifying for me and my family, and for my friends and my teachers, and I actually had a chat with my mum about it a couple of months ago—I think it was weeks ago, sorry—when we were doing the debate on eating disorders, because I wanted to speak on it. And my mum actually told me something that she'd never told me before, which was that my paediatric consultant at the time wrote to my counsellor, and didn't even tell my parents this—didn't give them the heads-up—that I was two days away from them admitting me to the adult psychiatric ward at east Glamorgan hospital, when I was 14. They would have locked me up in an adult psychiatric ward at east Glamorgan hospital. I would never have come out. I would never have come out. So, the only other option at the time was a residential unit, which was in Bristol, and it was full, and my parents were just so scared. I think, to be honest, I was so unwell I don't even think I was scared anymore; I didn't know what was going on.
I did recover, and I'm very rare. If you look at the statistics, it's very rare to recover from this, and I did. And I can't even really tell you how I did, even now. But I just wanted to say that that was 20 years ago, and we still don't have a unit in Wales. And in my community of Bridgend, we do have Mental Health Matters Wales, and it was only, actually, a couple of years ago I met Michaela at Mental Health Matters Wales, and she had an eating disorder group where people who are suffering with it, but also their families, can come together to get support. And I'd never really talked about this, and I went in and it all just came out, and we laughed, which I know sounds really strange, but there are just things that are sometimes bizarre, especially some of the things you do when you're going through this. And she just made me feel so—. I just thought to myself, 'God, I wish I'd had you when I was that age. I wish I'd had you, I wish my parents had had you at that age'.
So, I know, Minister, you're doing so much on this. I know that we've talked about it before as well, and I always really appreciate your support, but if there is any way that we can have a residential eating disorder unit in Wales so that people—just so that there's more space—don't have to move away from their home. Again, at 14, I don't know how I would have gone off to Bristol like that. So, yes—thank you.
I just want to end by saying to any and all young people out there, as I always say to you, you are not alone—there is nothing wrong with you, there is help available, and you can get through this. [Applause.]
Hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddiolch ichi am ddod â'r ddadl hon i'r Siambr heddiw. Iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed yw un o'r prif faterion y mae pobl ifanc yn ei ddwyn i fy sylw ar draws Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr a Phorthcawl. Ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr yr wythnos diwethaf, roedd yn wych cynnal ein ffair pobl ifanc ar yr union bwnc hwn gyda Chyngor Ieuenctid Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr, lle y daeth ysgolion, disgyblion a grwpiau cymorth lleol at ei gilydd i drafod sut y gallwn wneud darpariaeth iechyd meddwl yn well i bobl ifanc yn ein cymuned. Oherwydd, fel gyda llawer o faterion, neu'r holl faterion sy'n ymwneud â phobl ifanc, mae oedolion sy'n aml yn llawn bwriadau da yn rhagdybio beth sydd orau, ac nid felly y dylai fod. Dylai unrhyw benderfyniadau sy'n effeithio ar bobl ifanc o leiaf fod yn destun ymgynghori ac ymgysylltu i sicrhau ein bod yn darparu cymorth a fydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth. Gwn fod ein Dirprwy Weinidog wedi ymrwymo'n llwyr i hyn. Roeddwn am ychwanegu hefyd fod un o'n Haelodau Senedd Ieuenctid o Ben-y-bont ar Ogwr, Ollie, sy'n cynrychioli Ymddiriedolaeth Gofalwyr Cymru, am ddweud bod lleisiau a barn pobl yn cael eu hanwybyddu a'u tanbrisio weithiau wrth wneud penderfyniadau, felly rydym am sicrhau bod hynny bob amser yn flaenoriaeth.
Credaf ei bod yn werth cofio hefyd am y rôl ganolog y credaf fod pobl ifanc wedi'i chwarae yn cyflwyno'r sgwrs am iselder a gorbryder i'n bywydau bob dydd. I bobl ifanc ar draws ein cymunedau y mae llawer o'r diolch am lawer o'r gwaith a wnaed i chwalu rhwystrau a'r cywilydd o siarad am iechyd meddwl, a gwn fod hyn yn flaenoriaeth i'n Haelod Senedd Ieuenctid dros Ben-y-bont ar Ogwr, Ewan Bodilly, a ddywedodd ei bod wedi bod yn hawdd i bobl ifanc deimlo eu bod wedi'u dieithrio ers y pandemig, a dim ond drwy ymgysylltu â phobl ifanc y bydd pethau'n gwella. Ac yn y ffair iechyd meddwl, dywedodd ein maer ieuenctid, Xander, fod pobl ifanc wedi bod yn galw am i iechyd meddwl fod yn flaenoriaeth ers gormod o amser, ond mae'r pandemig wedi dangos pa mor bwysig yw sicrhau bod gwasanaethau ar gael a bod iechyd meddwl yn flaenoriaeth wrth symud ymlaen.
Hoffwn ddweud hefyd fy mod yn ddiolchgar i Lywodraeth Cymru am eu hymrwymiad i flaenoriaethu iechyd meddwl i bobl ifanc drwy ysgolion gyda'r dull ysgol gyfan. Mae ysgolion ar draws fy etholaeth eisoes yn gwneud y gwaith hwn, gydag Ysgol Gyfun Porthcawl yn gweithio gyda grwpiau cymorth iechyd meddwl lleol i ddadstigmateiddio gofyn am gymorth a sicrhau bod pob unigolyn ifanc yn gwybod lle i droi os oes angen. Ond dylid safoni hyn, a dylai pob plentyn ac unigolyn ifanc wybod lle i droi. Dylai pob plentyn gael yr offer i gael mynediad at gymorth pan fo angen, beth bynnag yw'r amgylchiadau.
Hoffwn orffen drwy ddweud nad oeddwn yn bwriadu siarad am hyn heddiw mewn gwirionedd, ond James, hoffwn ddweud hyn i gefnogi eich galwad am uned anhwylderau bwyta yng Nghymru, ac uned anhwylderau bwyta preswyl yn ddelfrydol. Roedd gennyf anorecsia nerfosa pan oeddwn yn 14 oed. Roedd yn gwbl frawychus i mi a fy nheulu, a fy ffrindiau a fy athrawon, a chefais sgwrs gyda fy mam am y peth ychydig fisoedd yn ôl—wythnosau yn ôl, mae'n ddrwg gennyf—pan oeddem yn gwneud y ddadl ar anhwylderau bwyta, oherwydd roeddwn am siarad amdano. A dywedodd fy mam rywbeth wrthyf nad oedd erioed wedi'i ddweud wrthyf o'r blaen, sef bod fy meddyg ymgynghorol pediatrig ar y pryd wedi ysgrifennu at fy nghwnselydd, a heb hyd yn oed ddweud hyn wrth fy rhieni—heb roi gwybod iddynt—fy mod ddeuddydd i ffwrdd o gael fy nerbyn i'r ward seiciatrig oedolion yn ysbyty dwyrain Morgannwg, pan oeddwn yn 14 oed. Byddent wedi fy nghloi mewn ward seiciatrig i oedolion yn ysbyty dwyrain Morgannwg. Ni fyddwn byth wedi dod allan. Ni fyddwn byth wedi dod allan. Felly, yr unig opsiwn arall ar y pryd oedd uned breswyl, a oedd ym Mryste, ac roedd yn llawn, ac roedd fy rhieni mor ofnus. A bod yn onest, rwy'n credu fy mod i mor sâl fel nad wyf yn meddwl fy mod i'n ofnus erbyn hynny; nid oeddwn yn gwybod beth oedd yn digwydd.
Fe wellais, ac rwy'n anghyffredin iawn. Os edrychwch ar yr ystadegau, mae gwella o hyn yn anghyffredin iawn, ac fe wnes i wella. Ac ni allaf ddweud yn iawn wrthych sut y gwnes i hynny, hyd yn oed yn awr. Ond roeddwn i eisiau dweud bod hynny 20 mlynedd yn ôl, ac nid oes gennym uned yng Nghymru o hyd. Ac yn fy nghymuned i ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr, mae gennym Mental Health Matters Wales, a flwyddyn neu ddwy yn ôl cyfarfûm â Michaela yn Mental Health Matters Wales, ac roedd ganddi grŵp anhwylderau bwyta lle y gall pobl sy'n dioddef ohono, a'u teuluoedd hefyd, ddod at ei gilydd i gael cefnogaeth. Ac nid oeddwn erioed wedi siarad am hyn mewn gwirionedd, ac fe es i mewn ac fe ddaeth y cyfan allan, ac fe wnaethom ni chwerthin, ac rwy'n gwybod bod hynny'n swnio'n rhyfedd iawn, ond mae rhai pethau'n rhyfedd weithiau, yn enwedig rhai o'r pethau y byddwch yn eu gwneud pan fyddwch chi'n mynd drwy hyn. Ac fe wnaeth imi deimlo mor—. Yr hyn a âi drwy fy meddwl oedd, 'Duw, byddai'n dda gennyf pe baech chi wedi bod yno pan oeddwn i yr oedran hwnnw. Byddai'n dda gennyf be bawn i wedi cael hynny, byddai'n dda gennyf pe baech chi wedi bod yno i fy rhieni pan oeddwn i yr oedran hwnnw'.
Felly, Weinidog, gwn eich bod yn gwneud cymaint ar hyn. Gwn ein bod wedi siarad amdano o'r blaen hefyd, ac rwyf bob amser yn gwerthfawrogi eich cefnogaeth yn fawr, ond os oes unrhyw ffordd y gallwn gael uned anhwylderau bwyta preswyl yng Nghymru—fel bod mwy o le—fel nad oes raid i bobl symud i ffwrdd o'u cartref. Unwaith eto, yn 14 oed, nid wyf yn gwybod sut y byddwn wedi mynd i Fryste fel yna. Felly, ie—diolch.
Hoffwn orffen drwy ddweud wrth unrhyw un a phob unigolyn ifanc allan yno, fel y dywedaf wrthych bob amser, nid ydych ar eich pen eich hun—nid oes dim o'i le arnoch, mae cymorth ar gael, a gallwch ddod drwy hyn. [Cymeradwyo.]
I refer Members to my register of interests.
I don't think any apologies should be made for this debate this afternoon being not a comfortable one, and every contribution we hear is incredibly pertinent to this debate. I'd like to pay tribute to Sarah Murphy for sharing with us her incredibly personal story. Thank you for taking the time to share that with us.
I don't believe this debate is to shame the Welsh Government or whip up disgust; rather, as the Member for Brecon and Radnor rightly said, it's to hold the Government to account, and it's to draw attention to the real entrenched failures within Wales's child and adolescent mental health services. These failures have seen the lives of children and young people torn apart and thrown into turmoil. However, I do wish to use my contribution this afternoon to draw Members' attentions to the situation in rural communities right across Wales, one that has seen our mental health services under-resourced and lacking in funding.
Now, it is true that growing up in rural Wales is a blessing, and that's not to say it isn't without its challenges and difficulties—a situation that is especially the case when it comes to our young people. Rural isolation is an issue that transcends every societal group, but it's often our young people who are left without the support network they need to develop relationships and emotional growth. Lacking these networks and without the required support and the preventative measures, our young people are often left to battle depression and other mental health illnesses, a situation that then requires the professional intervention of child and adolescent mental health services. Looking around this Chamber, how many of us have to deal with directly and intervene directly in an individual CAMHS case because resources were not available to get a child or young person the vital help they need? One of the very first cases I dealt with after last May's election was that of a young girl with an eating disorder. And for me, representing a rural constituency, interventions such as this are all too common and far too familiar.
The latest CAMHS waiting list figures show that less than two thirds of young people are receiving the required local primary mental health support service assessment within 28 days. In the Hywel Dda University Health Board region, which includes my own constituency of Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, just 3.2 per cent of CAMHS referrals are seen within 28 days—3.2 per cent. In comparison, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board conduct 91.3 per cent of their local primary mental health support service assessments within that 28-day window, a difference that, for many, could be the difference between getting the support and access that these young people need or a further darkening of the clouds around them.
But let us be clear, these problems aren't a result of the pandemic; they are unfortunately a symptom of a historic trend of limited access and diminishing resource. It's where failures such as this occur that our local communities and, as the Member for Brecon and Radnorshire rightly pointed out, the third sector pull together and provide the support that is needed. And nowhere better has this been done than through Wales's young farmers community. As I've said on a number of occasions in this Chamber, Wales's young farmers clubs provide more than just an opportunity to develop agricultural skills and knowledge; they also provide a number of life skills, but also a sense of companionship and support. Lifelong friendships are developed and support networks created, both on a local level and throughout YFC. It's not easy to quantify the value that these relationships have in supporting those members who may be experiencing mental health issues, but, on an informal basis, to have a confidant who understands the challenges and uncertainties that many young people have growing up should not be undervalued. I'd like to take this opportunity to draw attention to a Llys-y-frân member in Pembrokeshire YFC, Hannah Rees, who off her own back brought forward to Wales YFC a plan to provide further assistance to young YFC members, through competition days. Given the fact that this is a young person knowing that there is a gap there and looking to fill that gap herself, I do pay testament to Hannah Rees for the work that she is doing.
But these organisations shouldn't be alone, and it isn't always enough. That's why ensuring that our children and adolescent mental health services are equipped with the resources they need is so important. Regardless of our political affiliations, we have a duty in this Siambr to ensure that every child has access to the health services they need. But, as you've heard this afternoon, that sadly isn't occurring. Waiting lists are exacerbated, demand is too high and staffing numbers too low. This motion before us is our opportunity to change the way in which our CAMHS services operate, making sure our children have access to the mental health services that they need and deserve. Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Cyfeiriaf yr Aelodau at fy nghofrestr buddiannau.
Nid wyf yn credu y dylid ymddiheuro nad yw'r ddadl hon y prynhawn yma yn un gyfforddus, ac mae pob cyfraniad a glywn yn hynod berthnasol i'r ddadl hon. Hoffwn dalu teyrnged i Sarah Murphy am rannu ei stori hynod bersonol gyda ni. Diolch ichi am roi o'ch amser i rannu hynny gyda ni.
Nid wyf yn credu mai bwriad y ddadl hon yw dwyn anfri ar Lywodraeth Cymru na chodi cywilydd; yn hytrach, fel y dywedodd yr Aelod dros Frycheiniog a Maesyfed yn gywir, mae'n rhaid dwyn y Llywodraeth i gyfrif, a bydd yn tynnu sylw at y methiannau gwirioneddol sefydledig yng ngwasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed yng Nghymru. Mae'r methiannau hyn wedi arwain at chwalu a chreu cythrwfl ym mywydau plant a phobl ifanc. Fodd bynnag, hoffwn ddefnyddio fy nghyfraniad y prynhawn yma i dynnu sylw'r Aelodau at y sefyllfa mewn cymunedau gwledig ledled Cymru, sefyllfa lle mae ein gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl heb ddigon o adnoddau ac yn brin o gyllid.
Nawr, mae'n wir fod tyfu i fyny yn y Gymru wledig yn fendith, ac nid yw hynny'n golygu nad yw heb ei heriau a'i anawsterau—sefyllfa sy'n arbennig o wir i'n pobl ifanc. Mae ynysu gwledig yn broblem sy'n effeithio ar bob grŵp cymdeithasol, ond yn aml, ein pobl ifanc sy'n cael eu gadael heb y rhwydwaith cymorth sydd ei angen arnynt i ddatblygu perthynas iach ag eraill a thwf emosiynol. Heb y rhwydweithiau hyn a heb y cymorth angenrheidiol a'r mesurau ataliol, mae ein pobl ifanc yn aml yn cael eu gadael i frwydro yn erbyn iselder a mathau eraill o salwch meddwl, sefyllfa sydd wedyn yn galw am ymyrraeth broffesiynol gan wasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed. Wrth edrych o gwmpas y Siambr, faint ohonom sy'n gorfod ymdrin yn uniongyrchol ac ymyrryd yn uniongyrchol mewn achos CAMHS unigol am nad oedd adnoddau ar gael i gael y cymorth hanfodol sydd ei angen ar blentyn neu unigolyn ifanc? Un o'r achosion cyntaf un yr ymdriniais ag ef ar ôl yr etholiad fis Mai diwethaf oedd merch ifanc ag anhwylder bwyta. Ac i mi, sy'n cynrychioli etholaeth wledig, mae ymyriadau fel hyn yn rhy gyffredin ac yn llawer rhy gyfarwydd.
Mae ffigurau diweddaraf rhestrau aros CAMHS yn dangos mai llai na dwy ran o dair o'r bobl ifanc sy'n derbyn yr asesiad gwasanaeth cymorth iechyd meddwl sylfaenol lleol gofynnol o fewn 28 diwrnod. Yn rhanbarth Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda, sy'n cynnwys fy etholaeth i, sef Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro, dim ond 3.2 y cant o atgyfeiriadau CAMHS a welir o fewn 28 diwrnod—3.2 y cant. Mewn cymhariaeth, mae Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Caerdydd a'r Fro yn cynnal 91.3 y cant o'u hasesiadau gwasanaeth cymorth iechyd meddwl sylfaenol lleol o fewn y cyfnod o 28 diwrnod, gwahaniaeth a allai, i lawer, fod yn wahaniaeth rhwng cael y gefnogaeth a'r mynediad sydd ei angen ar y bobl ifanc hyn neu dywyllu'r cymylau o'u cwmpas ymhellach.
Ond gadewch inni fod yn glir, nid canlyniad y pandemig yw'r problemau hyn; yn anffodus maent yn symptom o duedd hanesyddol o fynediad cyfyngedig ac adnoddau sy'n crebachu. Lle mae methiannau fel hyn yn digwydd, mae ein cymunedau lleol, ac fel y nododd yr Aelod dros Frycheiniog a Sir Faesyfed yn gywir, y trydydd sector, yn cyd-dynnu ac yn darparu'r cymorth sydd ei angen. Ac nid oes neb yn well am wneud hyn na chymuned ffermwyr ifanc Cymru. Fel y dywedais droeon yn y Siambr hon, mae clybiau ffermwyr ifanc Cymru yn darparu mwy na chyfle i ddatblygu sgiliau a gwybodaeth amaethyddol yn unig; maent hefyd yn darparu nifer o sgiliau bywyd, ond hefyd ymdeimlad o gwmnïaeth a chefnogaeth. Datblygir cyfeillgarwch gydol oes rhwng pobl a chaiff rhwydweithiau cymorth eu creu, ar lefel leol a ledled CFfI. Nid yw'n hawdd mesur y gwerth sydd i'r cysylltiadau hyn yn cefnogi aelodau a allai fod yn wynebu problemau iechyd meddwl, ond ar sail anffurfiol, ni ddylid tanbrisio gwerth cyfaill sy'n deall yr heriau a'r ansicrwydd sydd gan lawer o bobl ifanc wrth iddynt dyfu fyny. Hoffwn fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn i dynnu sylw at aelod o Lys-y-frân yng Nghlwb CFfI Sir Benfro, Hannah Rees, a gyflwynodd gynllun i CFfI Cymru o'i phen a'i phastwn ei hun i roi cymorth pellach i aelodau ifanc CFfI, drwy ddiwrnodau cystadlu. O gofio mai unigolyn ifanc yw hi sy'n gwybod bod bwlch yno ac a geisiodd lenwi'r bwlch hwnnw ei hun, rwy'n talu teyrnged i Hannah Rees am y gwaith y mae'n ei wneud.
Ond ni ddylai'r sefydliadau hyn fod ar eu pen eu hunain, ac nid yw bob amser yn ddigon. Dyna pam y mae hi mor bwysig sicrhau bod ein gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed yn meddu ar yr adnoddau sydd eu hangen arnynt. Beth bynnag y bo'n lliwiau gwleidyddol, mae gennym ddyletswydd yn y Siambr hon i sicrhau bod pob plentyn yn gallu cael y gwasanaethau iechyd sydd eu hangen arnynt. Ond fel y clywsoch y prynhawn yma, nid yw hynny'n digwydd, yn anffodus. Mae rhestrau aros yn gwaethygu, mae'r galw'n rhy uchel a nifer y staff yn rhy isel. Y cynnig hwn sydd ger ein bron yw ein cyfle i newid y ffordd y mae ein gwasanaethau CAMHS yn gweithredu, gan sicrhau bod ein plant yn gallu cael y gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl y maent eu hangen ac yn eu haeddu. Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd.
Can I thank James for bringing this debate forward? Diolch yn fawr iawn, James. I'm very grateful to you. I speak as a former child protection social worker who worked for around 25 years with children and young people. Part of the battle for me was actually getting those children and their families into CAMHS services.
I just want to recognise a few things in Wales that I think have gone well. I'm really pleased to see the whole-school approach to mental health continue to be rolled out, because a focus on prevention and trauma-informed school environments are incredibly important in nurturing positive mental health among children and young people. But we are in a really difficult place. I'm going to listen to the rest of the debate to decide how I vote this evening, because it really does concern me that there are two major issues. One is the CAMHS waiting time. It is far too long, and I'm looking forward to hearing from the Minister what the figures are around the waiting times, because I'm a little bit unclear what they are. And we heard some from Laura Anne Jones in the debate, but I read some different figures this morning, so I would ask the Minister just to clarify what the waiting times are for four weeks or more.
My own view is that we need a panoply of services. I'm not sure it needs a whole new service. We've got some really good services. The crisis resolution and home treatment service provide a rapid, community-based service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, but it's only for young people over the age of 18. We're talking here about getting to those situations long before.
I think there are two important issues. One is, as I've said, that waiting list. In my experience as a child protection social worker, it is far too long. If you can get in early, you can prevent those children and young people and their families struggling with those mental health issues, and potentially becoming looked-after children, which is a terrible state, to think that's what happens to many children and young people.
Secondly, I would like to pay tribute to the voluntary and third sector services across Wales. There are some amazing ones, and in my experience, young people actually prefer to go to those volunteer services much more than they do to statutory services. They feel much safer going to a service that doesn't have 'NHS' over it. We actually need to work much closer with those volunteer services. There are many, like Youth Shedz in Blaenau Ffestiniog, which I visited last summer, Brecon Mind, the Amethyst project in Aberteifi, and the Sanctuary in Pembrokeshire. My view is that the Welsh Government needs to look at these services, and map them out for us to see how we can create further capacity for them to meet the needs of children and young people who are experiencing mental health difficulties, and to give them sustainable long-term funding and to see whether they can provide the 24/7 approach, which I believe is absolutely invaluable.
I'm going to end with a quote I heard from a young person: 'It's always the ones who are making others laugh and smile who are struggling the most.' We have to take that into account, and we have to see that young people are really suffering in silence. We need to reach in there and help them. I believe that is through a form of 24-hour, seven-days-a-week service that really helps those children and families at the time that they need it, before it's too late. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
A gaf fi ddiolch i James am gyflwyno'r ddadl hon? Diolch yn fawr iawn, James. Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn i chi. Rwy'n siarad fel cyn-weithiwr cymdeithasol amddiffyn plant a fu'n gweithio am oddeutu 25 mlynedd gyda phlant a phobl ifanc. Rhan o'r frwydr i mi oedd cael y plant hynny a'u teuluoedd i mewn i wasanaethau CAMHS.
Rwyf am gydnabod ychydig o bethau yng Nghymru y credaf eu bod wedi mynd yn dda. Rwy'n falch iawn o weld bod y dull ysgol gyfan o ymdrin ag iechyd meddwl yn parhau i gael ei gyflwyno, oherwydd mae canolbwyntio ar atal ac amgylcheddau ysgol sy'n defnyddio dull wedi'i lywio gan drawma yn hynod bwysig i feithrin iechyd meddwl cadarnhaol ymhlith plant a phobl ifanc. Ond rydym mewn lle anodd iawn. Rwy'n mynd i wrando ar weddill y ddadl i benderfynu sut y byddaf yn pleidleisio heno, oherwydd mae'n peri pryder gwirioneddol imi fod dau fater pwysig yma. Un ohonynt yw'r amser aros am CAMHS. Mae'n rhy hir o lawer, ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at glywed gan y Gweinidog beth yw'r ffigurau gyda'r amseroedd aros, oherwydd nid wyf yn hollol glir beth ydynt. A chlywsom rai gan Laura Anne Jones yn y ddadl, ond darllenais ffigurau gwahanol y bore yma, felly hoffwn ofyn i'r Gweinidog egluro beth yw'r amseroedd aros am bedair wythnos neu fwy.
Fy marn i yw bod arnom angen amrywiaeth eang o wasanaethau. Nid wyf yn siŵr fod angen gwasanaeth newydd drwyddo draw. Mae gennym wasanaethau da iawn. Mae'r gwasanaeth datrys argyfwng a thriniaeth yn y cartref yn darparu gwasanaeth cyflym yn y gymuned 24 awr y dydd, saith diwrnod yr wythnos, 365 diwrnod y flwyddyn, ond dim ond ar gyfer pobl ifanc dros 18 oed. Rydym yn sôn yma am gyrraedd y sefyllfaoedd hyn ymhell cyn hynny.
Credaf fod dau fater pwysig yn codi. Un ohonynt, fel y dywedais, yw'r rhestr aros. Yn fy mhrofiad i fel gweithiwr cymdeithasol amddiffyn plant, mae'n llawer rhy hir. Os gallwch ddod i mewn yn gynnar, gallwch atal y plant a'r bobl ifanc hynny a'u teuluoedd rhag cael trafferth gyda phroblemau iechyd meddwl a dod yn blant sy'n derbyn gofal, o bosibl, sy'n sefyllfa ofnadwy, i feddwl mai dyna sy'n digwydd i lawer o blant a phobl ifanc.
Yn ail, hoffwn dalu teyrnged i'r gwasanaethau gwirfoddol a'r trydydd sector ledled Cymru. Mae yna rai anhygoel, ac yn fy mhrofiad i, mae'n llawer gwell gan bobl ifanc fynd at y gwasanaethau gwirfoddol hynny nag at wasanaethau statudol. Maent yn teimlo'n llawer mwy diogel yn troi at wasanaeth nad oes ganddo 'GIG' uwch ei ben. Mewn gwirionedd, mae angen inni weithio'n llawer agosach gyda'r gwasanaethau gwirfoddol. Ceir llawer ohonynt, fel Youth Shedz ym Mlaenau Ffestiniog, yr ymwelais â hwy yr haf diwethaf, Mind Aberhonddu, prosiect Amethyst yn Aberteifi, a Noddfa yn sir Benfro. Yn fy marn i, mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru edrych ar y gwasanaethau hyn, a'u mapio er mwyn inni weld sut y gallwn greu capasiti pellach iddynt allu diwallu anghenion plant a phobl ifanc sy'n profi anawsterau iechyd meddwl, a rhoi cyllid hirdymor cynaliadwy iddynt ac i weld a allant ddarparu'r dull 24/7, sydd, yn fy marn i, yn gwbl amhrisiadwy.
Rwy'n mynd i orffen gyda dyfyniad a glywais gan unigolyn ifanc: 'Y rhai sy'n gwneud i eraill chwerthin a gwenu sy'n ei chael hi'n fwyaf anodd.' Rhaid inni ystyried hynny, a rhaid inni weld bod pobl ifanc yn dioddef yn dawel. Mae angen inni eu cyrraedd a'u helpu. Rwy'n credu mai drwy fath o wasanaeth 24 awr, saith diwrnod yr wythnos y mae gwneud hynny, i roi cymorth i blant a theuluoedd ar yr adeg y maent ei angen, cyn ei bod yn rhy hwyr. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this debate. Delivering high-quality and effective mental health services for children and young people must be a greater priority. There needs to be a greater focus on prevention, not just reactive provisions, supporting good mental health as part of a programme that ensures measures are put in place to reduce the likelihood of ill-health occurring in the first place.
There have been calls for a review into the transition phase between young person and adult services within the NHS. The ITV news recently covered the story of a young woman with autism. She called for a change in the system, so young people moved into adult care don't experience a significant drop in the services they receive. It was suggested that psychiatric sessions were reduced from one hour to just 10 minutes. This can be significant for young people at such a vulnerable period. In response, the Welsh Government announced an additional £50 million for mental health services in the period 2022-23. But what is the strategy to make sure this money is used effectively to allow young people to make a smooth transition into adult services? And how confident are Ministers that they are doing all they can to reduce the risk of harm to those moving from child to adult care?
I want to turn to the challenges and the impact on young people. The YoungMinds survey report found that 80 per cent of children and young people with existing mental health problems agreed their mental health had deteriorated during the lockdowns. This figure does not include new cases of mental health decline. Ninety-one per cent of young people have accessed a mental health service at some point. Young people from low-income households seem to be particularly affected. Isolation from friends and family, and the shutdown of vital services, have contributed to this.
Worryingly, nearly half of young people experiencing mental health declines have used negative coping techniques such as self-harm. Some have experienced significant dietary changes. Even though isolation is a major contributory factor to mental health deteriorations, over half now feel anxious about returning to normal life. It is clear that the impact of the pandemic will be felt for a significant time. These facts are concerning and must be considered by the Minister planning for the future of mental health. In February 2022, a Senedd report found that 60 per cent of children and adolescents who required specialist care had to wait more than four weeks for a first appointment.
I have a few suggestions, which I hope the Minister will consider. The Welsh Government need to consider a new mental health Act, which would update current legislation and would include the latest thinking about mental health provisions in Wales. The UK Government are currently making changes to the Mental Health Act 1983, which must be considered when changing the mental health legislation here in Wales.
To ensure a new mental health Bill is fit for purpose, the overarching principles should be: ensuring patients' views and choices are respected; ensuring that the Act is used in the least restrictive way possible; ensuring parity between mental and physical health; and lastly, that the patient should be treated as an individual. Additionally, the Welsh Government should consider changes to section 136 of the 1983 Act, which could help significantly reduce the number of detentions. For someone to be detained, it must be clear that the best interest of the patient can only be achieved through detention. This principle will reduce 'warehousing' of patients, allowing for better care for those who need to be detained, and remove undue stress for those who don't need it.
The Welsh Conservatives welcome dialogue between Westminster and Cardiff. However, mental health is devolved, and this provides an excellent opportunity to deliver a mental health Act that not only includes the benefits of the UK Government proposals, and that ensures parity between mental and physical health, but that is also fit for Wales. We also need to ensure collaboration with mental health charities such as YoungMinds, who, with additional funding from the Welsh Government, can provide specialist support for children and young people. This will address the prevention agenda. For children, a poor experience can be life-changing, so let us up our game. Thank you.
Diolch am y cyfle i gyfrannu at y ddadl hon. Rhaid rhoi mwy o flaenoriaeth i ddarparu gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl effeithiol o ansawdd uchel i blant a phobl ifanc. Mae angen canolbwyntio mwy ar atal, nid darpariaethau adweithiol yn unig, cefnogi iechyd meddwl da fel rhan o raglen sy'n sicrhau bod mesurau'n cael eu rhoi ar waith i leihau'r tebygolrwydd y bydd afiechyd yn digwydd yn y lle cyntaf.
Bu galw am adolygiad o'r cyfnod pontio rhwng gwasanaethau pobl ifanc a gwasanaethau i oedolion yn y GIG. Yn ddiweddar, ymdriniodd newyddion ITV â stori dynes ifanc ag awtistiaeth. Galwai am newid y system, fel nad yw pobl ifanc sy'n cael eu symud i ofal oedolion yn profi gostyngiad sylweddol yn y gwasanaethau y maent yn eu cael. Awgrymwyd bod sesiynau seiciatrig yn cael eu lleihau o un awr i ddim ond 10 munud. Gall hyn fod yn sylweddol i bobl ifanc mewn cyfnod mor fregus. Mewn ymateb, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth Cymru £50 miliwn ychwanegol ar gyfer gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl yn y cyfnod 2022-23. Ond beth yw'r strategaeth i sicrhau bod yr arian hwn yn cael ei ddefnyddio'n effeithiol i ganiatáu i bobl ifanc bontio'n ddidrafferth i wasanaethau oedolion? A pha mor hyderus yw Gweinidogion eu bod yn gwneud popeth yn eu gallu i leihau'r risg o niwed i'r rhai sy'n symud o ofal plant i ofal oedolion?
Rwyf am droi at yr heriau a'r effaith ar bobl ifanc. Canfu adroddiad arolwg YoungMinds fod 80 y cant o blant a phobl ifanc a oedd eisoes â phroblemau iechyd meddwl yn cytuno bod eu hiechyd meddwl wedi dirywio yn ystod y cyfyngiadau symud. Nid yw'r ffigur hwn yn cynnwys achosion newydd o ddirywiad mewn iechyd meddwl. Mae 91 y cant o bobl ifanc wedi defnyddio gwasanaeth iechyd meddwl ar ryw adeg. Mae'n ymddangos bod pobl ifanc o gartrefi incwm isel yn cael eu heffeithio'n arbennig. Mae ynysu oddi wrth ffrindiau a theulu, a chau gwasanaethau hanfodol, wedi cyfrannu at hyn.
Mae'n destun pryder fod bron hanner y bobl ifanc sy'n profi dirywiad mewn iechyd meddwl wedi defnyddio technegau ymdopi negyddol fel hunan-niweidio. Mae rhai wedi profi newidiadau dietegol sylweddol. Er bod unigedd yn ffactor sy'n cyfrannu'n sylweddol at ddirywiad mewn iechyd meddwl, mae dros hanner bellach yn teimlo'n bryderus ynglŷn â dychwelyd i fywyd normal. Mae'n amlwg y bydd effaith y pandemig i'w theimlo am gyfnod sylweddol. Mae'r ffeithiau hyn yn peri pryder a rhaid i'r Gweinidog eu hystyried wrth gynllunio ar gyfer dyfodol iechyd meddwl. Ym mis Chwefror 2022, canfu adroddiad yn y Senedd fod 60 y cant o blant a phobl ifanc a oedd angen gofal arbenigol yn gorfod aros dros bedair wythnos am apwyntiad cyntaf.
Mae gennyf ambell awgrym y gobeithiaf y bydd y Gweinidog yn eu hystyried. Mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru ystyried Deddf iechyd meddwl newydd, a fyddai'n diweddaru'r ddeddfwriaeth bresennol ac a fyddai'n cynnwys y syniadau diweddaraf ynglŷn â darpariaethau iechyd meddwl yng Nghymru. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wrthi'n gwneud newidiadau i Ddeddf Iechyd Meddwl 1983, a rhaid eu hystyried wrth newid y ddeddfwriaeth iechyd meddwl yma yng Nghymru.
Er mwyn sicrhau bod Bil iechyd meddwl newydd yn addas i'r diben, dylai'r egwyddorion cyffredinol: sicrhau bod barn a dewisiadau cleifion yn cael eu parchu; sicrhau bod y Ddeddf yn cael ei defnyddio yn y ffordd leiaf cyfyngol posibl; sicrhau cydraddoldeb rhwng iechyd meddwl ac iechyd corfforol; ac yn olaf, dylid trin y claf fel unigolyn. Yn ogystal, dylai Llywodraeth Cymru ystyried newidiadau i adran 136 o Ddeddf 1983, a allai helpu i leihau'n sylweddol nifer y bobl dan gadwad. Er mwyn i rywun gael ei roi dan gadwad, rhaid iddi fod yn glir mai dim ond drwy fod dan gadwad y gellir sicrhau lles gorau'r claf. Bydd yr egwyddor hon yn lleihau 'warysu' cleifion, gan ganiatáu ar gyfer gwell gofal i'r rhai y mae angen eu rhoi dan gadwad, a dileu straen diangen i'r rhai nad oes angen eu rhoi dan gadwad.
Mae'r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn croesawu deialog rhwng San Steffan a Chaerdydd. Fodd bynnag, mae iechyd meddwl wedi'i ddatganoli, ac mae hwn yn gyfle gwych i gyflwyno Deddf iechyd meddwl sy'n cynnwys manteision argymhellion Llywodraeth y DU, ac sy'n sicrhau cydraddoldeb rhwng iechyd meddwl ac iechyd corfforol, ond sydd hefyd yn addas i Gymru. At hynny, mae angen inni sicrhau cydweithrediad ag elusennau iechyd meddwl fel YoungMinds, sydd, gyda chyllid ychwanegol gan Lywodraeth Cymru, yn gallu darparu cymorth arbenigol i blant a phobl ifanc. Bydd hyn yn mynd i'r afael â'r agenda atal. I blant, gall profiad gwael newid bywyd, felly gadewch inni wella'r ffordd y gwnawn hyn. Diolch.
Galwaf ar y Dirprwy Weinidog, Lynne Neagle.
I call on the Deputy Minister, Lynne Neagle.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thanks to all Members today for their contributions. There is nothing more important to me than improving, protecting and supporting the mental and emotional well-being of children and young people in Wales. I have stated and restated my commitment many times in this Chamber, and I remain determined for us to make the progress needed to transform their lives for the better. It is, in fact, the very reason I came into Government, following five years of campaigning on this in the last Senedd.
We all have a role to play in this. Young people have said to us, 'Don't medicalise growing up.' We can all help to challenge the narrative that all young people need specialist support when they are struggling. Most young people won't need it, and every one of us in this Chamber should be raising awareness and supporting young people to access the appropriate level of services, when and where they need them.
I absolutely recognise the impact the pandemic has had on mental health and mental health services, and as I said in my intervention to Laura Anne Jones, we were in compliance with the waiting time targets prior to the pandemic, which is precisely why the previous children's committee called for a renewed focus on early intervention, because they—the committee I chaired—recognised the progress that had been made on waiting times.
Waiting time performance has deteriorated significantly from pre-pandemic levels, but this is in the context of increased referrals and patients presenting with higher acuity and complexity to a dedicated but pressurised workforce. Whilst waiting times in some areas have increased, health boards provide assurance that waiting lists are clinically reviewed on a regular basis, with patients prioritised based on clinical needs.
The latest data published this morning does show steady improvement in waiting times since December, which I cautiously welcome, but I'm in no way complacent about the ongoing challenges we face. And can I say to Jane Dodds that all the data on waiting times is published every month? I'm pleased to say that in Powys, we are meeting the target to see 80 per cent of young people within four weeks, but there is variation in Wales, particularly with Cardiff and Vale distorting the picture, with more than 50 per cent of the young people waiting being in Cardiff and Vale. I'll give way to Darren Millar.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd, a diolch i'r holl Aelodau heddiw am eu cyfraniadau. Nid oes dim sy'n bwysicach i mi na gwella, amddiffyn a chefnogi lles meddyliol ac emosiynol plant a phobl ifanc yng Nghymru. Rwyf wedi datgan ac ailddatgan fy ymrwymiad droeon yn y Siambr hon, ac rwy'n dal yn benderfynol o'n gweld yn gwneud y cynnydd sydd ei angen i drawsnewid eu bywydau er gwell. Mewn gwirionedd, dyma'r union reswm y deuthum i mewn i'r Llywodraeth, yn dilyn pum mlynedd o ymgyrchu ar hyn yn y Senedd ddiwethaf.
Mae gan bob un ohonom rôl i'w chwarae yn hyn o beth. Mae pobl ifanc wedi dweud wrthym, 'Peidiwch â meddygoli tyfu i fyny.' Gall pob un ohonom helpu i herio'r naratif fod angen cymorth arbenigol ar bob unigolyn ifanc pan fyddant yn ei chael hi'n anodd. Ni fydd ei angen ar y rhan fwyaf o bobl ifanc, a dylai pob un ohonom yn y Siambr hon godi ymwybyddiaeth a chynorthwyo pobl ifanc i gael mynediad at y lefel briodol o wasanaethau, pan fo'i hangen arnynt a lle mae ei hangen arnynt.
Rwy'n llwyr gydnabod yr effaith y mae'r pandemig wedi'i chael ar iechyd meddwl a gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl, ac fel y dywedais wrth ymyrryd ar gyfraniad Laura Anne Jones, roeddem yn cydymffurfio â'r targedau amseroedd aros cyn y pandemig, a dyna'n union pam y galwodd y pwyllgor plant blaenorol am ffocws o'r newydd ar ymyrraeth gynnar, oherwydd eu bod hwy—y pwyllgor a gadeiriais—yn cydnabod y cynnydd a wnaed ar amseroedd aros.
Mae perfformiad amseroedd aros wedi dirywio'n sylweddol o lefelau cyn y pandemig, ond mae hynny yng nghyd-destun mwy o atgyfeiriadau a chleifion â lefel fwy difrifol a chymhleth o broblem yn cael eu gweld gan weithlu ymroddedig ond dan bwysau. Er bod amseroedd aros mewn rhai ardaloedd wedi cynyddu, mae byrddau iechyd yn rhoi sicrwydd bod rhestrau aros yn cael eu hadolygu'n glinigol yn rheolaidd, gyda chleifion yn cael eu blaenoriaethu ar sail anghenion clinigol.
Mae'r data diweddaraf a gyhoeddwyd y bore yma yn dangos gwelliant cyson mewn amseroedd aros ers mis Rhagfyr, ac rwy'n croesawu hynny'n ofalus, ond nid wyf yn hunanfodlon o gwbl ynglŷn â'r heriau parhaus sy'n ein hwynebu. Ac a gaf fi ddweud wrth Jane Dodds fod yr holl ddata ar amseroedd aros yn cael ei gyhoeddi bob mis? Rwy'n falch o ddweud ein bod ym Mhowys yn cyrraedd y targed i weld 80 y cant o bobl ifanc o fewn pedair wythnos, ond mae'r sefyllfa'n amrywio yng Nghymru, yn enwedig gyda Chaerdydd a'r Fro yn ystumio'r darlun, gan fod mwy na 50 y cant o'r bobl ifanc sy'n aros yng Nghaerdydd a'r Fro. Fe ildiaf i Darren Millar.
Thank you, Minister. I know how committed you are to this cause and you've been very passionate about it for many years. It's not just about the 80 per cent target, though, is it? It's about making sure that people get access to the talking therapies, in particular, that they're currently having to wait very long times for, even after they've been assessed as requiring them within the target time. Can you tell us what progress is being made to address that particular issue?
Diolch yn fawr, Weinidog. Rwy'n gwybod pa mor ymrwymedig ydych chi i'r achos hwn ac rydych chi wedi bod yn angerddol iawn yn ei gylch ers blynyddoedd lawer. Fodd bynnag, mae'n ymwneud â mwy na'r targed o 80 y cant, onid yw? Mae'n ymwneud â sicrhau bod pobl yn cael mynediad at y therapïau siarad, yn enwedig, y maent yn gorfod aros yn hir iawn amdanynt ar hyn o bryd, hyd yn oed ar ôl iddynt gael eu hasesu fel rhai sydd eu hangen o fewn yr amser targed. A wnewch chi ddweud wrthym pa gynnydd sy'n cael ei wneud i fynd i'r afael â'r mater penodol hwnnw?
Thank you, Darren. As you say, it's not just about the waiting times. I have myself called for there to be more of a focus on outcomes and what happens to young people once they have that assessment. We are currently working on validating the data so that we can provide more public information on access to psychological treatments. But I think what you've just said, really, shows that it has to be a whole-system approach, which is what we are trying to do.
We've strengthened our arrangements to monitor both the quality and performance of NHS mental health services by meetings with the NHS delivery unit on a monthly basis. Given the variance in waiting times performance, we've also commissioned the NHS delivery unit to undertake a review of both primary and specialist CAMHS. This will help us understand the variance, and will support our improvement programme, because we have to have the correct data.
As we emerge from the pandemic, our services need time to recover and to develop models that can meet the changing needs of individuals, and do it sustainably, without destabilising other parts of the service. My focus is on prevention, early intervention and strengthening specialist services for those young people that need that level of support. This includes our joint ministerial whole-system approach which has our schools at the centre of improving the emotional well-being of young people. Our approach includes supporting good mental health through the curriculum, helping schools to identify and support young people who need help sooner, but also linking to advice and support from CAMHS with the roll-out of the CAMHS inreach service. So, indeed, James, we are actually doing all the things that you have referred to.
We continue to drive implementation of our NEST/NYTH framework across Wales via regional partnership boards, and we're supporting the framework implementation in a systematic and integrated way. All young people need safe, nurturing relationships, with trusted adults wherever they live their lives. This is at the very heart of our NEST framework. Crucially, this will help provide early emotional and mental health support for those who do not need clinical support or intervention. I've been pleased to hear first-hand from RPBs of some of the new and expanded services implemented as a result of the NEST framework, a framework that has been co-produced with a wide range of stakeholders, but crucially with young people themselves.
We continue to strengthen our tier 0/1 offer for young people, providing easy access to a range of support without the need for referral. We've updated the young persons mental health toolkit, which links young people aged 11 to 25 to websites, apps and helplines that deal with anxiety, low mood, bereavement, advice on keeping well and building resilience. We've extended our roll-out of online cognitive behavioural therapy via SilverCloud to include a new model for young people.
To progress our transformation of specialist services, we are implementing single points of contact for CAMHS services in each health board, ensuring easier access to the right level of support. To improve how services respond to mental health crisis, health boards are working towards the full roll-out of '111, press 2' for mental health for all ages. This will provide immediate access to a mental health practitioner over the phone, 24 hours a day, to provide advice, support and referral. Health boards are phasing in this service, and the early evaluation is promising.
We will be supporting Plaid Cymru's amendment today and it's reflection of the joint commitment we have made in the co-operation agreement, but I want to be crystal clear that our commitment is to pilot community facilities to support young people in crisis. They will provide an alternative to hospital admission, but will also be able to provide clear referrals into NHS services if needed, and will be available on weekends and evenings. We are in the early stages of four pilots in Llanelli, Aberystwyth, Wrexham and Swansea to test sanctuary provision for young people. These models will aim to support the young person and prevent the need for escalation. If successful, this model could also provide an alternative to section 136 detentions when appropriate. But I also want to emphasise that this Welsh Labour Government is already taking an approach to protect the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people, which has early intervention and prevention as its very core. Our whole-school approach, NEST, CAMHS inreach and improved access to tier 0/1 services are already being funded and rolled out across the country to ensure we make progress on this agenda.
Having a sustainable, multiprofessional mental health workforce is, of course, fundamental to the improvements I've talked about, and I met Health Education and Improvement Wales and Social Care Wales yesterday to receive an update on their new mental health workforce strategy following their extensive consultation. And, of course, the approach I have set out today is supported by our continued additional investment in mental health services, with £50 million additional funding this year, rising to £75 million next year and £90 million in 2024-25. Over £21 million of this extra funding this year will go directly to the NHS to support priority areas, including CAMHS, eating disorders and crisis care. This is significant and recurrent investment that underpins the whole-system approach we are taking to supporting the mental and emotional health of all children and young people in Wales. Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch yn fawr, Darren. Fel y dywedwch, mae'n ymwneud â mwy na'r amseroedd aros yn unig. Rwyf fi fy hun wedi galw am fwy o ffocws ar ganlyniadau a'r hyn sy'n digwydd i bobl ifanc ar ôl iddynt gael asesiad. Ar hyn o bryd rydym yn gweithio ar ddilysu'r data er mwyn inni allu darparu mwy o wybodaeth gyhoeddus am fynediad at driniaethau seicolegol. Ond rwy'n credu bod yr hyn rydych newydd ei ddweud, mewn gwirionedd, yn dangos bod yn rhaid iddo fod yn ddull system gyfan, sef yr hyn y ceisiwn ei wneud.
Rydym wedi cryfhau ein trefniadau i fonitro ansawdd a pherfformiad gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl y GIG drwy gyfarfodydd ag uned gyflawni'r GIG yn fisol. O ystyried yr amrywio ym mherfformiad amseroedd aros, rydym hefyd wedi comisiynu uned gyflawni'r GIG i gynnal adolygiad o CAMHS sylfaenol ac arbenigol. Bydd hyn yn ein helpu i ddeall yr amrywio, a bydd yn cefnogi ein rhaglen wella, oherwydd rhaid inni gael y data cywir.
Wrth inni gefnu ar y pandemig, mae angen amser ar ein gwasanaethau i wella a datblygu modelau a all ddiwallu anghenion newidiol unigolion, a gwneud hynny'n gynaliadwy, heb ansefydlogi rhannau eraill o'r gwasanaeth. Rwy'n canolbwyntio ar atal, ymyrraeth gynnar a chryfhau gwasanaethau arbenigol i bobl ifanc sydd angen y lefel honno o gymorth. Mae hyn yn cynnwys ein dull system gyfan gyd-weinidogol sydd â'n hysgolion wrth wraidd y broses o wella lles emosiynol pobl ifanc. Mae ein dull yn cynnwys cefnogi iechyd meddwl da drwy'r cwricwlwm, gan helpu ysgolion i nodi a chefnogi pobl ifanc sydd angen cymorth yn gynt, ond gan gysylltu hefyd â chyngor a chymorth gan CAMHS wrth gyflwyno'r gwasanaeth mewngymorth CAMHS. Felly, yn wir, James, rydym yn gwneud yr holl bethau y cyfeirioch chi atynt mewn gwirionedd.
Rydym yn parhau i lywio'r gwaith o weithredu ein fframwaith NYTH ledled Cymru drwy fyrddau partneriaeth rhanbarthol, ac rydym yn cefnogi gweithredu'r fframwaith mewn ffordd systematig ac integredig. Mae pob unigolyn ifanc angen perthynas ddiogel a meithringar gydag oedolion dibynadwy lle bynnag y maent yn byw eu bywydau. Mae hyn yn ganolog i'n fframwaith NYTH. Yn hollbwysig, bydd hyn yn helpu i ddarparu cymorth emosiynol ac iechyd meddwl cynnar i'r rhai nad oes angen cymorth neu ymyrraeth glinigol arnynt. Roeddwn yn falch o glywed yn uniongyrchol gan y byrddau partneriaeth rhanbarthol am rai o'r gwasanaethau newydd ac estynedig a weithredwyd o ganlyniad i fframwaith NYTH, fframwaith sydd wedi'i gydgynhyrchu gydag ystod eang o randdeiliaid, ond yn fwyaf pwysig gyda'r bobl ifanc eu hunain.
Rydym yn parhau i gryfhau ein cynnig haen 0/1 ar gyfer pobl ifanc, gan ddarparu mynediad hawdd at ystod o gymorth heb fod angen atgyfeirio. Rydym wedi diweddaru'r pecyn cymorth iechyd meddwl i bobl ifanc, sy'n rhoi pobl ifanc rhwng 11 a 25 oed mewn cysylltiad â gwefannau, apiau a llinellau cymorth sy'n ymdrin â gorbryder, hwyliau isel, profedigaeth, cyngor ar gadw'n iach ac adeiladu gwytnwch. Rydym wedi ymestyn ein gwaith o gyflwyno therapi gwybyddol ymddygiadol ar-lein drwy SilverCloud i gynnwys model newydd ar gyfer pobl ifanc.
Er mwyn bwrw ymlaen â'r gwaith o drawsnewid gwasanaethau arbenigol, rydym yn gweithredu un pwynt cyswllt ar gyfer gwasanaethau CAMHS ym mhob bwrdd iechyd, gan sicrhau mynediad haws at y lefel gywir o gymorth. Er mwyn gwella'r ffordd y mae gwasanaethau'n ymateb i argyfwng iechyd meddwl, mae byrddau iechyd yn gweithio tuag at gyflwyno '111, pwyso 2' yn llawn ar gyfer iechyd meddwl i rai o bob oedran. Bydd yn darparu mynediad uniongyrchol at ymarferydd iechyd meddwl dros y ffôn 24 awr y dydd i ddarparu cyngor, cymorth ac atgyfeiriad. Mae byrddau iechyd yn cyflwyno'r gwasanaeth hwn yn raddol, ac mae'r gwerthusiad cynnar yn addawol.
Byddwn yn cefnogi gwelliant Plaid Cymru heddiw ac mae'n adlewyrchu'r ymrwymiad ar y cyd a wnaethom yn y cytundeb cydweithio, ond rwyf am fod yn gwbl glir mai ein hymrwymiad yw treialu cyfleusterau cymunedol i gefnogi pobl ifanc mewn argyfwng. Byddant yn cynnig dewis arall yn lle derbyn cleifion i'r ysbyty, ond byddant hefyd yn gallu darparu atgyfeiriadau clir at wasanaethau'r GIG os bydd angen, a byddant ar gael ar benwythnosau a chyda'r nos. Rydym ar gamau cynnar pedwar cynllun peilot yn Llanelli, Aberystwyth, Wrecsam ac Abertawe i brofi darpariaeth noddfa ar gyfer pobl ifanc. Nod y modelau hyn fydd cefnogi'r unigolyn ifanc ac atal yr angen i uwchgyfeirio. Os yw'n llwyddiannus, gallai'r model hwn ddarparu dewis amgen hefyd yn lle darpariaeth dan gadwad adran 136 pan fo'n briodol. Ond rwyf hefyd am bwysleisio bod y Llywodraeth Lafur hon yng Nghymru eisoes yn mynd ati i ddiogelu iechyd meddwl a lles emosiynol plant a phobl ifanc, sydd ag ymyrraeth gynnar ac atal yn ganolog i'w dull o weithredu. Mae ein dull ysgol gyfan, NYTH, mewngymorth CAMHS a gwell mynediad at wasanaethau haen 0/1 eisoes yn cael eu hariannu a'u cyflwyno ledled y wlad i sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud cynnydd ar yr agenda hon.
Mae cael gweithlu iechyd meddwl cynaliadwy, amlbroffesiynol yn hanfodol i'r gwelliannau y soniais amdanynt wrth gwrs, a chyfarfûm ag Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru a Gofal Cymdeithasol Cymru ddoe i gael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am eu strategaeth newydd ar gyfer y gweithlu iechyd meddwl yn dilyn eu hymgynghoriad helaeth. Ac wrth gwrs, mae'r dull a nodais heddiw wedi'i gefnogi gan ein buddsoddiad ychwanegol parhaus mewn gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl, gyda £50 miliwn o gyllid ychwanegol eleni, sy'n codi i £75 miliwn y flwyddyn nesaf a £90 miliwn yn 2024-25. Bydd dros £21 miliwn o'r arian ychwanegol hwn eleni yn mynd yn uniongyrchol i'r GIG i gefnogi meysydd blaenoriaeth, gan gynnwys CAMHS, anhwylderau bwyta a gofal mewn argyfwng. Mae hwn yn fuddsoddiad sylweddol a rheolaidd sy'n ategu ein dull system gyfan o gefnogi iechyd meddwl ac emosiynol holl blant a phobl ifanc Cymru. Diolch yn fawr.
Galwaf ar Gareth Davies i ymateb i'r ddadl.
I call on Gareth Davies to reply to the debate.
Thank you very much, Deputy Llywydd. I'd like to thank everyone who's taken part in the debate this afternoon on such a vitally important topic. Childhood and adolescent mental health services have been severely stretched for many years, but the problems have been compounded by the pandemic, which has been widely referred to during today's debate, both in terms of waiting times, but also in terms of increasing the numbers needing support. Barnardo's Cymru staff are reporting there has been an increase in mental health and well-being issues amongst the children and young people they work with. As a member of the health committee, I was able to take evidence from witnesses on the state of mental health services during our inquiry into waiting times. We heard from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, amongst others, who highlighted how mental health services were struggling well before the pandemic. They said that waits and barriers to access would be unacceptable in any other area of medicine. And we heard from stakeholders the very real costs of these waits, as delays in treatments have significant consequences for young people, not only intensifying their suffering, but often leading to more complex needs and increasing treatment costs. We are forcing more young people into mental health crisis because of our lack of early intervention.
The fact that half of young people receive an assessment within 28 days of referral should be a matter of national shame, particularly when we have been aware of the issues facing CAMHS for many years. It is past time we had an urgent review of CAMHS provision in Wales, as James Evans outlined in opening the debate. He was very brave to stand up and talk about some of his personal—
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Hoffwn ddiolch i bawb sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn y ddadl y prynhawn yma ar bwnc mor hanfodol bwysig. Mae gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed wedi bod dan bwysau difrifol ers blynyddoedd lawer, ond mae'r pandemig wedi gwaethygu'r problemau, fel y nodwyd yn eang yn ystod y ddadl heddiw, o ran amseroedd aros, ond hefyd o ran cynyddu'r niferoedd sydd angen cymorth. Mae staff Barnardo's Cymru yn nodi cynnydd mewn problemau iechyd meddwl a llesiant ymhlith y plant a'r bobl ifanc y maent yn gweithio gyda hwy. Fel aelod o'r pwyllgor iechyd, gallais glywed tystiolaeth gan dystion am gyflwr gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl yn ystod ein hymchwiliad i amseroedd aros. Clywsom gan Goleg Brenhinol y Seiciatryddion, ymhlith eraill, a dynnodd sylw at y ffordd yr oedd gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl yn ei chael hi'n anodd ymhell cyn y pandemig. Dywedasant y byddai amseroedd aros a rhwystrau i fynediad yn annerbyniol mewn unrhyw faes meddygol arall. A chlywsom gan randdeiliaid am gostau gwirioneddol yr amseroedd aros hyn, am fod oedi cyn cael triniaeth yn arwain at ganlyniadau sylweddol i bobl ifanc, gan ddwysáu eu dioddefaint, ond gan arwain yn aml hefyd at anghenion mwy cymhleth a chostau cynyddol am driniaethau. Rydym yn gorfodi mwy o bobl ifanc i wynebu argyfwng iechyd meddwl oherwydd ein hanallu i ymyrryd yn gynnar.
Dylai'r ffaith mai hanner y bobl ifanc sy'n cael asesiad o fewn 28 diwrnod i gael eu hatgyfeirio fod yn destun cywilydd cenedlaethol, yn enwedig gan ein bod wedi bod yn ymwybodol o'r problemau sy'n wynebu CAMHS ers blynyddoedd lawer. Mae'n hen bryd inni gael adolygiad brys o'r ddarpariaeth CAMHS yng Nghymru, fel yr amlinellodd James Evans wrth agor y ddadl. Roedd yn ddewr iawn i godi a siarad am rai o'i—
Will you take an intervention?
A wnewch chi dderbyn ymyriad?
Yes, of course.
Gwnaf, wrth gwrs.
Did you actually listen to what I said when I explained that we are having a review, a delivery unit review, of CAMHS services in Wales? So, we are actually doing what you've now stood up and called for. Maybe it would help if you paid attention.
A wnaethoch chi wrando mewn gwirionedd ar yr hyn a ddywedais pan esboniais ein bod yn cael adolygiad, adolygiad yr uned gyflawni, o wasanaethau CAMHS yng Nghymru? Felly, rydym yn gwneud yr hyn rydych chi wedi codi i alw amdano yn awr. Efallai y byddai'n help pe baech yn talu sylw.
Yes, I was actually paying attention, but it was to highlight the actual need for the review into CAMHS services, which has been long delayed and is well overdue. So, Minister, I'd really welcome some urgency on that CAMHS review, and be keen to hear a statement from yourself in due course as to how you're getting on with that.
As mentioned, James mentioned personal experiences, which was very brave of him to stand up in here and say that, and we need more people to come forward to raise the profile of mental health and tackle some of the stigmas around it. Some of the social media, the modern platforms and the grandiose nature of some of the social media platforms often portray a false view of life that can feed into some anxieties around some social situations. And, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, and calling for the need for an eating disorders unit, which is all great progress, and the need, indeed, for 24-hour crisis centres for children and young people—.
Then we heard from Rhun ap Iorwerth who, again, mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic and school pupils missing out on school work and contact with peer groups, which is all too important with young people growing up. A main point he raised was the serious mental health issues, because we hear too often in the media about anxiety and depression, which do play a big part in mental health, but it's also the recognition of the more serious mental issues, sometimes, like bipolar, schizophrenia, psychosis and the need for the first-episode prevention in psychosis, to treat people as they're coming in to services, and rather than spending a lifetime in services, it's nipping that in the bud when they're quite young. And I think that that was a really good point that you raised today, Rhun.
We heard from Laura Anne Jones about the disparities of some of the Welsh Government provision and what's actually the reality. And the point I made that two thirds of people aren't being seen within the 28-day period, which we really do need to see improvements on, and getting the right support for children with autism and learning disabilities in schools and in the general public.
And then we heard the personal case from Sarah Murphy. I'd really like to applaud you, again, on showing that bravery, because it takes a hell of a lot of bottle to get up in here and talk about something that you've really suffered with as a young girl, and I really take my hat off to you. And you've come, obviously, a long way from that and regardless of party politics, the good people of Bridgend and Porthcawl have put their trust in you to represent them here and I applaud you for that, and you're doing really well.
And then we heard from Sam Kurtz about holding the Welsh Government to account, and the variations in rural communities in comparison to larger cities and urban areas, which we know all too well about. We heard from Jane Dodds about her experience in the social work profession and seeking clarification on those waiting times, which the Deputy Minister was able to respond to you on—I was listening, Deputy Minister, just for clarity—and the positive stories coming out of some of the services in terms of home treatment teams and the voluntary and third sector support that's available as well, which, you rightly say, is a preferred method of seeking care for some people, particularly younger people and children, who we're speaking about today.
Altaf Hussain mentioned the transfer between the children and adult mental health service, the smooth transition, and I think if those reassessments were more prevalent between those transitions, and between those services, we could see a more seamless transportation between those systems, which I'd be keen to see progress on, and, of course, the mental health Act in Wales, and what that can mean for Wales itself in a UK context.
I thank the Deputy Minister, also, for your response today and updating the Senedd today on some of those initiatives that the Welsh Government are working on. I'd like to see regular updates to the Senedd about, like I mentioned, how you're getting on with that, as it's such an emotive and personal issue for a lot of Members and people across Wales. So, we'll be keeping a good eye on that. I'll just end my contribution in urging Members that if you do feel passionate about this and agree with the points that have been put forward by the Welsh Conservatives today, then I'd urge you to support our motion today. Thank you very much.
Roeddwn yn talu sylw, ond roeddwn am amlygu'r angen gwirioneddol am yr adolygiad i wasanaethau CAMHS, sydd wedi'i ohirio ers amser maith ac mae'n hen bryd ei gael. Felly, Weinidog, byddwn yn croesawu rhywfaint o frys gyda'r adolygiad CAMHS hwnnw, a byddwn yn awyddus i glywed datganiad gennych maes o law ynglŷn â sut rydych yn bwrw ymlaen â hynny.
Fel y soniwyd, soniodd James am brofiadau personol, ac roedd yn ddewr iawn i godi yma a dweud hynny, ac mae arnom angen mwy o bobl i ddod ymlaen i godi proffil iechyd meddwl a mynd i'r afael â pheth o'r stigma o'i gwmpas. Mae rhai o'r cyfryngau cymdeithasol, y llwyfannau modern a natur rodresgar rhai o'r llwyfannau cyfryngau cymdeithasol yn aml yn cyfleu golwg ffug ar fywyd a all fwydo rhai o'r pryderon sy'n gysylltiedig â rhai sefyllfaoedd cymdeithasol. Ac wrth gwrs, pandemig COVID-19, a'r galw am uned anhwylderau bwyta, sydd oll yn gynnydd da, a'r angen, yn wir, am ganolfannau argyfwng 24 awr i blant a phobl ifanc—.
Yna clywsom gan Rhun ap Iorwerth a soniodd, unwaith eto, am bandemig COVID-19 a disgyblion ysgol yn cael eu hamddifadu o waith ysgol a chyswllt â grwpiau cyfoedion, sy'n eithriadol o bwysig i bobl ifanc sy'n tyfu fyny. Un o'r prif bwyntiau a wnaeth oedd y problemau iechyd meddwl difrifol, oherwydd clywn yn rhy aml yn y cyfryngau am orbryder ac iselder, sy'n chwarae rhan fawr mewn iechyd meddwl, ond mae hefyd yn ymwneud â chydnabod problemau iechyd meddwl mwy difrifol, weithiau, fel anhwylder deubegynol, sgitsoffrenia, seicosis a'r angen i atal y pwl cyntaf mewn seicosis, i drin pobl wrth iddynt ddod i mewn i wasanaethau, ac yn hytrach na threulio oes mewn gwasanaethau, mae'n ymwneud â thrin y pethau hyn pan fyddant yn eithaf ifanc. A chredaf fod hwnnw'n bwynt da iawn a godwyd gennych heddiw, Rhun.
Clywsom gan Laura Anne Jones am wahaniaethau rhwng peth o'r ddarpariaeth gan Lywodraeth Cymru a'r hyn sy'n realiti mewn gwirionedd. A'r pwynt a wneuthum nad yw dwy ran o dair o bobl yn cael eu gweld o fewn y cyfnod o 28 diwrnod, rhywbeth y mae gwir angen inni weld gwelliannau arno, a chael y cymorth cywir i blant ag awtistiaeth ac anableddau dysgu mewn ysgolion ac yn gyhoeddus.
Ac yna clywsom yr achos personol gan Sarah Murphy. Hoffwn eich canmol, unwaith eto, am ddangos y dewrder hwnnw, oherwydd mae gofyn cael llawer iawn o ddewrder i godi yma a siarad am rywbeth a ddioddefoch chi pan oeddech chi'n ferch ifanc, ac rwy'n eich canmol yn fawr am hynny. Ac yn amlwg, rydych wedi teithio'n bell o hynny a beth bynnag am wleidyddiaeth plaid, mae pobl dda Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr a Phorthcawl wedi ymddiried ynoch i'w cynrychioli yma ac rwy'n eich cymeradwyo am hynny, ac rydych yn gwneud yn dda iawn.
Ac yna clywsom gan Sam Kurtz ynglŷn â dwyn Llywodraeth Cymru i gyfrif, a'r amrywio y gwyddom yn iawn amdano mewn cymunedau gwledig o'u cymharu â dinasoedd ac ardaloedd trefol mwy o faint. Clywsom gan Jane Dodds am ei phrofiad yn y proffesiwn gwaith cymdeithasol a gofynnodd am eglurhad ar yr amseroedd aros hynny, rhywbeth y gallodd y Dirprwy Weinidog ymateb i chi yn eu cylch—roeddwn yn gwrando, Ddirprwy Weinidog, er eglurder—a'r straeon cadarnhaol o wasanaethau timau triniaeth yn y cartref a'r cymorth gwirfoddol a'r trydydd sector sydd ar gael hefyd, sydd, fel y dywedwch yn gywir, yn ddull o gael gofal y mae rhai pobl yn ei ffafrio, yn enwedig y bobl iau a'r plant y siaradwn amdanynt heddiw.
Soniodd Altaf Hussain am drosglwyddo rhwng gwasanaeth iechyd meddwl plant a'r gwasanaeth oedolion, y newid llyfn, a chredaf pe bai'r ailasesiadau'n fwy cyffredin rhwng y trosglwyddiadau hynny, a rhwng y gwasanaethau hynny, gallem weld pontio mwy di-dor rhwng systemau y byddwn yn awyddus i weld cynnydd arno, ac wrth gwrs, y Ddeddf iechyd meddwl yng Nghymru, a'r hyn y gall honno ei olygu i Gymru ei hun yng nghyd-destun y DU.
Diolch i'r Dirprwy Weinidog hefyd am eich ymateb heddiw ac am roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Senedd heddiw am rai o'r cynlluniau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio arnynt. Hoffwn weld diweddariadau rheolaidd i'r Senedd, fel y soniais, ynglŷn â sut rydych yn bwrw ymlaen â hynny, gan ei fod yn fater mor emosiynol a phersonol i lawer o Aelodau a phobl ledled Cymru. Felly, byddwn yn cadw llygad manwl ar hynny. Rwyf am orffen fy nghyfraniad drwy annog yr Aelodau, os ydych yn teimlo'n angerddol am hyn ac yn cytuno â'r pwyntiau a gyflwynwyd gan y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig heddiw, hoffwn eich annog i gefnogi ein cynnig heddiw. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid derbyn y cynnig heb ei ddiwygio? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? [Gwrthwynebiad.] Clywais wrthwynebiad, felly gohiriaf y bleidlais ar y cynnig tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
The proposal is to agree the motion without amendment. Does any Member object? [Objection.] I heard an objection, so I defer voting on the motion until voting time.
Gohiriwyd y pleidleisio tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
Voting deferred until voting time.
Ac yr ydym yn awr wedi cyrraedd yr amser hwnnw. Yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.18, byddaf yn atal y cyfarfod dros dro cyn symud i'r cyfnod pleidleisio.
And we now have reached that time. In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, I will suspend the meeting before proceeding to voting time.
Ataliwyd y Cyfarfod Llawn am 18:40.
Ailymgynullodd y Senedd am 18:43, gyda'r Dirprwy Lywydd yn y Gadair.
Plenary was suspended at 18:40.
The Senedd reconvened at 18:43, with the Deputy Presiding Officer in the Chair.
Pleidleisiwn yn gyntaf ar ddadl Plaid Cymru ar iechyd menywod. Galwaf am bleidlais a gyflwynwyd yn enw Siân Gwenllian. Os gwrthodir y cynnig, byddwn yn pleidleisio ar y gwelliant a gyflwynwyd i'r cynnig. Agor y bleidlais. Cau'r bleidlais. O blaid 24, neb yn ymatal, 24 yn erbyn. Fel sy'n ofynnol o dan Reol Sefydlog 6.20, rwy'n arfer fy mhleidlais fwrw i bleidleisio yn erbyn. Felly, mae'r cynnig wedi'i wrthod.
The first vote is on the Plaid Cymru debate on women's health. I call for a vote on the motion, tabled in the name of Siân Gwenllian. If the proposal is not agreed, we will vote on the amendment tabled to the motion. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 24, no abstentions, 24 against. As is required by Standing Order 6.20, I exercise my casting vote against. Therefore, the motion is not agreed.
Eitem 6. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Iechyd menywod. Cynnig heb ei ddiwygio: O blaid: 24, Yn erbyn: 24, Ymatal: 0
Gan fod nifer y pleidleisiau yn gyfartal, defnyddiodd y Dirprwy Lywydd ei bleidlais fwrw yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 6.20(ii).
Gwrthodwyd y cynnig
Item 6. Plaid Cymru Debate - Women's health. Motion without amendment: For: 24, Against: 24, Abstain: 0
As there was an equality of votes, the Deputy Presiding Officer used his casting vote in accordance with Standing Order 6.20(ii).
Motion has been rejected
Galwaf am bleidlais ar welliant 1, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Lesley Griffiths. Agor y bleidlais. Cau'r bleidlais. O blaid 24, neb yn ymatal, 24 yn erbyn. Fel sy'n ofynnol o dan Reol Sefydlog 6.20, rwy'n arfer fy mhleidlais fwrw i bleidleisio yn erbyn y gwelliant.
I call for a vote on amendment 1, tabled in the name of Lesley Griffiths. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 24, no abstentions, 24 against. As required by Standing Order 6.20, I exercise my casting vote against the amendment.
Eitem 6. Dadl Plaid Cymru. Gwelliant 1, cyflwynwyd yn enw Lesley Griffiths: O blaid: 24, Yn erbyn: 24, Ymatal: 0
Gan fod nifer y pleidleisiau yn gyfartal, defnyddiodd y Dirprwy Lywydd ei bleidlais fwrw yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 6.20(ii).
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant
Item 6. Plaid Cymru debate. Amendment 1, tabled in the name of Lesley Griffiths: For: 24, Against: 24, Abstain: 0
As there was an equality of votes, the Deputy Presiding Officer used his casting vote in accordance with Standing Order 6.20(ii).
Amendment has been rejected
Felly, gan nad yw'r Senedd wedi derbyn y cynnig heb ei ddiwygio nac wedi derbyn y gwelliant a gyflwynwyd i'r cynnig, caiff y cynnig felly ei wrthod.
Pleidleisiwn nawr ar ddadl y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, iechyd meddwl plant a glasoed. Galwaf am bleidlais ar y cynnig a gyflwynwyd yn enw Darren Millar. Os gwrthodir y cynnig, byddwn yn pleidleisio ar y gwelliannau a gyflwynwyd i'r cynnig. Agor y bleidlais. Caewch y bleidlais. O blaid 24, neb yn ymatal, 24 yn erbyn. Fel sy'n ofynnol o dan Reol Sefydlog 6.20, rwy'n arfer fy mhleidlais fwrw i bleidleisio yn erbyn y cynnig. Felly, mae'r cynnig wedi ei wrthod.
As the Senedd has not agreed the motion without amendment and has not agreed the amendment tabled to the motion, the motion is therefore not agreed.
Next we vote on the Welsh Conservative debate, on child and adolescent mental health. I call for a vote on the motion tabled in the name of Darren Millar. If the proposal is not agreed, we will vote on the amendments tabled to the motion. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 24, no abstentions, 24 against. And as required by Standing Order 6.20, I exercise my casting vote to vote against the motion. The motion was not agreed in that vote.
Eitem 7. Dadl y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig - Iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed. Cynnig heb ei ddiwygio: O blaid: 24, Yn erbyn: 24, Ymatal: 0
Gan fod nifer y pleidleisiau yn gyfartal, defnyddiodd y Dirprwy Lywydd ei bleidlais fwrw yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 6.20(ii).
Gwrthodwyd y cynnig
Item 7. Welsh Conservatives debate - Child and adolescent mental health. Motion without amendment: For: 24, Against: 24, Abstain: 0
As there was an equality of votes, the Deputy Presiding Officer used his casting vote in accordance with Standing Order 6.20(ii).
Motion has been rejected
Galwaf nawr am bleidlais ar welliant 1. Os derbynnir gwelliant 1, caiff gwelliant 2 ei ddad-ddethol. Galwaf am bleidlais ar welliant 1, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Lesley Griffiths. Agorwch y bleidlais. Caewch y bleidlais. O blaid 24, neb yn ymatal, 24 yn erbyn. Fel sy'n ofynnol o dan Reol Sefydlog 6.20, rwy'n arfer fy mhleidlais fwrw i bleidleisio yn erbyn, ac mae'r gwelliant wedi ei wrthod.
I now call for a vote on amendment 1. If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be deselected. I call for a vote on amendment 1, tabled in the name of Lesley Griffiths. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 24, no abstentions, and 24 against. And as required by Standing Order 6.20, I exercise my casting vote to vote against the amendment, and amendment 1 is not agreed.
Eitem 7. Dadl y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig. Gwelliant 1, cyflwynwyd yn enw Lesley Griffiths: O blaid: 24, Yn erbyn: 24, Ymatal: 0
Gan fod nifer y pleidleisiau yn gyfartal, defnyddiodd y Dirprwy Lywydd ei bleidlais fwrw yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 6.20(ii).
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant
Item 7. Welsh Conservatives debate. Amendment 1, tabled in the name of Lesley Griffiths: For: 24, Against: 24, Abstain: 0
As there was an equality of votes, the Deputy Presiding Officer used his casting vote in accordance with Standing Order 6.20(ii).
Amendment has been rejected
Galwaf am bleidlais ar welliant 2, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Siân Gwenllian. Agorwch y bleidlais. O blaid 48, neb yn ymatal, neb yn erbyn. Felly, mae gwelliant 2 wedi ei dderbyn.
I now call for a vote on amendment 2, tabled in the name of Siân Gwenllian. Open the vote. In favour 48, no abstentions, none against. Therefore, amendment 2 is agreed.
Eitem 7. Dadl y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig. Gwelliant 2, cyflwynwyd yn enw Siân Gwenllian: O blaid: 48, Yn erbyn: 0, Ymatal: 0
Derbyniwyd y gwelliant
Item 7. Welsh Conservatives debate. Amendment 2, tabled in the name of Siân Gwenllian: For: 48, Against: 0, Abstain: 0
Amendment has been agreed
Galwaf nawr am bleidlais ar y cynnig wedi ei ddiwygio.
I now call for a vote on the motion as amended.
Cynnig NDM8005 fel y'i diwygiwyd:
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
1. Yn nodi effaith y pandemig COVID-19 ar iechyd meddwl plant a phobl ifanc.
2. Yn gresynu bod amseroedd aros iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed yn parhau i fod yn wael, gyda llai nag un o bob dau o bobl o dan 18 oed yn derbyn asesiad gwasanaethau cymorth iechyd meddwl sylfaenol lleol o fewn 28 diwrnod i'w hatgyfeirio.
3. Yn nodi'r prosiect peilot arfaethedig i sefydlu cyfleusterau yn y gymuned, i bobl ifanc gael mynediad hawdd at gymorth iechyd meddwl a lles emosiynol, er mwyn cynnig ymyrraeth gynnar ac osgoi uwchgyfeirio, ac yn annog cyflwyno cyfleusterau ymyrraeth gynnar i Gymru gyfan.
4. Yn mynegi ei phryder ynghylch nifer y plant a phobl ifanc o dan 18 oed sy'n cael eu cadw o dan adran 136.
5. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i:
a) cynnal adolygiad brys o hyfywedd gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed;
b) sicrhau bod gwasanaeth argyfwng 24 awr ar gael i blant a phobl ifanc ledled Cymru; ac
c) ystyried dichonoldeb agor uned anhwylderau bwyta yng Nghymru.
Motion NDM8005 as amended:
To propose that Senedd:
1. Notes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and young people.
2. Regrets that child and adolescent mental health waiting times continue to be poor, with less than one in two under 18s receiving a local primary mental health support services assessment within 28 days of referral.
3. Notes the planned pilot project to establish community-based facilities, for young people to easily access mental health and wellbeing support, in order to offer early intervention and avoid escalation, and urges the rollout of early intervention facilities to the whole of Wales.
4. Expresses its concern about the number of section 136 detentions of children and young people under the age of 18.
5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) conduct an urgent review into the viability of child and adolescent mental health services;
b) ensure a 24 hour crisis service is available for children and young people across Wales; and
c) consider the feasibility of opening an eating disorders unit in Wales.
Agorwch y bleidlais. Caewch y bleidlais. O blaid 25, neb yn ymatal, 23 yn erbyn. Felly, mae'r cynnig wedi ei dderbyn.
Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 25, no abstentions, 23 against. Therefore, the motion as amended is agreed.
Eitem 7. Dadl y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig - Iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed. Cynnig wedi'i ddiwygio: O blaid: 25, Yn erbyn: 23, Ymatal: 0
Derbyniwyd y cynnig fel y'i diwygiwyd
Item 7. Welsh Conservatives debate - Child and adolescent mental health. Motion as amended: For: 25, Against: 23, Abstain: 0
Motion as amended has been agreed
Daw hynny â'r pleidleisio i ben am heddiw.
That brings voting time to an end for today.
Symudwn yn awr i'r ddadl fer, a galwaf ar Gareth Davies i siarad am y pwnc a ddewiswyd ganddo.
We'll move now to the short debate, and I call on Gareth Davies to speak on the topic he has chosen.
Please, everyone leaving, be quiet, to let Gareth have his short debate.
Os gwelwch yn dda, bawb sy'n gadael, byddwch yn dawel i adael i Gareth gael ei ddadl fer.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Deputy Llywydd, and it's me again. I've agreed to give a minute of my time to Samuel Kurtz tonight.
Over the past few months, I've been surveying my constituents in the Vale of Clwyd to ascertain their biggest concerns, as well as their key priorities for the Senedd as we emerge from the pandemic. One of the most startling themes to emerge was the sheer number of respondents who listed access to healthcare as their No. 1 issue.
The pandemic has certainly put our health and care systems under enormous pressure, but we knew access to healthcare was a problem before COVID. Well before the novel coronavirus made an appearance in the Wuhan region of China in early 2020, our citizens were struggling to see their GPs, driving hundreds of miles to get dental treatment, or waiting years to get a hip replacement. We became used to seeing lines of ambulances stacked up outside our hospitals. Winter pressures had become year-round pressures; we were as likely to see ambulances queuing outside emergency departments on August bank holiday as we were on New Year's Day.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Ddirprwy Lywydd, a dyma fi eto. Rwyf wedi cytuno i roi munud o fy amser i Samuel Kurtz heno.
Dros yr ychydig fisoedd diwethaf, bûm yn arolygu fy etholwyr yn Nyffryn Clwyd i ganfod beth yw eu pryderon mwyaf, yn ogystal â'u blaenoriaethau allweddol ar gyfer y Senedd wrth inni gefnu ar y pandemig. Un o'r themâu mwyaf syfrdanol a ddaeth i'r amlwg oedd y nifer fawr o ymatebwyr a restrodd fynediad at ofal iechyd fel eu prif bryder.
Mae'r pandemig yn sicr wedi rhoi ein systemau iechyd a gofal o dan bwysau aruthrol, ond roeddem yn gwybod bod mynediad at ofal iechyd yn broblem cyn COVID. Ymhell cyn i'r coronafeirws newydd ymddangos yn rhanbarth Wuhan yn Tsieina ar ddechrau 2020, roedd ein dinasyddion yn ei chael hi'n anodd gweld eu meddygon teulu, gan yrru cannoedd o filltiroedd i gael triniaeth ddeintyddol, neu'n aros am flynyddoedd i gael clun newydd. Daethom yn gyfarwydd â gweld rhesi o ambiwlansys yn ciwio y tu allan i'n hysbytai. Roedd pwysau'r gaeaf wedi dod yn bwysau drwy gydol y flwyddyn; roeddem yr un mor debygol o weld ambiwlansys yn ciwio y tu allan i adrannau achosion brys ar wyliau banc mis Awst ag yr oeddem ar Ddydd Calan.
As someone who worked on the front line of our NHS for over a decade, I can personally attest to the enormous strain our health and care systems have been under. And when a deadly virus has thrown into the mix, it's a sheer miracle that the system didn't break. But that’s only thanks to the dedication of my former colleagues in the NHS, not because of any leadership from the top.
The vast majority of the problems facing our NHS are down to an absence of leadership. The reason why my constituents and yours cannot see their GP, get an NHS dentist, or have had their surgery cancelled multiple times, is due to one simple fact: successive Governments have failed to do proper integrated workforce planning. The royal colleges and the professional bodies have been warning for at least the past decade that we are not training or recruiting enough front-line staff. And Welsh Government are very good at creating managers, bureaucrats and red tape, but are absolutely useless when it comes to creating doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals.
Things have improved somewhat—I do give credit where it's due—and, with the creation of Health Education and Improvement Wales, we now at least have a workforce plan, but I fear its too little too late. Just last week the Royal College of Nursing released their report on nursing staff levels, and it was a sobering read, because the sheer numbers of nurses leaving the profession should worry us all. There are at least 1,719 nursing vacancies across Welsh health boards, and, over the past five years, we've spent around £0.75 billion on agency staff. The RCN report shows how we are losing almost as many staff as we are recruiting, and last year the workforce only grew by 0.1 per cent. We gained a handful of nurses last year when we need thousands. We lost 6 per cent of the district nursing workforce between June 2020 and June 2021 and, in a survey of its members, the RCN highlights that a third of nurses are strongly considering leaving the profession early, all due to chronic workforce pressures. We are in real danger of creating a negative feedback loop—people leaving healthcare because of the pressures of not having enough staff. And it's not just nurses feeling this pressure; it perpetuates across the health and social care system. General practitioners are also leaving the profession in their droves. GPs are retiring early and some are even surrendering their medical licence, meaning that they can't be called out of retirement in times of crisis.
We were warned by the British Medical Association nearly 10 years ago that we needed to recruit around 200 GPs a year in Wales. For the majority of the intervening years we were lucky if we managed half of that. And because we failed to address the recruitment problems, we created a retention problem. In 2019, before the pandemic, nearly a quarter of practices surveyed were considering handing back their general medical services contracts. Since the pandemic, things have got much worse. GPs are warning that the strain could overwhelm the system, that pressures are putting people off the profession all together, and one in eight GP trainees say they do not intend to work in general practice after qualifying as doctors, according to a recent BMA poll.
All this is having a devastating effect on patients, many of whom are becoming sicker because of a lack of early intervention. My constituents tell me that it can take them weeks to get an appointment with their GP and practices cannot cope with the numbers of people on their lists. And when patients do manage to navigate their way through primary care, they face the same challenges in secondary care. Referral-to-treatment times were already astronomical prior to COVID and have skyrocketed since. The latest figures show that one in five of us are on a list awaiting NHS treatment, two thirds of a million people are waiting years for treatment to end their pain and suffering, and 691,000 Welsh citizens are left in limbo not knowing when their treatment will begin. How many of those one in five will die because they didn’t get a cancer treated soon enough? How many will be forced to give up work because their condition deteriorated to such an extreme that they are unable to function in the workplace?
These are the real impacts treatment delays are having on people's lives. Patients are dying, going blind and losing mobility because they can't be treated soon enough. And they can’t be treated early enough because we don’t have the staff. There are currently over 3,000 vacancies in our NHS and many in my health board, in Betsi Cadwaladr, in north Wales. We have 10,000 fewer beds than we did at the beginning of the century, yet we have frequently breached safe staffing levels over recent months. In recent weeks we saw accident and emergency departments with fewer than a third of the required staff, and if we are to recover adequately from this pandemic and be prepared for the next one, if we're unfortunate to have another one come around, we have to get to grips with the training, recruitment and retention of staff.
We need true integrated workforce planning that anticipates future service demands, and let’s not forget that the parliamentary review of health and social care warned us of the challenges we face as our demographics change. We aren’t planning to meet today’s needs, let alone to respond to future challenges. We need root and branch reform of our recruitment and retention policies, and it would help if we actually had retention policies in the first place.
We need to make working and staying in health and care a more attractive proposition. We need to encourage more young Welsh people to pursue careers in health and care. We need a workforce plan that looks at the whole picture, from science teaching to retirement planning and everything in between. It's time to join up the dots, and that requires leadership. It requires a Welsh Government that can plan for the future. I urge the Minister to grasp this nettle now and make workforce planning her No. 1 priority, otherwise my mailbag and yours will continue to overflow with complaints about not being able to get a face-to-face appointment with a GP, about not being able to see an NHS dentist, or about not being able to get a suitable care package for an elderly relative. We can’t afford to lose any more NHS staff, and my constituents can’t wait any longer for treatment. Diolch yn fawr.
Fel rhywun a fu'n gweithio ar reng flaen ein GIG ers dros ddegawd, gallaf dystio'n bersonol i'r straen enfawr sydd wedi bod ar ein systemau iechyd a gofal. A phan gafodd feirws marwol ei daflu i mewn i'r pair, mae'n wyrth lwyr na wnaeth y system dorri. Ond i ymroddiad fy nghyn-gydweithwyr yn y GIG y mae'r diolch na ddigwyddodd hynny, nid oherwydd unrhyw arweiniad o'r brig.
Mae'r rhan fwyaf o'r problemau sy'n wynebu ein GIG yn deillio o ddiffyg arweiniad. Y rheswm syml pam na all fy etholwyr a'ch etholwyr chi weld eu meddyg teulu, cael deintydd GIG, neu pam eu bod wedi cael eu llawdriniaeth wedi'i chanslo sawl gwaith, yw bod Llywodraethau olynol wedi methu cynllunio gweithlu integredig priodol. Mae'r colegau brenhinol a'r cyrff proffesiynol wedi bod yn rhybuddio ers o leiaf ddegawd nad ydym yn hyfforddi nac yn recriwtio digon o staff rheng flaen. Ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn dda iawn am greu rheolwyr, biwrocratiaid a biwrocratiaeth, ond maent yn gwbl ddiwerth pan ddaw'n fater o greu meddygon, nyrsys a gweithwyr gofal iechyd proffesiynol.
Mae pethau wedi gwella rhywfaint—rwy'n rhoi clod lle mae'n ddyledus—a chyda chreu Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru, mae gennym gynllun gweithlu erbyn hyn o leiaf, ond mae arnaf ofn ei fod yn rhy ychydig yn rhy hwyr. Yr wythnos diwethaf, rhyddhaodd y Coleg Nyrsio Brenhinol eu hadroddiad ar lefelau staff nyrsio, ac roedd ei gynnwys yn sobreiddiol, oherwydd dylai'r nifer fawr o nyrsys sy'n gadael y proffesiwn fod yn destun pryder i bawb ohonom. Ceir o leiaf 1,719 o swyddi nyrsio gwag ar draws byrddau iechyd Cymru, a, thros y pum mlynedd diwethaf, rydym wedi gwario tua £0.75 biliwn ar staff asiantaeth. Mae adroddiad y Coleg Nyrsio Brenhinol yn dangos sut rydym yn colli bron cymaint o staff ag yr ydym yn eu recriwtio, a'r llynedd 0.1 y cant yn unig o gynnydd a welwyd yn y gweithlu. Cawsom lond llaw o nyrsys y llynedd pan fo angen miloedd. Collwyd 6 y cant o'r gweithlu nyrsys ardal rhwng mis Mehefin 2020 a mis Mehefin 2021 ac mewn arolwg o'i aelodau, mae'r Coleg Nyrsio Brenhinol yn tynnu sylw at y ffaith bod traean o nyrsys yn ystyried gadael y proffesiwn yn gynnar, a'r cyfan oherwydd pwysau cronig ar y gweithlu. Rydym mewn perygl gwirioneddol o greu dolen adborth negyddol—pobl yn gadael gofal iechyd oherwydd y pwysau yn sgil prinder staff. Ac nid nyrsys yn unig sy'n teimlo'r pwysau, mae'n ymestyn diddiwedd ar draws y system iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol. Mae meddygon teulu hefyd yn gadael y proffesiwn wrth y dwsin. Mae meddygon teulu'n ymddeol yn gynnar ac mae rhai hyd yn oed yn ildio eu trwydded feddygol, sy'n golygu na ellir eu galw o'u hymddeoliad ar adegau o argyfwng.
Fe'n rhybuddiwyd gan Gymdeithas Feddygol Prydain bron 10 mlynedd yn ôl fod angen inni recriwtio tua 200 o feddygon teulu y flwyddyn yng Nghymru. Am y rhan fwyaf o'r blynyddoedd yn y cyfamser, roeddem yn lwcus pe baem yn llwyddo i recriwtio hanner hynny. Ac oherwydd na lwyddwyd i fynd i'r afael â'r problemau recriwtio, crëwyd problem cadw staff. Yn 2019, cyn y pandemig, roedd bron chwarter y practisau a arolygwyd yn ystyried dychwelyd eu contractau gwasanaethau meddygol cyffredinol. Ers y pandemig, mae pethau wedi gwaethygu'n fawr. Mae meddygon teulu'n rhybuddio y gallai'r straen fod yn drech na'r system, fod y pwysau'n anghymell pobl yn llwyr rhag ymuno â'r proffesiwn, ac mae un o bob wyth o'r rhai sy'n hyfforddi i fod yn feddygon teulu yn dweud nad ydynt yn bwriadu gweithio mewn practis cyffredinol ar ôl cymhwyso fel meddygon, yn ôl arolwg barn diweddar gan Gymdeithas Feddygol Prydain.
Mae hyn i gyd yn cael effaith ddinistriol ar gleifion, gyda llawer ohonynt yn mynd yn salach oherwydd diffyg ymyrraeth gynnar. Dywed fy etholwyr wrthyf y gall gymryd wythnosau iddynt gael apwyntiad gyda'u meddyg teulu ac ni all practisau ymdopi â nifer y bobl sydd ar eu rhestrau. A phan fydd cleifion yn llwyddo i lywio eu ffordd drwy ofal sylfaenol, maent yn wynebu'r un heriau mewn gofal eilaidd. Roedd amseroedd rhwng atgyfeirio a thriniaeth eisoes yn eithriadol cyn COVID ac maent wedi cynyddu'n aruthrol ers hynny. Mae'r ffigurau diweddaraf yn dangos bod un o bob pump ohonom ar restr aros am driniaeth GIG, mae dwy ran o dair o filiwn o bobl yn aros blynyddoedd am driniaeth i roi diwedd ar eu poen a'u dioddefaint, ac mae 691,000 o ddinasyddion Cymru'n cael eu gadael mewn limbo heb wybod pryd y bydd eu triniaeth yn dechrau. Faint o'r un o bob pump fydd yn marw oherwydd na chawsant driniaeth canser yn ddigon buan? Faint fydd yn cael eu gorfodi i roi'r gorau i weithio oherwydd bod eu cyflwr wedi dirywio i'r fath raddau fel na allant weithredu yn y gweithle?
Dyma'r effeithiau gwirioneddol y mae oedi cyn cael triniaeth yn eu cael ar fywydau pobl. Mae cleifion yn marw, yn mynd yn ddall ac yn colli symudedd oherwydd na ellir eu trin yn ddigon buan. Ac ni ellir eu trin yn ddigon cynnar am nad oes gennym staff. Ar hyn o bryd mae dros 3,000 o swyddi gwag yn ein GIG a llawer yn fy mwrdd iechyd, Bwrdd Iechyd Betsi Cadwaladr, yng ngogledd Cymru. Mae gennym 10,000 yn llai o welyau nag a oedd gennym ar ddechrau'r ganrif, ac eto rydym yn aml wedi torri lefelau staffio diogel dros y misoedd diwethaf. Yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf gwelsom adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys gyda llai na thraean o'r staff gofynnol, ac os ydym am adfer yn ddigonol o'r pandemig a bod yn barod ar gyfer y nesaf, os byddwn yn ddigon anffodus i gael un arall, mae'n rhaid inni fynd i'r afael â hyfforddi, recriwtio a chadw staff.
Mae arnom angen cynlluniau gwirioneddol integredig ar gyfer y gweithlu sy'n rhagweld y galw ar y gwasanaeth yn y dyfodol, a gadewch inni beidio ag anghofio bod yr adolygiad seneddol o iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol wedi ein rhybuddio am yr heriau sy'n ein hwynebu wrth i'n demograffeg newid. Nid ydym yn cynllunio ar gyfer diwallu anghenion heddiw, heb sôn am ymateb i heriau'r dyfodol. Mae arnom angen diwygio ein polisïau recriwtio a chadw staff o'r bôn i'r brig, a byddai o gymorth pe bai gennym bolisïau cadw staff yn y lle cyntaf.
Mae angen inni wneud gweithio ac aros ym maes iechyd a gofal yn gynnig mwy deniadol. Mae angen inni annog mwy o Gymry ifanc i ddilyn gyrfaoedd ym maes iechyd a gofal. Mae arnom angen cynllun gweithlu sy'n edrych ar y darlun cyfan, o addysgu gwyddoniaeth i gynllunio ar gyfer ymddeol a phopeth rhyngddynt. Mae'n bryd cydgysylltu'r cyfan, ac mae hynny'n galw am arweiniad. Mae'n galw am Lywodraeth Cymru a all gynllunio ar gyfer y dyfodol. Rwy'n annog y Gweinidog i fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn yn awr a gwneud cynllunio'r gweithlu yn brif flaenoriaeth, neu fel arall bydd fy mag post a'ch un chithau'n parhau i orlifo â chwynion ynghylch methu cael apwyntiad wyneb yn wyneb â meddyg teulu, am fethu gweld deintydd GIG, neu am fethu cael pecyn gofal addas ar gyfer perthynas oedrannus. Ni allwn fforddio colli rhagor o staff y GIG, ac ni all fy etholwyr aros yn hwy am driniaeth. Diolch yn fawr.
I'm grateful to the Member from the Vale of Clwyd for bringing forward this short debate, and the Minister won't be surprised that I'm bringing forth the Argyle Medical Group and Argyle Street surgery as my example this evening. This is one of Wales's largest GP surgeries, with a patient ratio of approximately 2,506 patients per GP. This is a real burning issue in my mailbag, as constituents cannot get access to healthcare services. I understand the need to move away from just seeking GP services, and we can move away to looking at nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists, but there are still real issues within this GP practice in Argyle Street. I do pay tribute to Judith Scourfield, the practice manager, and the staff of Argyle Street; they are working incredibly hard. But I do feel there needs to be something targeted here to really support them in what they're trying to deliver in my part of the constituency. Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Aelod o Ddyffryn Clwyd am gyflwyno'r ddadl fer hon, ac ni fydd y Gweinidog yn synnu fy mod yn defnyddio Argyle Medical Group a meddygfa Argyle Street fel fy enghraifft heno. Dyma un o feddygfeydd meddygon teulu mwyaf Cymru, gyda chymhareb cleifion o tua 2,506 o gleifion i bob meddyg teulu. Mae hwn yn bwnc llosg gwirioneddol yn fy mag post, gan na all etholwyr gael mynediad at wasanaethau gofal iechyd. Rwy'n deall yr angen i newid o ofyn am wasanaethau meddygon teulu yn unig, a gallwn newid i edrych ar nyrsys, ffisiotherapyddion a fferyllwyr, ond mae problemau gwirioneddol o hyd yn y practis meddygon teulu hwn yn Argyle Street. Rwy'n talu teyrnged i Judith Scourfield, rheolwr y practis, a staff Argyle Street; maent yn gweithio'n eithriadol o galed. Ond rwy'n teimlo bod angen targedu rhywbeth yma i'w cefnogi'n wirioneddol yn yr hyn y maent yn ceisio'i gyflawni yn fy rhan i o'r etholaeth. Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd.
Galwaf ar y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol i ymateb i'r ddadl—Eluned Morgan.
I call on the Minister for Health and Social Services to reply to the debate—Eluned Morgan.
Diolch yn fawr. I'm grateful for the opportunity of this short debate today to discuss the important topic of access to health services. Now, under a Labour Government here in Wales there are now more doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals working in the NHS in Wales than ever before: over 104,000 people and 89,000 full-time equivalents—3,600 more staff than at the same time last year. And far from being absolutely useless, since 2016 the number of medical and dental staff has increased by 21 per cent. We've got nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff up by 9 per cent, scientific, therapeutic and technical staff up by 24 per cent, and ambulance staff up by 39 per cent. We are training 69 per cent more nurses than we were before 2016, and last week I hope you noted that we recruited 400 new international nurses.
We're not, however, complacent, and it's not just numbers alone that are going to guarantee the success. It's about how health professionals collaborate and use their skills, including their Welsh language skills, in the most effective way for patients. We therefore have a programme for government commitment to deliver better access to doctors, nurses, dentists and other health professionals that builds on previous commitments. Action is centred around the primary care model for Wales, which is about people accessing the right care from the right professional or service for their specific needs, at or as close to home as possible.
Now, this means increasingly people will only travel to hospitals for those services that should only be delivered in those settings. As the national clinical framework programme drives national clinical pathways, we'll make faster progress with rebalancing services, funding the workforce away from illness and hospitals towards wellness and care closer to home.
Now, in the time I've got today, I can't do justice to the huge range of policy and activity through our national programmes for primary care, for planned care, for urgent and emergency care and for mental health to support this rebalancing of the system, so I'm going to highlight the action to improve access to those services that most people frequent and are most familiar with, and these are our primary and community services.
To improve access to GPs, we've introduced a change through the general medical services contract to remove the bottleneck at the start of the day. I have provided extra funding of £4 million annually over the next three years to build capacity in GP practices. The primary care model is about increasing the range of services and health professionals accessible in the community. GPs and practice nurses are not always the right health professional for someone's needs, and as a physiotherapist, I'm sure you're well aware of that. For example, an optometrist is the right person to treat eye problems like red eye; community pharmacists offer an increasing range of services, from hay fever to emergency contraception; ear wax causing hearing loss is a common problem, and we're increasing the availability of community audiologists.
I'm very aware that one of the biggest areas of concern for people in terms of access is dentists. Managing the infection control requirements of COVID has meant a lot less capacity in dental practices. Reforming the dental contract is our main policy driver to deliver that better access, and we will create more capacity for new patients by moving away from the historic six-monthly checks for all to a service based on individual need and prevention. For many people whose oral health is good, they only need to have a check-up once every two years. We do need to communicate this better to the public, and I welcome Members' support in conveying that message.
Last month, I launched our new six goals for urgent and emergency care programme, and I'm supporting this with £25 million of investment. Key developments enabling better access are the eight new urgent primary care centres across Wales, with two more opening shortly. And our 111 telephone service is now available across the whole of Wales. The '111, press 2', directs people to mental health well-being support. Also in April, I published our programme for transforming and modernising planned hospital care and reducing waiting lists. Now, importantly, the plan also signals the transformation of community-based services to offer different options designed to support a person to do what matters to them. We are moving steadily into a new phase of the primary care model. This phase is about increasing the visibility and development of community services, where the focus of leadership and investment is on wellness, independence and the integration of health and care.
A recent King's Fund paper on what we could learn from the pandemic states that a successful and sustainable recovery is possible if there is investment in the resilience of communities and community-led approaches, with individuals and communities in the best possible health to cope with what comes next.
Diolch yn fawr. Rwy'n ddiolchgar am gyfle'r ddadl fer hon heddiw i drafod mater pwysig mynediad at wasanaethau iechyd. Nawr, o dan Lywodraeth Lafur yma yng Nghymru mae mwy o feddygon, nyrsys a gweithwyr gofal iechyd proffesiynol eraill bellach yn gweithio yn y GIG yng Nghymru nag erioed o'r blaen: dros 104,000 o bobl ac 89,000 o staff cyfwerth ag amser llawn—3,600 yn fwy o staff nag ar yr un pryd y llynedd. Ac ymhell o fod yn gwbl ddiwerth, ers 2016 mae nifer y staff meddygol a deintyddol wedi cynyddu 21 y cant. Mae nifer y staff nyrsio, bydwreigiaeth ac ymwelwyr iechyd wedi cynyddu 9 y cant, mae'r staff gwyddonol, therapiwtig a thechnegol wedi cynyddu 24 y cant, a staff ambiwlans wedi cynyddu 39 y cant. Rydym yn hyfforddi 69 y cant yn fwy o nyrsys nag yr oeddem yn ei wneud cyn 2016, a'r wythnos diwethaf, rwy'n gobeithio eich bod wedi nodi inni recriwtio 400 o nyrsys rhyngwladol newydd.
Fodd bynnag, nid ydym yn hunanfodlon, ac nid niferoedd yn unig sy'n mynd i warantu llwyddiant. Mae'n ymwneud â sut y mae gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol yn cydweithio ac yn defnyddio eu sgiliau, gan gynnwys eu sgiliau Cymraeg, yn y ffordd fwyaf effeithiol i gleifion. Felly, mae gennym ymrwymiad rhaglen lywodraethu i sicrhau gwell mynediad at feddygon, nyrsys, deintyddion a gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol eraill sy'n adeiladu ar ymrwymiadau blaenorol. Mae gweithgaredd yn canolbwyntio ar y model gofal sylfaenol i Gymru, sy'n ymwneud â phobl yn cael y gofal cywir gan y gweithiwr proffesiynol neu'r gwasanaeth cywir ar gyfer eu hanghenion penodol, yn eu cartrefi neu mor agos i'w cartrefi â phosibl.
Nawr, mae hyn yn golygu y bydd mwy a mwy o bobl ond yn teithio i ysbytai ar gyfer y gwasanaethau na ddylid eu darparu yn unman ond y lleoliadau hynny. Wrth i raglen y fframwaith clinigol cenedlaethol yrru llwybrau clinigol cenedlaethol, byddwn yn gwneud cynnydd cyflymach ar ailgydbwyso gwasanaethau, gan ariannu'r gweithlu i ffwrdd oddi wrth salwch ac ysbytai a thuag at iechyd a gofal yn nes at adref.
Nawr, yn yr amser sydd gennyf heddiw, ni allaf wneud cyfiawnder â'r ystod enfawr o bolisïau a gweithgaredd sy'n digwydd drwy ein rhaglenni cenedlaethol ar gyfer gofal sylfaenol, ar gyfer gofal wedi'i gynllunio, ar gyfer gofal brys a gofal mewn argyfwng ac ar gyfer iechyd meddwl i gefnogi ailgydbwyso'r system, felly rwy'n mynd i dynnu sylw at y camau i wella mynediad at y gwasanaethau y mae'r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn eu mynychu ac yn fwyaf cyfarwydd â hwy, sef ein gwasanaethau sylfaenol a chymunedol.
Er mwyn gwella mynediad at feddygon teulu, rydym wedi cyflwyno newid drwy'r contract gwasanaethau meddygol cyffredinol i gael gwared ar y tagfeydd ar ddechrau'r dydd. Rwyf wedi darparu cyllid ychwanegol o £4 miliwn bob blwyddyn dros y tair blynedd nesaf i adeiladu capasiti ym mhractisau meddygon teulu. Mae'r model gofal sylfaenol yn ymwneud â chynyddu'r ystod o wasanaethau a gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol sydd ar gael yn y gymuned. Nid meddygon teulu a nyrsys practis yw'r gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol cywir bob amser ar gyfer anghenion rhywun, ac fel ffisiotherapydd, rwy'n siŵr eich bod yn ymwybodol iawn o hynny. Er enghraifft, optometrydd yw'r person cywir i drin problemau llygaid fel llygad coch; mae fferyllwyr cymunedol yn cynnig ystod gynyddol o wasanaethau, o dwymyn y gwair i ddulliau atal cenhedlu brys; mae cwyr clust sy'n achosi nam ar y clyw yn broblem gyffredin, ac rydym yn cynyddu argaeledd awdiolegwyr cymunedol.
Rwy'n ymwybodol iawn mai un o'r meysydd sy'n peri'r pryder mwyaf i bobl o ran eu hygyrchedd yw deintyddion. Mae rheoli gofynion mesurau rheoli heintiau COVID wedi golygu bod llawer llai o gapasiti mewn practisau deintyddol. Diwygio'r contract deintyddol yw ein prif ddull polisi o sicrhau hygyrchedd gwell, a byddwn yn creu mwy o gapasiti i gleifion newydd drwy symud oddi wrth yr hen drefn o archwiliadau chwe misol i bawb i wasanaeth sy'n seiliedig ar angen unigolion ac atal. I lawer o bobl y mae eu hiechyd y geg yn dda, dim ond unwaith bob dwy flynedd y mae angen iddynt gael archwiliad. Mae angen inni gyfathrebu hyn yn well i'r cyhoedd, ac rwy'n croesawu cefnogaeth yr Aelodau i gyfleu'r neges honno.
Y mis diwethaf, lansiais ein chwe nod newydd ar gyfer rhaglen gofal brys a gofal mewn argyfwng, ac rwy'n cefnogi hyn gyda buddsoddiad o £25 miliwn. Mae'r wyth canolfan gofal sylfaenol brys newydd ledled Cymru yn ddatblygiadau allweddol sy'n hwyluso gwell mynediad, gyda dwy arall yn agor cyn bo hir. Ac mae ein gwasanaeth ffôn 111 bellach ar gael ledled Cymru. Mae '111, pwyso 2', yn cyfeirio pobl at gymorth lles iechyd meddwl. Hefyd ym mis Ebrill, cyhoeddais ein rhaglen ar gyfer trawsnewid a moderneiddio gofal ysbyty wedi'i gynllunio a lleihau rhestrau aros. Nawr, yn bwysig, mae'r cynllun hefyd yn arwydd o drawsnewid gwasanaethau yn y gymuned i gynnig gwahanol opsiynau a luniwyd i gynorthwyo unigolyn i wneud yr hyn sy'n bwysig iddynt hwy. Rydym yn symud yn raddol i gam newydd o'r model gofal sylfaenol. Mae'r cam hwn yn ymwneud â chynyddu gwelededd a datblygu gwasanaethau cymunedol, lle mae ffocws yr arweinyddiaeth a'r buddsoddiad ar iechyd, annibyniaeth ac integreiddio iechyd a gofal.
Mae papur diweddar gan Gronfa'r Brenin ar yr hyn y gallem ei ddysgu o'r pandemig yn nodi bod adferiad llwyddiannus a chynaliadwy yn bosibl os oes buddsoddiad yng nghadernid cymunedau a dulliau a arweinir gan y gymuned, gydag unigolion a chymunedau yn yr iechyd gorau posibl i ymdopi â'r hyn a ddaw nesaf.
Fel rhan o'n rhaglen strategol ar gyfer gofal sylfaenol, mae yna ffrwd waith benodol hefyd ar atal a llesiant. Mae'r ffrwd waith hon yn nodi cynnig sylfaenol cenedlaethol ar gyfer iechyd meddwl a lles a fydd yn sylfaen i waith cynllunio a darparu lleol. Mae yna ymrwymiadau eraill o dan y rhaglen llywodraethu hefyd ar gyfer gwasanaethau cymunedol, a datblygu fframwaith cenedlaethol ar gyfer presgripsiynau cymdeithasol yw un ohonyn nhw.
Mae'r gronfa integreiddio rhanbarthol newydd—cronfa sydd gwerth £144.7 miliwn—yn parhau i'n symud ni'n agosach tuag at wireddu ein gweledigaeth yn 'Cymru Iachach', gweledigaeth lle mae gan Gymru un system iechyd a gofal integredig, sy'n canolbwyntio ar iechyd a lles ac ar atal salwch—system sy'n galluogi pobl i elwa'n hawdd ar amrywiaeth eang o wasanaethau a chyfleusterau yn eu cymunedau.
I gloi, rwy'n meddwl y gallwn ni gytuno bod amrywiaeth eang o fesurau yn cael eu datblygu i wella mynediad at ofal iechyd, ond mae rhagor i ddod eto. Yn ogystal â gwella mynediad ar gyfer unigolion, dwi am weld y gwelliannau hyn yn gwneud gwahaniaeth positif i'r rheini sy'n darparu'r gwasanaethau. Mae eu hymrwymiad nhw yn ddiflino, ac mae'n bwysig ein bod ni'n cefnogi unigolion yn eu cymunedau. Ac mae'r gefnogaeth maen nhw wedi ei rhoi i'r cyhoedd yn wirioneddol wych. Diolch yn fawr.
As part of the strategic programme for primary care, there is also a specific workstream on prevention and well-being. This workstream sets out a national primary proposal for mental health and well-being that will be the basis for planning and local provision. There are also other commitments under the programme for government for community services, and developing a national framework for social prescribing is one of them.
The new regional integration fund, which is worth £144.7 million, continues to move us closer to realising our vision in 'A Healthier Wales', a vision where Wales has one integrated health and care system, that concentrates on health and well-being and on preventing illness—a system that enables people to benefit easily from a wide range of services and facilities in their communities.
To close, I think we can agree that a wide variety of measures are being developed to improve access to healthcare, but there is more yet to come. As well as improving access for individuals, I want to see these improvements making a positive difference to those who provide the services. Their commitment is constant, and it's important that we support individuals in their communities. And the support that they have provided to the public has been exceptional. Thank you very much.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog. Daw hynny â thrafodion heddiw i ben. Diolch, bawb.
I thank the Minister. That brings today's proceedings to a close. Thank you, everyone.
Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 19:05.
The meeting ended at 19:05.