Cymraeg

Cynulliad Cenedlaethol CymruNational Assembly for Wales · Cyfarfod llawnPlenary sitting

Dydd Iau 2 Tachwedd 2000

Thursday 2 November 2000

DechreuoddMet 09:05 · Daeth i benRose 12:28

Gweld y Cofnod (PDF)View the Record (PDF)

Heb ei wirio â llaw etoNot yet checked by hand

CynnwysContents

  1. 3Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau CymdeithasolQuestions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
    1. 3Prinder GwelyauBed Shortages
    2. 5Ymwybyddiaeth o Faeth a Gwybodaeth am Fyw’n IachNutritional Awareness and Knowledge of Healthy Living
    3. 6Y Mesur Plant (Gadael Gofal)The Children (Leaving Care) Bill
    4. 8Brechu Rhag y FfliwFlu Vaccination Treatment
    5. 9Ariannu Gofal Tymor Hir ar gyfer Pobl HŷnFunding Long-term Care of the Elderly
    6. 11Cyffuriau i Drin Canser y ProstadDrugs for Prostate Cancer Treatment
  2. 12Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol OesQuestions to the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning
    1. 12Addysgu Ieithoedd Tramor ModernThe Teaching of Modern Foreign Languages
    2. 14Addysg Cyfrwng CymraegWelsh-medium Education
    3. 15Pobl o Gymunedau Du a Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig ar Gyrff Llywodraethu YsgolionPeople from Black and Ethnic Minorities on School Governing Bodies
    4. 17Tagfa o Waith Cynnal a Chadw YsgolionBacklog of Schools Maintenance Work
    5. 19Ariannu Myfyrwyr (Ymchwiliad Annibynnol)Student Funding (Independent Investigation)
    6. 21Ymgynghoriad ar y Cod Newydd ar gyfer Anghenion Addysgol ArbennigThe Consultation on the New Code for Special Educational Needs
  3. 22Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Cynlluniau Effeithlonrwydd Ynni Cartref (Cymru) 2000Approval of the Home Energy Regulations Efficiency Schemes (Wales) 2000 2 o bleidleisiau2 votes
  4. 33Polisi IeuenctidYouth Policy 4 o bleidleisiau4 votes
  5. 83Dadl FerShort Debate
    1. 83Cefnogi ein Proffesiwn AddysguSupporting our Teaching Profession

PleidleisiauVotes

PleidlaisVoteO blaidForYmatalAbstainYn erbynAgainstCanlyniadResult
Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Cynlluniau Effeithlonrwydd Ynni Cartref (Cymru) 2000Approval of the Home Energy Regulations Efficiency Schemes (Wales) 2000
CynnigMotion4900DerbyniwydAdopted
CynnigMotion4800DerbyniwydAdopted
Polisi IeuenctidYouth Policy
Gwelliant 1Amendment 15000DerbyniwydAdopted
Gwelliant 2Amendment 24901DerbyniwydAdopted
Gwelliant 3Amendment 35100DerbyniwydAdopted
Cynnig wedi’i ddiwygioAmended motion4900DerbyniwydAdopted

TrafodionProceedings

Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 9.05 a.m. gyda’r Llywydd yn y Gadair.

The Assembly met at 9.05 a.m. with the Presiding Officer in the Chair.

Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Prinder Gwelyau

Bed Shortages

Q1 David Davies spoken in English p. 3

C1 David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

What is the Minister for Health and Social Services doing to ensure there are no bed shortages this winter? (OAQ7462)

Beth y mae’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn ei wneud i sicrhau na fydd prinder gwelyau y gaeaf hwn? (OAQ7462)

Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services spoken in English p. 3

Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

As a result of the additional funding that I allocated in May, and the work of the emergency pressures taskforce, the NHS now has over 150 additional beds and has expanded critical care capacity by a further 25 beds for this winter.

O ganlyniad i’r arian ychwanegol a ddyrannwyd gennyf ym mis Mai, a gwaith y tasglu pwysau brys, mae gan yr NHS bellach dros 150 o welyau ychwanegol ac mae wedi ehangu cynhwysedd gofal critigol o 25 gwely ychwanegol ar gyfer y gaeaf hwn.

David Davies spoken in English p. 3

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

We welcome that news, but does she agree that one way to alleviate a crisis would be to make greater use of private nursing homes? Will she assure us that full use will be made of private health care facilities, where appropriate, and that patient welfare will always be put before political dogma?

Croesawn y newyddion hwnnw, ond a gytuna y byddai gwneud mwy o ddefnydd o gartrefi nyrsio preifat yn un dull o leddfu argyfwng? A wnaiff ein sicrhau y gwneir defnydd llawn o gyfleusterau gofal iechyd preifat, lle y bo’n briodol, ac y bydd lles cleifion yn cael blaenoriaeth dros athrawiaeth wleidyddol bob amser?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 3

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

There is an important issue here in terms of bed shortages, which was debated in this Chamber, and about delayed discharge from hospitals. We have a number of initiatives which health authorities are supporting, including enabling people to take up places in the independent care sector.

Mae mater pwysig yma yn nhermau prinder gwelyau, a drafodwyd yn y Siambr hon, ac am oedi cyn anfon cleifion adref o ysbytai. Mae gennym nifer o fentrau y mae awdurdodau iechyd yn eu cefnogi, gan gynnwys galluogi pobl i gymryd lleoedd yn y sector gofal annibynnol.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 3

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

One way we can ensure that there is no bed shortage is by keeping people out of hospitals in the first place. What guarantees will you give that general practitioners’ surgeries will receive adequate supplies of flu vaccinations? We are already hearing of a lack of supplies in mid Wales. What are you doing to ensure that this does not continue?

Un ffordd y gallwn sicrhau nad oes prinder gwelyau yw drwy gadw pobl allan o ysbytai yn y lle cyntaf. Pa sicrwydd a roddwch y bydd meddygfeydd meddygon teulu yn derbyn cyflenwadau digonol o frechiadau rhag y ffliw? Yr ydym yn clywed am ddiffyg cyflenwadau yng nghanolbarth Cymru eisoes. Beth ydych chi’n ei wneud i sicrhau na fydd hyn yn parhau?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 3

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

This is an important issue, and we have launched a major campaign to enable the over 65s, and other vulnerable groups, to be immunised against flu. Eleven million doses of the flu vaccine have been ordered compared to 8 million last year. We have had a very good take up, and more stocks are due within the next few weeks.

Mae hwn yn fater pwysig, ac yr ydym wedi lansio ymgyrch fawr i alluogi i’r rhai dros 65 oed, a grwpiau diamddiffyn eraill, gael eu himiwneiddio rhag y ffliw. Archebwyd 11 miliwn dos o’r brechiad rhag y ffliw o gymharu ag 8 miliwn y llynedd. Yr ydym wedi cael ymateb da iawn, a disgwylir mwy o stoc o fewn yr ychydig wythnosau nesaf.

David Lloyd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 4

David Lloyd spoken in Welsh p. 4

A throi yn ôl at welyau, a’r cyhoeddiad ynglŷn â gwelyau ychwanegol ar gyfer gofal dwys yn ogystal â’r rhai meddygol, a ydynt ar gael yn awr? Mae hi’n aeaf eisoes. Hefyd, a oes staff ar gael i’w rhedeg yn awr?

To return to beds, and the announcement concerning additional beds for intensive care as well as medical care, are they available now? Winter is already upon us. Also, are staff available to run them now?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 4

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

Yes, these beds are available. I was pleased to open a new bed at Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, recently. The emergency pressures taskforce estimated that we needed 30 extra high-dependency and intensive-care unit beds. The fact that we have reached 25 is good, in terms of the new money and how it is being used. These beds must be staffed in order for them to come into use, and I assure you that they are staffed.

Ydynt, mae’r gwelyau hyn ar gael. Yr oedd yn bleser oedd gennyf agor gwely newydd yn Ysbyty’r Tywysog Siarl, Merthyr Tudful, yn ddiweddar. Amcangyfrifodd y tasglu pwysau brys y byddai angen 30 o welyau dibyniaeth uchel ac uned gofal dwys ychwanegol arnom. Mae’r ffaith ein bod wedi cyrraedd 25 yn dda, yn nhermau’r arian newydd a sut y caiff ei ddefnyddio. Rhaid staffio’r gwelyau hyn er mwyn iddynt gael eu defnyddio, a gallaf eich sicrhau bod staff ar eu cyfer.

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 4

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

I am delighted that there are 150 extra beds this year. Could you inform us where they are, and when they will actually be in place? You have said that they are already coming into use, but as far as the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport is concerned, that is not the impression that I am getting. Perhaps you cannot tell me now, but perhaps you will let me know later.

Yr wyf wrth fy modd bod 150 o welyau ychwanegol eleni. A allech ein hysbysu o’u lleoliad, a phryd y byddant yn barod i’w defnyddio? Dywedasoch eu bod yn dechrau cael eu defnyddio eisoes, ond o ran Ysbyty Brenhinol Gwent yng Nghasnewydd, nid dyna’r argraff a gaf fi. Efallai na allwch ddweud wrthyf yn awr, ond efallai y rhowch wybod imi nes ymlaen.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 4

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

I met all the health authorities last week and they brought their plans to me concerning the location of their additional beds. I can tell you about the Royal Gwent Hospital; I know that there is particular pressure there. The fact that it now works in partnership with the other hospitals in Gwent is important, and it means that all the hospitals in Gwent are being used to their full potential. It is a matter of trusts opening up new beds in each health authority. Some of them will need capital investment, and the Royal Gwent is full to capacity now in terms of its physical capacity for more beds and wards. That will have to be developed in the future with the new money.

Cyfarfum â’r holl awdurdodau iechyd yr wythnos diwethaf a daethant â’u cynlluniau ataf ynghylch lleoliad eu gwelyau ychwanegol. Gallaf ddweud wrthych am Ysbyty Brenhinol Gwent; gwn fod pwysau arbennig yno. Mae’r ffaith ei bod bellach yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth â’r ysbytai eraill yng Ngwent yn bwysig, a golyga y caiff yr holl ysbytai yng Ngwent eu defnyddio i’w llawn botensial. Mae’n fater o ymddiriedolaethau yn darparu gwelyau newydd ym mhob awdurdod iechyd. Bydd angen buddsoddiad cyfalaf ar rai ohonynt, ac mae Ysbyty Brenhinol Gwent yn llawn i’r ymylon yn awr yn nhermau ei gynhwysedd ffisegol am fwy o welyau a wardiau. Bydd yn rhaid datblygu hynny yn y dyfodol â’r arian newydd.

Ymwybyddiaeth o Faeth a Gwybodaeth am Fyw’n Iach

Nutritional Awareness and Knowledge of Healthy Living

Q2 Pauline Jarman spoken in English p. 5

C2 Pauline Jarman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

How does Jane Hutt plan to develop nutritional awareness and knowledge of healthy living in young people? (OAQ7533)

Sut y mae Jane Hutt yn bwriadu datblygu ymwybyddiaeth o faeth a gwybodaeth am fyw’n iach ymhlith pobl ifanc? (OAQ7533)

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 5

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

This is an important question. We are supporting the development of healthy eating in schools and in the community. I was pleased to launch a conference on this. This support is provided by means of health promoting school schemes, school fruit tuck shops, and community food initiatives. We are also implementing a package of measures on smoking prevention, and trialling materials to encourage physical activity in schools.

Mae hwn yn gwestiwn pwysig. Yr ydym yn cefnogi’r datblygiad o fwyta’n iach mewn ysgolion ac yn y gymuned. Yr oedd yn bleser gennyf lansio cynhadledd ar hyn. Darperir y cymorth hwn drwy gyfrwng cynlluniau hybu iechyd mewn ysgolion, siopau ffrwythau mewn ysgolion, a mentrau bwyd cymunedol. Hefyd yr ydym yn gweithredu pecyn o fesurau ar atal smygu, ac yn treialu deunyddiau i annog gweithgaredd corfforol mewn ysgolion.

Pauline Jarman spoken in English p. 5

Pauline Jarman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

I may have to declare an interest as a member of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council for my supplementary question. Do you agree that children and young people at school should be taught food technology, what used to be called home economics? That would mean that young people would know what constitutes healthy food and how to cook cheap, quick and nutritious meals for their children in the future.

Efallai y bydd rhaid i mi ddatgan buddiant fel aelod o Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf ar gyfer fy nghwestiwn atodol. A ydych yn cytuno y dylid dysgu technoleg bwyd, yr arferid ei alw’n economeg y cartref, i blant a phobl ifanc mewn ysgolion? Byddai hynny’n golygu y byddai pobl ifanc yn gwybod yr hyn y mae bwyd iach yn ei olygu a sut i goginio prydau rhad, cyflym a maethlon ar gyfer eu plant yn y dyfodol.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 5

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

That is important and there has been considerable lobbying for that to have a much higher profile in Curriculum 2000. The new Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority guidelines clarify where opportunities exist to address the food issue, particularly in the curriculum. You are correct, Pauline, that it must begin at primary school level. It is about learning how to cook as well as learning about nutritional issues. We can work closely on that in partnership with our local authorities.

Mae hynny’n bwysig a chafwyd lobïo sylweddol er mwyn i hynny gael proffil llawer uwch yng Nghwricwlwm 2000. Mae canllawiau newydd yr Awdurdod Cymwysterau, Cwricwlwm ac Asesu yn egluro lle y mae cyfleoedd yn bodoli i ymdrin â’r mater o fwyd, yn arbennig yn y cwricwlwm. Yr ydych yn gywir, Pauline, i ddweud bod rhaid i hyn gychwyn ar lefel ysgolion cynradd. Mae’n golygu dysgu sut i goginio yn ogystal â dysgu am faterion maeth. Gallwn weithio’n agos ar hynny mewn partneriaeth â’n hawdurdodau lleol.

John Griffiths spoken in English p. 5

John Griffiths siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

Do you agree that our social inclusion agenda is vital? There are many communities that are not receptive to healthy living messages because they have great difficulty in merely surviving in the short-term let alone taking a longer-term view.

A gytunwch bod ein hagenda cynhwysiant cymdeithasol yn hanfodol? Ceir sawl cymuned nad ydynt yn croesawu negeseuon byw yn iach oherwydd y cânt anhawster i fyw yn y tymor byr heb sôn am gael safbwynt tymor hwy.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 5

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

That is correct. Unfortunately, the poorest people in Wales have the worst diets. We discussed in the conference earlier in the week how to ensure that we target our initiatives in the most disadvantaged areas. Poor nutrition is often due to a lack of income and not being able to afford healthy food. There are also issues regarding healthy cooking arrangements. It is vital and it is part of the Communities First programme and our work with local health alliances to target those areas of social exclusion. These initiatives are vital for the future of our young people.

Mae hynny’n wir. Yn anffodus, y bobl dlotaf yng Nghymru sydd â’r diet gwaethaf. Trafodasom yn y gynhadledd yn gynharach yn yr wythnos sut i sicrhau ein bod yn targedu ein mentrau yn yr ardaloedd mwyaf difreintiedig. Yn aml mae maeth gwael yn deillio o ddiffyg incwm a methu â fforddio bwyd iachus. Hefyd ceir materion yn ymwneud â threfniadau coginio iachus. Mae’n hanfodol ac yn rhan o’r rhaglen Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf a’n gwaith gyda chynghreiriau iechyd lleol i dargedu’r ardaloedd hynny o allgáu cymdeithasol. Mae’r mentrau hyn yn hanfodol ar gyfer dyfodol ein pobl ifanc.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 6

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

Educating young people is clearly important. However, the scheme needs to extend beyond the school gates. What plans do you have to include parents?

Mae’n amlwg bod addysgu pobl ifanc yn bwysig. Fodd bynnag, mae angen i’r cynllun ymestyn y tu hwnt i gatiau’r ysgol. Pa gynlluniau sydd gennych i gynnwys rhieni?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 6

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

That is also an important point. It goes back to our work with families as well as young people. That is part of the health and social services’ preventative agenda. It is vital that we extend our work, particularly through initiatives such as Communities First, to the whole community. Community cafes, food co-operatives and tuck shops, as well as the school tuck shops, are on the agenda in tackling social exclusion. It is a matter of involving the parents as well as the children and schools.

Mae hynny yn bwynt pwysig hefyd. Aiff yn ôl i’n gwaith â theuluoedd yn ogystal â phobl ifanc. Mae hynny’n rhan o agenda ataliol y gwasanaethau iechyd a chymdeithasol. Mae’n hanfodol ein bod yn ymestyn ein gwaith, yn enwedig drwy fentrau megis Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf, i’r gymuned gyfan. Mae caffis cymunedol, cwmnïau bwyd cydweithredol a siopau bwyd, yn ogystal â siopau bwyd mewn ysgolion, ar yr agenda wrth ymdrin ag allgáu cymdeithasol. Mae’n fater o gynnwys rhieni yn ogystal â’r plant a’r ysgolion.

Y Mesur Plant (Gadael Gofal)

The Children (Leaving Care) Bill

C3 Ieuan Wyn Jones Arweinydd yr Wrthblaid siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 6

Q3 Ieuan Wyn Jones The Leader of the Opposition spoken in Welsh p. 6

A wnaiff Jane Hutt ddatganiad byr ar y Mesur Plant (Gadael Gofal) a’i oblygiadau i ofal cymdeithasol yng Nghymru? (OAQ7524)

Will Jane Hutt make a brief statement on the Children (Leaving Care) Bill and its implication for social care in Wales? (OAQ7524)

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 6

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

The Children (Leaving Care) Bill is expected to complete its passage through Parliament this month. Changes proposed in the Bill will ensure, over time, that local authorities extend their responsibilities to care for and support young people who are looked after until they are 21.

Disgwylir i’r Mesur Plant (Gadael Gofal) gwblhau ei daith drwy’r Senedd y mis hwn. Bydd newidiadau a gynigir yn y Mesur yn sicrhau, dros amser, y bydd awdurdodau lleol yn ymestyn eu cyfrifoldebau i ofalu am bobl ifanc y gofelir amdanynt a rhoi cymorth iddynt hyd y byddant yn 21 oed.

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 6

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in Welsh p. 6

A ydych yn cydnabod bod Aelodau o bob plaid ar y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol wedi gwneud sylwadau ynglŷn â hawl pobl ifanc i newid eu cynghorwyr personol? Er hynny, nis cynhwyswyd y pryderon a fynegwyd ynglŷn â hynny yn y papur trafod ar y Mesur Plant (Gadael Gofal). Pa sicrwydd y gallwch ei roi y bydd sylwadau aelodau’r Pwyllgor a’r Cynulliad yn cael eu hadlewyrchu yn y Mesur terfynol?

Do you acknowledge that Members from all parties on the Health and Social Services Committee have commented on young people’s right to change their personal counsellors? Nevertheless, the concerns that were expressed about that were not included in the discussion paper on the Children (Leaving Care) Bill. What assurance can you give that the comments of Committee members and the Assembly will be reflected in the final Bill?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 7

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

In terms of the Assembly and the Health and Social Services Committee, implementing the regulations will be important. Those regulations are being consulted upon and we will discuss them in the Health and Social Services Committee in December. We will look specifically at the role of personal advisers. As you say, it is about young people having the right to choice about the support that they receive from local authorities that have a parental role beyond the age of 16. Young people have views and the right to choose not only their personal advisers who will keep in touch with them and support them, but also the content of their pathway plans and how local authorities will keep in touch with them. That is an important principle that we can influence through Assembly regulations.

Yn nhermau’r Cynulliad a’r Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, bydd gweithredu’r rheoliadau yn bwysig. Ymgynghorir ar y rheoliadau hynny a byddwn yn eu trafod yn y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ym mis Rhagfyr. Byddwn yn edrych yn benodol ar rôl cynghorwyr personol. Fel y dywedwch, mae’n ymwneud â phobl ifanc yn cael yr hawl i ddewis y cymorth a gânt gan awdurdodau lleol sydd â rôl fel rhiant ar ôl 16 oed. Mae gan bobl ifanc farn a’r hawl i ddewis nid yn unig eu cynghorwyr personol a fydd yn cadw mewn cysylltiad â hwy ac yn rhoi cymorth iddynt, ond hefyd gynnwys eu cynlluniau llwybr a sut y bydd awdurdodau lleol yn cadw mewn cysylltiad â hwy. Mae hynny yn egwyddor bwysig y gallwn ddylanwadu arni drwy reoliadau’r Cynulliad.

David Melding spoken in English p. 7

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

Will the Minister accept my support of the fact that young people’s advisers are crucial in this role? Their job is highly technical and they require flexible training immediately if they are new and unaware of all the complexities. We must have competent people and, however flexible the system, we cannot have incompetent people who may have some relationship that makes them popular with the young people choosing them, but are not up to the job.

A wnaiff y Gweinidog dderbyn fy nghefnogaeth i’r ffaith bod cynghorwyr pobl ifanc yn hanfodol o fewn y rôl hon? Mae eu swydd yn hynod dechnegol ac mae angen hyfforddiant hyblyg arnynt ar unwaith os ydynt yn newydd a heb fod yn ymwybodol o’r holl gymhlethdodau. Rhaid inni gael pobl gymwys, pa mor hyblyg bynnag yw’r system, ni allwn gael pobl anghymwys a allai fod â rhyw berthynas sydd yn gwneud iddynt fod yn boblogaidd gyda’r bobl ifanc sydd yn eu dewis, ond nad ydynt yn gymwys i wneud y swydd.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 7

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

You are absolutely right, David. Seventy five per cent of looked-after children leave school with no qualifications, up to 50 per cent are unemployed and up to 20 per cent experience homelessness during the first two years after leaving care. It is therefore a critical time, when a personal adviser must have the right rapport with young people but can also enable them to access education, leisure and other life opportunities. With our support, local authorities are discussing how they develop guidance for appointing advisers for young people. We will use the experience of the voluntary sector and young people who have been in care in consulting on how to ensure the best quality for that entitlement.

Yr ydych yn hollol gywir, David. Mae 75 y cant o blant y gofelir amdanynt yn gadael yr ysgol heb unrhyw gymwysterau, hyd at 50 y cant yn ddi-waith a hyd at 20 y cant yn profi digartrefedd yn ystod y ddwy flynedd gyntaf wedi iddynt adael gofal. Felly mae’n amser holl bwysig, pan fo’n rhaid i gynghorydd personol gael y berthynas gywir â phobl ifanc ond hefyd allu eu galluogi i gael mynediad i addysg, hamdden a chyfleoedd bywyd eraill. Gyda’n cymorth ni, mae awdurdodau lleol yn trafod sut i ddatblygu canllawiau ar gyfer penodi cynghorwyr ar gyfer pobl ifanc. Byddwn yn defnyddio profiad y sector gwirfoddol a phobl ifanc sydd wedi bod mewn gofal wrth ymgynghori ar sut i sicrhau’r ansawdd gorau ar gyfer yr hawl honno.

Brechu Rhag y Ffliw

Flu Vaccination Treatment

Q4 William Graham spoken in English p. 8

C4 William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

Will Jane Hutt make a statement on the number of people who have been given flu vaccination treatment? (OAQ7514)

A wnaiff Jane Hutt ddatganiad ar faint o bobl sydd wedi cael eu brechu rhag y ffliw? (OAQ7514)

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 8

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

This is a topical issue that Kirsty raised earlier. The ‘Keep Well This Winter’ campaign, which I launched on 2 October, is successfully raising awareness of the need for those over 65 and members of groups that are at risk to be vaccinated against flu. It is too early to give uptake figures yet, William, but I plan to publish early results in mid November.

Mae hwn yn fater amserol a godwyd gan Kirsty yn gynharach. Mae’r ymgyrch ‘Cadwch yn Iach y Gaeaf Hwn’, a lansiwyd gennyf ar 2 Hydref, yn codi ymwybyddiaeth yn llwyddiannus o’r angen i’r rhai hynny dros 65 oed ac aelodau o grwpiau sydd mewn perygl gael eu brechu rhag y ffliw. Mae’n rhy gynnar i roi ffigurau o’r rhai sydd wedi eu brechu eto, William, ond bwriadaf gyhoeddi canlyniadau cynnar ganol Tachwedd.

William Graham spoken in English p. 8

William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

Could you also ensure that there are sufficient funds and that sufficient talks have taken place with social services to enable you to give an absolute guarantee that bed-blocking will not take place this winter?

A allwch chi hefyd sicrhau bod digon o arian a bod digon o sgyrsiau wedi eu cynnal gyda’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol i’ch galluogi i roi sicrwydd llwyr na chaiff gwelyâu eu blocio y gaeaf hwn?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 8

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

As I said earlier in response to David Davies’s question, the £40 million that I announced in May for the health authorities was aimed at tackling delayed discharge. I hope that the term ‘delayed discharge’ can be used in the Chamber. It involves the delayed discharge of vulnerable elderly people from hospital into the community. However, this also involves enabling people to stay at home rather than to have to go into hospital. Some of the most innovative schemes funded by the new money are aimed at keeping people in the community with a team of social workers, general practitioners and nurses to support them. There are also schemes to support people with chronic disease in the community, and to ensure that care and repair schemes are maintained. We must ensure that we work with the voluntary sector and local government to help keep people at home in the community rather than them having to go into hospital where they may have to stay even though that is inappropriate. It is right for William to mention this, as it is a key issue for preventing bed shortages this winter.

Fel y dywedais yn gynharach mewn ymateb i gwestiwn David Davies, anelwyd y £40 miliwn a ddatganwyd gennyf ym mis Mai ar gyfer yr awdurdodau iechyd tuag at ymdrin ag oedi cyn rhyddhau cleifion. Gobeithio y gellir defnyddio’r term ‘oedi cyn rhyddhau cleifion’ yn y Siambr. Mae’n cynnwys oedi cyn rhyddhau henoed diamddiffyn o ysbytai i mewn i’r gymuned. Fodd bynnag, mae hyn hefyd yn ymwneud â galluogi pobl i aros adref yn hytrach na gorfod mynd i’r ysbyty. Anelir rhai o’r cynlluniau mwyaf dyfeisgar a ariennir gan yr arian newydd at gadw pobl yn y gymuned gyda thîm o weithwyr cymdeithasol, meddygon teulu a nyrsys i roi cymorth iddynt. Hefyd ceir cynlluniau i roi cymorth i bobl ag afiechyd cronig yn y gymuned, ac i sicrhau y caiff cynlluniau gofal a thrwsio eu cynnal. Rhaid inni sicrhau ein bod yn gweithio gyda’r sector gwirfoddol a llywodraeth leol i gadw pobl adref yn y gymuned yn hytrach na bod yn rhaid iddynt fynd i’r ysbyty lle bydd rhaid iddynt aros o bosibl hyd yn oed os yw hynny’n amhriodol. Mae William yn iawn i grybwyll hyn, gan ei fod yn fater allweddol er mwyn osgoi prinder gwelyau y gaeaf hwn.

Janice Gregory spoken in English p. 9

Janice Gregory siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

On my way to the Assembly this morning, I heard a news item during which a spokesman for the NHS Confederation in Wales mentioned the great strides that have been made between the NHS and social services. Will you join me in congratulating the local authorities and the health services in making these great strides to ensure that there will be no winter crisis this year?

Ar fy ffordd i’r Cynulliad y bore yma, clywais eitem newyddion lle nododd llefarydd ar ran Cydffederasiwn yr NHS yng Nghymru y camau mawr a wnaethpwyd rhwng yr NHS a’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. A ymunwch â mi wrth longyfarch yr awdurdodau lleol a’r gwasanaethau iechyd wrth wneud y camau mawr hyn i sicrhau na fydd argyfwng y gaeaf hwn?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 9

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

The work of the emergency pressures taskforce has paid off. I set it up in January with local government, GPs, consultants, the voluntary sector and community health councils—all those who could plan for this winter—sitting around the table. Never before have we been so well planned for the winter in Wales. We know that there will be difficulties and pressures, as that spokesman said. However, there has been much planning. Last week, I had discussions during which social services and health service representatives from every part of Wales sat around the table. That demonstrates vital joint working.

Mae gwaith y tasglu pwysau brys wedi talu’i ffordd. Sefydlais y tasglu ym mis Ionawr gyda llywodraeth leol, meddygon teulu, ymgynghorwyr, y sector gwirfoddol a chynghorau iechyd cymunedol—pawb a allai gynllunio ar gyfer y gaeaf hwn—yn eistedd o amgylch y bwrdd. Nid ydym erioed wedi cynllunio cystal ar gyfer y gaeaf yng Nghymru o’r blaen. Gwyddom y bydd anawsterau a phwysau, fel y dywedodd y llefarydd hwnnw. Fodd bynnag, bu llawer o gynllunio. Yr wythnos diwethaf, cefais drafodaethau lle yr oedd y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol a chynrychiolwyr y gwasanaeth iechyd o bob rhan o Gymru yn eistedd o amgylch y bwrdd. Mae hynny yn arwydd o gydweithio hanfodol.

Ariannu Gofal Tymor Hir ar gyfer Pobl Hŷn

Funding Long-term Care of the Elderly

C5 Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 9

Q5 Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 9

A wnaiff Jane Hutt ddatganiad cryno ar ei chynlluniau i ariannu gofal tymor hir ar gyfer pobl hŷn yng Nghymru? (OAQ7522)

Will Jane Hutt make a brief statement on her plans for the funding of long-term care for older people in Wales? (OAQ7522)

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 9

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

In addition to the resources coming through NHS allocations and the local government revenue settlement, the draft budget proposals include £7.8 million in 2001-02, £58 million in 2002-03 and £62.4 million in 2003-04 to fund measures to improve the funding arrangements for the long-term care of the elderly in Wales. These changes include free nursing care from October 2001, measures to ease the pressure to sell houses to pay for care and measures to end distortions in the current funding arrangements by transferring resources from Department of Social Security benefits to local authorities. I am also developing statutory guidance to local authorities on charging for domiciliary care services.

Yn ogystal â’r adnoddau a ddaw o ddyraniadau’r NHS a setliad refeniw llywodraeth leol, mae cynigion y gyllideb ddrafft yn cynnwys £7.8 miliwn yn 2001-02, £58 miliwn yn 2002-03 a £62.4 miliwn yn 2003-04 i ariannu mesurau i wella’r trefniadau ariannu ar gyfer gofal tymor hir ar gyfer pobl hŷn yng Nghymru. Mae’r newidiadau hyn yn cynnwys gofal nyrsio am ddim o fis Hydref 2001, mesurau i leddfu’r pwysau i werthu tai i dalu am ofal a mesurau i ddiweddu amrywiaethau yn y trefniadau ariannu presennol drwy drosglwyddo adnoddau o fudd-daliadau’r Adran Nawdd Cymdeithasol i awdurdodau lleol. Yr wyf hefyd yn datblygu canllawiau statudol i awdurdodau lleol ar godi tâl am wasanaethau gofal yn y cartref.

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 10

Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 10

Efallai y dylwn ddatgan buddiant fel person sydd yn tynnu at oedran pensiwn. Fel y gŵyr y Gweinidog, mae ymateb y Llywodraeth i hyn yn wahanol i gasgliadau’r Comisiwn Brenhinol ar ofal tymor hir yr henoed. Mae hefyd yn wahanol i ymateb adroddiad lleiafrifol y Comisiwn. A yw Jane wedi ystyried y dylid cyfeirio’r mater pwysig hwn—sydd yn allweddol i bobl Cymru—i’r Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ar gyfer ymchwiliad sylweddol a manwl ynglŷn â’r ffordd orau ymlaen yng Nghymru?

Perhaps I should declare an interest as someone who is nearing pension age. As the Minister knows, the Government’s response to this differs from the conclusions of the Royal Commission on the long-term care of the elderly. It also differs from the response of the Commission’s minority report. Has Jane considered that this important matter—which is crucial to the people of Wales—should be referred to the Health and Social Services Committee for a substantial and detailed investigation into the best way forward in Wales?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 10

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

The Health and Social Services Committee discussed the Government’s response to the Royal Commission early in September. It is important to clarify that we are extending free nursing care to all care settings; that is, free care for those who previously had to fund that element. There have been concerns about the Royal Commission’s findings in relation to what this means for care. I have met all the organisations concerned and Age Alliance. We will develop a strategy for the care of elderly people in Wales. That will be a Welsh strategy, Cynog, and the Health and Social Services Committee will want to be engaged with it. A key aspect of it is how we define nursing care and assess people’s needs.

Trafododd y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ymateb y Llywodraeth i’r Comisiwn Brenhinol yn gynnar ym mis Medi. Mae’n bwysig egluro ein bod yn ymestyn gofal nyrsio am ddim i’r holl leoliadau gofal; hynny yw, gofal am ddim ar gyfer y rhai a oedd yn gorfod ariannu’r elfen honno yn flaenorol. Bu pryderon am ganfyddiadau’r Comisiwn Brenhinol mewn perthynas â beth mae hyn yn ei olygu ar gyfer gofal. Yr wyf wedi cwrdd â’r holl sefydliadau dan sylw ac Age Alliance. Byddwn yn datblygu strategaeth ar gyfer gofalu am bobl hŷn yng Nghymru. Strategaeth i Gymru fydd honno, Cynog, a bydd y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn dymuno bod ynghlwm â hi. Agwedd allweddol ohoni yw sut yr ydym yn diffinio gofal nyrsio ac yn asesu anghenion pobl.

There is flexibility in Wales for us to do something innovative. We must remember that free nursing care is for people who previously could afford to pay or were deemed to be able to do so. That is a major change because it enables people to stay in their homes for at least three months without having the pressure of having to sell their homes. While that assessment is taking place, I think that we can be innovative in Wales if we work together. I know that the Health and Social Services Committee will support me in discussing how we take the strategy forward.

Mae hyblygrwydd yng Nghymru inni wneud rhywbeth dyfeisgar. Rhaid inni gofio bod gofal nyrsio am ddim ar gyfer pobl a allai fforddio talu yn flaenorol neu yr ystyriwyd eu bod yn gallu gwneud hynny. Mae hynny’n newid mawr oherwydd mae’n galluogi pobl i aros yn eu cartrefi am dri mis o leiaf heb y pwysau o orfod gwerthu eu cartrefi. Tra bod yr asesiad hwnnw yn cael ei gynnal, credaf y gallwn fod yn ddyfeisgar yng Nghymru os cydweithiwn. Gwn y bydd y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn fy nghefnogi wrth drafod sut y datblygwn y strategaeth.

Cyffuriau i Drin Canser y Prostad

Drugs for Prostate Cancer Treatment

Q6 Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 11

C6 Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

Will Jane Hutt make a statement on the availability of drugs for prostate cancer treatment? (OAQ7512)

A wnaiff Jane Hutt ddatganiad ar argaeledd cyffuriau i drin canser y prostad? (OAQ7512)

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 11

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

There are some 10 drugs licensed in the United Kingdom for the treatment of prostate cancer. All are available for use, but whether they are prescribed is a matter for clinical judgment and subject to the priorities of the health authorities.

Mae tua 10 cyffur wedi’u trwyddedu yn y Deyrnas Unedig ar gyfer trin canser y prostad. Maent i gyd ar gael i’w defnyddio, ond mae pa un ai a gânt eu rhagnodi ai peidio yn fater o farn glinigol ac yn ddibynnol ar flaenoriaethau’r awdurdodau iechyd.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 11

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

Do you accept that a large number of men are unknowingly suffering from prostate cancer? Why is far less money spent on awareness campaigns for prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening compared to other cancer conditions? Are you aware that, in some cases where a 3-D radiation facility is available, it is not operating at capacity level due to the lack of funds, and what action will you take to rectify that?

A ydych yn derbyn bod nifer fawr o ddynion yn dioddef o ganser y prostad heb fod yn ymwybodol o hynny? Pam y caiff llawer llai o arian ei wario ar ymgyrchoedd ymwybyddiaeth ar gyfer canser y prostad a sgrinio canser y prostad o gymharu â mathau eraill o ganser? A ydych yn ymwybodol, mewn rhai achosion lle mae cyfleuster ymbelydredd 3-D ar gael, nad yw’n gweithredu i’r eithaf oherwydd diffyg arian, a sut y byddwch yn gweithredu i unioni hyn?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 11

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

Some of you may have attended an useful awareness-raising meeting last year about prostate cancer, organised by the Cancer Research Campaign. There was a rather unfortunate publicity campaign, ‘Crack the nut’, which was not appropriate at all. It is important, Alun, that you have drawn attention to this growing area of cancer in younger men as well as older men. I have also listened with great care to clinicians regarding screening for prostate cancer. It can be detected if men come forward even though they do not know that they are suffering from the disease. I see Brian Gibbons shaking his head in the back: I am not the medical expert here. You have raised an important issue, Alun, about screening for prostate cancer. There are awareness campaigns and we are working closely with cancer researchers on that issue.

Efallai y bydd rhai ohonoch wedi mynychu cyfarfod codi ymwybyddiaeth defnyddiol y llynedd am ganser y prostad, a drefnwyd gan yr Ymgyrch Ymchwil Canser. Cafwyd ymgyrch cyhoeddusrwydd braidd yn anffodus, ‘Crack the nut’, nad oedd yn briodol o gwbl. Mae’n bwysig, Alun, eich bod wedi tynnu sylw at y maes cynyddol hwn o ganser mewn dynion ifanc yn ogystal â dynion hŷn. Yr wyf hefyd wedi gwrando’n astud ar glinigwyr ynghylch sgrinio ar gyfer canser y prostad. Gellir ei ganfod os bydd dynion yn cyflwyno eu hunain hyd yn oed os na wyddant eu bod yn dioddef o’r afiechyd. Gwelaf Brian Gibbons yn ysgwyd ei ben yn y cefn: nid fi yw’r arbenigwr meddygol yma. Yr ydych wedi codi mater pwysig, Alun, ynghylch sgrinio ar gyfer canser y prostad. Mae ymgyrchoedd ymwybyddiaeth ac yr ydym yn cydweithio’n agos ag ymchwilwyr canser ar y mater hwnnw.

Lorraine Barrett spoken in English p. 12

Lorraine Barrett siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

Do you agree, Jane, that it is society that determines how we discuss these issues? It took many years before we could openly talk about breast cancer, but now it is commonplace. We need to address and discuss the issue of prostate cancer and testicular cancer in the open without any embarrassment.

A gytunwch, Jane, mai’r gymdeithas sydd yn pennu sut y trafodwn y materion hyn? Cymerodd sawl blwyddyn cyn inni allu siarad yn agored am ganser y fron, ond mae’n beth cyffredin bellach. Mae angen inni ymdrin â’r mater o ganser y prostad a chanser y ceilliau a’i drafod, yn agored heb unrhyw embaras.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 12

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

That is right, Lorraine. I am pleased that you have brought that to our attention. Men can get breast cancer. You may remember that Lord Gordon Parry told us about how he had breast cancer, and Sir Harry Secombe spoke of his experience of prostate cancer. We as an Assembly can raise awareness and we can talk freely in this Chamber about these issues. As Alun said, it is a matter of men being aware of their personal health and ensuring that they understand how they can detect signs of prostate cancer.

Mae hynny’n gywir, Lorraine. Yr wyf yn falch eich bod wedi tynnu ein sylw at hynny. Gall dynion ddioddef o ganser y fron. Efallai y cofiwch i’r Arglwydd Gordon Parry ddweud wrthym ei fod yn dioddef o ganser y fron, a siaradodd Syr Harry Secombe am ei brofiad o ganser y prostad. Fel Cynulliad gallwn godi ymwybyddiaeth a gallwn siarad yn rhydd yn y Siambr hon am y materion hyn. Fel y dywedodd Alun, mae’n fater o sicrhau bod dynion yn ymwybodol o’u hiechyd personol a’u bod yn deall sut y gallant ganfod arwyddion o ganser y prostad.

Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes

Questions to the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning

Addysgu Ieithoedd Tramor Modern

The Teaching of Modern Foreign Languages

Q1 Lynne Neagle spoken in English p. 12

C1 Lynne Neagle siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

How will the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning promote the teaching of modern foreign languages? (OAQ7433)

Sut y bydd y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes yn hyrwyddo addysgu ieithoedd tramor modern? (OAQ7433)

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning spoken in English p. 12

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

I will consider proposals to promote the teaching of modern foreign languages as part of a national languages strategy. A draft of the strategy and an Estyn report on this will be published shortly.

Byddaf yn ystyried cynigion i hybu addysgu ieithoedd tramor modern fel rhan o strategaeth ieithoedd genedlaethol. Cyhoeddir drafft o’r strategaeth ac adroddiad gan Estyn ar hyn yn fuan.

Lynne Neagle spoken in English p. 12

Lynne Neagle siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

Do you agree that there should be a continuous path for the teaching of modern foreign languages from early in the curriculum to adult education? If so, will you consider testing pilots or initiatives to assess the effectiveness of teaching modern foreign languages early in the curriculum in primary schools?

A gytunwch y dylid cael llwybr parhaus ar gyfer addysgu ieithoedd tramor modern o gyfnod cynnar yn y cwricwlwm i addysg i oedolion? Os felly, a fyddwch yn ystyried cynnal cynlluniau peilot neu fentrau i asesu effeithiolrwydd addysgu ieithoedd tramor modern yn gynnar yn y cwricwlwm mewn ysgolion cynradd?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 13

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

The First Minister and I will be speaking in conferences at the end of this year and the beginning of 2001 to outline proposals for a languages strategy to mark the start of the European Year of Languages on 1 January, 2001. The strategy will consider whether foreign language learning should be introduced into primary schools in the future.

Bydd Prif Weinidog Cymru a minnau yn siarad mewn cynadleddau ddiwedd eleni ac yn nechrau 2001 i amlinellu cynigion ar gyfer strategaeth ieithoedd i nodi dechrau Blwyddyn Ieithoedd Ewrop ar 1 Ionawr, 2001. Bydd y strategaeth yn ystyried pa un ai a ddylid cyflwyno dysgu ieithoedd tramor mewn ysgolion cynradd yn y dyfodol ai peidio.

Elin Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 13

Elin Jones spoken in Welsh p. 13

A yw’r Gweinidog yn cytuno bod y sylfaen ar gyfer sgiliau dwyieithog, sydd eisoes yn rhan o’n gwasanaeth addysg yng Nghymru, yn rhoi cyfle unigryw i ni i ddatblygu sgiliau aml-ieithog ar gyfer trydedd a phedwaredd iaith ac y dylem redeg cynllun marchnata penodol yn ein hysgolion ar fanteision aml-ieithrwydd yn Gymraeg, Saesneg ac mewn ieithoedd modern?

Does the Minister agree that the foundation for bilingual skills, which is already a part of our education service in Wales, gives us an unique opportunity to develop multilingualism for third and fourth languages and that we should run a specific marketing scheme in our schools on the advantages of multilingualism in Welsh, English and in modern languages?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 13

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

I agree with you and I noticed that those quotes were included in the South Wales Argus last week, when I talked about the enormous benefit of bilingualism and how it contributes towards the learning of modern languages. We must also consider the fact that 70 per cent of modern foreign language graduates find employment. Therefore, bilingualism offers a key opportunity for moving towards multilingualism. The Training and Education Department is currently looking at statistics that I am keen to see in order to discover whether there is differential performance in schools that teach through the medium of Welsh and those that teach through the medium of English.

Cytunaf â chi a sylwais bod y dyfyniadau hynny wedi’u cynnwys yn y South Wales Argus yr wythnos diwethaf, pan siaradais am fantais enfawr dwyieithrwydd a sut y cyfranna tuag at ddysgu ieithoedd modern. Rhaid inni ystyried hefyd y ffaith bod 70 y cant o raddedigion ieithoedd tramor modern yn canfod gwaith. Felly, mae dwyieithrwydd yn cynnig cyfle allweddol i symud tuag at amlieithrwydd. Mae’r Adran Hyfforddiant ac Addysg ar hyn o bryd yn edrych ar ystadegau yr wyf yn awyddus i’w gweld er mwyn canfod a oes gwahaniaeth ym mherfformiad ysgolion sydd yn addysgu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg a’r rhai hynny sydd yn addysgu drwy gyfrwyng y Saesneg.

Nick Bourne Arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 13

Nick Bourne The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives spoken in Welsh p. 13

Pa gamau yr ydych yn bwriadu eu cymryd i annog perthynas agosach rhwng ysgolion Cymru a’r rhai yng ngweddill Ewrop?

What steps do you intend to take to encourage a closer relationship between schools in Wales and those in the rest of Europe?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 13

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

There are many opportunities for the Assembly to develop relationships between schools in Wales and those in the rest of Europe. Perhaps that should be explored in the languages strategy. If Members have ideas that they would like to feed into the strategy, I would be pleased to hear them. Please contact me, and we will arrange for them to be included.

Mae sawl cyfle i’r Cynulliad ddatblygu cysylltiadau rhwng ysgolion yng Nghymru a’r rhai yng ngweddill Ewrop. Efallai y dylid ystyried hynny yn y strategaeth ieithoedd. Os oes gan Aelodau syniadau yr hoffent iddynt gael eu cynnwys yn y strategaeth, byddwn yn falch o’u clywed. Cysylltwch â mi, a threfnwn iddynt gael eu cynnwys.

Addysg Cyfrwng Cymraeg

Welsh-medium Education

C2 Owen John Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 14

Q2 Owen John Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 14

A wnaiff Jane Davidson ddatganiad ar y cynnydd a wnaethpwyd i ddarganfod y nifer o blant y mae eu rhieni am iddynt gael addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg, lle bo addysg blynyddoedd cynnar yn cael ei chyflwyno i bob plentyn tair a phedair oed? (OAQ7517)

Will Jane Davidson make a statement on the progress made in identifying the number of children whose parents wish them to be educated through the medium of Welsh, where early years education is provided to all three and four-year-olds? (OAQ7517)

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 14

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

In planning early education places for four-year-olds, early years partnerships have to give full consideration to parental demand for Welsh-medium provision. The audits of current provision and future needs of three-year-olds, which we intend to fund in 2001-02 in response to Margaret Hanney’s report on early education, will also take account of Welsh-medium provision.

Wrth gynllunio lleoedd addysg gynnar ar gyfer plant pedair oed, rhaid i bartneriaethau blynyddoedd cynnar roi ystyriaeth lawn i’r galw gan rieni am ddarpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg. Bydd yr archwiliadau o ddarpariaeth bresennol ac anghenion plant tair oed yn y dyfodol, y bwriadwn eu hariannu yn 2001-02 mewn ymateb i adroddiad Margaret Hanney ar addysg gynnar, hefyd yn ystyried darpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg.

Owen John Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 14

Owen John Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 14

Er mwyn cryfhau’r sail ar gyfer adeiladu’r Gymru ddwyieithog, sydd yn un o brif amcanion dogfen bolisi’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, ‘Gwellcymru.com’, a wnewch chi awdurdodi arolwg i ddarganfod faint o alw sydd am addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg cyn i’r cynllun newydd ar gyfer y blynyddoedd cynnar gael ei wireddu?

In order to strengthen the basis for building a bilingual Wales, which is one of the main objectives of the National Assembly’s policy document, ‘Betterwales.com’, will you authorise a survey to discover how much call there is for Welsh-medium education before the new early years plan is realised?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 14

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

As a result of the joint meeting of the Education Committees last week, we have committed ourselves to an audit. I am a great believer in using evidence as the basis on which to make decisions. Following the results of that audit, which was agreed by everybody in the Committee, we can decide how to take forward any further requirements. It is important to emphasise that guidance from the Welsh Office in 1997 required early years development plans to promote equality of access and opportunity for all children regardless of gender, attainment, ethnicity, special education needs, disability or competence in English and Welsh and must take account of the local authority’s Welsh language education scheme as well as give full consideration to parental demand for Welsh-medium provision.

O ganlyniad i gydgyfarfod y Pwyllgorau Addysg yr wythnos diwethaf, yr ydym wedi ymrwymo ein hunain i archwiliad. Yr wyf yn gredwr cryf mewn defnyddio tystiolaeth fel sail i wneud penderfyniadau arni. Yn dilyn canlyniadau’r archwiliad hwnnw, y cytunwyd arno gan bawb yn y Pwyllgor, gallwn benderfynu sut i ddatblygu unrhyw ofynion pellach. Mae’n bwysig pwysleisio bod canllawiau gan y Swyddfa Gymreig yn 1997 wedi gofyn i gynlluniau datblygu blynyddoedd cynnar hybu cydraddoldeb mynediad a chyfle i bob plentyn heb ystyried ei genedl, cyrhaeddiad, ethnigrwydd, anghenion addysgol arbennig, anabledd neu gymhwyster yn y Gymraeg a’r Saesneg a rhaid ystyried cynllun iaith Gymraeg yr awdurdod lleol yn ogystal â rhoi ystyriaeth lawn i alw gan rieni am ddarpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg.

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 14

Alun Cairns spoken in Welsh p. 14

A dderbyniwch mai’r blynyddoedd cynnar yw’r pwysicaf i annog defnydd o’r iaith Gymraeg? Pa gefnogaeth a roddwch i rieni nad ydynt yn siarad Cymraeg, i’w galluogi i annog eu plant ymhellach yn eu haddysg?

Do you accept that the early years are the most important to encourage use of the Welsh language? What support will you give to parents who do not speak Welsh, to enable them to encourage their children further in their education?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 15

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

One important point about our early years development plans is that they will be available in both English and Welsh. I am keen to encourage those parents who wish to educate their children through the medium of Welsh in early years to have that opportunity. I emphasise that we are not only looking at state maintained opportunities. I am also keen to work with organisations like Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin and to offer opportunities in the voluntary sector.

Un pwynt pwysig am ein cynlluniau datblygu blynyddoedd cynnar yw y byddant ar gael yn Gymraeg a Saesneg. Yr wyf yn awyddus i annog y rhieni hynny sydd yn dymuno addysgu eu plant drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg yn y blynyddoedd cynnar i gael y cyfle hwnnw. Pwysleisiaf nad dim ond ar gyfleoedd a gynhelir gan y wladwriaeth yr ydym yn edrych. Yr wyf hefyd yn awyddus i weithio gyda sefydliadau fel Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin a chynnig cyfleoedd yn y sector gwirfoddol.

Pobl o Gymunedau Du a Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig ar Gyrff Llywodraethu Ysgolion

People from Black and Ethnic Minorities on School Governing Bodies

Q3 Lorraine Barrett spoken in English p. 15

C3 Lorraine Barrett siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

Will Jane Davidson make a statement on the number of people from black and ethnic minority communities who serve on school governing bodies in Wales? (OAQ7424)

A wnaiff Jane Davidson ddatganiad ynghylch y nifer o bobl o gymunedau du a lleiafrifoedd ethnig sydd yn gwasanaethu ar gyrff llywodraethu ysgolion yng Nghymru? (OAQ7424)

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 15

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

Information on the ethnicity of school governors is not collected centrally at present. However, I want to ensure that ethnic minority communities are properly represented on school governing bodies. Assembly officials will be looking at ways of making governing bodies more representative of the communities they serve, in liaison with local education authorities and with Governors Wales.

Ni chesglir gwybodaeth ar ethnigrwydd llywodraethwyr ysgolion yn ganolog ar hyn o bryd. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf am sicrhau y caiff cymunedau lleiafrifoedd ethnig eu cynrychioli’n gywir ar gyrff llywodraethu ysgolion. Bydd swyddogion y Cynulliad yn edrych ar ffyrdd o wneud cyrff llywodraethu yn fwy cynrychioliadol o’r cymunedau a wasanaethant, mewn cydweithrediad ag awdurdodau addysg lleol a chyda Llywodraethwyr Cymru.

Lorraine Barrett spoken in English p. 15

Lorraine Barrett siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

Do you agree that we desperately need more role models of black and ethnic minority people as teachers and governors, so that some of the recent reports of variable attainment levels of pupils from certain black and ethnic minority communities will be a thing of the past? You have answered this to an extent, but what plans do you have for the future to increase the numbers of those role models both as teachers and school governors?

A gytunwch bod angen dirfawr am fwy o fodelau rôl o bobl o gymunedau du a lleiafrifoedd ethnig fel athrawon a llywodraethwyr arnom, fel bod rhai o’r adroddiadau diweddar ar lefelau cyrhaeddiad amrywiol gan ddisgyblion o gymunedau du a lleiafrifoedd ethnig penodol yn hen hanes? Yr ydych wedi ateb hyn i ryw raddau, ond pa gynlluniau sydd gennych ar gyfer y dyfodol i gynyddu niferoedd y modelau rôl hynny fel athrawon a llywodraethwyr ysgolion?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 15

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

You raise important points. It was good to see the Commission for Racial Equality’s role models’ day last year, when it began the task of emphasising the importance of this. We collect information by gender and language but not by disability or ethnicity. The Assembly should look at this issue again. Information on the ethnic background of pupils will be collected for the first time in the January 2001 school census. I would be willing to review the collection of information on governors in light of that experience and bearing in mind the need to minimise bureaucratic burdens on schools. We must also ensure that we have the right information to achieve our educational targets.

Yr ydych yn codi pwyntiau pwysig. Yr oedd yn dda gweld diwrnod modelau rôl y Comisiwn Cydraddoldeb Hiliol y llynedd, pan ddechreuodd ar y dasg o bwysleisio pwysigrwydd hyn. Casglwn wybodaeth yn ôl cenedl ac iaith ond nid yn ôl anabledd nac ethnigrwydd. Dylai’r Cynulliad edrych ar y mater hwn eto. Cesglir gwybodaeth ar gefndir ethnig disgyblion am y tro cyntaf yng nghyfrifiad ysgolion Ionawr 2001. Byddwn yn fodlon adolygu’r casgliad o wybodaeth ar lywodraethwyr yng ngoleuni’r profiad hwnnw ac o ystyried yr angen i leihau beichiau biwrocrataidd ysgolion. Rhaid inni sicrhau hefyd bod gennym yr wybodaeth gywir i gyflawni ein targedau addysgol.

I would be willing to meet with the Commission for Racial Equality and with representatives of ethnic minority groups to discuss how this issue can be progressed.

Byddwn yn fodlon cwrdd â’r Comisiwn Cydraddoldeb Hiliol a chynrychiolwyr o grwpiau lleiafrifoedd ethnig i drafod sut y gellir mynd â’r mater hwn yn ei flaen.

David Melding spoken in English p. 16

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

Do you agree that local authorities must address this issue through governor training and recruitment? It is imperative that we have appropriate data to monitor their performance.

A gytunwch fod rhaid i awdurdodau lleol ymdrin â’r mater hwn drwy hyfforddi a recriwtio llywodraethwyr? Mae’n hanfodol bod gennym ddata priodol i fonitro eu perfformiad.

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 16

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

I agree. I hope that in my time as Minister you will hear me talking often about working from a data evidence-base, when asking the Assembly to support decisions. One step we could take—I stress that we have not yet discussed this with local education authorities—is to ask the authorities to collect information on ethnicity and disability, which is not currently collected, as a one-off exercise from school governors via completion of a self-declaration return, and then to use that data base and update it when governors leave or are recruited. I would like to discuss this with the LEAs and I would be grateful for the Assembly’s support in doing that.

Cytunaf. Gobeithiaf yn ystod fy nghyfnod fel Gweinidog y byddwch yn fy nghlywed yn sôn yn aml am weithio o ddata sydd yn seiliedig ar dystiolaeth, wrth ofyn i’r Cynulliad gefnogi penderfyniadau. Un cam y gallem ei gymryd—pwysleisiaf nad ydym wedi trafod hyn ag awdurdodau addysg lleol eto—yw gofyn i’r awdurdodau gasglu gwybodaeth ar ethnigrwydd ac anabledd, na chesglir ar hyn o bryd, fel ymarfer unigol gan lywodraethwyr ysgolion drwy gwblhau ffurflen hunan-ddatganiad, ac yna defnyddio’r gronfa ddata honno a’i diweddaru pan fydd llywodraethwyr yn gadael neu’n cael eu recriwtio. Hoffwn drafod hyn gyda’r awdurdodau addysg lleol a byddwn yn ddiolchgar am gefnogaeth y Cynulliad i wneud hynny.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 16

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 16

Cyfeiriodd adroddiad diweddar gan y Swyddfa dros Safonau mewn Addysg at y ffaith fod y gagendor rhwng llwyddiannau a chynnydd addysgol disgyblion gwyn a rhai o gefndir Pacistanaidd ac Affro-Caribeaidd yn cynyddu. A oes problem gyffelyb yng Nghymru heddiw?

A recent Office for Standards in Education report referred to the fact that the gulf between the attainments and educational progress of white pupils and those of Pakistani and Afro-Caribbean backgrounds is growing. Is there a similar problem is Wales today?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 16

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

I cannot answer in terms of the problem in Wales today. I have asked for that information so that I can consider the Office for Standards in Education’s report, ‘Educational Inequality: Mapping Race, Class and Gender’. We have a deficit in our database because we have not collected information. The information will be available from 2001. We will then take account of the Ofsted views, which I am confident, sadly, will be reflected in Wales. We can consider this issue properly on the basis of the data and address the problems of the individuals concerned.

Ni allaf ateb yn nhermau’r broblem yng Nghymru heddiw. Yr wyf wedi gofyn am yr wybodaeth honno fel y gallaf ystyried adroddiad y Swyddfa dros Safonau mewn Addysg, Ofsted, ‘Educational Inequality: Mapping Race, Class and Gender’. Mae gennym ddiffyg yn ein cronfa ddata oherwydd nad ydym wedi casglu gwybodaeth. Bydd yr wybodaeth ar gael o 2001 ymlaen. Byddwn wedyn yn ystyried barn Ofsted yr wyf yn hyderus, yn anffodus, y caiff ei hadlewyrchu yng Nghymru. Gallwn ystyried y mater hwn yn gywir ar sail y data a rhoi sylw i broblemau’r unigolion dan sylw.

Tagfa o Waith Cynnal a Chadw Ysgolion

Backlog of Schools Maintenance Work

Q4 Mick Bates spoken in English p. 17

C4 Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

What plans does Jane Davidson have to tackle the current backlog of schools maintenance work? (OAQ7496)

Pa gynlluniau sydd gan Jane Davidson i fynd i’r afael â’r dagfa o waith sydd yn bodoli o safbwynt cynnal a chadw ysgolion? (OAQ7496)

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 17

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

In 2000-01 around £97 million is being made available for capital investment in schools, most of it to local authorities. The Assembly’s spending proposals contained in the draft budget published on 19 October provide a total of £293 million for schools capital over the period 2001-02 to 2003-04. With that level of resources it will be possible to make significant progress towards achieving the 2010 ‘Betterwales.com’ target that all schools should be in good physical shape.

Yn 2000-01 bydd tua £97 miliwn ar gael ar gyfer buddsoddiad cyfalaf mewn ysgolion, y rhan fwyaf ohono i awdurdodau lleol. Mae cynigion gwario’r Cynulliad a gafodd eu cynnwys yn y gyllideb ddrafft a gyhoeddwyd ar 19 Hydref yn darparu cyfanswm o £293 miliwn ar gyfer cyfalaf ysgolion dros y cyfnod 2001-02 i 2003-04. Gyda’r lefel honno o adnoddau bydd yn bosibl gwneud cynnydd sylweddol tuag at gyflawni targed 2010 ‘Gwellcymru.com’, sef y dylai pob ysgol fod mewn cyflwr ffisegol da.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 17

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

I am sure that the partnership agreement goes a long way in helping that process. However, what discussions have you had with local education authorities, governors and headteachers to ensure that the money reaches the schools that are most in need?

Yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd y cytundeb partneriaeth o gymorth mawr i’r broses honno. Fodd bynnag, pa drafodaethau a gawsoch gydag awdurdodau addysg lleol, llywodraethwyr a phenaethiaid i sicrhau bod yr arian yn cyrraedd yr ysgolion sydd ei angen fwyaf?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 17

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

Forgive me for saying this, but as I have only been in post a fortnight, I have not managed to have major discussions on this issue with those groups of people. However, I assure you that I will have discussions with them. One key issue under discussion will be the asset management plans that authorities are being asked to provide as one of the actions set out in ‘Betterwales.com’. Once those plans are available, the Assembly and local authorities will be in a better position to quantify the levels of investment needed. It concerns data. We must have an evidence base and we must work with our local authorities to prioritise.

Maddeuwch imi am ddweud hyn, ond gan mai dim ond ers pythefnos y bûm yn fy swydd, nid wyf wedi lwyddo i gael trafodaethau mawr ar y mater hwn gyda’r grwpiau hynny o bobl. Fodd bynnag, fe’ch sicrhaf y byddaf yn cael trafodaethau â hwy. Un mater allweddol a gaiff ei drafod fydd y cynlluniau rheoli asedau y gofynnir i’r awdurdodau eu darparu fel un o’r gweithrediadau a nodir yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’. Unwaith y bydd y cynlluniau hynny ar gael, bydd y Cynulliad ac awdurdodau lleol mewn sefyllfa well i feintoli’r lefelau o fuddsoddiad sydd eu hangen. Mae’n ymwneud â data. Rhaid inni gael sail dystiolaeth a rhaid inni weithio gyda’n hawdurdodau lleol i flaenoriaethu.

Some of the money will be allocated through a direct grant, and some of it will be allocated in the revenue support grant. I hope to work with local authorities to emphasise our priorities for spending money on school buildings. I assure you of that.

Dyrennir peth o’r arian drwy grant uniongyrchol, a dyrennir peth ohono yn y grant cymorth refeniw. Gobeithiaf weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i bwysleisio ein blaenoriaethau ar gyfer gwario arian ar adeiladau ysgolion. Fe’ch sicrhaf o hynny.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 18

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

Do you agree and accept that, during the three-and-a-half years in which Labour has been in government, the state of our schools has deteriorated, and that that is another example of how Labour has let the people of Wales down?

A gytunwch ac a dderbyniwch fod cyflwr ein hysgolion wedi dirywio yn ystod y tair blynedd a hanner y bu Llafur mewn grym, a bod hynny’n enghraifft arall o sut y mae Llafur wedi siomi pobl Cymru?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 18

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

Sadly, Glyn, I do not agree with you and I am sure that you would not have expected me to do so. In referring to periods during which buildings have deteriorated, I refer to the previous 18 years, when we saw massive deterioration in school buildings because the funding was removed from local authorities. Since Labour has been in power, it has provided additional capital funding for schools through the New Deal. It has provided further additional capital funding of £26.8 million for local authority schools, which Edwina Hart announced in April this year. It is increasing the annual capital allocation for education by £1.5 million to £44 million in 2000-01, and a further increase to £54.9 million is included in the Assembly’s draft budget proposal. There are also 10 school projects reported under the private finance initiative, with an overall value of nearly £140 million.

Yn anffodus, Glyn, ni chytunaf gyda chi ac yr wyf yn siŵr na fyddech wedi disgwyl imi wneud hynny. Wrth gyfeirio at gyfnodau pan fo adeiladau wedi dirywio, cyfeiriaf at y 18 mlynedd blaenorol, pan welwyd dirywiad anferth mewn adeiladau ysgolion oherwydd bod yr arian wedi’i dynnu oddi wrth awdurdodau lleol. Ers i Lafur fod mewn grym, mae wedi darparu arian cyfalaf ychwanegol ar gyfer ysgolion drwy’r Fargen Newydd. Mae wedi darparu arian cyfalaf ychwanegol o £26.8 miliwn ar gyfer ysgolion awdurdodau lleol, a ddatganwyd gan Edwina Hart yn Ebrill eleni. Mae’n cynyddu’r dyraniad cyfalaf blynyddol ar gyfer addysg gan £1.5 miliwn i £44 miliwn yn 2000-01, a chaiff cynnydd pellach i £54.9 miliwn ei gynnwys yng nghynnig cyllideb ddrafft y Cynulliad. Hefyd nodir 10 prosiect ysgol o dan y fenter cyllid preifat, sydd yn werth cyfanswm o bron i £140 miliwn.

Labour inherited a backlog of repairs from the previous administration, following years of underinvestment. It will take time to put that right. However, there are targets in ‘Betterwales.com’, and we have identified nearly £300 million over the next three years, which will go a long way towards addressing the key issues on the ground for school pupils in Wales.

Etifeddodd Llafur ôl-groniad o waith trwsio gan y weinyddiaeth flaenorol, yn dilyn blynyddoedd o danfuddsoddi. Cymer amser i unioni hynny. Fodd bynnag, mae targedau yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’, ac yr ydym wedi clustnodi bron i £300 miliwn dros y tair blynedd nesaf, a aiff ran helaeth o’r ffordd tuag at fynd i’r afael â’r materion allweddol ar lawr gwlad ar gyfer disgyblion ysgol yng Nghymru.

Ariannu Myfyrwyr (Ymchwiliad Annibynnol)

Student Funding (Independent Investigation)

C5 Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 19

Q5 Dafydd Wigley spoken in Welsh p. 19

A fydd yr ymchwiliad annibynnol i galedi ymhlith myfyrwyr a’r modd y cânt eu hariannu yng Nghymru, fel y’i cyhoeddwyd yn ‘Rhoi Cymru’n Gyntaf: Partneriaeth ar gyfer Pobl Cymru’, yn ychwanegol at yr adolygiad arfaethedig o addysg uwch? (OAQ7465)

Will the independent investigation into student hardship and funding in Wales, as announced in ‘Putting Wales First: A Partnership Agreement for the People of Wales’, be additional to the planned higher education review? (OAQ7465)

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 19

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

There is a commitment in the partnership document to conduct an independent investigation. I will ensure that that investigation is commissioned in such a way that it feeds into the prospective Education and Lifelong Learning Committee’s study of higher education policy in Wales. I will also work with the Chair to ensure that the study is taken forward as a matter of priority.

Mae ymrwymiad yn y ddogfen bartneriaeth i gynnal ymchwiliad annibynnol. Byddaf yn sicrhau y caiff yr ymchwiliad hwnnw ei gomisiynu fel y bydd yn bwydo i mewn i astudiaeth arfaethedig y Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes o bolisi addysg uwch yng Nghymru. Byddaf hefyd yn gweithio gyda’r Cadeirydd i sicrhau y symudir ymlaen â’r astudiaeth fel mater o flaenoriaeth.

Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 19

Dafydd Wigley spoken in Welsh p. 19

A yw’r Gweinidog yn ymwybodol bod Pwyllgor Addysg Cynulliad Gogledd Iwerddon wedi cymeradwyo y dylid diddymu ffïoedd dysgu, fel y gwnaeth Senedd yr Alban? A fydd yr ymchwiliad annibynnol i sefyllfa ariannol myfyrwyr Cymru yn adlewyrchu barn unfrydol y glymblaid y dylid ymestyn pwerau’r Cynulliad er mwyn diddymu ffïoedd dysgu, neu ai un rhan yn unig o’r glymblaid sydd yn credu hynny?

Is the Minister aware that the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Education Committee has approved the abolition of tuition fees, as has the Scottish Parliament? Will the independent investigation into the financial position of students in Wales reflect the coalition’s unanimous opinion that the Assembly’s powers should be extended to abolish tuition fees, or is it only one part of the coalition that believes that?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 19

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

I wish to say two things in response to your question. First, we clearly read the same edition of The Times Educational Supplement, which gave a detailed analysis of the work that has been carried out in Northern Ireland. I have asked for that information, particularly the terms of reference for that inquiry, so that we can consider how that can be translated to Wales. Secondly, I have asked for information about the action taken by the Scottish Executive following the Cubie report. That did not reflect all the recommendations in the Cubie report, but it had some lessons that we could consider in Wales.

Hoffwn ddweud dau beth mewn ymateb i’ch cwestiwn. Yn gyntaf, mae’n amlwg ein bod wedi darllen yr un rhifyn o The Times Educational Supplement, a roddodd ddadansoddiad manwl o’r gwaith a wnaethpwyd yng Ngogledd Iwerddon. Yr wyf wedi gofyn am yr wybodaeth honno, yn arbennig y cylch gorchwyl ar gyfer yr ymchwiliad hwnnw, fel y gallwn ystyried sut y gellir cymhwyso hynny i Gymru. Yn ail, yr wyf wedi gofyn am wybodaeth am y camau a gymerwyd gan Weithrediaeth yr Alban yn dilyn adroddiad Cubie. Nid oedd hynny’n adlewyrchu’r holl argymhellion yn adroddiad Cubie, ond yr oedd ganddo rai gwersi y gallem eu hystyried yng Nghymru.

Importantly, the higher education review was set up to identify a vision for higher education in Wales and how it should serve our needs to develop a long-term strategy for optimising the sector’s contribution. The study should take account of the national, European and wider international dimensions involved, together with the various teaching, research, cultural, vocational and economic missions within the sector. As you are aware, those proposals are currently out to consultation across Wales so that people may indicate their priorities for that discussion. My predecessor, Tom Middlehurst, wanted to see student financial support and its effect on the volume and pattern of recruitment as part of the objectives of the study. I will write to the Chair of the proposed Education Committee—whoever that may be—by 11 November, indicating that, as a result of the commitment in the partnership agreement, I will look for ways of having a whole study on hardship. That would feed into the higher education study and enable it to concentrate on all the issues around the strategic role for higher education in Wales over the next 10 years.

Yn bwysig, sefydlwyd yr adolygiad addysg uwch i nodi gweledigaeth ar gyfer addysg uwch yng Nghymru a sut y gallai wasanaethu ein hanghenion i ddatblygu strategaeth dymor hir ar gyfer gwneud y gorau o gyfraniad y sector. Dylai’r astudiaeth ystyried y dimensiynau cenedlaethol, Ewropeaidd a’r dimensiynau rhyngwladol ehangach cysylltiedig, yn ogystal â’r perwylion addysgu, ymchwil, diwylliannol, galwedigaethol ac economaidd amrywiol o fewn y sector. Fel yr ydych yn ymwybodol, ymgynghorir ar y cynigion hynny ar hyn o bryd ledled Cymru fel y gall pobl nodi eu blaenoriaethau ar gyfer y drafodaeth honno. Yr oedd fy rhagflaenydd, Tom Middlehurst, am weld cymorth ariannol i fyfyrwyr a’i effaith ar faint a phatrwm recriwtio fel rhan o amcanion yr astudiaeth. Ysgrifennaf at Gadeirydd y Pwyllgor Addysg arfaethedig—pwy bynnag y bo—erbyn 11 Tachwedd, gan nodi, o ganlyniad i’r ymrwymiad yn y cytundeb partneriaeth, y byddaf yn chwilio am ffyrdd o gael astudiaeth gyfan ar galedi. Byddai hynny’n bwydo i mewn i’r astudiaeth addysg uwch ac yn ei galluogi i ganolbwyntio ar yr holl faterion sydd yn ymwneud â’r rôl strategol ar gyfer addysg uwch yng Nghymru dros y 10 mlynedd nesaf.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 20

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

My question is straightforward. Students in Wales will want to know where the Minister stands—are you in favour of or against tuition fees?

Mae fy nghwestiwn yn syml. Bydd myfyrwyr yng Nghymru am gael gwybod beth yw safbwynt y Gweinidog—a ydych o blaid neu yn erbyn ffïoedd hyfforddi?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 20

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

I am a Minister required by this Government to carry out its responsibilities and commitments. It is not an issue of whether or not we should have tuition fees. Tuition fees exist and I will be considering an independent investigation into hardship. As I have spent most of my working life, when I have not been in the classroom or a youth worker, considering social policy issues, my commitment is to ensure that the widest number of young people, in particular, get access to the widest possible opportunities of higher education.

Yr wyf yn Weinidog y mae’r Llywodraeth hon yn mynnu fy mod yn ymgymryd â’i chyfrifoldebau a’i hymrwymiadau. Nid yw’n gwestiwn o pa un a ddylem gael ffïoedd hyfforddi ai peidio. Mae ffïoedd hyfforddi yn bodoli a byddaf yn ystyried cynnal ymchwiliad annibynnol i galedi. Gan fy mod wedi treulio’r rhan fwyaf o’m bywyd gwaith, pan nad oeddwn yn yr ystafell ddosbarth neu’n weithiwr ieuenctid, yn ystyried materion polisi cymdeithasol, yr wyf yn ymrwymedig i sicrhau bod y nifer ehangaf o bobl ifanc, yn arbennig, yn cael mynediad i’r cyfleoedd ehangaf posibl o addysg uwch.

Ymgynghoriad ar y Cod Newydd ar gyfer Anghenion Addysgol Arbennig

The Consultation on the New Code for Special Educational Needs

Q6 Lynne Neagle spoken in English p. 21

C6 Lynne Neagle siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

Will Jane Davidson make a statement on the consultation on the new code for special educational needs? (OAQ7434)

A wnaiff Jane Davidson ddatganiad ar yr ymgynghoriad ar y cod newydd ar gyfer anghenion addysgol arbennig? (OAQ7434)

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 21

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

Consultation on the draft revised special educational needs code of guidance commenced on 4 September with a deadline for responses of 3 November. The aim of the code is to make it more user-friendly for teachers, SEN specialists, parents and children with SEN, and to remove unnecessary bureaucracy.

Dechreuodd ymgynghoriad ar ddrafft o’r cod arweiniad anghenion addysgol arbennig diwygiedig ar 4 Medi gyda dyddiad cau ar gyfer ymatebion ar 3 Tachwedd. Bwriad y cod yw ei gwneud yn fwy hawdd ei drin ar gyfer athrawon, arbenigwyr AAA, rhieni a phlant ag AAA, a dileu biwrocratiaeth diangen.

Lynne Neagle spoken in English p. 21

Lynne Neagle siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

Do you share my concern that the proposal in the new code to remove the requirement for statements to specify the services that children should receive may lead to a diminishing of services for children with special educational needs?

A rannwch fy mhryder y gallai’r argymhelliad yn y cod newydd i ddileu’r gofyniad am ddatganiadau i nodi’r gwasanaethau y dylai plant eu derbyn arwain at ostyngiad yn y gwasanaethau ar gyfer plant ag anghenion addysgol arbennig.

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 21

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

We are still in the consultation period. I have already received representations regarding amending the SEN regulations so that local education authorities should set out rather than specify the special educational provision to be provided in SEN statements. The aim of the proposal is to increase flexibility of provision and to affect necessary and agreed changes in component parts of a child’s provision without necessarily having to rely on bureaucratic and time-consuming procedures to amend a statement. However, concerns have been expressed that it may result in uncertainty and weaken parents’ safeguards. We will need to consider these points in the round with all the other representations that we receive, and I guarantee that I will do so.

Yr ydym yn dal i fod yn y cyfnod ymgynghorol. Yr wyf eisoes wedi derbyn sylwadau yn ymwneud â diwygio’r rheoliadau AAA er mwyn i awdurdodau addysg lleol nodi yn hytrach na phennu’r ddarpariaeth addysg arbennig i’w darparu mewn datganiadau AAA. Nod y cynnig yw cynyddu hyblygrwydd y ddarpariaeth a gweithredu newidiadau angenrheidiol a chytûn mewn rhannau elfennol o ddarpariaeth plentyn heb, o anghenraid, orfod dibynnu ar weithrediadau biwrocrataidd a llafurus i ddiwygio datganiad. Fodd bynnag, mynegwyd pryderon y gallai arwain at ansicrwydd a gwanhau amddiffyniadau rhieni. Bydd angen inni ystyried y pwyntiau hyn gyda’r holl gynrychioliadau eraill a dderbyniwn, a gallaf warantu y byddaf yn gwneud hynny.

Jocelyn Davies spoken in English p. 21

Jocelyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

Do you agree that special needs provision has been seriously neglected, resulting in a large proportion of our adult population lacking in basic skills such as numeracy and literacy? Funding is key. By what date do you envisage that needs will be met without parents having to take legal action against LEAs?

A gytunwch fod darpariaeth addysg arbennig wedi’i esgeuluso’n ddifrifol, gan arwain at gyfran fawr o’n poblogaeth sydd yn oedolion heb ddigon o sgiliau sylfaenol megis rhifedd a llythrennedd? Mae ariannu yn allweddol. Erbyn pa ddyddiad y rhagwelwch y cyferfir ag anghenion heb i rieni orfod cymryd camau cyfreithiol yn erbyn awdurdodau addysg lleol?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 21

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

I agree about the importance of special needs education, which is why we are currently revising the SEN code of practice. I cannot give you a specific date, because it is also appropriate and proper that if parents are dissatisfied with the service that they receive that they have recourse to courts. What we want to see inside the Assembly is that we have sufficient commitment to ensuring that those pupils who have special needs are properly catered for, which will hopefully mean that we will not have such cases in Wales.

Cytunaf ar bwysigrwydd addysg anghenion arbennig, sef pam yr ydym ar hyn o bryd yn diwygio cod ymarfer AAA. Ni allaf roi dyddiad penodol ichi, oherwydd mae hefyd yn briodol a chywir os nad yw rhieni’n fodlon ar y gwasanaeth a dderbynnir y gallant droi at y llysoedd. Yr hyn yr ydym am ei weld yn y Cynulliad yw bod gennym ddigon o ymrwymiad i sicrhau y darperir yn gywir ar gyfer y disgyblion hynny ag anghenion arbennig, fydd yn golygu gobeithio na fydd gennym achosion o’r fath yng Nghymru.

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 22

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn in Denbigh is a school for those who have autistic spectrum disorders and caters for over 100 pupils. Will you support funding for this special school to make it a centre of excellence in north Wales and give an undertaking to visit it to see the conditions under which it presently operates?

Mae Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn yn Ninbych yn ysgol ar gyfer y rhai hynny â salwch sbectrwm awtistig a y mae’n darparu ar gyfer 100 o ddisgyblion. A wnewch chi gefnogi ariannu’r ysgol arbennig hon i’w gwneud yn ganolfan rhagoriaeth yng ngogledd Cymru a rhoi ymrwymiad i ymweld â hi i weld yr amodau y mae’n gweithredu oddi tanynt ar hyn o bryd?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 22

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

You are a day out of date—I was there yesterday. I visited the school to look at existing provision, and I commend the staff and the parents for the sterling work that is done there under difficult conditions. I met with parents, the governing body and the local education authority, and took officials from my department with me. I am quite confident that we can find a way forward. That is all that I can say at present because you will appreciate that there are many difficulties involved in finding funding routes. I was impressed with what I saw and I have asked the department to look as positively as possible at the way forward. I hope to bring some good news to the Assembly about this.

Yr ydych ddiwrnod ar ei hôl hi—yr oeddwn yno ddoe. Ymwelais â’r ysgol i edrych ar y ddarpariaeth bresennol, a chymeradwyaf y staff a’r rhieni am y gwaith rhagorol a wneir o dan amodau anodd. Cyfarfum â rhieni, y corff llywodraethu a’r awdurdod addysg lleol, a daeth swyddogion o’m hadran gyda mi. Yr wyf yn weddol hyderus y gallwn ganfod ffordd ymlaen. Dyna’r cyfan y gallaf ei ddweud ar hyn o bryd oherwydd byddwch yn gwerthfawrogi fod sawl anhawster yn gysylltiedig â chanfod llwybrau ariannu. Gwnaeth yr hyn a welais argraff arnaf ac yr wyf wedi gofyn i’r adran edrych mor gadarnhaol â phosibl ar y ffordd ymlaen. Gobeithiaf ddod â newyddion da i’r Cynulliad ynghylch hyn.

Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Cynlluniau Effeithlonrwydd Ynni Cartref (Cymru) 2000

Approval of the Home Energy Regulations Efficiency Schemes (Wales) 2000

Peter Black The Deputy Minister for Local Government spoken in English p. 22

Peter Black Y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Lywodraeth Leol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Peter Black The Deputy Minister for Local Government (continued) spoken in English p. 23

Peter Black Y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Lywodraeth Leol (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 23

I also propose that

Cynigiaf hefyd fod

Peter Black The Deputy Minister for Local Government (continued) spoken in English p. 23

Peter Black Y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Lywodraeth Leol (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 23

In moving the regulation, I pay tribute to the work that Peter Law did on this issue. He did much to highlight the problems of fuel poverty in Wales. Fuel poverty is an important social inclusion issue. There are far too many people in Wales—250,000 households approximately, containing almost 500,000 people—who have inadequate heating and insulation in their homes. These people are often the worst off in society: the elderly, the sick, the disabled and benefit-dependent families. They often have to make a decision between heating their homes and other basic necessities of life. Fuel poverty is now an important issue within the social inclusion agenda in Wales, and nationally, in the United Kingdom.

Wrth gynnig y rheoliad, talaf deyrnged i’r gwaith a wnaeth Peter Law ar y mater hwn. Gwnaeth lawer i amlygu problemau tlodi tanwydd yng Nghymru. Mae tlodi tanwydd yn fater cynhwysiant cymdeithasol pwysig. Mae llawer gormod o bobl yng Nghymru—250,000 o gartrefi ar gyfartaledd, yn cynnwys bron i 500,000 o bobl—sydd heb ddigon o wres ac inswleiddiad yn eu cartrefi. Y bobl hyn yn aml yw’r gwaethaf eu byd mewn cymdeithas: yr oedrannus, yr anhwylus, yr anabl a theuluoedd sydd yn ddibynnol ar fudd-daliadau. Rhaid iddynt yn aml wneud penderfyniad rhwng gwresogi eu cartrefi a’r pethau angenrheidiol eraill mewn bywyd. Mae tlodi tanwydd bellach yn fater pwysig o fewn agenda cynhwysiant cymdeithasol yng Nghymru, ac yn genedlaethol, yn y Deyrnas Unedig.

The new home energy efficiency scheme is just one strand to the partnership government’s policies for the eradication of fuel poverty in Wales and across the UK. The Better Wales agenda provides us with a target of providing 30,000 fuel poor households with assistance under this new scheme by March 2003. In the light of Edwina’s recent budget announcement, we will look to increase this figure in line with proposals to increase future years funding for the scheme. The emphasis that we place on fuel poverty is mirrored elsewhere in the United Kingdom. The Scottish Executive, for example, recently announced a significant programme to install free central heating in the homes of all pensioners and social tenants across Scotland over the next five years. The Assembly is represented on the inter-departmental group on fuel poverty. This important group of ministers, which consists of representatives from across Government and the devolved administrations, aims to co-ordinate policy for the eradication of fuel poverty nationally, and will publish a comprehensive strategy to this end shortly.

Dim ond un haen o bolisïau partneriaeth y llywodraeth yw’r cynllun effeithlonrwydd ynni cartref ar gyfer dileu tlodi tanwydd yng Nghymru a ledled y DU. Mae agenda Gwell Cymru yn darparu targed ar ein cyfer o ddarparu cymorth ar gyfer 30,000 o gartrefi sydd yn brin o danwydd o dan y cynllun newydd hwn erbyn Mawrth 2003. Yng ngoleuni cyhoeddiad cyllideb diweddar Edwina, ceisiwn gynyddu’r ffigur hwn yn unol â chynigion i gynyddu cyllid ar gyfer y cynllun yn y blynyddoedd i ddod. Adlewyrchir y pwyslais a roddwn ar dlodi tanwydd mewn mannau eraill yn y Deyrnas Unedig. Yn ddiweddar cyhoeddodd Gweithrediaeth yr Alban, er enghraifft, raglen sylweddol i osod gwres canolog am ddim yng nghartrefi’r holl bensiynwyr a thenantiaid cymdeithasol ledled Yr Alban yn ystod y pum mlynedd nesaf. Cynrychiolir y Cynulliad yn y grŵp rhyng-adrannol tlodi tanwydd. Nod y grŵp pwysig hwn o weinidogion, sydd yn cynnwys cynrychiolwyr o bob rhan o’r Llywodraeth a’r gweinyddiaethau datganoledig, yw cydlynu polisi ar gyfer dileu tlodi tanwydd yn genedlaethol, a bydd yn cyhoeddi strategaeth gynhwysfawr i’r perwyl hwn yn fuan.

The Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill is currently working its way through Parliament. When it becomes law, it will place an obligation on Government and on the Assembly to produce a strategy with targets for the eradication of fuel poverty within 15 years of commencement. This Bill is into its third reading and has cross-party support.

Mae’r Mesur Cartrefi Cynnes a Chadwraeth Ynni ar ei daith drwy’r Senedd ar hyn o bryd. Pan ddaw yn gyfraith, rhydd gyfrifoldeb ar y Llywodraeth a’r Cynulliad i gyflwyno strategaeth â thargedau ar gyfer dileu tlodi tanwydd o fewn 15 mlynedd i’w dechrau. Mae’r Mesur hwn ar ei drydydd darlleniad ac mae ganddo gefnogaeth draws-bleidiol.

The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 places a commitment on local authorities to put in place 10-year strategies aimed at achieving a 30 per cent improvement in the energy efficiency of residential property in their areas by 2007. Early in the new year we will be presenting the first all-Wales report on our findings to the Assembly. Complementing our proposals for the new home energy efficiency scheme, we are offering a similar range of measures through the new energy efficiency standards of performance. These commitments place an obligation on the domestic energy suppliers to promote domestic energy efficiency measures. In Wales, that will mean an investment of £5.7 million by the public utilities between now and March 2002. Our policies’ main thrust is centred on the new home energy efficiency scheme. That builds on the success of an earlier UK-wide scheme, introduced in 1991, to provide practical energy efficiency measures in the homes of the most needy. That scheme was an enormous success, providing benefits in over 3 million homes and saving each an average of £45 a year in fuel bills.

Mae Deddf Cadwraeth Ynni Cartref 1995 yn ymrwymo awdurdodau lleol i sefydlu strategaethau 10 mlynedd gyda’r nod o gyflawni gwelliant o 30 y cant mewn effeithlonrwydd ynni eiddo preswyl yn eu hardaloedd erbyn 2007. Yn gynnar yn y flwyddyn newydd cyflwynwn adroddiad cyntaf Cymru gyfan ar ein canfyddiadau i’r Cynulliad. Gan ategu ein cynigion ar gyfer y cynllun effeithlonrwydd ynni cartref newydd, cynigiwn ystod tebyg o fesurau drwy’r safonau perfformiad effeithlonrwydd ynni newydd. Mae’r ymrwymiadau hyn yn rhoi cyfrifoldeb ar gyflenwyr ynni domestig i hyrwyddo mesurau effeithlonrwydd ynni domestig. Yng Nghymru, golyga hynny fuddsoddiad o £5.7 miliwn gan y cyfleustodau cyhoeddus o hyn hyd Mawrth 2002. Canolir prif bwyslais ein polisïau ar y cynllun effeithlonrwydd ynni cartref newydd. Mae hynny’n adeiladu ar lwyddiant cynllun cynharach ledled y DU, a gyflwynwyd yn 1991, i ddarparu mesurau effeithlonrwydd ynni ymarferol yng nghartrefi’r rhai mwyaf anghenus. Yr oedd y cynllun hwnnw yn llwyddiant ysgubol, gan ddarparu manteision mewn dros 3 miliwn o gartrefi ac arbed £45 y flwyddyn ar gyfartaledd i bob cartref mewn biliau tanwydd.

The new home energy efficiency scheme builds on the successes of that earlier scheme and provides a range of practical measures that are more appropriate to our own, regional needs. It has been eagerly awaited and officials will host seminars next week in north and south Wales to promote the scheme.

Mae’r cynllun effeithlonrwydd ynni cartref newydd yn adeiladu ar lwyddiannau’r cynllun cynharach hwnnw ac yn darparu ystod o fesurau ymarferol sydd yn fwy priodol i’n hanghenion rhanbarthol ein hunain. Bu aros mawr amdano a bydd swyddogion yn cynnal seminarau yr wythnos nesaf yng ngogledd a de Cymru i hyrwyddo’r cynllun.

Pauline Jarman spoken in English p. 25

Pauline Jarman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 25

What provisions are there in these regulations to protect the consumer from rogue installers?

Pa ddarpariaethau sydd yn y rheoliadau hyn i ddiogelu’r defnyddiwr rhag gosodwyr twyllodrus?

Peter Black spoken in English p. 25

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 25

As you know, the scheme is based on approved suppliers. We will ensure, in financing it, that suppliers are properly approved and provide a proper service.

Fel y gwyddoch, mae’r cynllun yn seiliedig ar gyflenwyr cymeradwy. Sicrhewn, wrth ei ariannu, y bydd cyflenwyr wedi’u cymeradwyo’n gywir ac yn darparu gwasanaeth priodol.

The seminars will be attended by over 160 representatives from the voluntary, public and private sectors. That shows the level of interest in the scheme. It offers a comprehensive range of energy efficiency activities and measures and, for pensioners, combines those with security measures. It will target owner-occupied and privately-rented households and increase the grant for the basic scheme to £700. It will offer help with gas or electric central heating to a grant maximum of £2,000 and security measures for the elderly. The scheme will run, initially, until March 2002, with a budget of over £13 million.

Bydd dros 160 o gynrychiolwyr yn mynychu’r seminarau o’r sectorau gwirfoddol, cyhoeddus a phreifat. Dengys hynny lefel y diddordeb yn y cynllun. Cynigia ystod cynhwysfawr o weithgareddau a mesurau effeithlonrwydd ynni ac, ar gyfer pensiynwyr, cyfuna’r rheini â mesurau diogelwch. Bydd yn targedu cartrefi perchenogion-ddeiliaid a chartrefi a gaiff eu rhentu’n breifat ac yn cynyddu’r grant am y cynllun sylfaenol i £700. Bydd yn cynnig help gyda gwres canolog nwy neu drydan i uchafswm grant o £2,000 a mesurau diogelwch ar gyfer yr oedrannus. Bydd y cynllun yn rhedeg, i ddechrau, hyd Mawrth 2002, gyda chyllideb o dros £13 miliwn.

This new scheme not only provides us with an opportunity to modernise the Welsh housing stock and tackle fuel poverty, it cuts across many of the Assembly’s policies. It contributes to our sustainable development policy by reducing energy consumption. It will, through improved heating and insulation, reduce the impact of the cold-related ill-health burden on the national health service. It contributes to crime prevention through its security measures, and, through links to the New Deal, will help train and employ young people. In all, this scheme, together with our other energy efficiency and fuel poverty initiatives, offers a real opportunity to make an impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged.

Mae’r cynllun newydd hwn nid yn unig yn cynnig cyfle inni foderneiddio stoc tai Cymru ac i fynd i’r afael â thlodi tanwydd, ond mae’n torri ar draws llawer o bolisïau’r Cynulliad. Cyfranna at ein polisi datblygiad cynaliadwy drwy ostwng y defnydd o ynni. Drwy wresogi ac inswleiddio gwell, bydd yn lleihau effaith pwysau salwch sydd yn gysylltiedig ag oerfel ar y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol. Cyfranna tuag at atal troseddu drwy ei fesurau diogelwch, a, thrwy ei gysylltiadau â’r Fargen Newydd, bydd yn helpu i hyfforddi a chyflogi pobl ifanc. At ei gilydd, mae’r cynllun hwn, ynghyd â’n mentrau eraill o ran effeithlonrwydd ynni a thlodi tanwydd, yn cynnig cyfle gwirioneddol i gael effaith ar fywydau’r rhai mwyaf difreintiedig.

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 26

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

This measure should be welcomed, especially as it extends the categories of those eligible for help to those living in private or privately-rented homes. Previously those people found it difficult to access these grants. Other aspects of the scheme also need to be welcomed, such as home security and enabling the elderly to implement measures to help them feel safe in their own homes.

Dylid croesawu’r mesur hwn, yn enwedig am ei fod yn ymestyn categorïau’r rheini sydd yn gymwys i gael help i’r rheini sydd yn byw mewn cartrefi preifat neu gartrefi a rentir yn breifat. Cyn hynny câi’r bobl hynny drafferth i gael mynediad i’r grantiau hyn. Mae angen croesawu agweddau eraill ar y cynllun hefyd, megis diogelu cartrefi a galluogi’r oedrannus i weithredu mesurau i’w helpu i deimlo’n ddiogel yn eu cartrefi eu hunain.

I was interested in Peter’s comments about offering free central heating to the elderly and pensioners. I know that he said that that was to happen in Scotland, but he seemed to imply that the Assembly Cabinet is thinking of introducing that measure. I would like to hear more about how, or, indeed, whether he intends to introduce free central heating for all pensioners in Wales. That would be a big improvement. Given the recent report published on global warming, other aspects of this scheme, which help people to install insulation and prevent heat loss from their homes, are also important. Such measures not only help people to keep warm, but help prevent global warming. We must consider that issue in the future.

Yr oedd gennyf ddiddordeb yn sylwadau Peter ynghylch cynnig gwres canolog i bobl hŷn ac i bensiynwyr. Gwn iddo ddweud bod hynny i ddigwydd yn yr Alban, ond ymddengys ei fod yn awgrymu bod Cabinet y Cynulliad yn ystyried cyflwyno’r mesur hwnnw. Hoffwn glywed rhagor ynghylch sut neu, yn wir, a yw’n bwriadu cyflwyno gwres canolog am ddim i holl bensiynwyr Cymru. Byddai hynny yn welliant mawr. O gofio’r adroddiad diweddar a gyhoeddwyd ar gynhesu byd-eang, mae agweddau eraill ar y cynllun hwn, sydd yn helpu pobl i osod inswleiddiad ac atal gwres rhag cael ei golli o’u cartrefi, yn bwysig hefyd. Mae mesurau o’r fath nid yn unig yn helpu i gadw pobl yn gynnes, ond hefyd yn helpu i atal cynhesu byd-eang. Rhaid inni ystyried y mater hwnnw yn y dyfodol.

There have been reports, however, about people living in Wales who have been looking at the scheme in England and trying to access the advertised helpline. They have been told that they cannot do anything until we have adopted this measure. Once we have done so, how will the scheme be advertised in Wales? How do you intend to encourage take up of the scheme? That is important. It has also been acknowledged that there is a lack of up-to-date data to inform the development and measure the success of this scheme. That is worrying. Can you tell me at what stage is the housing research and information needs analysis? That would presumably provide much of that background information. You talked about the Westminster governmental ministerial group on fuel poverty, and we look forward to the results of that group’s meeting.

Cafwyd adroddiadau, fodd bynnag, am bobl sydd yn byw yng Nghymru sydd wedi bod yn edrych ar y cynllun yn Lloegr ac yn ceisio cael mynediad i’r llinell gymorth a hysbysebwyd. Dywedwyd wrthynt na allant wneud dim hyd nes y mabwysiadwn y mesur hwn. Unwaith y byddwn wedi gwneud hynny, sut yr hysbysebir y cynllun yng Nghymru? Sut y bwriadwch annog pobl i ymgymryd â’r cynllun? Mae hynny’n bwysig. Cydnabuwyd hefyd fod prinder data cyfredol i roi gwybod am ddatblygiad y cynllun hwn a mesur ei lwyddiant. Mae hynny yn peri gofid. A allwch ddweud wrthyf ar ba gam y mae’r dadansoddiad o anghenion ymchwil a gwybodaeth am dai? Byddai hynny yn ôl pob tebyg yn darparu llawer o’r wybodaeth gefndir honno. Soniasoch am grŵp gweinidogol y Llywodraeth yn San Steffan ar dlodi tanwydd, ac edrychwn ymlaen at ganlyniadau cyfarfod y grŵp hwnnw.

I also note that the previous Secretary, Peter Law, stated that he intended to conduct an appraisal of the scheme’s first year. Will Peter Black confirm that it is still the Cabinet’s intention to do so, and will he agree to bring those results to Committee or to Plenary to be fully debated and to see where the scheme can go after two years? The funding is only available for two years.

Nodaf hefyd fod y cyn Ysgrifennydd, Peter Law, wedi datgan ei fod yn bwriadu cynnal gwerthusiad o flwyddyn gyntaf y cynllun. A wnaiff Peter Black gadarnhau bod y Cabinet yn bwriadu gwneud hynny o hyd, ac a wnaiff gytuno i ddod â’r canlyniadau hynny i’r Pwyllgor neu’r Cyfarfod Llawn i gael eu trafod yn llawn ac i weld i ble y gall y cynllun fynd ar ôl dwy flynedd? Dim ond am ddwy flynedd y mae’r arian ar gael.

David Davies spoken in English p. 27

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

We will support the home energy efficiency scheme, as you would expect, since it is a continuation of the policies of the previous Conservative Government. The only question I have concerns the expenditure on administration. Although we will support this today, we are concerned that more money is now being spent on administration than was the case previously. We hear anecdotal reports that more money is being spent on officials driving round the countryside looking for jobs rather than on products to be installed in homes. We are slightly concerned about that; we hope that it is being monitored. We also regret the fact that money will not be available for people under 60 to install security measures in high-risk areas. We believe that that measure should apply to all. Apart from these points, we give this scheme a warm response.

Cefnogwn y cynllun effeithlonrwydd ynni cartref, fel y byddech yn ei ddisgwyl, gan ei fod yn barhad o bolisïau’r Llywodraeth Geidwadol flaenorol. Mae’r unig gwestiwn sydd gennyf yn ymwneud â’r gwariant ar weinyddiaeth. Er y cefnogwn hyn heddiw, yr ydym yn bryderus fod rhagor o arian yn cael ei wario bellach ar weinyddu nag o’r blaen. Clywn adroddiadau anecdotaidd fod mwy o arian yn cael ei wario ar swyddogion yn gyrru o amgylch cefn gwlad yn edrych am swyddi yn hytrach nag ar gynnyrch i’w gosod mewn cartrefi. Yr ydym braidd yn bryderus ynghylch hynny; gobeithiwn ei fod yn cael ei fonitro. Yr ydym hefyd yn gresynu at y ffaith na fydd arian ar gael i bobl o dan 60 ar gyfer gosod mesurau diogelwch mewn ardaloedd o risg uchel. Credwn y dylai’r mesur fod yn berthnasol i bawb. Ar wahân i’r pwyntiau hyn, croesawn y cynllun hwn yn gynnes.

Peter Black The Deputy Minister for Local Government spoken in English p. 27

Peter Black Y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Lywodraeth Leol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

I thank Members for their valuable contributions to this debate. Many useful points have been made. I think that we all recognise the importance of the scheme and the benefits it can provide for some of the most needy members of our society.

Diolchaf i’r Aelodau am eu cyfraniadau gwerthfawr i’r ddadl hon. Gwnaethpwyd llawer o bwyntiau defnyddiol. Credaf ein bod i gyd yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd y cynllun a’r manteision y gall ei gynnig i rai o aelodau mwyaf anghenus ein cymdeithas.

To recap slightly, I see the home energy efficiency scheme as the flagship initiative for the Assembly’s policies for tackling fuel poverty in Wales. The scheme will be open to 250,000 households—over 40,000 of which we estimate have no central heating at all—and affect around 500,000 people. Over 16 per cent of the Welsh population will be eligible for the scheme now, encompasing the most vulnerable members of society. This scheme builds on the successes of an earlier UK-wide initiative, but it is radically changed and provides Welsh solutions to Welsh problems. It increases the range of people eligible for the scheme and makes available a wider range of energy efficiency and crime-reduction measures and activities. The scheme will make people’s homes warmer, healthier and safer places, providing homes that are more energy efficient, saving the poorest members of society money and—

I atgrynhoi ychydig, gwelaf y cynllun effeithlonrwydd ynni cartref fel y brif fenter ar gyfer polisïau’r Cynulliad i fynd i’r afael â thlodi tanwydd yng Nghymru. Bydd y cynllun yn agored i 250,000 o gartrefi—dros 40,000 ohonynt yr amcangyfrifwn sydd heb wres canolog o gwbl—ac yn effeithio ar tua 500,000 o bobl. Bydd dros 16 y cant o boblogaeth Cymru yn gymwys ar gyfer y cynllun yn awr, gan gwmpasu aelodau mwyaf diamddiffyn cymdeithas. Mae’r cynllun hwn yn adeiladu ar lwyddiannau menter gynharach ledled y DU, ond mae wedi’i newid yn sylfaenol a darpara atebion Cymreig i broblemau Cymreig. Cynydda ystod y bobl sydd yn gymwys ar gyfer y cynllun gan gynnig ystod ehangach o effeithlonrwydd ynni a mesurau a gweithgareddau sydd yn gostwng troseddau. Gwnaiff y cynllun gartrefi pobl yn lleoedd cynhesach, iachach a mwy diogel, gan ddarparu tai sydd yn fwy effeithlon o ran ynni, yn arbed arian i aelodau tlotaf cymdeithas ac—

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 28

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

I realise that Peter is reading a pre-written speech, but will he answer the questions that were asked of him?

Sylweddolaf fod Peter yn darllen araith a ysgrifennwyd ymlaen llaw, ond a wnaiff ateb y cwestiynau a ofynnwyd iddo?

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 28

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

Order. In fairness to the Deputy Minister, he is not the only one who reads pre-written speeches in this Chamber. Indeed, I have noticed some Members reading prewritten supplementary questions, and occasionally producing scripts for prepared interventions. All of these practices I regard as being inimical to good debate and contrary to our Standing Orders and our protocol of good practice in the Chamber.

Trefn. Er tegwch i’r Dirprwy Weinidog, nid ef yw’r unig un sydd yn darllen areithiau a ysgrifennwyd ymlaen llaw yn y Siambr hon. Yn wir, sylwais ar rai Aelodau yn darllen cwestiynau atodol a ysgrifennwyd ymlaen llawn, ac weithiau yn cyflwyno sgriptiau ar gyfer ymyriadau a baratowyd. Ystyriaf yr holl arferion hyn yn andwyol i ddadlau da ac yn groes i’n Rheolau Sefydlog a’n protocol o arfer da yn y Siambr.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 28

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

If Janet will be patient, I will answer her points shortly. If I can just say one more sentence, the scheme, over the forthcoming years, will pump millions of pounds into the Welsh economy, benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises and businesses, and providing training and job opportunities for young and socially-excluded people in Wales.

Os bydd Janet yn amyneddgar, atebaf ei phwyntiau cyn bo hir. Os caf ddweud dim ond un frawddeg arall, bydd y cynllun, dros y blynyddoedd i ddod, yn pwmpio miliynau o bunnoedd i’r economi Gymreig, gan ddod â manteision i fentrau a busnesau bach a chanolig eu maint, ac yn darparu hyfforddiant a chyfleoedd swyddi i bobl ifanc a phobl a allgaewyd yn gymdeithasol yng Nghymru.

Janet asked about free central heating for the fuel poor. As she knows, in the private sector, central heating will be available on a seven-year leasing scheme, with a small payment at the end of that scheme. The helpline, to which Janet also referred, will be active once the regulations are in place. The scheme will be actively and extensively marketed. That will start tonight with the first meeting that is taking place in north Wales—

Holodd Janet ynglŷn â gwres canolog am ddim i’r tlawd o danwydd. Fel y gŵyr, yn y sector preifat, bydd gwres canolog ar gael ar gynllun prydles saith mlynedd, gyda thaliad bach ar ddiwedd y cynllun hwnnw. Bydd y llinell gymorth, y cyfeiriodd Janet ati hefyd, yn weithredol unwaith y bydd y rheoliadau yn eu lle. Caiff y cynllun ei farchnata yn weithredol ac yn eang. Bydd hynny yn dechrau heno gyda’r cyfarfod cyntaf a gynhelir yng ngogledd Cymru—

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 28

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

As I understand it, the agency that will be involved in this is based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. When can we expect an office of that agency to be opened here in south Wales? [ASSEMBLY MEMBER: ‘Why south Wales?’]

Fel y deallaf, mae’r asiantaeth sydd yn ymwneud â hyn wedi’i lleoli yn Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Pryd y gallwn ddisgwyl i un o swyddfeydd yr asiantaeth honno agor yma yn ne Cymru? [AELOD O’R CYNULLIAD: ‘Pam de Cymru?’]

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 29

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

Or north Wales.

Neu ogledd Cymru.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 29

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

I do not have that information to hand, but I will contact Brian and give him that information.

Nid yw’r wybodaeth honno wrth law gennyf, ond cysylltaf â Brian a rhoi’r wybodaeth honno iddo.

Alison Halford spoken in English p. 29

Alison Halford siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

I congratulate Peter Black for reading so well from his prepared script, but more importantly, will you join me, Peter, in congratulating my colleague, Brian Gibbons, for making an intervention without a piece of paper in his hand?

Llongyfarchaf Peter Black am ddarllen cystal o’r sgript a baratôdd eisoes, ond yn bwysicach, a wnewch ymuno â mi, Peter, wrth longyfarch fy nghyd-Aelod, Brian Gibbons, am wneud ymyriad heb ddarn o bapur yn ei law?

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 29

Rhodri Morgan Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

That is only because he cannot read his own writing. He is a doctor.

Dim ond am na all ddarllen ei ysgrifen ei hun y mae hynny. Meddyg ydyw.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 29

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

Thank you, Alison. I know that you never use pieces of paper when you intervene and you always have such valid points.

Diolch, Alison. Gwn nad ydych chi byth yn defnyddio darnau o bapur pan ymyrrwch ac mae gennych bwyntiau mor ddilys bob amser.

I will respond to Janet Ryder’s points on the helpline. She asked us how the scheme would be advertised. The helpline will be active once the regulations are in place. We intend to embark on extensive marketing of this scheme and we will liaise with local authorities and the industry itself to ensure that there is wide awareness about how to apply for the grants that are available through the scheme. Janet also asked about appraisal and what stage the housing research and analysis has reached. We are considering this at present and we will, hopefully, be able to return with more information once that has been resolved.

Ymatebaf i bwyntiau Janet Ryder ar y llinell gymorth. Gofynnodd inni sut y bwriedir hysbysebu’r cynllun. Bydd y llinell gymorth yn weithredol unwaith y bydd y rheoliadau yn eu lle. Bwriadwn gychwyn ar farchnata’r cynllun hwn yn eang a byddwn yn cysylltu ag awdurdodau lleol a’r diwydiant ei hun i sicrhau bod ymwybyddiaeth eang o sut i wneud cais am y grantiau sydd ar gael drwy’r cynllun. Gofynnodd Janet hefyd ynglŷn â gwerthuso ac ar ba gam y cyrhaeddodd yr ymchwil a dadansoddiad o dai. Ystyriwn hyn ar hyn o bryd a byddwn, gobeithio, yn gallu dod yn ôl gyda rhagor o wybodaeth unwaith y caiff hynny ei ddatrys.

I am not clear that David had a specific point. He was generally congratulating us on the scheme.

Nid wyf yn glir fod gan David bwynt penodol. Yr oedd yn ein llongyfarch yn gyffredinol ar y cynllun.

David Davies spoken in English p. 29

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

There was a serious point about administration costs.

Yr oedd pwynt difrifol ynghylch costau gweinyddol.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 29

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

We will seek to keep the administration costs as low as possible. It is important in a scheme such as this to concentrate on distributing money to the fuel-poor as quickly as possible and ensure that we get value for money and use that money efficiently.

Ceisiwn gadw’r costau gweinyddol mor isel â phosibl. Mae’n bwysig mewn cynllun o’r fath i ganolbwyntio ar ddosbarthu arian i’r rhai sydd yn dioddef o dlodi tanwydd cyn gynted â phosibl ac i sicrhau ein bod yn cael gwerth am arian ac yn defnyddio’r arian hwnnw yn effeithlon.

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 30

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

The administration of the scheme over the border in England, where agencies market themselves, has meant that their uptake of business is very low and does not keep some of the insulation companies that are involved in viable business. Wales’s main concern is that an organisation will be pricing jobs and then offering them to other people, which means that they will not gain sufficient business. They say that under the old scheme they went out to look for the contracts, they did all the quotes and proceeded from that point. The danger is that the uptake will be insufficient.

Mae gweinyddu’r cynllun dros y ffin yn Lloegr, lle mae asiantaethau yn marchnata eu hunain, wedi golygu mai isel iawn fu’r ymateb i’r busnes ac nid yw’n cadw rhai o’r cwmnïau inswleiddio sydd yn gysylltiedig mewn busnes hyfyw. Prif bryder Cymru yw y bydd sefydliad yn prisio swyddi ac yna yn eu cynnig i bobl eraill, sydd yn golygu na fyddant yn ennill digon o fusnes. Dywedant eu bod wedi mynd allan i edrych am y contractau o dan yr hen gynllun, gwnaethant yr holl ddyfynbrisiau ac aethant yn eu blaenau o’r man hwnnw. Y perygl yw y bydd yr ymateb yn annigonol.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 30

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

I can understand your concerns about the uptake, but I assure you that we are eager to ensure that every penny of the £13 million that is available is spent in Wales. We want to ensure that we spend it in the best possible way and that we target it as effectively as possible at those most in need of it. This is not England; this is Wales, and we will do things our own way and in accordance with the regulations that we have drawn up, which are distinctively Welsh and different to those in England.

Gallaf ddeall eich pryderon ynglŷn â’r ymateb, ond gallaf eich sicrhau ein bod yn awyddus i wneud yn siŵr y gwerir pob ceiniog o’r £13 miliwn sydd ar gael yng Nghymru. Yr ydym am sicrhau ein bod yn ei wario yn y ffordd orau bosibl a’i fod yn cael ei dargedu mor effeithiol â phosibl at y rhai sydd ei angen fwyaf. Nid Lloegr sydd dan sylw yma ond Cymru, a byddwn yn gwneud pethau yn ein ffordd ni ein hunain ac yn unol â’r rheoliadau a luniwyd, sydd yn nodweddiadol Gymreig ac yn wahanol i’r rheini yn Lloegr.

Geraint Davies spoken in English p. 30

Geraint Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

Can you clarify that all the fuel-poor in Wales will be able to benefit from this scheme. Is this the case? It was said about Scotland but is it also true of Wales?

A allwch wneud yn eglur y bydd pawb sydd yn dioddef o dlodi tanwydd yng Nghymru yn gallu manteisio ar y cynllun hwn. Ai dyma fydd yn digwydd? Dywedwyd hyn am yr Alban ond a yw’n wir am Gymru hefyd?

Peter Black spoken in English p. 30

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

We have an estimated 250,000 fuel-poor households. The money that we will have in the first two years will not deal with that. Janet made the point that this scheme will end after two years. There is money available in the recently approved budget, which takes us past that two years. We have £6.3 million available this year, £8.9 million next year, £10.9 million the following year and £12.9 million in 2003-04. That is a total of £39 million between 2000-04. We hope to supplement that money by working with local authorities and the private sector to tackle the fuel-poor and to distribute that money where it is most needed. A target in ‘Betterwales.com’ is to try to eliminate the fuel-poor. We will not do that immediately but over a period of time. We are confident that we will meet our target with the additional money that has been made available through the budget.

Mae gennym tua 250,000 yn fras o gartrefi sydd yn dioddef o dlodi tanwydd. Ni fydd yr arian a gawn yn y ddwy flynedd gyntaf yn ymdrin â hynny. Gwnaeth Janet y pwynt y bydd y cynllun hwn yn dod i ben ar ôl dwy flynedd. Mae arian ar gael yn y gyllideb a gymeradwywyd yn ddiweddar, sydd yn mynd â ni y tu hwnt i’r ddwy flynedd honno. Mae gennym £6.3 miliwn ar gael eleni, £8.9 miliwn y flwyddyn nesaf, £10.9 miliwn y flwyddyn ganlynol a £12.9 miliwn yn 2003-04. Mae hynny’n gyfanswm o £39 miliwn rhwng 2000-04. Gobeithiwn ychwanegu at yr arian hwnnw drwy weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol a’r sector preifat i fynd i’r afael â’r rhai sydd yn dioddef o dlodi tanwydd ac i ddosbarthu’r arian hwnnw lle mae ei angen fwyaf. Un o dargedau ‘Gwellcymru.com’ yw ceisio dileu’r rhai sydd yn dioddef o dlodi tanwydd. Ni wnawn hynny ar unwaith ond dros gyfnod o amser. Yr ydym yn hyderus y byddwn yn cyrraedd ein targed gyda’r arian ychwanegol a ddaeth ar gael drwy’r gyllideb.

I have addressed the points that were raised during the debate. I want to conclude by saying that the new home energy efficiency scheme is only one element of a wider range of policies and initiatives that we are developing to combat fuel poverty and poor levels of energy efficiency. It is important that we know that this initiative, and others, will play a valuable part in meeting the carbon dioxide emission objectives that is part of our sustainable development agenda in Wales and the UK. Our varied programme of work in this field combines to form a comprehensive strategy for Wales. It complements work taking place at a national, regional and local level. It also enables us to share best practice with other areas of the UK and influence policy that is not devolved to this Assembly, which nevertheless, impacts on Welsh life. I commend these regulations to you.

Yr wyf wedi ymdrin â’r pwyntiau a godwyd yn ystod y ddadl. Hoffwn gloi drwy ddweud mai dim ond un elfen o gyfres ehangach o bolisïau a mentrau yr ydym yn eu datblygu i ymladd tlodi tanwydd a lefelau isel o effeithlonrwydd ynni yw’r cynllun effeithlonrwydd ynni cartref newydd. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn gwybod bod y fenter hon, ac eraill, yn chwarae rhan werthfawr wrth fodloni amcanion gollwng carbon deuocsid sydd yn rhan o’n hagenda datblygu cynaliadwy yng Nghymru a’r DU. Mae ein rhaglen waith amrywiol yn y maes hwn yn cyfuno i ffurfio strategaeth gynhwysfawr ar gyfer Cymru. Mae’n cwblhau gwaith sydd yn digwydd ar lefel genedlaethol, rhanbarthol a lleol. Galluoga ni hefyd i rannu arfer gorau gydag ardaloedd eraill o’r DU a dylanwadu ar bolisi na chafodd ei ddatganoli i’r Cynulliad hwn, sydd, serch hynny, yn effeithio ar fywyd yng Nghymru. Cymeradwyaf y rheoliadau hyn ichi.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 31

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 31

Galwaf am bleidlais ar egwyddor Rheoliadau Cynlluniau Effeithlonrwydd Ynni Cartref (Cymru) 2000.

I call for a vote on the principle of the Home Energy Efficiency Schemes (Wales) Regulations 2000.

Cynnig Peter Black t. 31

Motion Peter Black p. 31

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 49 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (49)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Rod Richards
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 32

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 32

Galwaf am bleidlais ar gymeradwyo’r Gorchymyn.

I call for a vote on the approval of the Order.

Cynnig Peter Black t. 32

Motion Peter Black p. 32

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 48 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (48)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Rod Richards
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd i’r Gadair am 10.08 a.m.

The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair at 10.08 a.m.

Polisi Ieuenctid

Youth Policy

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning spoken in English p. 33

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 33

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning (continued) spoken in English p. 34

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 34

I am delighted to propose this motion, which gives the whole Assembly the opportunity to debate a key policy area. Doing something for the young people of Wales should be a high priority for all of us and I hope that this debate will give us a chance to focus in a practical way on how to achieve this.

Yr wyf yn falch i gynnig y cynnig hwn, sydd yn rhoi cyfle i’r Cynulliad cyfan gynnal dadl ar faes polisi allweddol. Dylai gwneud rhywbeth ar gyfer pobl ifanc Cymru fod yn flaenoriaeth uchel inni oll a gobeithiaf y bydd y ddadl hon yn gyfle inni ganolbwyntio ar sut i gyflawni hyn mewn ffordd ymarferol.

We would not be having this debate today were it not for Alun Michael’s vision. He recognised a year ago that the Learning and Skills Bill provided an opportunity to do something about the statutory basis for work with young people. He successfully persuaded David Blunkett to include Welsh provisions in the Bill to provide us with the framework to develop our own approach to supporting young people—a Welsh framework. I pay tribute to him. These uniquely Welsh provisions are now on the statute book.

Ni fyddem yn cael y ddadl hon heddiw oni bai am weledigaeth Alun Michael. Sylweddolodd ef flwyddyn yn ôl fod y Mesur Dysgu a Sgiliau yn rhoi cyfle i wneud rhywbeth ynghylch y sail statudol i weithio gyda phobl ifanc. Llwyddodd i berswadio David Blunkett i gynnwys darpariaethau Cymreig yn y Mesur i roi inni’r fframwaith i ddatblygu ein hymagwedd ein hunain tuag at gefnogi pobl ifanc—fframwaith Cymreig. Talaf deyrnged iddo. Mae’r darpariaethau unigryw Gymreig hyn bellach ar y llyfr statud.

Alun commissioned the policy unit to produce the ‘Extending Entitlement: supporting young people in Wales’ report under the guidance of an advisory group chaired by Margaret Jervis of Valleys Kids. I thank you all for the thought-provoking paper.

Comisiynnodd Alun yr uned bolisi i gynhyrchu’r adroddiad ‘Ymestyn Hawliau: cynorthwyo pobl ifanc yng Nghymru’ o dan arweinyddiaeth grŵp ymgynghorol o dan gadeiryddiaeth Margaret Jervis o Valleys Kids. Diolchaf ichi i gyd am y papur sydd yn ysgogi’r meddwl.

‘Extending Entitlement’ gives us three key messages. We need to do a better job of supporting young people. We must improve all the mainstream public services and how they deliver for young people and, in particular, we must improve the services whose core function is to help and advise young people, for example youth and careers services. The report highlights the real problems that we face in Wales, which means that the youth agenda is serious and urgent.

Mae ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ yn rhoi inni dair neges allweddol. Rhaid inni gefnogi pobl ifanc yn well. Rhaid inni wella’r holl wasanaethau cyhoeddus prif ffrwd a’u dull o gyflawni’r gwasanaethau ar gyfer pobl ifanc ac, yn arbennig, rhaid inni wella’r gwasanaethau y mae helpu a chynghori pobl ifanc yn swyddogaeth craidd iddynt, er enghraifft gwasanaethau ieuenctid a gyrfaoedd. Amlyga’r adroddiad y problemau gwirioneddol a wynebwn yng Nghymru, sydd yn golygu bod yr agenda ieuenctid yn ddifrifol ac yn fater o bwys.

At any one time, significant numbers of our young people are not in education, training or employment. The report suggests figures of around 12,000 or 11 per cent of the cohort of 16-18 year olds. We know that this group is at greater risk of problems with offending, substance misuse and other risk-taking behaviour. More importantly, they also miss out on opportunities that could help their own prospects for employment and a healthier life later. It is in their interests and in the interest of society as a whole that we help them to get on, and stay on, a positive track. The report gives us a route map to achieve this. It is a compelling piece of work because it looks at the needs of young people, not of service providers. It is based on the needs and priorities of Wales. It draws on experience elsewhere but it is rooted in what people in Wales are saying. The main message is that we need to help our young people more effectively as they grow up. The report argues that the way to achieve this is to deliver an entitlement for all young people to a range of services and opportunities, including personal support—

Ar unrhyw un adeg, nid yw niferoedd sylweddol o’n pobl ifanc yn derbyn addysg, hyfforddiant nac mewn cyflogaeth. Awgryma’r adroddiad ffigurau o tua 12,000 neu 11 y cant o’r garfan o bobl ifanc rhwng 16 a 18 oed. Gwyddom fod mwy o risg i’r grŵp hwn gael problemau’n ymwneud â throseddu, camddefnyddio sylweddau ac ymddygiad arall sydd yn ymwneud â chymryd risgiau. Yn bwysicach, maent hefyd yn colli cyfleoedd a allai helpu eu rhagolygon eu hunain am gyflogaeth a bywyd iachach yn ddiweddarach. Mae o fudd iddynt hwy ac o fudd i gymdeithas gyfan eu bod yn ein helpu i fynd ar lwybr positif ac aros arno. Rhydd yr adroddiad fap llwybr inni i gyflawni hyn. Mae’n ddarn o waith cymhellgar am ei fod yn edrych ar anghenion pobl ifanc, ac nid ar anghenion darparwyr gwasanaethau. Mae’n seiliedig ar anghenion a blaenoriaethau Cymru. Tynna ar brofiad o fan arall ond mae ei wreiddiau yn yr hyn a ddywed pobl yng Nghymru. Y brif neges yw bod angen inni helpu ein pobl ifanc yn fwy effeithiol wrth iddynt dyfu. Dadl yr adroddiad yw mai’r ffordd i gyflawni hyn yw rhoi’r hawl i bob person ifanc i amrywiaeth o wasanaethau a chyfleoedd, gan gynnwys cefnogaeth bersonol—

Elin Jones a gododd—

Elin Jones rose—

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 35

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 35

I am not taking interventions because there will be adequate time in the debate.

Nid wyf am gymryd ymyriad gan y bydd digon o amser yn ystod y ddadl.

I welcome this approach because it is voluntary and aims to work with the grain of young people. It fits well with the rights approach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is inclusive and avoids patronising those young people who need extra support. It is positive and preventative. The entitlement model is highly distinctive. It is made in Wales and it will be delivered in Wales.

Croesawaf yr ymagwedd hon am ei bod yn wirfoddol a’i nod yw gweithio gyda graen pobl ifanc. Mae’n cyd-fynd yn dda ag ymagwedd hawliau Cytundeb y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar Hawliau’r Plentyn. Mae’n gynhwysol ac mae’n osgoi trin y bobl ifanc hynny sydd angen cefnogaeth ychwanegol yn nawddoglyd. Mae’n bositif ac yn ataliol. Mae’r model hawliau yn nodweddiadol iawn. Fe’i crewyd yng Nghymru a chaiff ei gyflwyno yng Nghymru.

Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 35

Dafydd Wigley spoken in Welsh p. 35

Pwynt o drefn. A yw hi o fewn trefn i’r Gweinidog wrthod cymryd unrhyw ymyrraeth mewn dadl lle mae’n bwysig cael cyfle i ymateb? A yw hi’n rhoi sicrwydd y bydd hi, wrth gloi, yn ymateb i bob pwynt sydd yn codi yn y ddadl?

Point of order. Is it in order for the Minister to refuse to take any interventions in a debate where it is important to have an opportunity to respond? Will she give an assurance that, in winding up, she will respond to all the points raised in the debate?

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 35

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 35

It is usually better for Ministers to give way. However, in this particular case, it is Jane’s first time and courtesy should be shown—

Fel arfer mae’n well i Weinidogion ildio. Fodd bynnag, yn yr achos arbennig hwn, dyma dro cyntaf Jane a dylid dangos cwrteisi—

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 36

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 36

That is not the case. Under our Standing Orders we are entitled to take interventions as Members.

Nid yw hynny’n wir. O dan ein Rheolau Sefydlog mae gennym yr hawl i gymryd ymyriadau fel Aelodau.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 36

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 36

Jane is correct not to take interventions if she does not wish to do so. However, it helps debate, if there is time and if the person so wishes, if interventions are taken. Ultimately, it is Jane’s decision and, if she has decided not to take interventions, that is her prerogative.

Mae Jane yn gywir i beidio â chymryd ymyriadau os nad yw’n dymuno gwneud hynny. Fodd bynnag, mae’n helpu’r ddadl, os oes amser ac os yw’r person yn dymuno hynny, os caiff ymyriadau eu cymryd. Yn y pen draw, penderfyniad Jane yw hyn ac os yw wedi penderfynu peidio â chymryd ymyriadau, ei braint hi yw hynny.

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 36

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 36

I made it clear that the reason I am not taking interventions is because it is only 10.12 a.m. There is plenty of time for contributions in this debate. I am keen to present in my opening speech all the main points that I would like to see put clearly in terms of the debate.

Eglurais mai’r rheswm nad wyf yn cymryd ymyriadau yw mai dim ond 10.12 a.m. yw hi. Mae digon o amser ar gyfer cyfraniadau yn y ddadl hon. Yr wyf yn awyddus yn fy araith agoriadol i gyflwyno’r holl brif bwyntiau yr hoffwn eu gweld yn cael eu rhoi yn glir yn nhermau’r ddadl.

I am keen to support the broad view of the report in supporting young people. It is not only about advice and guidance. It includes all the opportunities that give young people a chance to succeed and develop self-confidence and the capacity to be independent. There is a strong link between the needs of young people and the Better Government agenda. The quality issues often raised by young people are not unique to them. They include problems of access, discrimination and lack of choice. If we work to tackle these issues across the public services, young people will benefit. Promoting equal opportunities is the key rationale for improving youth support to ensure that all young people have the support and opportunities that most take for granted but that are lacking in a significant minority of families. The report looks in detail at the youth sector and particularly highlights its role, both statutory and voluntary, in creating new opportunities and challenges for young people. It addresses head-on the poverty of experience and expectation that blights so many of our communities. I pay tribute to those who do quality front-line work with young people. I know from personal experience that it can be hard, but it is important and effective in preventing problems and helping young people to participate.

Yr wyf yn awyddus i gefnogi safbwynt cyffredinol yr adroddiad wrth gefnogi pobl ifanc. Nid cyngor ac arweiniad yw’r unig fater dan sylw. Mae’n cynnwys yr holl gyfleoedd sydd yn rhoi cyfle i bobl ifanc lwyddo a datblygu hunan-hyder a’r gallu i fod yn annibynnol. Mae cysylltiad cryf rhwng anghenion pobl ifanc ac agenda Llywodraeth Well. Nid yw’r materion ansawdd a godir yn aml gan bobl ifanc yn unigryw iddynt hwy. Maent yn cynnwys problemau mynediad, gwahaniaethu a prinder dewis. Os gweithiwn i fynd i’r afael â’r materion hyn ar draws y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, bydd pobl ifanc yn elwa. Hyrwyddo cyfleoedd cyfartal yw’r sail resymegol allweddol ar gyfer gwella cymorth ieuenctid er mwyn sicrhau bod pob person ifanc yn cael y gefnogaeth a’r cyfleoedd y mae’r rhan fwyaf yn eu cymryd yn ganiataol ond sydd yn ddiffygiol mewn lleiafrif sylweddol o deuluoedd. Edrycha’r adroddiad yn fanwl ar y sector ieuenctid a phwysleisia yn arbennig ei rôl, statudol a gwirfoddol, wrth greu cyfleoedd a heriau newydd i bobl ifanc. Mae’n ymdrin yn uniongyrchol â thlodi profiad a disgwyliadau sydd yn andwyo cynifer o’n cymunedau. Talaf deyrnged i’r rheini sydd yn gwneud gwaith o ansawdd yn y rheng flaen gyda phobl ifanc. Gwn o brofiad personol y gall fod yn waith anodd, ond mae’n bwysig ac yn effeithiol wrth rwystro problemau a helpu pobl ifanc i gymryd rhan.

One of the key planks of a support structure is giving young people a chance to participate in decision making at all levels. We achieve this through Young Voice/Llais Ifanc, and it is also happening increasingly through local authority youth councils. We hope that this will help a large group of young people understand our political system better and enable them to use it more effectively. Young people value informal provision. They have strong views on the way advice and information is offered to them. If we take that on board, we are likely to improve quality and effectiveness. This theme is also picked up in the children and young people framework, which Jane Hutt will talk about later. The framework aims to ensure that the Assembly’s commitment in ‘Betterwales.com’ to listen to children and young people from all backgrounds is given due weight in its proposals for involvement in the community planning process that is being developed in local authorities under the Local Government Act 2000. The framework will be issued for wide consultation at the end of November and it would make sense to issue ‘Extending Entitlement ‘ at the same time, if Members agree. We could then consult on them jointly. I would be grateful if Members supported the motion to allow detailed discussion on both proposals by the new Education and Lifelong Learning Committee, following consultation.

Un o estyll allweddol strwythur cymorth yw rhoi cyfle i bobl ifanc gyfranogi wrth wneud penderfyniadau ar bob lefel. Cyflawnwn hyn drwy Llais Ifanc/Young Voice, ac mae hefyd yn digwydd yn fwyfwy drwy gynghorau ieuenctid awdurdodau lleol. Gobeithiwn y bydd hyn yn helpu grŵp mawr o bobl ifanc i ddeall ein system wleidyddol yn well ac yn eu galluogi i’w defnyddio’n fwy effeithiol. Mae pobl ifanc yn gwerthfawrogi darpariaeth anffurfiol. Mae ganddynt safbwyntiau cryf am y ffordd y cynigir cyngor a gwybodaeth iddynt. Os ymrwymwn i hynny, yr ydym yn debygol o wella ansawdd ac effeithiolrwydd. Codir y thema hon hefyd yn y fframwaith i blant a phobl ifanc, y bydd Jane Hutt yn siarad amdano yn ddiweddarach. Nod y fframwaith yw sicrhau y caiff ymrwymiad y Cynulliad yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’ i wrando ar blant a phobl ifanc o bob cefndir sylw teilwng yn ei gynigion i ymwneud â’r broses gynllunio gymunedol a ddatblygir mewn awdurdodau lleol o dan Ddeddf Llywodraeth Leol 2000. Cyhoeddir y fframwaith ar gyfer ymgynghoriad eang ar ddiwedd Tachwedd a byddai’n gwneud synnwyr i gyhoeddi ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ ar yr un pryd, os cytuna’r Aelodau. Yna gallem ymgynghori arnynt ar y cyd. Byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe bai Aelodau yn cefnogi’r cynnig i alluogi trafodaeth fanwl ar y ddau gynnig gan y Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes newydd, yn dilyn ymgynghoriad.

I will now comment on the amendments: David Melding’s amendment 1, Gareth Jones’s amendments 2 and 4 and Kirsty Williams’s amendment 3. I thank the Members for the amendments, as they illuminate important issues in the report. I was pleased to see such positive amendments in taking this agenda forward.

Gwnaf sylwadau ar y gwelliannau yn awr: gwelliant 1 David Melding, gwelliannau 2 a 4 Gareth Jones a gwelliant 3 Kirsty Williams. Diolchaf i’r Aelodau am y gwelliannau, am eu bod yn amlygu materion pwysig yn yr adroddiad. Yr oeddwn yn falch o weld gwelliannau mor gadarnhaol wrth fynd â’r agenda hon yn ei blaen.

David Melding’s amendment asks us to emphasise the needs of young people in particular groups. Those needs are important and the report argues that a comprehensive service to support young people should be capable of including young people with special needs. We will therefore support amendment 1.

Gofynna gwelliant David Melding inni bwysleisio anghenion pobl ifanc mewn grwpiau arbennig. Mae’r anghenion hynny yn bwysig a dadleua’r adroddiad y dylai gwasanaeth cynhwysfawr i gefnogi pobl ifanc allu cynnwys pobl ifanc ag anghenion arbennig. Cefnogwn welliant 1 felly.

In amendment 2, Gareth Jones wants to strengthen the second part of the motion, so that we do not only support young people’s involvement but ensure that they influence services. We welcome the amendment. We want to see young people in a position where they can influence services and the work of Government. This is a challenge for us and I hope that all Members will sign up to delivering it.

Yng ngwelliant 2, mae Gareth Jones am atgyfnerthu ail ran y cynnig, er mwyn inni nid yn unig gefnogi cyfraniad pobl ifanc ond hefyd sicrhau eu bod yn dylanwadu ar wasanaethau. Croesawn y gwelliant. Dymunwn weld pobl ifanc mewn sefyllfa lle gallant ddylanwadu ar wasanaethau a gwaith y Llywodraeth. Mae hyn yn her inni a gobeithiaf y bydd yr Aelodau i gyd yn cymeradwyo ein bod yn ymrwymo i hynny.

We also welcome amendment 3 in the name of Kirsty Williams, which acknowledges the voluntary sector’s key role. It is a major theme in the report and I am happy to support the amendment.

Croesawn hefyd welliant 3 yn enw Kirsty Williams, sydd yn cydnabod rôl allweddol y sector gwirfoddol. Mae’n un o brif themâu yr adroddiad ac yr wyf yn hapus i gefnogi’r gwellaint.

I wonder whether Gareth Jones would consider withdrawing amendment 4. Although I welcome the thinking behind the amendment, it deals with a detailed and complex aspect of the implementation. I do not want to pre-empt the consultation stage. If you do not withdraw the amendment, we will not support it. However, I would be keen to look at such a proposal again when we consider the delivery of secondary legislation following consultation.

Tybed a fyddai Gareth Jones yn ystyried tynnu gwelliant 4 yn ôl. Er fy mod yn croesawu’r feddylfryd y tu ôl i’r gwelliant, mae’n ymdrin ag agwedd fanwl a chymhleth ar weithredu. Nid wyf am achub y blaen ar y cam ymgynghori. Os na thynnwch y gwelliant yn ei ôl, ni fyddwn yn ei gefnogi. Fodd bynnag, byddwn yn awyddus i edrych ar gynnig o’r fath eto pan ystyriwn gyflwyno is-ddeddfwriaeth yn dilyn ymgynghoriad.

The next stage is to translate these messages into action on the ground. We have put a large amount of money in this year and, as part of the local authority revenue settlement, additional funding of £2 million, £3 million and £4 million will be provided over the next three years. This recognises the new burden on local authorities to strengthen youth work in the statutory and voluntary sectors. The Wales Youth Agency’s budget will be increased by 60 per cent to fund youth worker training, to increase support for the voluntary youth sector and to develop comprehensive information services and a youth card. I can announce today that additional resources of £200,000 are being made available this year to enable work to begin immediately on training youth workers and developing information services, and also to continue the work of Young Voice/Llais Ifanc.

Y cam nesaf yw rhoi’r negeseuon hyn ar waith ar lawr gwlad. Rhoddasom swm mawr o arian i mewn eleni ac, fel rhan o setliad refeniw awdurdodau lleol, caiff cyllid ychwanegol o £2 filiwn, £3 miliwn a £4 miliwn ei ddarparu yn ystod y tair blynedd nesaf. Mae hyn yn cydnabod y pwysau newydd ar awdurdodau lleol i atgyfnerthu gwaith ieuenctid yn y sectorau statudol a gwirfoddol. Cynyddir cyllideb Asiantaeth Ieuenctid Cymru 60 y cant i ariannu’r gwaith o hyfforddi gweithwyr ieuenctid, i gael mwy o gefnogaeth i’r sector ieuenctid gwirfoddol ac i ddatblygu gwasanaethau gwybodaeth cynhwysfawr a cherdyn ieuenctid. Gallaf gyhoeddi heddiw y bydd adnoddau ychwanegol o £200,000 ar gael eleni i alluogi’r gwaith o hyfforddi gweithwyr ieuenctid a datblygu gwasanaethau gwybodaeth i ddechrau ar unwaith, a hefyd i barhau â gwaith Llais Ifanc/Young Voice.

However, this is by no means all. Through a range of packages for Careers Wales, through ‘Extending Entitlement’, through the youth access initiative, funding for hardship funds in higher education institutions and learning maintenance allowances, we will provide more than £57 million on top of the previous baseline over the next three years. These allocations demonstrate that we are moving ahead without delay in investing in our young people.

Fodd bynnag, nid dyma’r cyfan o bell ffordd. Drwy amrywiaeth o becynnau ar gyfer Gyrfaoedd Cymru, drwy ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’, drwy’r fenter mynediad i ieuenctid, arian ar gyfer cronfeydd caledi mewn sefydliadau addysg uwch a lwfansau cynnal dysgu, darparwn fwy na £57 miliwn uwch ben y linell sylfaen blaenorol yn ystod y tair blynedd nesaf. Dengys y dyraniadau hyn ein bod yn symud ymlaen yn ddi-oed wrth fuddsoddi yn ein pobl ifanc.

This is an all-Wales agenda that relates to the economy and to the future of our communities. I look forward to hearing the views of colleagues across Wales on the report and on the implementation priorities. I am pleased that we have sufficient time to debate the report properly.

Mae hon yn agenda Cymru gyfan sydd yn berthnasol i’r economi ac i ddyfodol ein cymunedau. Edrychaf ymlaen i glywed barn cydweithwyr ledled Cymru am yr adroddiad ac am y blaenoriaethau o ran gweithredu. Yr wyf yn falch bod gennym ddigon o amser i gynnal dadl ar yr adroddiad yn gywir.

Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in English p. 39

Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39

Point of order. I listened carefully to Jane’s reasons for not taking interventions during her speech. I respect the Deputy Presiding Officer’s ruling on that, and it is clearly right within the letter of Standing Orders. However, I have noticed a pattern during the last fortnight whereby Cabinet Ministers do not take interventions during key debates. We want an assurance that Cabinet Ministers will respect the normal debating pattern of accepting interventions, which is often the way in which we can hold the Government to account and scrutinise its decisions. We would welcome a statement from the Minister for Assembly Business that it is no longer Government policy to refuse to take interventions during Cabinet speeches.

Pwynt o drefn. Gwrandewais yn ofalus ar resymau Jane dros beidio â chymryd ymyriadau yn ystod ei haraith. Parchaf ddyfarniad y Dirprwy Lywydd ar hynny, ac mae’n amlwg yn gywir o fewn llythyren y Rheolau Sefydlog. Fodd bynnag, sylwais ar batrwm yn ystod y pythefnos diwethaf pan nad yw Gweinidogion y Cabinet yn cymryd ymyriadau yn ystod dadleuon allweddol. Dymunwn gael sicrwydd y bydd Gweinidogion y Cabinet yn parchu’r patrwm dadlau arferol o dderbyn ymyriadau, sef y ffordd y gallwn yn aml gael y Llywodraeth i fod yn atebol dros ei phenderfyniadau a’u harchwilio. Byddem yn croesawu datganiad gan y Trefnydd nad yw bellach yn bolisi’r Llywodraeth i wrthod cymryd ymyriadau yn ystod areithiau’r Cabinet.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 39

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39

I am happy that Ieuan agrees that there was no need, within Standing Orders, for Jane Davidson to take interventions. Interventions are a matter for individual Members, not for the Chair. The Minister for Assembly Business has heard your comments, and I am sure that he will consider that matter.

Yr wyf yn hapus bod Ieuan yn cytuno nad oedd angen, o fewn y Rheolau Sefydlog, i Jane Davidson gymryd ymyriadau. Mater i Aelodau unigol yw ymyriadau, nid i’r Cadeirydd. Clywodd y Trefnydd eich sylwadau, ac yr wyf yn sicr yr ystyria’r mater hwnnw.

Andrew Davies The Minister for Assembly Business spoken in English p. 39

Andrew Davies Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39

Further to that point of order, I have considered the matter and I refute the spurious allegation that was made. Ieuan, as leader of Plaid Cymru, is looking for minor issues to raise. I refute the allegation that any members of the Cabinet consistently refuse to take interventions. Rhodri Morgan and all my other Cabinet colleagues take interventions, and I have taken interventions during my contributions. Jane is within her rights to say that she has a limited amount of time in which to speak. We have virtually the whole of this morning’s session to debate an extremely important issue, and Members will have plenty of opportunity to intervene. My Cabinet colleague, Jane Hutt, will respond on behalf of the Cabinet at the end of the session. That was a spurious point of order by Ieuan.

Ymhellach i’r pwynt hwnnw o drefn, ystyriais y mater a gwrthodaf yr honiad ffug a wnaethpwyd. Mae Ieuan, fel arweinydd Plaid Cymru, yn edrych am faterion dibwys i’w codi. Gwrthodaf yr honiad bod unrhyw aelodau o’r Cabinet yn gwrthod cymryd ymyriadau yn gyson. Mae Rhodri Morgan a’m holl gyd-Aelodau eraill yn y Cabinet yn cymryd ymyriadau, a chymerais innau ymyriadau yn ystod fy nghyfraniadau i. Mae Jane o fewn ei hawl i ddweud bod ganddi gyfnod cyfyngedig o amser i siarad. Mae gennym sesiwn y bore hwn yn gyfan fwy neu lai i ddadlau mater hynod o bwysig, a chaiff Aelodau ddigon o gyfle i ymyrryd. Bydd fy nghyd-Aelod yn y Cabinet, Jane Hutt, yn ymateb ar ran y Cabinet ar ddiwedd y sesiwn. Yr oedd hynny yn bwynt o drefn ffug gan Ieuan.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 40

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

Ieuan, you have had instant consideration and the results of that. However, this is not a matter for the Chair, but for individual speakers. This matter is not in the Standing Orders—

Ieuan, yr ydych wedi cael ystyriaeth ddi-oed a chanlyniadau hynny. Fodd bynnag, nid mater i’r Cadeirydd yw hyn, ond i siaradwyr unigol. Nid yw’r mater hwn yn y Rheolau Sefydlog—

Kirsty Williams a gododd—

Kirsty Williams rose—

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 40

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

I will take a point of order, Kirsty, but it must be a point of order for me. I must be able to rule on it and it must be in the Standing Orders.

Cymeraf bwynt o drefn, Kirsty, ond rhaid iddo fod yn bwynt o drefn i mi. Rhaid imi allu dyfarnu arno a rhaid iddo fod yn y Rheolau Sefydlog.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 40

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

Further to that point of order, last week, my colleague, the Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language, took so many interventions during her speech that she could not finish it. Ministers must be allowed to finish what they need to say to the Assembly.

Ymhellach i’r pwynt hwnnw o drefn, yr wythnos diwethaf, cymerodd fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Iaith Gymraeg, gynifer o ymyriadau yn ystod ei haraith fel na allodd ei gorffen. Rhaid caniatáu i Weinidogion orffen yr hyn y mae angen iddynt ei ddweud wrth y Cynulliad.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 40

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

That is not precisely a point of order, but your comments have been heard.

Nid yw hynny yn bwynt o drefn yn union, ond clywyd eich sylwadau.

Val Feld spoken in English p. 40

Val Feld siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

Further to that point of order, I draw your attention, Deputy Presiding Officer, to the concern that I have—and I know that other Members share—about the strong move, particularly by the opposition parties, to try to turn the Assembly into a replica of Westminster. It was never the intention of those of us who worked hard for devolution and of those who worked to put together the framework for how—[Interruption.] Will you be courteous? This is what happens in Westminster and what we have sought to avoid in this Chamber. This kind of knock-about politics and point scoring means that people are not heard and arguments are not fully developed. I ask you, in your new role as Deputy Presiding Officer, to give cognisance to the arguments that were aired before the Assembly was established on how we would try to hold debates differently, more openly and more honestly than in Westminster.

Ymhellach i’r pwynt hwnnw o drefn, tynnaf eich sylw, Ddirprwy Lywydd, at y pryder sydd gennyf—a gwn fod Aelodau eraill yn ei rannu—am y symudiad cryf, yn arbennig gan y gwrthbleidiau, i geisio troi’r Cynulliad yn gopi o San Steffan. Ni fu hynny erioed yn fwriad gan y rheini ohonom a weithiodd yn galed dros ddatganoli a’r rheini a weithiodd i roi’r fframwaith at ei gilydd o sut—[Torri ar draws.] A fyddwch yn gwrtais? Dyma sydd yn digwydd yn San Steffan a beth y ceisiwyd ei osgoi yn y Siambr hon. Mae’r math hwn o wleidyddiaeth tin-droi a sgorio pwyntiau yn golygu na chaiff pobl eu clywed ac na chaiff dadleuon eu datblygu’n llawn. Gofynnaf ichi, yn eich rôl newydd fel Dirprwy Lywydd, roi sylw i’r dadleuon a wyntyllwyd cyn sefydlu’r Cynulliad ar sut y byddem yn ceisio cynnal dadleuon yn wahanol, yn fwy agored ac yn fwy gonest nag yn San Steffan.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 41

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41

Thank you for your advice, but that is not a point of order for the Chair. The Standing Orders state clearly that Members do not have to take interventions. The correct action would be not to prolong this argument but to seek to change Standing Orders, if Assembly so wishes.

Diolch am eich cyngor, ond nid yw hynny yn bwynt o drefn i’r Cadeirydd. Noda’r Rheolau Sefydlog yn glir nad oes rhaid i Aelodau gymryd ymyriadau. Y cam cywir fyddai peidio ag ymestyn y ddadl hon ond ceisio newid Rheolau Sefydlog, os yw’r Cynulliad yn dymuno hynny.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 41

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41

Further to that point of order, one of the cornerstones or principles behind the devolution argument was inclusive politics, which would give the opportunity for open debate. Unless Ministers are prepared to take interventions, we do not have that open debate where they can be held to account. I support the sentiments of the Leader of the Opposition. However, I would like to get on with today’s debate.

Ymhellach i’r pwynt hwnnw o drefn, un o’r conglfeini neu egwyddorion y tu ôl i ddadl datganoli oedd gwleidyddiaeth gynhwysol, a fyddai’n rhoi cyfle i ddadlau’n agored. Oni bai fod Gweinidogion yn barod i gymryd ymyriadau, ni chawn y ddadl agored honno lle cânt roi cyfrif. Cefnogaf farn Arweinydd yr Wrthblaid. Fodd bynnag, hoffwn fwrw ymlaen gyda dadl heddiw.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 41

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41

You are right, but that was not a point of order. It was spurious.

Yr ydych yn iawn, ond nid oedd hynny yn bwynt o drefn. Yr oedd yn ffug.

Ann Jones spoken in English p. 41

Ann Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41

Can we move on to the more important business of discussing the ‘Extending Entitlement’ document?

A gawn ni symud ymlaen at y mater pwysig o drafod y ddogfen ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’?

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 41

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41

Everybody has heard the exchanges. We will now proceed with the debate.

Clywodd pawb y cyfnewid geiriau. Awn ymlaen â’r ddadl yn awr.

I have selected four amendments and grouped them according to party group.

Dewisais bedwar gwelliant a’u grwpio yn ôl grŵp y blaid.

David Melding spoken in English p. 41

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41

I propose amendment 1. After clause 1, insert:

Cynigiaf welliant 1. Ar ôl cymal 1, ychwanegu:

David Melding (continued) spoken in English p. 42

David Melding (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 42

I welcome this motion and all the amendments, and I will happily accept any interventions that Members seek to make.

Croesawaf y cynnig hwn a’r holl welliannau, a derbyniaf yn llawen unrhyw ymyriadau gan yr Aelodau.

The Minister is right to say that the document contains references to groups of people who are in particular need, and I welcome that. My amendment is not a way of pointing the finger and saying that those groups are ignored. I just wish to emphasise them in the motion.

Mae’r Gweinidog yn iawn i ddweud bod y ddogfen yn cynnwys cyfeiriadau at grwpiau o bobl sydd mewn angen dybryd, a chroesawaf hynny. Nid yw fy ngwelliant yn ffordd o bwyntio bys a dweud bod y grwpiau hynny’n cael eu hanwybyddu. Yr wyf yn dymuno eu pwysleisio yn y cynnig.

I am particularly pleased that young carers are mentioned in the document. They form a group of people, within a group, which is often ignored. In the past 10 years or so, the role of carers in society has been increasingly recognised. However, young carers face particular challenges. That will be something for a more comprehensive integrated youth policy to examine, while ensuring that mechanisms to help young carers are effective. Young carers remain an isolated group of people. They are often excluded from much of what other people take for granted in society. They are susceptible to ill-health and accidental injury through lifting and carrying people, often in challenging circumstances. I have heard of cases of young carers physically helping parents to climb the stairs. That is a dangerous practice that can cause great back injury.

Yr wyf yn hynod falch y crybwyllir cynhalwyr ifanc yn y ddogfen. Ffurfiant grŵp o bobl, o fewn grŵp, a anwybyddir yn aml. Yn ystod y 10 mlynedd diwethaf neu oddeutu hynny, cydnabuwyd rôl cynhalwyr mewn cymdeithas fwyfwy. Fodd bynnag, mae cynhalwyr ifanc yn wynebu heriau dybryd. Bydd hynny yn rhywbeth i’w archwilio gan bolisi ieuenctid integredig mwy cynhwysfawr, tra’n sicrhau bod mecanweithiau i helpu cynhalwyr ifanc yn effeithiol. Erys cynhalwyr ifanc yn grŵp ar wahân o bobl. Cânt eu heithrio yn aml o lawer o’r hyn y bydd pobl eraill yn ei gymryd yn ganiataol mewn cymdeithas. Maent yn dueddol o fod yn wael eu hiechyd ac yn dueddol o gael anaf damweiniol drwy godi a chario pobl, mewn amgylchiadau heriol yn aml. Clywais am achosion o gynhalwyr ifanc yn helpu rhieni yn gorfforol i ddringo’r grisiau. Mae hynny yn arfer peryglus a all achosi anaf mawr i’r cefn.

Young carers often miss out at school. Often, young carers’ names appear in lists of pupils who have been excluded or are considered to have behavioural problems. However, the reason that they are not showing up on time or are leaving early—and are perhaps not telling teachers why they are doing so—is that they have caring responsibilities that they want to keep private. Because of the nature of that care—their parents may have a drug or alcohol problem, or even if they have a standard health problem—young people often will not want to give that information to others. Much skill is required in meeting the needs of young carers.

Mae cynhalwyr ifanc yn aml ar eu colled yn yr ysgol. Yn aml, ymddengys enwau cynhalwyr ifanc ar restrau o ddisgyblion a gafodd eu gwahardd neu yr ystyrir bod ganddynt broblemau ymddygiad. Fodd bynnag, y rheswm dros beidio â chyrraedd yr ysgol mewn pryd neu adael yn gynnar—ac efallai nad ydynt yn dweud wrth athrawon pam eu bod yn gwneud hynny—yw bod ganddynt gyfrifoldebau fel cynhalwyr y dymunant eu cadw’n breifat. Oherwydd natur y gofal hwnnw—efallai bod gan eu rhieni broblem cyffuriau neu alcohol, neu hyd yn oed os oes ganddynt broblem iechyd safonol—yn aml ni ddymuna pobl ifanc roi’r wybodaeth honno i eraill. Mae angen tipyn o fedr i ddiwallu anghenion cynhalwyr ifanc.

I am pleased that we are making progress on the Children (Leaving Care) Bill, which was referred to during questions. I commend that piece of work because it affects a group of people who have been badly served over many decades. It is appropriate that new, innovative measures are under discussion. The consultation document that has been presented is a sound basis for discussion. I will enter a constructive debate about young persons’ advisers. Much skill is required to give personal choice to young care leavers. We must ensure that those advisers have the skills for the job and, where they have only some of the skills, that they receive quick, flexible training so that they are in place to provide that function effectively. I do not think that that area requires quick partisan responses and finger-pointing again.

Yr wyf yn falch ein bod yn gwneud cynnydd ar y Mesur Plant (Gadael Gofal), y cyfeiriwyd ato yn ystod y cwestiynau. Cymeradwyaf y darn hwnnw o waith am ei fod yn effeithio ar grŵp o bobl a wasanaethwyd yn wael dros nifer o ddegawdau. Mae’n briodol fod mesurau blaengar, newydd yn cael eu trafod. Mae’r ddogfen ymgynghorol a gyflwynwyd yn sylfaen gadarn i drafodaeth. Cychwynnaf ddadl adeiladol ynghylch cynghorwyr pobl ifanc. Mae angen tipyn o fedr i roi dewis personol i’r rhai sydd yn gadael gofal yn ifanc. Rhaid inni sicrhau bod gan yr cynghorwyr hynny’r sgiliau ar gyfer y swydd a, lle nad oes ganddynt ond rhai o’r sgiliau, eu bod yn derbyn hyfforddiant cyflym, hyblyg fel eu bod yn gallu darparu’r swyddogaeth honno yn effeithiol. Ni thybiaf fod angen ymatebion pleidiol cyflym a phwyntio bys yn y maes hwnnw eto.

Support for care leavers up to the age of 21 is important. Most people, well into their twenties, receive parental support while they are still in education, or even while they are in employment. They will have all sorts of help with establishing a home, or help to support them in university and then to pay off grants afterwards. Care leavers frequently lack that sort of general parental family support and it is appropriate that we see them as a group of young people who will need support well after they have left care.

Mae cefnogaeth ar gyfer y rhai sydd yn gadael gofal hyd at 21 oed yn bwysig. Mae’r rhan fwyaf o bobl, ymhell yn eu hugeiniau, yn derbyn cymorth eu rhieni tra byddant mewn addysg, neu hyd yn oed pan fyddant mewn cyflogaeth. Cânt bob math o help wrth sefydlu cartref, neu help i’w cynnal mewn prifysgol ac yna i dalu grantiau wedi hynny. Yn aml ni chaiff y rhai sydd yn gadael gofal y fath honno o gefnogaeth deuluol gyffredinol gan rieni ac mae’n briodol ein bod yn eu gweld fel grŵp o bobl ifanc y bydd angen cymorth arnynt ymhell ar ôl iddynt adael gofal.

We should concentrate on education and training. The number of qualifications that care leavers typically acquire is lamentably low. We must change that and provide proper education and training for those people. We must ensure that we can identify where that is lacking and what we can do about it. At the moment, it is more typical for people leaving care to have no qualifications than to have even modest qualifications. It is far less typical for them to achieve the qualifications that a wide range of young people are now increasingly expected to acquire so that they go directly into higher education.

Dylem ganolbwyntio ar addysg a hyfforddiant. Mae nifer y cymwysterau a gaiff y rhai sydd yn gadael gofal yn druenus o isel. Rhaid inni newid hynny a darparu addysg a hyfforddiant cywir ar gyfer y bobl hynny. Rhaid inni sicrhau y gellir nodi lle mae hynny yn ddiffygiol a’r hyn y gallwn ei wneud amdano. Ar hyn o bryd, mae’n fwy nodweddiadol i bobl sydd yn gadael gofal fod heb gymwysterau nag i gael cymwysterau cymedrol hyd yn oed. Mae’n llai nodweddiadol o lawer iddynt ennill y cymwysterau y mae ystod eang o bobl ifanc bellach yn disgwyl eu cael yn gynyddol fel y bônt yn mynd yn uniongyrchol i addysg uwch.

On young offenders, it is a stark fact that most people in prison are under 25 years and most of them have had contact with the care system. We must acknowledge that those people have had poor life chances. We must focus on that and establish a prison regime that reforms, trains and equips people to lead a productive life. I have a particular concern about the continuing practice—and this is not a devolved matter; it relates to the Home Office, but I am sure that the Minister will pass on these concerns—of incarcerating young people in prisons when there is a problem finding them a place in a young persons’ institution. That must stop.

O ran troseddwyr ifanc, mae’n ffaith foel bod y mwyafrif o bobl yn y carchar o dan 25 oed ac mae’r mwyafrif ohonynt wedi bod mewn cysylltiad â’r system gofal. Rhaid inni gydnabod bod y bobl hynny wedi cael cyfleoedd gwael mewn bywyd. Rhaid inni ganolbwyntio ar hynny a sefydlu cyfundrefn mewn carchardai sydd yn diwygio, hyfforddi ac ymbaratoi pobl i arwain bywyd cynhyrchiol. Yr wyf yn arbennig o bryderus ynghylch yr arfer parhaus—ac nid yw hyn yn fater datganoledig; mae’n ymwneud â’r Swyddfa Gartref, ond yr wyf yn siŵr y trosglwydda’r Gweinidog y pryderon hyn—o gaethiwo pobl ifanc mewn carchardai pan fydd problem dod o hyd i le iddynt mewn sefydliad pobl ifanc. Rhaid i hynny ddod i ben.

The number of suicides among young people in prisons is appalling. Several years ago in Swansea, under the previous Government, a 15-year-old committed suicide in Swansea prison. A child being placed in prison is an outrageous breach of human rights. A young person being placed in prison is also a breach of human rights. This must stop. Even when it is done for one or two nights in response to an emergency requirement for custody, we must remember that the most likely time for a young person or child to kill themselves in that situation is the first or second night. Therefore, they are in prison at the most likely time that they would cause themselves grievous self-injury. We must stop that.

Mae nifer yr achosion o hunanladdiad ymysg pobl ifanc mewn carchardai yn frawychus. Nifer o flynyddoedd yn ôl yn Abertawe, o dan y Llywodraeth flaenorol, cyflawnodd person ifanc 15 oed hunanladdiad yng ngharchar Abertawe. Mae rhoi plentyn mewn carchar yn esgeulustod gwarthus o hawliau dynol. Mae rhoi person ifanc mewn carchar hefyd yn esgeuluso hawliau dynol. Rhaid i hyn ddod i ben. Hyd yn oed pan wneir hyn am noson neu ddwy mewn ymateb i ofyniad brys am garchariad, rhaid inni gofio mai’r amser mwyaf tebygol i berson ifanc neu blentyn ladd ei hunan yn y sefyllfa honno yw ar y noson gyntaf neu’r ail noson. Felly, maent yn y carchar ar yr adeg mwyaf tebygol iddynt beri anaf difrifol iddynt eu hunain. Rhaid inni ddod â hynny i ben.

I turn to special educational needs. I welcome this Government’s approach in general to mainstream as much special educational needs provision as possible. That cannot always be done. There are requirements for an approach in which sanctuary is given to particular young people and children whose needs are complex and severe. In general, that support should be given in a mainstream school setting. That is an important principle. It must extend to further education and to higher education. If they are lagging behind the achievements of schools, which now have quite sound policies on special educational needs, we will have failed to provide these children with all the opportunities that others take for granted. That also applies in general to youth services. It should not stop at education and training.

Trof at anghenion addysgol arbennig. Croesawaf ymagwedd y Llywodraeth hon yn gyffredinol i roi cymaint o’r ddarpariaeth anghenion addysgol arbennig â phosibl yn y brif ffrwd. Ni ellir gwneud hynny bob tro. Mae galw am ymagwedd lle rhoddir lloches i bobl ifanc a phlant penodol y mae eu hanghenion yn gymhleth ac yn ddwys. Yn gyffredinol, dylid rhoi’r gefnogaeth honno mewn sefyllfa ysgol prif ffrwd. Mae honno yn egwyddor bwysig. Rhaid iddo ymestyn i addysg bellach ac addysg uwch. Os ydynt yn ymlusgo y tu ôl i gyraeddiadau ysgolion, sydd â pholisïau lled gadarn ar anghenion addysgol arbennig bellach, byddwn wedi methu â darparu’r holl gyfleoedd ar gyfer y plant hyn y mae eraill yn eu cymryd yn ganiataol. Mae hynny hefyd yn berthnasol yn gyffredinol i wasanaethau ieuenctid. Ni ddylai ddod i ben gydag addysg a hyfforddiant.

My final remarks relate to health. I welcome the fact that this document, ‘Extending Entitlement’, has a specific chapter on health. There are some measures that we need to take seriously. I begin with smoking cessation. Stopping young people smoking in the first place has a dramatic outcome on their health. That must be priority number one. Many young people smoke and they should not simply be ignored. We should look at the smoking cessation remedies that are increasingly available, and focus on young people who are smoking. We do not want a counsel of perfection and have all the young people and children who are probably not susceptible to smoking receiving all the good health advice. We need to focus on young people who are smoking. This could be extended to substance and alcohol misuse. It is a tough policy and a tough aspiration, but it is one that we need. The number of accidental deaths and severe injuries is high among young people. It is the main cause of death among young people, I believe. We need a policy on accidental death in general, but we must remember that young people are the most susceptible group. I think that you must wait until you are a pensioner before you have a significant risk factor of accidental death, but young people are very vulnerable.

Mae fy sylwadau terfynol yn ymwneud ag iechyd. Croesawaf y ffaith fod gan y ddogfen hon, ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’, bennod yn benodol am iechyd. Mae rhai mesurau y mae angen i ni eu cymryd o ddifrif. Dechreuaf gyda rhoi’r gorau i smygu. Mae atal pobl ifanc rhag smygu yn y lle cyntaf yn cael effaith ddramatig ar eu iechyd. Rhaid i hynny fod yn flaenoriaeth gyntaf. Mae llawer o bobl ifanc yn ysmygu ac ni ddylid eu hanwybyddu. Dylem edrych ar y meddyginiaethau i roi’r gorau i smygu sydd ar gael yn gynyddol, a chanolbwyntio ar bobl ifanc sydd yn ysmygu. Ni ddymunwn gyngor delfrydol a chael yr holl bobl ifanc a phlant nad ydynt fwy na thebyg yn dueddol o smygu i dderbyn yr holl gyngor iechyd da. Mae angen inni ganolbwyntio ar bobl ifanc sydd yn smygu. Gellid ymestyn hyn i gamddefnyddio sylweddau ac alcohol. Mae’n bolisi caled ac yn uchelgais anodd, ond mae’n un sydd ei angen arnom. Mae nifer y marwolaethau damweiniol ac anafiadau difrifol yn uchel ymysg pobl ifanc. Dyma brif achos marwolaethau ymysg pobl ifanc, fe gredaf. Mae angen polisi ar farwolaeth drwy ddamwain yn gyffredinol, ond rhaid inni gofio mai pobl ifanc yw’r grŵp mwyaf agored i hyn. Credaf fod yn rhaid ichi aros nes y byddwch yn bensiynwyr cyn bod mewn perygl sylweddol o farwolaeth drwy ddamwain, ond mae pobl ifanc yn ddiamddiffyn iawn.

The number of young people who commit suicide, particularly boys and young men, must be a grave concern to us. It indicates an underlying problem with mental health services. We are addressing these through a child and adolescent strategy, which I welcome. We should not forget the needs of mental health services. That need is increasing in modern society, according to all the indicators. The World Health Organisation regards mental health as perhaps the great public health challenge that is facing western democracies. I commend this motion to the Assembly.

Rhaid i nifer y bobl ifanc sydd yn cyflawni hunanladdiad, yn arbennig bechgyn a dynion ifanc, fod yn bryder dybryd inni. Dengys broblem sylfaenol gyda’r gwasanaethau iechyd y meddwl. Awn i’r afael â’r rhain drwy strategaeth plant a phobl ifanc yn eu harddegau, a chroesawaf hyn. Ni ddylem anghofio anghenion gwasanaethau iechyd y meddwl. Mae’r angen hwnnw yn cynyddu mewn cymdeithas fodern, yn ôl yr holl ddangosyddion. Ystyria Mudiad Iechyd y Byd iechyd y meddwl fel yr her fawr o bosibl i iechyd cyhoeddus y mae democratiaethau’r gorllewin yn ei wynebu. Cymeradwyaf y cynnig hwn i’r Cynulliad.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 46

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 46

Cynigiaf welliant 2. Yn yr ail gymal, dileu

I propose amendment 2. In the second clause, delete

Gareth Jones (parhad) siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 46

Gareth Jones (continued) spoken in Welsh p. 46

Cynigiaf hefyd welliant 4. Ychwaneger cymal newydd ar ddiwedd y cynnig:

I also propose amendment 4. Add a new clause at the end of the motion:

Gareth Jones (parhad) siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 46

Gareth Jones (continued) spoken in Welsh and English p. 46

Datganaf fuddiant fel aelod o Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy. Mae’r ddau adroddiad y cyfeirir atynt yn y cynnig, sef ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ a ‘Plant ac Ieuenctid: fframwaith ar gyfer partneriaeth’, yn dilyn trywydd y dylem ei groesawu.

in Welsh I declare an interest as a member of Conwy County Borough Council. Both reports referred to in the motion, namely ‘Extending Entitlement’ and ‘Children and Young People: a framework for partnership’, follow a path that we should welcome.

Mae’r fframwaith partneriaeth yn amcanu at gydlynu a rhesymoli’r holl gynlluniau, prosiectau a gwahanol ffynonellau ariannu. Byddai hynny, yn ei dro, yn arwain at gydweithio mwy effeithiol ac effeithlon rhwng y gwahanol ddarparwyr ac asiantaethau.

in Welsh The partnership framework aims to co-ordinate and rationalise all the plans, projects and various funding sources. That, in turn, would lead to more effective and efficient co-operation between the various providers and agencies.

Bydd yr ymagwedd newydd yn un ragweithiol a chadarnhaol, sydd yn allweddol os ydym o ddifrif am drin ein plant a’n pobl ifanc fel aelodau gwerthfawr o’r gymuned. Mae ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’, ar y llaw arall, yn astudiaeth a wnaethpwyd mewn ymgynghoriad â phobl ifanc i adnabod eu hanghenion, eu dyheadau a’u pryderon, gyda’r bwriad clodwiw o ddefnyddio’r casgliadau a’r wybodaeth i gynorthwyo’r Cynulliad i weithredu’r pwerau newydd, unigryw i Gymru i gefnogi pobl ifanc a gynhwysir yn y Ddeddf Dysgu a Sgiliau. Tra bod Plaid Cymru—The Party of Wales yn croesawu’r egwyddorion pwysig hynny a’r dymuniad i greu gwell darpariaeth a chydlyniad rhwng asiantaethau a gwasanaethau, yn ogystal â’r egwyddor o gael pobl ifanc i ymwneud ac ymgyfranogi yn y broses o wella’r ddarpariaeth, teimlwn fod angen atgyfnerthu’r cynnig gwreiddiol gyda gwelliant 2 yn arbennig. Yr wyf yn falch i’r Gweinidog ddweud yn gynharach fod cefnogaeth i’r gwelliant hwn ac yr wyf yn llawer hapusach o’r herwydd.

in Welsh The new approach will be proactive and positive, which is vital if we are serious about treating our young people and children as valued members of the community. ‘Extending Entitlement’, on the other hand, is a study carried out in consultation with young people to identify their needs, their aspirations and their concerns, with the praiseworthy intention of using the conclusions and information to help the Assembly to exercise the new, unique powers to Wales to support young people that are contained in the Learning and Skills Act. While Plaid Cymru—The Party of Wales welcomes those important principles and the wish to create better provision and cohesion between agencies and services, as well as the principle of involving young people so that they may participate in the process of improving the provision, we feel that there is a need to strengthen the original motion with amendment 2 in particular. I am pleased that the Minister said earlier that there is support for this amendment and I am much happier as a result.

Ar welliant 4, gwrandawsom ar y pryderon y cyfeiriodd David Melding atynt yn ddeheuig ac effeithiol. Y bwriad y tu ôl i’r gwelliant hwn oedd ceisio sicrhau y bydd deddfwriaeth, ac nad â pobl ifanc ar goll yn y gyfundrefn. Derbyniaf fod hon yn ddeddfwriaeth newydd sydd eto i’w llunio yn briodol. Y mae’n ddeddfwriaeth arbennig o effeithiol. Ymddiriedaf yn y Gweinidog yn y modd yr ymatebodd gan ddweud y caiff hyn ei ystyried yn y dyfodol. Yn yr ysbryd hwnnw o gydweithio, a hoffwn weld y cynnig hwn wedi’i ddiwygio yn cael ei dderbyn heddiw, yr wyf yn fodlon tynnu gwelliant 4 yn ôl.

in Welsh On amendment 4, we listened to the concerns to which David Melding referred skilfully and effectively. The intention behind this amendment was to endeavour to ensure that there will be legislation and that young people will not get lost in the system. I accept that this is new legislation that is yet to be drawn up appropriately. It is particularly effective legislation. I have confidence in the Minister in the way in which she responded and said that this will be considered in future. In that spirit of co-operation, and I would like to see this amended motion being adopted today, I am willing to withdraw amendment 4.

Cefnogwn welliannau 1 a 3 yn enw David Melding a Kirsty Williams, er y dylai David fod wedi defnyddio gair cryfach na ‘pwysleisio’ yn ei welliant efallai. Wedi gwrando arno, fodd bynnag, a deall y diffuantrwydd y tu ôl i’w araith, derbyniwn fod hwn yn fater o bwys ac yn welliant y dylem ei gefnogi. Dyna pam yr ydym yn falch o gefnogi gwelliant 3 Kirsty gan ei bod wedi cyfeirio at sicrwydd:

in Welsh We support amendments 1 and 3 in the name of David Melding and Kirsty Williams, although David should have used a stronger word than ‘emphasises’ in his amendment perhaps. After listening to him, however, and understanding the sincerity behind his speech, we accept that this is a matter of importance and is an amendment that we should support. That is why we are pleased to support Kirsty’s amendment 3 as she has referred to assurance:

‘i sicrhau bod darparwyr gwirfoddol yn derbyn arian digonol a chynaliadwy.’

in Welsh ‘to ensure that voluntary providers receive adequate and sustainable funding.’

Mae hwn yn welliant grymus, cryf a chadarnhaol.

in Welsh This is a powerful, strong and positive amendment.

Ein prif wrthwynebiad i’r cynnig fel ag y mae yw nad yw’n dangos pa fesurau a gymerir i alluogi pobl ifanc i wneud cyfraniad adeiladol tuag at wneud penderfyniadau a datblygu polisi ar faterion sydd yn ymwneud â hwy. Mae’r bwriad yno ond nid yw’r dulliau. Mae sicrhau y gall pobl ifanc ddylanwadu ar y gwasanaethau sydd yn effeithio arnynt ac ar waith y Llywodraeth ar lefel genedlaethol—dywedaf lefel genedlaethol gan ein bod i gyd yn gwybod bellach ein bod yn byw yng Nghymru—yn llawer mwy cadarnhaol na datgan cefnogaeth yn unig fel sydd yn y cynnig. Un enghraifft syml ond hynod effeithiol o geisio sicrhau llais i bobl ifanc fyddai mynnu bod pob ysgol yn sefydlu cyngor ysgol a bod cofnodion y cyngor yn cael eu trafod gan lywodraethwyr yr ysgol a bod hynny yn ofyn statudol. Byddai’r cofnodion hefyd yn agored i gael eu harchwilio gan yr asiantaethau perthnasol. Dyna un enghraifft, a hoffwn fod wedi gweld llawer mwy o’r dulliau hynny yn cael eu cynnig yn yr adroddiad.

in Welsh Our main objection to the motion as it stands is that it does not show which measures will be taken to enable young people to make a constructive contribution towards making decisions and developing policy on issues involving them. The intention is there but the methods are not. Ensuring that young people are able to influence the services that affect them and the work of the Government on a national level—I say on a national level as we all now know that we live in Wales—is much more positive than just a declaration of support as is in the motion. One simple but highly effective example of trying to secure a voice for young people would be to insist that every school should establish a school council and that the minutes of the council should be discussed by the school governors and that that should be a statutory requirement. The minutes would also be open to scrutiny by the relevant agencies. That is one example, and I would have liked to have seen many more of those methods being proposed in the report.

Mae’r cynnig yn gorddibynnu ar bartneriaeth wirfoddol, sydd yn achosi pryder. Mae’r ddau adroddiad yn frith o osodiadau megis ‘yn gofyn am gydlyniaeth’ a ‘dylai’r fframwaith arfaethedig arwain at welliant sylfaenol’. Mae’n fwy o ddymuniad yn hytrach na datganiad o sut y dylid cyflawni’r cydweithio a dod ag ef i rym. Dyfynnaf:

in Welsh The motion is overdependent on voluntary partnership, which is a cause for concern. Both reports are full of statements such as ‘asking for co-ordination’ and ‘the proposed framework should lead to fundamental improvement’. It is more of a desire than a statement of how co-operation should be achieved and brought into being. I quote:

‘Co-operation among organisations of very different sizes and ways of working will be essential; and there will need to be genuine local team working overcoming loyalties to individual organisations.’

yn Saesneg ‘Bydd cydweithio ymhlith sefydliadau o faint gwahanol a ffyrdd gwahanol o weithio yn hanfodol; a bydd angen am gydweithio gwirioneddol yn lleol fel rhan o dîm i oresgyn teyrngarwch i sefydliadau unigol.’

Dymuniad yw hynny. Hoffwn inni weithredu’n bendant a chadarnhaol i sicrhau’r cydweithio hwnnw. Mae angen llawer gwell cymhelliannau er mwyn ysgogi cydweithio rhwng asiantaethau megis iechyd, addysg a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, o bosibl drwy sefydlu awdurdod neu gorff monitro. Hoffwn i weld y sicrwydd hwnnw a’r elfen gadarhaol honno o fonitro.

in Welsh That is a desire. I would like to us act definitely and positively to ensure co-operation. We need much better incentives to motivate co-operation between agencies such as health, education and social services, possibly through establishing an authority or monitoring body. I would like to see that assurance and that positive element of monitoring.

Mae’r adroddiad ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ yn datgan bod polisiau’r Llywodraeth:

in Welsh The report ‘Extending Entitlement’ states that the Government’s policies:

yn ceisio dylanwadu ar agweddau penodol o ymddygiad pobl ifanc o safbwynt problemau, drwy ee leihau triwantiaeth, mynd i’r afael ag ymddygiad anghymdeithasol . . . lleihau troseddu . . . ac yn y blaen.’

in Welsh ‘are attempting to influence particular aspects of young people’s behaviour from a problem-orientated perspective, by eg reducing truancy, addressing anti-social behaviour . . . reducing offending . . . and so on.’

Mae enghreifftiau o arfer da ar draws y gwasanaethau a’r rhaglenni ar gyfer pobl ifanc. Serch hynny, ymateb i sefyllfaoedd y mae nifer o fesurau yn hytrach na mynnu defnyddio llais a barn pobl ifanc i helpu i lunio strategaethau. Mae’n rhaid inni groesi’r bont honno. Dyna pam yr apeliaf am eich cefnogaeth i welliant 2 sydd yn sicrhau cyfraniad pobl ifanc. Credaf y cawn y gefnogaeth honno y bore yma.

in Welsh There are examples of good practice across young people’s services and programmes. Despite that, several measures react to situations rather than insisting on using young people’s voices and opinions to help form strategies. We must cross that bridge. That is why I appeal for your support for amendment 2, which will ensure young people’s participation. I believe that we will get that support this morning.

Yn olaf, rhaid croesawu ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ fel ymagwedd sydd yn unigryw i Gymru ac yn wahanol i’r gwasanaeth Connexions yn Lloegr. Cyfeiriwyd at hynny eisoes. Fodd bynnag, deallaf fod y cyllid a ddyrannwyd yn wreiddiol i fewnoli argymhellion ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ yn awr yn gorfod ariannu’r fframwaith partneriaeth hefyd. Efallai y gall y Gweinidog egluro’r pwynt hwnnw.

in Welsh Finally, ‘Extending Entitlement’ must be welcomed as an approach unique to Wales and different to the Connexions service in England. Reference has already been made to that. However, I understand that the funding orignially allocated to internalise the recommendations of ‘Extending Entitlement’ must now also fund the partnership framework. Perhaps the Minister could clarify that point.

Mae’r hyn a ddeallaf yn groes i’r hyn a gyhoeddwyd yn adroddiad y gweithgor a sefydlwyd gan y Cynulliad i sefydlu’r gost o gyflwyno ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’. Byddai’n ddefnyddiol, o ran tryloywder, i gael edrych ar gynnwys yr adroddiad gwreiddiol. Hefyd, ar hyn o bryd—a gwrandewais yn ofalus ar yr hyn a oedd gan y Gweinidog i’w ddweud am ariannu—mae’r arian a ddyrennir ar gyfer Connexions yn Lloegr yn sylweddol fwy na’r symiau cyfatebol yng Nghymru.

in Welsh My understanding is contrary to what was published in the report of the taskforce established by the Assembly to establish the cost of implementing ‘Extending Entitlement’. It would be useful, in terms of transparency, to be able to look at the contents of the original report. Also, at present—and I listened carefully to what the Minister had to say about funding—the money allocated for Connexions in England is substantially more than the corresponding amounts in Wales.

Erfyniaf arnoch i gefnogi’r gwelliannau fel y gall y Cynulliad ymrwymo nid yn unig i barhau a gwerthfawrogi ein plant a’n pobl ifanc mewn egwyddor ond hefyd, ac efallai’n bwysicach, yn ariannol. Nid yw’r ymrwymiad hwnnw yn y cynnig fel ag y mae.

in Welsh I implore you to support the amendments so that the Assembly can commit itself not only to continue to appreciate our children and young people in principle but also, perhaps more importantly, financially. That commitment is not in the motion as it stands.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 49

John Marek Y Diprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

I call Kirsty Williams to propose the amendment in her name.

Galwaf ar Kirsty Williams i gynnig y gwelliant yn ei henw hi.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 49

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

As I indicated to the Presiding Officer earlier, amendment 3 will be proposed by my colleague, Christine Humphreys.

Fel yr awgrymais wrth y Dirprwy Lywydd yn gynharach, caiff gwelliant 3 ei gynnig gan fy nghyd-Aelod, Christine Humphreys.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 49

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

I therefore call Christine Humphreys.

Galwaf felly ar Christine Humphreys.

Christine Humphreys spoken in English p. 49

Christine Humphreys siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

I propose amendment 3 in the name of Kirsty Williams. Insert a new clause between the third and fourth clauses:

Cynigiaf welliant 3 yn enw Kirsty Williams. Ychwanegu cymal newydd rhwng y trydydd a’r pedwerydd cymal:

Christine Humphreys (continued) spoken in English p. 50

Christine Humphreys (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 50

In moving this amendment, I welcome the motion, which deals primarily with two different but connected issues: first, the consultation on the ‘Extending Entitlement’ report and, secondly, the implementation of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 in Wales. I will deal first with the ‘Extending Entitlement’ report. The Liberal Democrats support the report’s conclusion that support for young people in Wales should be based on a recognised entitlement and on guiding and encouraging young people to take up that entitlement. We also welcome the call for a young people’s strategy in every local authority area. That is in tune with our own party policy. Youth provision needs to be enabling rather than prescriptive. There is sometimes a temptation for those my sons would call ‘you olds’ to prescribe what they think is suitable for young people. However, youth provision needs to be enabling. We need to provide safe facilities for young people but we also need to provide the opportunities for them to develop themselves. Young people, and we have all been young once, will always want to do their own thing regardless of what we, or anyone else, come up with for them. A good example, which was a recurring theme in ‘Extending Entitlement’ focus groups, was the desire among young people for somewhere to hang out. We must take this on board.

Wrth gynnig y gwelliant hwn, croesawaf y cynnig, sydd yn ymdrin yn bennaf â dau fater gwahanol ond cysylltiedig: yn gyntaf, yr ymgynghori ar yr adroddiad ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ ac, yn ail, gweithredu Deddf Dysgu a Sgiliau 2000 yng Nghymru. Ymdriniaf yn gyntaf â’r adroddiad ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’. Cefnoga’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol y casgliad y daeth yr adroddiad iddo sef y dylai cefnogaeth i bobl ifanc yng Nghymru fod yn seiliedig ar hawl gydnabyddedig ac ar arwain ac annog pobl ifanc i dderbyn yr hawl honno. Croesawn hefyd yr alwad am strategaeth i bobl ifanc ymhob ardal awdurdod lleol. Mae hynny mewn cytgord â pholisi ein plaid ni. Mae angen i’r ddarpariaeth ar gyfer pobl ifanc fod yn un sy’n galluogi yn hytrach nag yn argymhellol. Weithiau mae’n demtasiwn i’r rheini y byddai fy meibion yn eu galw’n ‘chi’r hen bobl’ i argymell yr hyn sydd yn addas i bobl ifanc yn eu barn hwy. Fodd bynnag, mae angen i’r ddarpariaeth ar gyfer pobl ifanc fod yn un sydd yn galluogi. Mae angen inni ddarparu cyfleusterau diogel i bobl ifanc ond mae angen inni hefyd ddarparu’r cyfleoedd iddynt ddatblygu eu hunain. Bydd pobl ifanc, ac fe fuom oll yn ifanc ar un adeg, bob amser am wneud fel y mynnont, waeth beth a awgrymwn ni, neu unrhyw un arall. Un enghraifft dda o hyn, a oedd yn thema gyson yng ngrwpiau ffocws ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’, oedd y dymuniad ymhlith pobl ifanc i gael rhywle i ymgynnull. Mae’n rhaid inni ymdrin â hyn.

Our amendment is not intended to undermine the motion, but rather to draw out what we think is a key theme. Recently, the Liberal Democrats conducted a survey of voluntary groups in Wales called ‘Funding for the Future’. We found that 20 per cent of those groups dealt specifically with youth issues. The same survey found that voluntary groups are concerned about the lack of real partnership with government. The lack of true partnership between local government, Government and the voluntary sector was a theme that appeared strongly in the North Wales Regional Committee last Friday.

Ni fwriedir i’n gwelliant danselio’r cynnig, ond yn hytrach i amlygu’r hyn y credwn sydd yn thema allweddol. Yn ddiweddar, cynhaliodd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol arolwg o grwpiau gwirfoddol yng Nghymru o’r enw ‘Ariannu ar gyfer y Dyfodol’. Gwelsom fod 20 y cant o’r grwpiau hynny yn ymdrin yn benodol â materion ieuenctid. Canfu’r un arolwg fod grwpiau gwirfoddol yn gofidio am y diffyg partneriaeth wirioneddol rhyngddynt hwy a’r llywodraeth. Yr oedd diffyg partneriaeth wirioneddol rhwng llywodraeth leol, y Llywodraeth a’r sector gwirfoddol yn thema a oedd yn amlwg iawn ym Mhwyllgor Rhanbarthaol Gogledd Cymru ddydd Gwener diwethaf.

The Learning and Skills Act states that local authorities shall have regard to the expediency of co-operation with voluntary organisations. However, many voluntary groups feel that the money goes to local authorities and stops there. Of the £10 million that has been allocated to the Children and Youth Partnership Fund in 2000-01, for example, only £2.2 million has been allocated to the voluntary sector. What is needed is what is described in the Assembly’s compact with the voluntary sector as ‘joint ownership’ of projects and policies. Joint ownership means that everyone brings something to the table. This, in turn, depends on capacity building in the voluntary sector. Without capacity building, the voluntary sector cannot be an equal partner with local government. ‘Extending Entitlement’ calls on the Assembly to create the capacity to implement local youth strategies. A major part of this capacity needs to be created in that voluntary sector.

Noda’r Ddeddf Dysgu a Sgiliau fod yn rhaid i awdurdodau lleol ystyried hwylustod y cydweithio â sefydliadau gwirfoddol. Fodd bynnag, teimla llawer o’r grwpiau gwirfoddol fod yr arian yn mynd i’r awdurdodau lleol ac yn aros yno. O’r £10 miliwn a ddyrannwyd i’r Gronfa Partneriaeth Plant a Phobl Ifanc yn 2000-01, er enghraifft, dim ond £2.2 miliwn a ddyrannwyd i’r sector gwirfoddol. Yr hyn sydd ei angen yw’r hyn a ddisgrifir yng nghytundeb y Cynulliad â’r sector gwirfoddol fel ‘cyd-berchenogaeth’ prosiectau a pholisïau. Mae cyd-berchenogaeth yn golygu bod pawb yn cynnig rhywbeth. Mae hyn, yn ei dro, yn dibynnu ar ddatblygu gallu yn y sector gwirfoddol. Heb ddatblygu gallu, ni all y sector gwirfoddol fod yn bartner cyfartal gyda llywodraeth leol. Mae ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ yn galw ar y Cynulliad i greu’r gallu i weithredu strategaethau lleol i bobl ifanc. Mae angen creu rhan fawr o’r gallu hwn yn y sector gwirfoddol.

I turn briefly to the Learning and Skills Act 2000. This Act sets out various powers and duties for the Assembly and local authorities to improve services for young people in Wales. It contains much that Liberal Democrats have called for in the past. This Act is exemplary because, unlike so many others, it has clear sections referring to Wales and takes into account the difference between England and Wales. It would be of great benefit to us in Wales if other Bills and Acts were drawn up with the same thought and the same recognition of devolution.

Trof am ychydig at y Ddeddf Dysgu a Sgiliau 2000. Noda’r Ddeddf hon bwerau a dyletswyddau amrywiol ar gyfer y Cynulliad ac awdurdodau lleol i wella gwasanaethau i bobl ifanc yng Nghymru. Mae’n cynnwys llawer y mae’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol wedi galw amdano yn y gorffennol. Mae’r Ddeddf yn rhagorol oherwydd, yn wahanol i gymaint o rai eraill, mae ganddi adrannau clir sydd yn cyfeirio at Gymru ac sydd yn ystyried y gwahaniaeth rhwng Cymru a Lloegr. Byddai’n fanteisiol iawn i ni yng Nghymru pe bai Mesurau a Deddfau eraill yn cael eu llunio gyda’r un bwriad a’r un gydnabyddiaeth o ddatganoli.

At present, drafting Bills without giving proper recognition to Wales may mean that the Assembly will lose some of its few powers as new Acts supersede those listed in the Transfer of Functions Order. This Act gives the Assembly major powers to make secondary legislation. It is my understanding that there is a downside to this in England. In England the same powers are vested in the Secretary of State for Education and, therefore, they are outside Parliamentary control. We have that control over secondary legislation here.

Ar hyn o bryd, gall drafftio Mesurau heb roi cydnabyddiaeth briodol i Gymru olygu y bydd y Cynulliad yn colli rhai o’r ychydig bwerau sydd ganddo wrth i Ddeddfau newydd ddisodli’r rhai a restrir yn y Gorchymyn Trosglwyddo Swyddogaethau. Rhydd y Ddeddf hon bwerau o bwys i’r Cynulliad er mwyn iddo wneud deddfwriaeth eilaidd. Yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf mae anfantais i hyn yn Lloegr. Yn Lloegr breinir yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Addysg â’r un pwerau ac, felly, maent y tu allan i reolaeth y Senedd. Mae gennym y rheolaeth honno dros ddeddfwriaeth eilaidd yma.

Sex education is one aspect of the secondary legislation that the Assembly will have to address. Among the functions devolved to the Assembly under the Learning and Skills Act is the duty, in section 148, to issue guidance on sex education. According to the Act, this guidance must ensure that pupils ‘learn the nature of marriage and its importance for family life’ and ‘are protected from teaching and materials which are inappropriate’ to their age and religious and cultural background. Therefore, we must ensure that sex education guidance issued by the Assembly under section 148 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 emphasises the diversity of family relationships in Wales. The requirement to learn the nature of marriage and its importance for family life must not become exclusive, because that is not the exclusive situation in Wales. If it is to become an exclusive requirement, it may prevent children learning about the different types of families in society. Those who are concerned about that should remember that parents will still have the right to withdraw children from sex education lessons.

Mae addysg rhyw yn un agwedd ar ddeddfwriaeth eilaidd y bydd yn rhaid i’r Cynulliad ymdrin â hi. Ymhlith y swyddogaethau a ddatganolwyd i’r Cynulliad o dan y Ddeddf Dysgu a Sgiliau mae’r ddyletswydd, yn adran 148, i gyhoeddi arweiniad ar addysg rhyw. Yn unol â’r Ddeddf, rhaid i’r arweiniad hwnnw sicrhau bod disgyblion yn ‘dysgu natur priodas a’i phwysigrwydd ar gyfer bywyd teuluol’ a’u bod ‘yn cael eu diogelu rhag addysgu a deunyddiau sydd yn amhriodol’ i’w hoedran a’u cefndir crefyddol a diwylliannol. Felly, rhaid inni sicrhau bod arweiniad addysg rhyw a gyhoeddir gan y Cynulliad o dan adran 148 Deddf Dysgu a Sgiliau 2000 yn pwysleisio amrywiaeth cysylltiadau teuluol yng Nghymru. Rhaid i’r gofyniad i ddysgu am natur priodas a’i phwysigrwydd ar gyfer bywyd teuluol beidio â dod yn unigryw, oherwydd nid dyna’r sefyllfa unigryw yng Nghymru. Os daw yn ofyniad unigryw, efallai y bydd yn atal plant rhag dysgu am y mathau gwahanol o deuluoedd sydd mewn cymdeithas. Dylai’r rheini sydd yn pryderu am hynny gofio y bydd gan rieni yr hawl i dynnu plant allan o wersi addysg ryw o hyd.

David Davies spoken in English p. 52

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52

Will the Minister give way?

A wnaiff y Gweinidog ildio?

Christine Humphreys spoken in English p. 52

Christine Humphreys siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52

Thank you for the promotion, David.

Diolch am y dyrchafiad, David.

David Davies spoken in English p. 52

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52

Is Christine Humphreys suggesting that pupils should be taught that alternative types of relationships have the same value as marriage?

A yw Christine Humphreys yn awgrymu y dylid addysgu disgyblion bod gan fathau amgen o berthynas yr un gwerth â phriodas?

Christine Humphreys spoken in English p. 52

Christine Humphreys siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52

I am not saying anything of the sort. I made it clear that I was highlighting the decision that the Assembly will have to make. I am not giving guidance to the Assembly. However, there are many relationships in this country that do not depend on a marriage certificate. It is a fallacy to educate children to believe that marriage is the only type of relationship in Britain.

Nid wyf yn dweud dim o’r fath. Eglurais fy mod yn amlygu’r penderfyniad y bydd yn rhaid i’r Cynulliad ei wneud. Nid wyf yn rhoi arweiniad i’r Cynulliad. Fodd bynnag, mae sawl math o berthynas yn y wlad hon nad ydynt yn dibynnu ar dystysgrif priodas. Cam-dyb yw addysgu plant i gredu mai priodas yw’r unig fath o berthynas ym Mhrydain.

I look forward to the continuing consultation process and the implementation of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. I also look forward to the pieces of secondary legislation coming before the Assembly and the challenges of that process. We will support David Melding’s amendment 1 and Gareth Jones’s amendment 2. We support the sentiment in Gareth Jones’s amendment 4 and hope that the Minister will bring the issue to Committee.

Edrychaf ymlaen at y broses ymgynghorol yn parhau ac at weithredu Deddf Dysgu a Sgiliau 2000. Edrychaf ymlaen hefyd at ddarnau’r ddeddfwriaeth eilaidd yn dod ger bron y Cynulliad a sialensau’r broses honno. Byddwn yn cefnogi gwelliant 1 David Melding a gwelliant 2 Gareth Jones. Cefnogwn y farn yng ngwelliant 4 Gareth Jones gan obeithio y daw’r Gweinidog â’r mater ger bron y Pwyllgor.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 53

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 53

Amendment 4 has been withdrawn.

Tynnwyd gwelliant 4 yn ôl.

Christine Humphreys spoken in English p. 53

Christine Humphreys siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 53

Although it has been withdrawn, we accept the sentiment behind it.

Er iddo gael ei dynnu’n ôl, derbyniwn y teimlad y tu ôl iddo.

Owen John Thomas spoken in English p. 53

Owen John Thomas siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 53

I welcome this motion, as it is an opportunity to provide Welsh input. I hope that this will become common practice rather than an exception to the rule. That is what devolution is all about.

Croesawaf y cynnig hwn, gan ei fod yn gyfle i ddarparu mewnbwn Cymreig. Gobeithiaf y daw yn arfer cyffredin yn hytrach nag yn eithriad i’r rheol. Dyna yw ystyr datganoli.

I will speak to amendment 4, even though it has been withdrawn, because we would like people to understand why we think it is crucial. The National Assembly needs to adopt a policy, through subordinate legislation, that would place a statutory duty on colleges, schools, and possibly departments of employment, to keep track of young people. This should be done by deploying trained staff to deal sympathetically with them, to respect their individuality and their views, and to guide them away from a downward spiral into social exclusion. Existing arrangements allow far too many young people to slip through the net. This would be a practical means of achieving social harmony through a direct involvement in tackling social exclusion, crime, and other social misbehaviour and indifference, that stems from that.

Byddaf yn siarad am welliant 4, er iddo gael ei dynnu’n ôl, oherwydd yr ydym am i bobl ddeall pam ei fod yn holl bwysig yn ein barn ni. Mae angen i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol fabwysiadu polisi, drwy is-ddeddfwriaeth, a fyddai’n rhoi dyletswydd statudol ar golegau, ysgolion ac o bosibl adrannau cyflogaeth, i ddilyn hynt pobl ifanc. Dylid gwneud hyn drwy ddefnyddio staff wedi eu hyfforddi i ymdrin â hwy â chydymdeimlad, i barchu eu hunaniaeth a’u barn, a’u hatal rhag syrthio i allgáu cymdeithasol. Mae’r trefniadau presennol yn caniatáu i ormod o lawer o bobl lithro drwy’r rhwyd. Byddai hyn yn ffordd ymarferol o gyflawni cytgord cymdeithasol drwy ymwneud yn uniongyrchol â mynd i’r afael ag allgáu cymdeithasol, troseddu, a chamymddwyn a difaterwch cymdeithasol arall, sydd yn deillio o hynny.

Additional funding will be needed if a record is to be kept of where young people go when they leave school without gaining qualifications, without completing their further education or a New Deal project. It is unsatisfactory that so many do not remain on our records. They end up involved in crime and substance abuse. That leads to antisocial behaviour that affects the whole of society. We have a problem that must be addressed seriously, not only with words such as ‘support’ but with money and people who are trained to understand young people, to work with them, to respect them and to wean them back into society, so that social harmony is created and social exclusion is negated.

Bydd angen arian ychwanegol er mwyn cadw cofnod o ble mae pobl ifanc yn mynd pan adawant yr ysgol heb ennill cymwysterau, heb gwblhau eu haddysg bellach na phrosiect y Fargen Newydd. Mae’n anfoddhaol bod cymaint yn diflannu o’n cofnodion. Troseddu a chamddefnyddio sylweddau fydd eu hanes. Mae hynny’n arwain at ymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol sydd yn effeithio ar gymdeithas gyfan. Mae gennym broblem y mae’n rhaid ymdrin â hi yn ddifrifol, nid yn unig â geiriau fel ‘cefnogaeth’ ond gydag arian a phobl sydd wedi eu hyfforddi i ddeall pobl ifanc, i weithio gyda hwy, i’w parchu ac i’w diddyfnu yn ôl i gymdeithas, fel y gellir creu cytgord cymdeithasol a nacáu allgáu cymdeithasol.

I support the need for specified and dedicated means to tackle this problem and I welcome the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning’s comments on amendment 4. I look forward to addressing this issue again when it comes before the Assembly after the Bill’s passage through Westminster.

Cefnogaf yr angen am ffyrdd penodol ac ymroddedig o fynd i’r afael â’r broblem hon a chroesawaf sylwadau’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes ar welliant 4. Edrychaf ymlaen at ymdrin â’r mater hwn eto pan ddaw ger bron y Cynulliad ar ôl taith y Mesur drwy San Steffan.

Karen Sinclair spoken in English p. 54

Karen Sinclair siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 54

I will discuss the essential role of the youth service in implementing this strategy. I worked in the youth service for 14 years, directly through the local education authority, as it was then, and as a field officer for the Welsh Association of Youth Clubs. Over the years, I have watched local authorities slowly reduce funding for youth work.

Byddaf yn trafod rôl hanfodol y gwasanaeth ieuenctid wrth weithredu’r strategaeth hon. Gweithiais yn y gwasanaeth ieuenctid am 14 mlynedd, yn uniongyrchol drwy’r awdurdod addysg lleol, fel yr oedd ar y pryd, ac fel swyddog maes i Gymdeithas Clybiau Ieuenctid Cymru. Dros y blynyddoedd, gwyliais awdurdodau lleol yn cwtogi’r arian yn raddol ar gyfer gwaith gyda phobl ifanc.

Over the years, the youth service became very much the poor relation as regards youth provision. Education was statutory and, as budgets became tighter, the youth service took the main brunt of the cuts, and that provision was eroded. From within, I saw provision cut and I watched small rural clubs disappear. Even full-time clubs became part time. In Wrexham, where I worked, each of the full-time clubs became part time. That was a tragedy for people in difficult circumstances in Wrexham who depended on those full-time youth clubs for their huge amount of work with young people.

Dros y blynyddoedd, daeth y gwasanaeth ieuenctid yn enwog fel y perthynas tlawd o ran darpariaeth ar gyfer pobl ifanc. Yr oedd addysg yn statudol ac, wrth i gyllidebau ddod yn fwy tynn, y gwasanaeth ieuenctid a ddioddefodd y toriadau mwyaf, ac erydodd y ddarpariaeth honno. O’r tu mewn, gwelais y ddarpariaeth yn cael ei chwtogi a gwyliais glybiau gwledig bach yn diflannu. Daeth clybiau llawn amser hyd yn oed yn rhai rhan amser. Yn Wrecsam, lle y gweithiais, daeth pob un o’r clybiau llawn amser yn rhai rhan amser. Yr oedd hynny’n drasiedi i bobl o dan amgylchiadau anodd yn Wrecsam a oedd yn dibynnu ar y clybiau ieuenctid llawn amser hynny am eu gwaith aruthrol gyda phobl ifanc.

Even the voluntary youth clubs struggled dreadfully as the lack of professional support and training provision dwindled. Less than 1 per cent of local authorities’ education budgets goes towards youth service provision. That is a dreadful indictment. The value of good youth service is not quantifiable in league tables. Yet, often, youth workers have an incredible impact on the lives of young people, widening their horizons and helping to form their views on the world. It is only in later years that they reap real benefit from that.

Brwydrodd y clybiau ieuenctid gwirfoddol hyd yn oed wrth i’r diffyg cefnogaeth broffesiynol a’r ddarpariaeth hyfforddiant edwino. Mae llai nag 1 y cant o gyllidebau addysg awdurdodau lleol yn mynd tuag at y ddarpariaeth ar gyfer y gwasanaeth ieuenctid. Mae hynny’n gyhuddiad ofnadwy. Nid yw gwerth gwasanaeth ieuenctid da yn fesuradwy mewn tablau cynghrair. Ac eto, yn aml, caiff gweithwyr ieuenctid effaith anhygoel ar fywydau pobl ifanc, gan ehangu eu gorwelion a helpu i ffurfio eu barn hwy am y byd. Dim ond mewn blynyddoedd diweddarach yr elwant yn wirioneddol ar hynny.

A good, thriving youth club makes a real difference to young people’s lives. It gives them the opportunity to fully participate on an equal basis, and they are truly empowered if the youth club is working properly and if they are encouraged to make decisions, realise consequences and be in control, but guided by experienced and empathetic workers.

Gwna clwb ieuenctid ffyniannus, da wahaniaeth go iawn i fywydau pobl ifanc. Rhydd gyfle iddynt gyfranogi’n llawn ar sail gyfartal, a rhoddir awdurdod gwirioneddol iddynt os yw’r clwb ieuenctid yn gweithio’n gywir ac os cânt eu hannog i wneud penderfyniadau, sylweddoli canlyniadau a chymryd y llyw, ond gydag arweiniad gweithwyr profiadol ac empathig.

To turn this document into reality and to truly extend entitlement, funding is imperative. That is my main point today. We must ensure that moneys given to implement these policies are directed within local authorities and not swallowed up by local authorities’ general budgets. That is imperative. If we fail to do that, the strategy will fail. It is imperative that Jane ensures that that happens. I urge her to make that commitment today, publicly, so that we can be confident that this wonderful policy vision becomes a reality and that our young people in Wales get what they truly deserve.

Er mwyn troi’r ddogfen hon yn realiti ac i wir ymestyn yr hawl, mae arian yn angenrheidiol. Dyna fy mhrif bwynt heddiw. Rhaid inni sicrhau y cyfeirir yr arian a roddir i weithredu’r polisïau hyn o fewn awdurdodau lleol ac na chânt eu llyncu gan gyllidebau cyffredinol awdurdodau lleol. Mae hynny’n hanfodol. Os methwn â gwneud hynny, bydd y strategaeth yn methu. Mae’n holl bwysig bod Jane yn sicrhau bod hynny’n digwydd. Pwysaf arni i wneud yr ymrwymiad hwnnw heddiw, yn gyhoeddus, fel y gallwn fod yn hyderus y daw’r weledigaeth polisi ragorol hon yn realiti ac y caiff ein pobl ifanc yng Nghymru yr hyn y maent wir yn ei haeddu.

Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 55

Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 55

Before moving on to the main body of my comments, I will make a brief comment on the motion’s format. I strongly endorse the sentiment in Kirsty Williams’s amendment and we will vote for it. However, I am surprised that, as a member of a Government party, she had to submit it. Could it not have been included in the main Government motion? That would have enabled the opposition parties to amend the whole of the Government’s motion. I trust that, over time, the coalition partners will get their act together on this so that we can amend all that you have to say. Alternatively—and this is permissible within our Standing Orders—Labour back benchers could amend Government motions. We could even start amending our own motions. However, I seem to remember the Cabinet finding it unacceptable when the Welsh Conservatives did that. Perhaps we could consider that in future.

Cyn symud ymlaen at brif gorff fy sylwadau, gwnaf sylw byr ar fformat y cynnig. Cymeradwyaf y farn yng ngwelliant Kirsty Williams yn gryf a byddwn yn pleidleisio drosto. Fodd bynnag, synnaf ei bod, fel aelod o blaid Lywodraethol, wedi gorfod ei gyflwyno. Oni ellid bod wedi ei gynnwys ym mhrif gynnig y Llywodraeth? Byddai hynny wedi galluogi pleidiau’r wrthblaid i ddiwygio cynnig y Llywodraeth i gyd. Hyderaf, ymhen amser, y bydd partneriaid y glymblaid yn hel eu meddyliau ar hyn fel y gallwn ddiwygio’r cyfan sydd gennych i’w ddweud. Fel arall—a chaniateir hyn o fewn ein Rheolau Sefydlog—gallai aelodau Llafur y meinciau cefn ddiwygio cynigion y Llywodraeth. Gallem hyd yn oed ddechrau cynnig gwelliannau i’n cynigion ein hunain. Fodd bynnag, mae gennyf ryw gof y bu hynny’n annerbyniol pan wnaeth y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig hynny. Efallai y gallem ystyried hynny yn y dyfodol.

I am glad that the Government will support amendment 2. We appreciate that. Many of us who have worked with children and young people know that listening to children and young people is not enough. We must act on their concerns. The list in Annex 2 of the framework document is fascinating, but not surprising. As well as talking to children and young people about the problems, we need to talk to them about the solutions. At the risk of sounding like Alun Michael, who often referred to his past experience, I spent many years working with children and young people. I found that they often had a much better idea of the best way to deal with some of the challenges that they face than those of us who have been youth workers did. What they needed, and I am sure that Karen and many others in the Chamber will agree, was the power and resources the Assembly can make available to make that happen.

Yr wyf yn falch y bydd y Llywodraeth yn cefnogi gwelliant 2. Gwerthfawrogwn hynny. Bydd llawer ohonom sydd wedi gweithio gyda phlant a phobl ifanc yn gwybod nad yw gwrando ar blant a phobl ifanc yn ddigon. Rhaid inni weithredu ar eu pryderon. Mae’r rhestr yn Atodiad 2 y ddogfen fframwaith yn ddiddorol, ond nid yw’n fy synnu. Yn ogystal â siarad gyda phlant a phobl ifanc am y problemau, mae angen inni siarad gyda hwy am yr atebion. Os caf fentro swnio’n debyg i Alun Michael, a gyfeiriai yn aml at ei brofiad yn y gorffennol, treuliais lawer o flynyddoedd yn gweithio gyda phlant a phobl ifanc. Yn aml gwelais fod ganddynt syniad llawer gwell ynglŷn â’r ffordd orau o ymdrin â rhai o’r heriau a wynebant na’r rheini ohonom a fu’n weithwyr ieuenctid. Yr hyn yr oedd ei angen arnynt, ac yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd Karen a llawer o rai eraill yn y Siambr yn cytuno, oedd y pŵer a’r adnoddau y gall y Cynulliad sicrhau eu bod ar gael er mwyn gwneud i hynny ddigwydd.

Sometimes it is worse to listen to children and young people and do nothing, than not listen to them at all. There is nothing worse, particularly for the young, than to have expectations raised and dashed.

Weithiau mae’n waeth gwrando ar blant a phobl ifanc a gwneud dim, na pheidio â gwrando arnynt o gwbl. Nid oes dim sydd yn waeth, yn arbennig i’r rhai ifanc, na chodi eu disgwyliadau ac yna eu chwalu.

I am pleased to see that the document notes the vital role of the children’s commissioner in this. She or he will want to ensure, not only that children’s voices are heard, but that their concerns are addressed and their needs are met. There will be times when he or she will need strong statutory powers to underpin this, and I would welcome the Cabinet’s commitment—made again last week—to seek full statutory powers for the commissioner at the earliest opportunity.

Yr wyf yn falch o weld bod y ddogfen yn nodi rôl holl bwysig y comisiynydd plant yn hyn. Bydd hi neu ef am sicrhau, nid yn unig y clywir lleisiau plant, ond yr ymdrinnir â’u pryderon ac y diwellir eu hanghenion. Bydd adegau pan fydd angen pwerau statudol cryf arno ef neu arni hi i ategu hyn a byddwn yn croesawu ymrwymiad y Cabinet—a wnaethpwyd unwaith eto yr wythnos diwethaf—i geisio pwerau statudol llawn i’r comisiynydd cyn gynted â phosibl.

I am afraid that I am going to have to nit-pick and I hope that the National Assembly will forgive me.

Ofnaf y bydd yn rhaid imi bigo beiau a gobeithiaf y bydd y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol yn maddau imi.

Andrew Davies spoken in English p. 56

Andrew Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 56

Why change the habit of a lifetime?

Pam newid arfer oes?

Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 57

Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 57

Exactly, why change the habit of a lifetime? However, as Andrew Davies—the Minister for Assembly Business—knows, the devil is often in the detail.

Yn union, pam newid arfer oes? Fodd bynnag, fel y gŵyr Andrew Davies—y Trefnydd—y manylion yn aml yw’r bwgan mwyaf.

Paragraph 15 of the executive summary of the framework document says that the commissioner will be ‘a statutory office set up under the Care Standards Act 2000’. I do not propose to repeat the discussion that we had about this last time, but I will say that this sends out the wrong message. We are talking about a commissioner for all the children of Wales, to speak for them all, about any serious concerns that they want to bring to her or him, not just about children in care. The body of this document gets it absolutely right, the summary gets it wrong, and I will continue nit-picking—yes, the habit of a lifetime—and I will keep banging on about this as long as Government papers keep getting it wrong.

Dywed paragraff 15 crynodeb gweithredol y ddogfen fframwaith y bydd y comisiynydd yn ‘swydd statudol a sefydlir o dan Ddeddf Safonau Gofal 2000’. Nid wyf yn cynnig ailadrodd y drafodaeth a gawsom am hyn y tro diwethaf, ond yr wyf am ddweud bod hyn yn cyfleu’r neges anghywir. Yr ydym yn sôn am gomisiynydd i bob plentyn yng Nghymru, i siarad ar ran pob un ohonynt, ynglŷn ag unrhyw bryderon difrifol y maent am eu lleisio iddi hi neu iddo ef, nid dim ond am blant mewn gofal. Mae corff y ddogfen hon yn hollol gywir, mae’r crynodeb yn anghywir, a byddaf yn parhau i bigo beiau—ie, arfer oes—a byddaf yn parhau i rygnu ymlaen am hyn tra bod papurau’r Llywodraeth yn anghywir.

Finally, I would like to follow up what many of my colleagues have said about resources. The joined-up, more strategic and simpler approach to funding is obviously welcome. However, years of underfunding have left a range of services—we have heard from Karen about the particular problems of the generic youth service that is there for everybody—in a chronic state in some places. It is patchy across Wales; there is excellent work in some places, almost nothing in other places. We cannot blame local authorities for that. Over the last 18 years, under a Conservative Government, and for a further two or three under a Labour Government who felt that they had to stick to their spending plans, local authorities have had no extra money to spend on what they were not statutorily committed to. It is good to see that we are moving on from that position now. To make the dreams and aspirations in these documents a reality, the Government of Wales will need to provide substantial extra funding in the short term and, above all, long-term sustainable funding. It is terrible when you have a good project that is delivering results, perhaps on a three-year funding cycle, and then the money is gone. This brings me back to the danger of raising young people’s aspirations and then smashing them. We must have long-term sustainable funding streams for services for children and young people across the board, otherwise the aspirations of ‘Extending Entitlement’ will remain aspirations, and the framework will remain as just an empty frame. It is clear from everything that has been said this afternoon, that we are all—not only the Government of Wales, but all the opposition parties—committed to ensuring that that does not happen. That is very welcome. The children and young people of Wales expect, and deserve, the best from the National Assembly, and I am optimistic that we can deliver it.

Yn olaf, hoffwn ddilyn yr hyn a ddywedodd llawer o’m cyd-Aelodau am adnoddau. Yn amlwg, croesewir yr ymagwedd gyfannol, fwy strategol a symlach tuag at ariannu. Fodd bynnag, mae blynyddoedd o beidio â rhoi digon o arian wedi gadael ystod o wasanaethau—clywsom gan Karen am broblemau penodol y gwasanaeth ieuenctid cyffredinol sydd yno i bawb—mewn cyflwr affwysol mewn rhai mannau. Mae’n dameidiog ledled Cymru; caiff gwaith rhagorol ei wneud mewn rhai ardaloedd, a bron dim mewn ardaloedd eraill. Ni allwn feio’r awdurdodau lleol am hynny. Dros y 18 mlynedd diwethaf, o dan Lywodraeth Geidwadol, ac am ddwy neu dair blynedd arall o dan Lywodraeth Lafur a deimlai fod yn rhaid iddynt lynu wrth eu cynlluniau gwario, ni chafodd yr awdurdodau lleol unrhyw arian ychwanegol i’w wario ar yr hyn nad oeddent wedi eu hymrwymo yn statudol iddo. Mae’n dda gweld ein bod yn symud ymlaen o’r sefyllfa honno yn awr. Er mwyn troi’r breuddwydion a’r dyheadau yn y dogfennau hynny yn realiti, bydd angen i Lywodraeth Cymru ddarparu arian ychwanegol sylweddol yn y tymor byr ac, yn anad dim, arian cynaliadwy tymor hir. Mae’n ofnadwy pan fydd gennych brosiect da sy’n dangos canlyniadau, efallai ar gylch ariannu tair blynedd, ac yna mae’r arian wedi diflannu. Daw hyn â mi yn ôl at y perygl o godi dyheadau pobl ifanc ac yna eu chwalu. Rhaid inni gael ffrydiau ariannu cynaliadwy tymor hir ar gyfer gwasanaethau i blant a phobl ifanc yn gyffredinol, neu bydd dyheadau ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ yn parhau i fod yn ddyheadau, a bydd y fframwaith yn parhau yn ddim mwy na ffrâm wag. Mae’n amlwg o bopeth a ddywedwyd y prynhawn yma, bod pob un ohonom—nid yn unig Llywodraeth Cymru, ond pob un o bleidiau’r wrthblaid—yn ymrwymedig i sicrhau nad yw hynny’n digwydd. Mae croeso mawr i hynny. Mae plant a phobl ifanc Cymru yn disgwyl, ac yn haeddu, y gorau o’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, ac yr wyf yn optimistaidd y gallwn ei gyflwyno.

Ann Jones spoken in English p. 58

Ann Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 58

It would be easy to stand here and list all the difficulties that young people have experienced over the last two years, but I am going to resist doing so because that turns young people off. We must work together with young people now, to ensure that we get it right for them in the next decade. We must ensure that we listen to young people’s views. I have taken a lot of time to sit and listen to their views and taken the ‘you olds and wrinklies, what do you know about?’ and I have said ‘I have wrinkles, but they are lines of experience and I want to help you with that experience’. However, I never listened to my parents, so why should I think that my children will listen to me?

Byddai’n hawdd sefyll yma a rhestru’r holl anawsterau y mae pobl ifanc wedi eu profi dros y ddwy flynedd diwethaf, ond rhaid imi beidio â gwneud hynny am fod hynny’n diflasu pobl ifanc. Rhaid inni weithio gyda phobl ifanc yn awr, er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud y peth iawn iddynt yn y degawd nesaf. Rhaid inni sicrhau ein bod yn gwrando ar safbwyntiau pobl ifanc. Yr wyf wedi cymryd llawer o amser i eistedd a gwrando ar eu safbwyntiau ac wedi derbyn yr ymagwedd ‘chi bobl hen a chrychlyd, beth wyddoch chi?’ ac yr wyf wedi dweud ‘Mae gennyf grychion, ond llinellau profiad ydynt ac yr wyf am eich helpu gyda’r profiad hwnnw’. Fodd bynnag, ni wrandewais i ar fy rhieni erioed, felly pam y dylwn i feddwl y bydd fy mhlant i yn gwrando arnaf fi?

As people will know, the most deprived ward in Wales is in my constituency. As many as 98 per cent of children and young people in that ward have no access to a front or back yard or a garden. Their playing facility is one concrete square alongside a busy road. Yet, they desperately want to be part of their community. This was ably demonstrated when we participated in a youth forum a fortnight ago. The young people sat around tables with the wrinklies, the police, social workers, youth workers, young carers and anyone whom they thought would listen to them. They wanted to discuss the issues of their community. They wanted a place to hang out, where us wrinklies would have to ask permission to go along and, if we wanted a can of Coke, we would have to ask whether we could have one, because they would set the ground rules and would police and run the place. However, they also recognise that they must put something back into their community. They were keen to interact with the community, but they kept saying that no-one would listen to them or allow them on the partnerships to discuss Objective 1 funding or Communities First. I have assured them that I will, hopefully, get the people around the table to include young people in such projects.

Fel y gŵyr pobl, mae’r ward fwyaf difreintiedig yng Nghymru yn fy etholaeth i. Nid oes gan gymaint â 98 y cant o blant a phobl ifanc yn y ward honno unrhyw iard flaen na iard gefn na gardd y gallant eu defnyddio. Eu man chwarae yw un sgwâr concrit ar ochr ffordd brysur. Ac eto, maent yn dyheu am fod yn rhan o’u cymuned. Dangoswyd hyn yn fedrus pan gyfranogasom mewn fforwm ieuenctid bythefnos yn ôl. Eisteddodd y bobl ifanc o amgylch byrddau gyda’r bobl grychlyd, yr heddlu, gweithwyr cymdeithasol, gweithwyr ieuenctid, cynhalwyr ifanc ac unrhyw un a fyddai yn gwrando arnynt yn eu barn hwy. Yr oeddent am drafod materion eu cymuned. Yr oeddent am gael lle i ymgynnull, lle y byddai’n rhaid inni y bobl grychlyd ofyn caniatâd i fynd yno a, phe byddem am gael can o Coke, byddai’n rhaid inni ofyn a allem gael un, oherwydd byddent wedi pennu rheolau sefydlog a byddent yn plismona ac yn rhedeg y lle. Fodd bynnag, cydnabyddant hefyd fod yn rhaid iddynt roi rhywbeth yn ôl i’w cymuned. Yr oeddent yn awyddus i ryngweithio gyda’r gymuned, ond yr oeddent yn parhau i ddweud na fyddai neb yn gwrando arnynt nac yn caniatáu iddynt ymuno â’r partneriaethau i drafod arian Amcan 1 neu Rhoi Cymunedau yn Gyntaf. Yr wyf wedi eu sicrhau y byddaf, gobeithio, yn cael y bobl o amgylch y bwrdd i gynnwys pobl ifanc mewn prosiectau o’r fath.

To add to what Karen said earlier about services and funding, we should seek a statutory requirement for local education authorities to provide a youth service that will meet the demands that are set out in ‘Extending Entitlement’. I pay tribute to all the people, in the voluntary and statutory sectors, who work with young people. The young people themselves are also grateful to those people.

I ychwanegu at yr hyn a ddywedodd Karen yn gynharach am wasanaethau ac ariannu, dylem geisio gofyniad statudol i awdurdodau addysg lleol ddarparu gwasanaeth ieuenctid a fydd yn bodloni’r galwadau a nodir yn ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’. Talaf deyrnged i bawb, yn y sectorau gwirfoddol a statudol, sydd yn gweithio gyda phobl ifanc. Mae’r bobl ifanc eu hunain yn ddiolchgar hefyd i’r bobl hynny.

Thirty per cent of young people do not access a youth service of any description, whether voluntary or statutory. Some of that 30 per cent may be well cared for and may be okay. They may have a family or community situation and do not want to access youth services. However, many of the 30 per cent are in danger of being marginalised, if they have not been already. We must aim to decrease that percentage. I hope that ‘Extending Entitlement’ and the children and youth partnership framework will do that.

Nid yw 30 y cant o bobl ifanc yn manteisio ar wasanaeth ieuenctid o unrhyw ddisgrifiad, boed yn wirfoddol neu’n statudol. Efallai y gofelir am beth o’r 30 y cant hwnnw yn dda ac efallai ei fod yn iawn. Efallai bod ganddynt sefyllfa deuluol neu gymunedol ac nad ydynt am fanteisio ar wasanaethau ieuenctid. Fodd bynnag, mae llawer o’r 30 y cant mewn perygl o gael eu rhoi ar yr ymylon, os na wnaethpwyd hynny eisoes. Rhaid inni anelu at leihau’r canran hwnnw. Gobeithiaf y bydd ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ a’r fframwaith partneriaeth plant a phobl ifanc yn gwneud hynny.

Elin Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 59

Elin Jones spoken in Welsh p. 59

Diolch am y cyfle i ofyn y cwestiwn y ceisiais ei ofyn i’r Gweinidog fel ymyriad i’w haraith ar ddechrau’r ddadl. Pan oeddwn, fel Aelod unigol o’r Cynulliad, yn cyflwyno’r darn cyntaf o is-ddeddfwriaeth i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, ac yn sefyll ym mlaen y Siambr yn ddigon nerfus, derbyniais ymyriadau lu oddi wrth Aelodau o’r Cynulliad. Yr oedd rhai ohonynt yn ddigon pigog ac anodd. Mae’n eironig felly fod Gweinidog o’r Cabinet wedi gwrthod derbyn ymyriad gennyf heddiw.

Thank you for the opportunity to ask the question that I attempted to ask the Minister as an intervention to her speech at the beginning of the debate. When I, as an individual Assembly Member, was submitting the first piece of subordinate legislation to the National Assembly, and standing in the front of the Chamber quite nervously, I took numerous interventions from Assembly Members. Some of them were quite thorny and difficult. It is therefore ironic that a Cabinet Minister refused to take an intervention from me today.

Mae fy nghwestiwn yn ymwneud â’m hetholaeth, Ceredigion. Mae gan bobl ifanc hawl sylfaenol a statudol i addysg o safon uchel. A yw’r Gweinidog yn ymwybodol fod pobl ifanc yn Ysgol Gyfun Penglais, Aberystwyth yn wynebu sefyllfa o orfod mynychu’r ysgol yn ôl rota oherwydd cyflwr difrifol wael adeilad yr ysgol? Nid yw wyth o ddosbarthiadau’r ysgol o safon derbyniol i gynnal gwersi ynddynt. A wnaiff y Gweinidog gysylltu fel mater o frys gyda’r awdurdod lleol yng Ngheredigion i ystyried sut y gallwn sicrhau nad yw’r sefyllfa hon yn parhau ac nad yw disgyblion yn gorfod mynd ar rota ar gyfer derbyn yr hawl sylfaenol i addysg statudol?

My question regards my constituency, Ceredigion. Young people have a fundamental and statutory right to a high standard of education. Is the Minister aware that young people in Penglais Comprehensive School, Aberystwyth face a situation of having to attend school on a rota basis due to the extremely bad condition of the school building? Eight of the school’s classrooms are not of an acceptable standard for lessons to be held in them. Will the Minister contact the local authority in Ceredigion as a matter of urgency to consider how we can ensure that this situation does not continue and that pupils do not have to go on a rota to receive the basic right to statutory education?

John Griffiths spoken in English p. 60

John Griffiths siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 60

This is an important debate for young people across Wales. That is widely recognised by those working in this field. The debate is long overdue in many ways and we need to progress as quickly as possible. That is accepted in this debate and that is the context in which we need to approach it. The challenge is clear; to achieve better outcomes by improved support from a more cohesive and rational system in Wales. The documents with which we are concerned today map out the way that we can achieve that in Wales, addressing the distinctive needs of Wales as devolution requires us to do. The local and the National Assembly approach must be much better co-ordinated and rational. Everybody recognises that need. The challenge is to achieve that for all our young people across Wales, including the most socially disadvantaged communities.

Mae hon yn ddadl bwysig i bobl ifanc ledled Cymru. Cydnabyddir hynny yn gyffredinol gan y rheini sydd yn gweithio yn y maes hwn. Bu disgwyl hir am y ddadl mewn sawl ffordd ac mae angen inni symud ymlaen cyn gynted â phosibl. Derbynnir hynny yn y ddadl hon a dyna’r cyd-destun y mae’n rhaid i ni fynd i’r afael ag ef. Mae’r her yn glir, sef cyflawni gwell canlyniadau drwy well cefnogaeth gan system fwy cydlynol a rhesymegol yng Nghymru. Mae’r dogfennau yr ydym yn ymwneud â hwy heddiw yn dangos y ffordd y gallwn gyflawni hynny yng Nghymru, gan ymdrin ag anghenion penodol Cymru fel y mae datganoli yn mynnu ein bod yn gwneud. Rhaid i’r ymagwedd leol ac ymagwedd y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol gael ei chydlynu a’i rhesymoli’n well. Cydnabu pawb yr angen hwnnw. Y sialens yw cyflawni hynny i’r holl bobl ifanc ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys y cymunedau sydd o dan yr anfantais gymdeithasol fwyaf.

The consultation points to some aspects of the way young people feel today that we could all have easily guessed. Young people are concerned that adults tend to view them with suspicion, with a lower regard than should be the case. As a result, young people often feel disaffected. They do not feel that they are as valued as they should be. They feel relatively powerless. All of us could have guessed that that would be the case. The challenge is to meet that. The consultation also shows that ethnic minority youngsters in Wales have particular problems. They generally have negative experiences in school. They face widespread racism right across society too often. That is even more markedly the case with refugees. These are problems that the new services will have to develop and address. I hope that we will keep that clearly in mind. It is particularly an issue in areas of Wales such as Newport that have considerable and significant ethnic minority populations.

Mae’r ymgynghori yn pwyntio at rai agweddau ar y ffordd y teimla pobl ifanc heddiw y gallai pob un ohonom yn hawdd fod wedi eu dyfalu. Mae pobl ifanc yn pryderu bod oedolion yn tueddu i’w hystyried yn ddrwgdybus, gyda llai o barch nag y dylent. O ganlyniad, teimla pobl ifanc yn anfodlon yn aml. Ni theimlant y cânt eu gwerthfawrogi fel y dylent. Teimlant yn gymharol ddi-rym. Gallai pob un ohonom fod wedi dyfalu mai fel yna y byddai. Yr her yw ymateb i hynny. Dengys yr ymgynghori hefyd fod gan bobl ifanc o leiafrifoedd ethnig yng Nghymru broblemau penodol. Yn gyffredinol cânt brofiadau negyddol yn yr ysgol. Wynebant hiliaeth helaeth ar draws cymdeithas yn rhy aml. Mae hynny hyd yn oed yn fwy gwir am ffoaduriaid. Mae’r rhain yn broblemau y bydd yn rhaid i’r gwasanaethau newydd ymdrin â hwy a’u datblygu. Gobeithiaf y cadwn hynny ar flaen y cof. Mae’n broblem sydd yn digwydd yn benodol mewn ardaloedd o Gymru fel Casnewydd sydd â phoblogaethau lleiafrifol ethnig sylweddol ac arwyddocaol.

The negative view that far too many people have of young people is fuelled by media coverage that so often concentrates on the negative things in which only a small minority of young people is ever involved. Crime and disorder, for example, feature largely when you pick up a newspaper and read about what young people are allegedly engaged in. That is a great problem for us. We need to encourage a far more positive view of young people in Wales. As Assembly Members, we meet young people all the time, in schools, youth clubs, in our constituencies and elsewhere. They are fantastic. The quality, energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to education that the vast majority of young people have, always impresses me. We should have a much more positive view, and try to tackle the problems relating to the way the media address issues surrounding young people.

Hybir y farn negyddol sydd gan lawer gormod o bobl am bobl ifanc gan y cyfryngau, sydd yn canolbwyntio mor aml ar y pethau negyddol sydd ond yn ymwneud â lleiafrif bach o bobl ifanc. Rhoddir sylw mawr i droseddau ac anhrefn, er enghraifft, pan godwch bapur newydd a darllen am yr hyn yr honnir y mae pobl ifanc yn ei wneud. Mae honno’n broblem fawr inni. Mae angen inni annog barn fwy cadarnhaol o lawer am bobl ifanc yng Nghymru. Fel Aelodau’r Cynulliad, cyfarfyddwn â phobl ifanc drwy’r amser, mewn ysoglion, clybiau ieuenctid, yn ein hetholaethau ac mewn mannau eraill. Maent yn wych. Mae’r ansawdd, egni, brwdfrydedd a’r ymrwymiad i addysg sydd gan y mwyafrif helaeth o bobl ifanc, yn creu argraff arnaf bob amser. Dylem fod â barn fwy cadarnhaol o lawer, gan geisio mynd i’r afael â’r problemau sydd yn gysylltiedig â’r ffordd y mae’r cyfryngau yn ymdrin â materion sydd yn ymwneud â phobl ifanc.

I welcome the emphasis on giving young people a voice, because they have been relatively powerless. When my children were young they wore t-shirts saying ‘kids are people too’. That summed up many of the problems that young people face in society, that they are not considered to have meaningful views or a role to play in civic society in developing a meaningful say for young people. Young Voice/Llais Ifanc, local youth councils and other developments can address that. I hope that it is done effectively to include all the young people in Wales, including the most socially disadvantaged. Far too often in my experience, local youth councils, for example, have had a preponderance of middle class youth. I hope that we can tackle and address that, because we want all our young people to have a meaningful say.

Croesawaf y pwyslais ar roi llais i bobl ifanc, oherwydd buont yn gymharol ddi-rym. Pan oedd fy mhlant yn ifanc gwisgent grysau ti â’r geiriau ‘kids are people too’ arnynt. Yr oedd hynny’n crynhoi llawer o’r problemau a wynebir gan bobl ifanc mewn cymdeithas, nad ystyrir bod ganddynt farn ystyrlon na rôl i’w chwarae mewn cymdeithas ddinesig wrth ddatblygu llais ystyrlon i bobl ifanc. Gall Llais Ifanc/Young Voice, cynghorau ieuenctid lleol a datblygiadau eraill ymdrin â hynny. Gobeithiaf y gwneir hynny’n effeithiol i gynnwys pob person ifanc yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys y rhai o dan yr anfantais gymdeithasol fwyaf. Yn rhy aml yn fy mhrofiad i, mae gormod o bobl ifanc dosbarth canol ar gynghorau ieuenctid lleol. Gobeithiaf y gallwn fynd i’r afael â hynny ac ymdrin â hynny, gan ein bod am i bob un o’n pobl ifanc gael llais ystyrlon.

It is difficult for young people or, indeed, people of any age to decide what they want to do in terms of education and careers. For the most socially disadvantaged, it is doubly difficult. We must ensure that they are properly guided and advised. England will have a mentoring system for 13 to 19-year-olds under the Connexions scheme. We must ensure that while we will act differently in Wales, we do not lose the advantages of having a direct relationship between young people and those able to offer them meaningful advice and assistance. The most socially disadvantaged are three times less likely to go to university. We must cut that figure, not only by offering better advice, but better support. That is a huge agenda, which cuts across many of the National Assembly’s commitments, including our commitment to social inclusion.

Mae’n anodd i bobl ifanc neu yn wir, pobl o unrhyw oedran benderfynu beth maent am ei wneud yn nhermau addysg a gyrfaoedd. I’r rhai sydd o dan yr anfantais gymdeithasol fwyaf, mae ddwywaith mor anodd. Rhaid inni sicrhau y cânt eu harwain a’u cynghori’n gywir. Bydd gan Loegr system fentora i blant 13 i 19 oed o dan y cynllun Connexions. Rhaid inni sicrhau, er y byddwn yn gweithredu’n wahanol yng Nghymru, nad ydym yn colli manteision cael perthynas uniongyrchol rhwng pobl ifanc a’r rheini sydd yn gallu cynnig cyngor a chymorth ystryrlon iddynt. Mae’r rheini sydd o dan yr anfantais gymdeithasol fwyaf dair gwaith yn llai tebygol o fynd i brifysgol. Rhaid inni gwtogi’r ffigur hwnnw, nid yn unig drwy gynnig gwell cyngor, ond gwell cefnogaeth. Mae honno’n agenda enfawr, sydd yn torri ar draws llawer o ymrwymiadau’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, gan gynnwys ein hymrwymiad i gynhwysiant cymdeithasol.

I congratulate David Melding on his enlightened views on youth offending. Your comments were spot on, David. I want us to address the vital issues that are connected with youth offending. Young people end up in young offender institutions because, from the start, their life chances are virtually nil. We must tackle that to benefit them and society as a whole.

Hoffwn longyfarch David Melding ar ei safbwyntiau goleuedig ar droseddau ieuenctid. Yr oeddech yn llygad eich lle gyda’ch sylwadau, David. Yr wyf am inni ymdrin â’r materion holl bwysig sydd yn gysylltiedig â throseddau ieuenctid. Mae pobl ifanc yn mynd i sefydliadau ar gyfer troseddwyr ifanc oherwydd, o’r cychwyn, mae eu cyfleoedd mewn bywyd bron yn ddim. Rhaid inni fynd i’r afael â hynny er eu budd hwy a chymdeithas yn gyffredinol

Devolution is about distinctive needs. I welcome the report’s work in addressing the distinctive needs and agenda in Wales. I join others in urging that funding be considered carefully to ensure that we do not fall behind England. It is important that these initiatives attract adequate funding. I listened to what Jane said earlier about funding. I would like to hear more about the funding that will follow these programmes and, perhaps, the costs of implementing the ‘Extending Entitlement’ programme. It is right for us to be different from England where necessary and appropriate, but we want to be different and better and not different and disadvantaged—in funding or any other terms.

Mae datganoli yn ymwneud ag anghenion penodol. Croesawaf waith yr adroddiad wrth ymdrin â’r anghenion a’r agenda benodol yng Nghymru. Ymunaf ag eraill i annog y dylid rhoi ystyriaeth ofalus i ariannu er mwyn sicrhau na fydd Lloegr yn ein gadael ar ôl. Mae’n bwysig bod y mentrau hyn yn denu arian digonol. Gwrandewais ar yr hyn a ddywedodd Jane yn gynharach am ariannu. Hoffwn glywed mwy am yr arian a fydd yn dilyn y rhaglenni hyn ac, efallai, am gostau gweithredu’r rhaglen ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’. Mae’n iawn inni fod yn wahanol i Loegr lle bo hynny yn angenrheidiol a phriodol, ond yr ydym am fod yn wahanol ac yn well ac nid yn wahanol ac o dan anfantais—o ran ariannu neu o ran unrhyw beth arall.

I welcome the commitment to get subordinate legislation in place. I hope that that is done as quickly as possible, because England is far advanced in these terms.

Croesawaf yr ymrwymiad i roi is-ddeddfwriaeth yn ei lle. Gobeithiaf y gwneir hynny cyn gynted â phosibl, gan fod Lloegr ymhell ar y blaen yn hyn o beth.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 63

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 63

I, like almost everyone else, would strongly commend this document. The second and third words of the document’s title, ‘entitlement’ and ‘supporting’, say it all. It moves away from the old punitive, patriarchal approach that we have seen in policy formation over the generations.

Byddwn i, fel pob un arall bron, yn cymeradwyo’r ddogfen hon yn gryf. Mae ail a thrydydd gair teitl y ddogfen, ‘hawl’ a ‘chefnogaeth’, yn dweud y cyfan. Mae’n symud i ffwrdd o’r hen ymagwedd gosbol, batriarchaidd a welsom wrth lunio polisïau dros y cenedlaethau.

It is important to emphasise that because, as John said, the only time that most people talk about youth policy is when there is mayhem, vandalism and yobbish behaviour in our streets and on council estates in Wales.

Mae’n bwysig pwysleisio hynny oherwydd, fel y dywedodd John, yr unig bryd y mae’r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn siarad am bolisi ieuenctid yw pan fydd anhrefn, fandaliaeth ac ymddygiad hwliganaidd ar ein strydoedd ac ar ystadau cyngor yng Nghymru.

The reaction of many of our communities to this anti-social behaviour is often to take a punitive approach. Undoubtedly, there are circumstances when such behaviour justifies a punitive approach. However, we need to recognise that anti-social behaviour often has its roots in the failure of previous policy or is a result of indifference. Speaking of the legacy of previous policy, the high levels of youth unemployment that have existed, particularly in south Wales, over the last 15 years or so, have been a major source of the social disease that has existed in so many of our communities.

Ymateb llawer o’n cymunedau i’r ymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol hwn yn aml yw i gymryd ymagwedd gosbol. Yn ddiau, bydd amgylchiadau pan fydd ymddygiad o’r fath yn cyfiawnhau ymagwedd gosbol. Fodd bynnag, mae angen inni gydnabod bod ymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol â’i wreiddiau yn aml ym methiant polisi blaenorol neu o ganlyniad i ddifaterwch. Wrth siarad am yr hyn a etifeddasom o bolisïau blaenorol, bu’r lefelau uchel o ddiweithdra ymhlith pobl ifanc a gafwyd, yn arbennig yn ne Cymru, dros y 15 mlynedd diwethaf fwy neu lai, yn brif ffynhonnell yr afiechyd cymdeithasol a gafwyd mewn cymaint o’n cymunedau.

In this document, I was pleased to note that over the last three years the number of children and young people who are not in employment, education or training has decreased from 14 to 11 per cent. Clearly 11 per cent is still too high a figure. Reducing that percentage and getting more young people into training or work—and I do not think that enough attention is given to this in the document—must be a priority. From that point of view, we need to consider issues such as the minimum wage for young people starting work. We also need to look at the form of maintenance grant that is available to young people to encourage them to stay in training.

Yn y ddogfen hon, yr oeddwn yn falch o nodi bod nifer y plant a phobl ifanc nad ydynt mewn cyflogaeth, addysg na hyfforddiant wedi gostwng o 14 i 11 y cant dros y tair blynedd diwethaf. Yn amlwg, mae 11 y cant yn ffigur rhy uchel o hyd. Rhaid i’r nod o ostwng y canran hwnnw a sicrhau hyfforddiant neu waith i ragor o bobl ifanc—ac ni chredaf fod digon o sylw yn cael ei roi i hyn yn y ddogfen—fod yn flaenoraieth. O’r safbwynt hwnnw, mae angen inni ystyried materion fel yr isafswm cyflog i bobl ifanc sydd yn dechrau gweithio. Rhaid inni edrych hefyd ar ffurf y grant cynhaliaeth sydd ar gael i bobl ifanc i’w hannog i aros mewn hyfforddiant.

Peter and Kirsty mentioned the social consequences and the personal tragedies that result from the poor policies that we have followed in several areas. In my community, hardly six months goes by without some young person dying prematurely because of the type of society that we have created for our young people. What is even more tragic than the consequences for that young person, their family or friends, is the fact that, because those deaths are a result of, say, substance or alcohol abuse or traffic accidents in stolen cars, the community’s response is often not one of grief but of ‘good riddance’. There can be no greater indictment of our policies and priorities for young people than the fact that reaction of so many of our communities to the premature deaths of these young people is ‘good riddance’. Through this document, we must achieve a change in that philosophy and ensure that we never fail a generation of young people like that again.

Soniodd Peter a Kirsty am y canlyniadau cymdeithasol a’r trasedïau personol sydd yn deillio o’r polisïau gwael a ddilynasom mewn sawl ardal. Yn fy nghymuned, prin bod chwe mis yn mynd heibio heb i ryw berson ifanc farw cyn ei amser oherwydd y math o gymdeithas yr ydym wedi ei chreu i’n pobl ifanc. Yr hyn sydd hyd yn oed yn fwy trasig na’r canlyniadau i’r person ifanc hwnnw, eu teulu neu eu ffrindiau, yw’r ffaith, oherwydd bod y marwolaethau hynny o ganlyniad i gamddefnyddio sylweddau neu alcohol neu ddamweiniau traffig mewn ceir a gafodd eu dwyn, nad galaru yn aml yw ymateb y gymuned ond yn hytrach ‘gwynt teg ar eu hôl’. Mae’r ffaith mai ymateb cymaint o’n cymunedau i farwolaethau cynnar y bobl ifanc hyn yw ‘gwynt teg ar eu hôl’ yn gondemniad llwyr o’n polisïau a’n blaenoriaethau i bobl ifanc. Drwy’r ddogfen hon, rhaid inni lwyddo i newid yr athroniaeth honno a sicrhau nad ydym byth yn siomi cenhedlaeth o bobl ifanc yn y fath fodd eto.

Last night, I had the privilege of being in Port Talbot at our local youth awards. A large number of young people received awards. I have no doubt that these young people are typical of their generation, not those who take up so much space in our media as a result of their anti-social behaviour. I am pleased that many of those young people at that ceremony were actively involved in the design of the cover of the ‘Extending Entitlement: supporting young people in Wales’ document. It is one of the most striking covers of any of the documents that the National Assembly has had to consider. It is an outstanding tribute to the creative ability of those young people in the Neath-Port Talbot area and to the contribution that they have to make. They will be involved in the future design of covers of other documents that will come before the National Assembly, which is indicative of their success. This document is a good start. Let us not go back to the failures of the past.

Neithiwr, cefais y fraint o fod ym Mhort Talbot yn ein noson gwobrwyo pobl ifanc leol. Derbyniodd nifer fawr o bobl ifanc wobrau. Yn ddiau, mae’r bobl ifanc hyn yn nodweddiadol o’u cenhedlaeth, nid y rheini sydd yn mynd â chymaint o sylw’r cyfryngau o ganlyniad i’w hymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol. Yr wyf yn falch bod cymaint o’r bobl ifanc hynny yn y seremoni honno yn weithgar wrth ddylunio clawr dogfen ‘Ymestyn Hawliau: cynorthwyo pobl ifanc yng Nghymru’. Hwn yw un o’r cloriau mwyaf trawiadol o unrhyw ddogfen y bu’n rhaid i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol ei hystyried. Mae’n deyrnged rhagorol i allu creadigol y bobl ifanc hynny yn ardal Castell-nedd Port Talbot ac i’r cyfraniad sydd ganddynt i’w wneud. Byddant yn gysylltiedig â dylunio cloriau dogfennau eraill yn y dyfodol a ddaw gerbron y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, sydd yn arwydd o’u llwyddiant. Mae’r ddogfen hon yn ddechrau da. Gadewch i ni beidio â mynd yn ôl i fethiannau’r gorffennol.

Geraint Davies spoken in English p. 64

Geraint Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 64

I wish to stress the importance of having a variety of provisions for youth. That is important, because not every facility is suitable for every young person. I also wish to stress the desperate need for investing more resources in youth work. Other speakers have mentioned that. In particular, investment is needed in the youth service. That service is important for many young people, but because of a lack of funding, at holiday time, when it is needed most, it is closed. It is important that we change that situation. The consequence of that, in many areas of Wales, is that children are on the streets.

Hoffwn bwysleisio pwysigrwydd cael amrywiaeth o ddarpariaethau i bobl ifanc. Mae hynny’n bwysig, oherwydd nid yw pob cyfleuster yn addas i bob person ifanc. Hoffwn bwysleisio hefyd yr angen dybryd i fuddsoddi rhagor o adnoddau mewn gwaith ieuenctid. Mae siaradwyr eraill wedi sôn am hynny. Yn arbennig, mae angen buddsoddi yn y gwasanaeth ieuenctid. Mae’r gwasanaeth hwnnw’n bwysig i lawer o bobl ifanc, ond oherwydd diffyg arian, adeg gwyliau, pan fo ei angen fwyaf, mae ar gau. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn newid y sefyllfa honno. Canlyniad hynny, mewn sawl ardal yng Nghymru, yw bod plant ar y strydoedd.

In the voluntary sector, we must acknowledge the tremendous amount of work done in boys’ clubs in the provision of sport, for example, for young people and the dedication of workers and parents in turning up on cold Sunday mornings to support their nine-year-olds and so on. Such organisations are often run on a shoestring. We must appreciate what they do and help them financially. We need to invest more resources in those clubs.

Yn y sector gwirfoddol, rhaid inni gydnabod y gwaith aruthrol a wneir mewn clybiau bechgyn o ran darparu chwaraeon, er enghraifft, i bobl ifanc ac ymroddiad gweithwyr a rhieni sydd yn bresennol ar foreau Sul oer i gefnogi eu plant naw mlwydd oed ac yn y blaen. Caiff sefydliadau o’r fath eu rhedeg yn aml am y nesaf peth i ddim. Rhaid inni werthfawrogi’r hyn a wnânt a’u helpu’n ariannol. Mae angen inni fuddsoddi rhagor o adnoddau yn y clybiau hynny.

In my constituency, there is a deprived housing estate where we have a locally-based provision located near to the problem. That is the Pen-yr-englyn project on the Mount Libanus estate. It provides facilities for people who would not otherwise be able access them. It is important that these projects are in communities and accessible. One wonderful aspect of this organisation is that it never bars anybody. There might be a problem one night, but no one would be permanently excluded. People generally come round and their anti-social behaviour drops off. We must consider that as a way forward. We must not exclude people prematurely. There are people who do not go anywhere or attend anything. It is important that outreach workers reach those people who are excluding themselves from any kind of provision. It is vital that we show that our society cares for these young people and that we want to help them. We must not cast them aside as much of society does. That is vital.

Yn fy etholaeth i, mae ystad dai amddifad lle mae gennym ddarpariaeth yn lleol, yn agos i’r broblem. Hynny yw, prosiect Pen-yr-englyn ar ystad Mount Libanus. Darpara gyfleusterau i bobl na fyddent fel arall yn gallu manteisio arnynt. Mae’n bwysig bod y prosiectau hyn mewn cymunedau ac yn hygyrch. Un agwedd wych ar y sefydliad hwn yw nad yw byth yn gwahardd neb. Gallai problem godi un noson, ond ni fyddai neb yn cael ei wahardd yn barhaol. Ar y cyfan mae pobl yn dod i dderbyn y sefyllfa ac mae eu hymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol yn peidio. Rhaid inni ystyried hynny fel ffordd ymlaen. Rhaid inni beidio â dieithrio pobl yn rhy gynnar. Cawn rai pobl nad ydynt byth yn mynd i unryw le nac yn mynychu unrhyw beth. Mae’n bwysig bod gweithwyr allgyrch yn cyrraedd y bobl hynny sydd yn allgáu eu hunain o unrhyw fath o ddarpariaeth. Mae’n holl bwysig inni ddangos bod ein cymdeithas yn gofidio am y bobl ifanc hyn a’n bod am eu helpu. Rhaid inni beidio â’u bwrw i’r naill ochr fel y gwna llawer o’r gymdeithas. Mae hynny’n holl bwysig.

Gwenda Thomas spoken in English p. 65

Gwenda Thomas siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 65

I welcome the ‘Extending Entitlement: supporting young people in Wales’ report, but how do we proceed with it? The National Assembly’s policy unit does not have the development capacity to do so. The National Assembly needs to dedicate a person or people to drive forward the recommendations and have an advocate for youth in the Cabinet with a link to an identified committee. That committee will also need to embrace the views of other relevant committees. In Neath Port Talbot, a youth council is being developed, as in other authorities, to allow young people to influence policy and to develop strategies that affect youth. Youth issues cut across many of the local authority’s strategies, notably, crime and disorder, social inclusion, the educational strategic plan, the lifelong learning strategy ‘There is Always a Way Forward’, the community plan and the Objective 1 local plan, which contains themes of building community capacity and strengthening local human resources. The leader and chief executive of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council recently survived one of their biggest challenges—a grilling by a group of young people. There is a proposal to arrange an early opportunity for young people to attend a formal committee where they will be able to address a wider group of councillors.

Croesawaf yr adroddiad ‘Ymestyn Hawliau: cynorthwyo pobl ifanc yng Nghymru’, ond sut awn ymlaen â hyn? Nid oes gan uned bolisi’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol y gallu o ran datblygu i wneud hynny. Mae angen i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol neilltuo person neu bobl i hybu’r argymhellion a chael eiriolwr ieuenctid yn y Cabinet sydd â chysylltiad â phwyllgor penodol. Bydd angen i’r pwyllgor hwnnw hefyd ymgorffori safbwyntiau pwyllgorau perthnasol eraill. Yng Nghastell-nedd Port Talbot, datblygir cyngor ieuenctid, fel mewn awdurdodau eraill, er mwyn caniatáu i bobl ifanc ddylanwadu ar bolisïau a datblygu strategaethau sydd yn effeithio ar bobl ifanc. Mae materion ieuenctid yn torri ar draws llawer o strategaethau’r awdurdod lleol, yn nodedig, troseddau ac anhrefn, cynhwysiant cymdeithasol, y cynllun strategol addysgol, y strategaeth dysgu gydol oes ‘Mae Ffordd Ymlaen Bob Amser’, y cynllun cymunedol a chynllun lleol Amcan 1, sydd yn cynnwys themâu adeiladu gallu cymunedol a chryfhau adnoddau dynol lleol. Yn ddiweddar goroesodd arweinydd a phrif weithredwr Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Castell-nedd Port Talbot un o’u heriau mwyaf—cael eu croesholi gan grŵp o bobl ifanc. Mae cynnig i drefnu cyfle i bobl ifanc fynychu pwyllgor ffurfiol yn fuan lle y gallant annerch grŵp ehangach o gynghorwyr.

The youth service in Wales is at a pivotal time in its history following the enactment of the Learning and Skills Bill. The Learning and Skills Act 2000 empowers the National Assembly to direct local authorities to secure the provision of youth support services for all young people aged between 11 and 25. That enhanced provision will be contained in a young people’s strategy developed in every Welsh local authority and delivered jointly by a partnership of statutory and voluntary agencies to create a local network of support and opportunity for all young people. It is welcome that this initiative has been made possible by the National Assembly’s decision to use its subordinate legislation powers to create specific Welsh policies from the Welsh clauses in the Act and thus move away from the youth work development taking place in England through the Connexions service. That is widely supported by the youth service in Wales.

Mae’r gwasanaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru mewn cyfnod colynnol yn ei hanes yn dilyn deddfu’r Mesur Dysgu a Sgiliau. Mae Deddf Dysgu a Sgiliau 2000 yn awdurdodi’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol gyfarwyddo awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau y darperir gwasanaethau cefnogi ieuenctid i bob person ifanc rhwng 11 a 25 oed. Caiff y ddarpariaeth well honno ei chynnwys mewn strategaeth pobl ifanc a ddatblygwyd ymhob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru ac a gyflwynwyd ar y cyd gan bartneriaeth o asiantaethau statudol a gwirfoddol i greu rhwydwaith lleol o gefnogaeth a chyfle i bob person ifanc. Croesewir y ffaith y bu’r fenter hon yn bosibl o ganlyniad i benderfyniad y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol i ddefnyddio ei bwerau is-ddeddfu i greu polisïau Cymreig penodol o’r cymalau Cymreig yn y Ddeddf ac felly i symud i ffwrdd o’r gwaith ieuenctid sydd yn datblygu yn Lloegr drwy’r gwasanaeth Connexions. Cefnogir hynny’n helaeth gan y gwasanaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru.

The repercussions of failing to capitalise on this unique opportunity would be a growing gap between provision in England and Wales at a time when we need to maximise young people’s ability to contribute positively to society. Let us take the recommendations contained in the report forward by working in meaningful partnership with local authorities and the voluntary sector, thereby creating a youth service that will provide the support that the young people of Wales deserve.

Ôl-effeithiau methu â manteisio ar y cyfle unigryw hwn fyddai bwlch cynyddol yn y ddarpariaeth rhwng Cymru a Lloegr ar adeg pan fo angen inni wneud y gorau o allu pobl ifanc i gyfrannu’n gadarnhaol i gymdeithas. Gadewch inni weithredu ar yr argymhellion a gynhwysir yn yr adroddiad hwn drwy weithio mewn partneriaeth ystyrlon ag awdurdodau lleol a’r sector gwirfoddol, gan greu gwasanaeth ieuenctid a fydd yn darparu’r gefnogaeth y mae pobl ifanc Cymru yn ei haeddu.

Lorraine Barrett spoken in English p. 67

Lorraine Barrett siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 67

I pay tribute to the young people, the youth workers, the Wales Youth Agency and others who are listening to the debate in the public gallery. The reason the press is not here—they are probably listening somewhere in the building—is because there is nothing controversial happening. I understand why the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning did not take interventions. It was nothing to do with it being her first time speaking as Minister in a debate—she is more than able to hold her own in any arena.

Talaf deyrnged i’r bobl ifanc, y gweithwyr ieuenctid, Asiantaeth Ieuenctid Cymru ac eraill sydd yn gwrando ar y ddadl yn yr oriel gyhoeddus. Y rheswm pam nad yw’r wasg yma—maent yn gwrando yn rhywle arall yn yr adeilad, siŵr o fod—yw nad oes dim byd dadleuol yn digwydd. Deallaf pam na dderbyniodd y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes ymyriadau. Nid oedd a wnelo dim â’r ffaith mai hwn oedd y tro cyntaf iddi siarad fel Gweinidog mewn dadl—mae hi’n gallu dal ei thir mewn unrhyw sefyllfa.

I welcome this debate and pay tribute to the excellent work of the advisory group in producing, in ‘Extending Entitlement’, one of the best reports that we have ever seen. I pay particular tribute to Margaret Jervis as Chair of that advisory group. Margaret is held in high esteem in the youth service sector. I also thank the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning for her comments about Alun Michael. I know that he will be grateful for her words. When he was a youth worker in the Butetown and Grangetown area, he was accompanied, aided and abetted by Barry Doughty, who is with us today and who continues to work for young people through the Wales Youth Agency.

Croesawaf y ddadl hon a thalaf deyrnged i waith rhagorol y grŵp ymgynghorol wrth gynhyrchu, yn ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’, un o’r adroddiadau gorau a welsom erioed. Talaf deyrnged yn arbennig i Margaret Jervis fel Cadeirydd y grŵp ymgynghorol hwnnw. Mae Margaret yn uchel ei pharch yn y sector gwasanaeth ieuenctid. Diolchaf hefyd i’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes am ei sylwadau am Alun Michael. Gwn y bydd yn ddiolchgar am ei geiriau. Pan oedd yn weithiwr ieuenctid yn ardaloedd Butetown a Grangetown, yr oedd Barry Doughty wrth ei ochr yn ei gynorthwyo. Mae ef yma gyda ni heddiw ac yn parhau i weithio ar ran pobl ifanc drwy Asiantaeth Ieuenctid Cymru.

I will concentrate today on the youth service and the work of our youth workers, particularly in local authorities. We ignore the youth service at our peril. Once young people go to secondary school, they embark on the most crucial stage of their lives. They will venture into a more independent way of life as they gain confidence inside and, more importantly, outside school. There are many danger points outside school for many young people if we are not careful. We all know—it has been mentioned—that over the past two decades in particular, many youth clubs have closed down and youth worker numbers have decreased. Local authorities during that time have been under enormous financial pressures. Unfortunately, the youth service has taken the brunt of that and has become a Cinderella service. The youth service should become a statutory service, providing social and educational support outside school hours in youth clubs, cyber cafes or information shops such as the youth information shop in Penarth and the Buzz cafe in Grangetown. They do groundbreaking work with young people who may be vulnerable or may need that extra support that they perhaps do not get at school or at home.

Canolbwyntiaf heddiw ar y gwasanaeth ieuenctid a gwaith ein gweithwyr ieuenctid, yn arbennig mewn awdurdodau lleol. Gwae ni os anwybyddwn y gwasanaeth iechyd. Unwaith y bydd pobl ifanc yn mynd i ysgol uwchradd, maent yn cychwyn ar yr adeg bwysicaf yn eu bywydau. Byddant yn mentro i ffordd o fyw fwy annibynnol wrth iddynt fagu hyder yn yr ysgol ac, yn bwysicach, y tu allan iddi. Mae llawer o mannau peryglus y tu allan i’r ysgol i lawer o bobl ifanc os na fyddwn yn ofalus. Gŵyr pob un ohonom—soniwyd amdano—bod llawer o glybiau ieuenctid, dros y ddau ddegawd diwethaf yn arbennig, wedi cau a bod nifer y gweithwyr ieuenctid wedi gostwng. Bu awdurdodau lleol yn ystod yr adeg honno o dan bwysau ariannol enfawr. Yn anffodus, y gwasanaeth ieuenctid sydd wedi dioddef fwyaf oherwydd hynny ac y mae wedi troi yn wasanaeth Cinderella. Dylai’r gwasanaeth ieuenctid ddod yn wasanaeth statudol, gan ddarparu cefnogaeth gymdeithasol ac addysgol y tu allan i oriau ysgol mewn clybiau ieuenctid, caffis rhyngrwyd neu siopau gwybodaeth fel y siop wybodaeth i bobl ifanc ym Mhenarth a chaffi Buzz yn Grangetown. Gwnânt waith sydd yn torri tir newydd gyda phobl ifanc sydd efallai yn agored i niwed neu sydd angen y gefnogaeth ychwanegol honno nad ydynt efallai yn ei chael yn yr ysgol neu gartref.

I did not want to intervene in David Melding’s speech, which was excellent and I pay tribute to him. Although he invited interventions, I did not believe that that would have been appropriate. However, will you join me in condemning—I do not want to go over old ground, but it is important that we recognise what has been done in Penarth—the actions of the governors of Stanwell School when it became grant maintained. They closed and demolished the only youth wing in Penarth, which was run by the local authority on the school campus. They did nothing to compensate the town by providing a replacement facility. The young people of Penarth, working with the police and Mick Conroy, a youth worker from the youth wing who is now with the information shop, put together a lottery bid for funding for the Penarth information shop in conjunction with the Wales Youth Agency. It is a huge success. However, while it is an excellent provision, youth service should not be a lottery. It should be a right.

Nid oeddwn am dorri ar draws araith David Melding, a oedd yn rhagorol a thalaf deyrnged iddo. Er iddo wahodd ymyriadau, ni chredais y byddai hynny wedi bod yn briodol. Fodd bynnag, a wnewch chi ymuno â mi i gondemnio—nid wyf am godi hen hanes, ond mae’n bwysig ein bod yn cydnabod yr hyn a wnaethpwyd ym Mhenarth—gweithredoedd llywodraethwyr Ysgol Stanwell pan ddaeth yn ysgol a gynhelir â grant. Gwnaethant gau a dymchwel yr unig adain ieuenctid ym Mhenarth, a oedd yn cael ei rhedeg gan yr awdurdod lleol ar gampws yr ysgol. Ni wnaethant unrhyw beth i ddigolledu’r dref drwy ddarparu cyfleuster yn ei lle. Lluniodd pobl ifanc Penarth, gan weithio gyda’r heddlu a Mick Conroy, gweithiwr ieuenctid o’r adain ieuenctid sydd bellach gyda’r siop wybodaeth, gynnig loteri am arian ar gyfer y siop wybodaeth ym Mhenarth mewn cydweithrediad ag Asiantaeth Ieuenctid Cymru. Mae’n llwyddiant mawr. Fodd bynnag, er ei bod yn ddarpariaeth ragorol, ni ddylai’r gwasanaeth ieuenctid fod yn loteri. Dylai fod yn hawl.

I will close—well within my time, Deputy Presiding Officer—by saying that I hope that today’s debate will be a starting point to put the youth service in Wales on a firm, secure and statutory footing.

Deuaf i ben—ymhell o fewn fy amser, Ddirprwy Lywydd—drwy ddweud fy mod yn gobeithio y bydd y ddadl heddiw yn fan cychwyn i roi’r gwasanaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru ar sail gadarn, diogel a statudol.

Janice Gregory spoken in English p. 68

Janice Gregory siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 68

Like others before me, I am delighted to welcome the positive approach in the ‘Extending Entitlement’ document. However, I will concentrate on one section, entitled ‘Engaging with Young People’. I am proud that we have a youth council and a youth mayor, James Hawker, in my constituency. Young people should not only become known to the authorities because they are in need or in trouble. We should listen to their views at all levels. Much has been said in the past about low turn-out at elections, but do we engage with our young people so that they are fully aware of what we do as politicians? Do we engage in dialogue with them? If we search our consciences, we would find that we are sadly lacking in that. Much more encouragement is needed to extend the work of our local youth councils and to establish youth councils where there are none. As a parent, I am well aware of the opinions of young people, and I can assure you that they need to be included and not dictated to. Youth councils and a good, well thought-out youth strategy is imperative in our deprived communities where there are few facilities. Therefore, I commend my own county borough, Bridgend, for its vision and support for youth initiatives. We must also recognise that continuity is vital and realise how demoralising it can be for young people when funding runs out and youth workers are lost. I welcome Jane’s announcement of substantial additional funding for youth workers. It is good to listen to this debate but it is more heartening to hear about financial commitment.

Fel eraill o’m blaen, yr wyf yn falch o groesawu’r ymagwedd gadarnhaol yn y ddogfen ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’. Fodd bynnag, canolbwyntiaf ar un adran, o’r enw ‘Cysylltu â Phobl Ifanc’. Yr wyf yn falch bod gennym gyngor ieuenctid a maer ieuenctid, James Hawker, yn fy etholaeth i. Ni ddylai pobl ifanc ddod yn adnabyddus i’r awdurdodau dim ond am eu bod mewn angen neu mewn trafferth. Dylem wrando ar eu barn ar bob lefel. Dywedwyd llawer yn y gorffennol am y nifer fechan o bobl sydd yn pleidleisio mewn etholiadau, ond a ydym yn cysylltu â’n pobl ifanc fel eu bod yn llwyr ymwybodol o’r hyn a wnawn fel gwleidyddion? A gynhaliwn ddialog gyda hwy? Pe bawn yn gwrando ar ein cydwybod, byddem yn darganfod, yn anffodus, ein bod yn ddiffygiol yn hynny o beth. Mae angen llawer mwy o anogaeth i ymestyn gwaith ein cynghorau ieuenctid lleol a sefydlu cynghorau ieuenctid lle nad oes rhai yn bodoli. Fel rhiant, yr wyf yn ymwybodol iawn o farn pobl ifanc, a gallaf eich sicrhau bod angen eu cynnwys ac nid dweud wrthynt beth i’w wneud. Mae cynghorau ieuenctid a strategaeth ieuenctid wedi ei llunio’n dda yn hanfodol yn ein cymunedau amddifad lle mae’r cyfleusterau yn brin. Felly, canmolaf fy mwrdeistref sirol fy hun, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr, am ei gweledigaeth a’i chefnogaeth i fentrau ieuenctid. Rhaid inni gydnabod hefyd bod parhad yn holl bwysig a sylweddoli pa mor dorcalonnus y gall fod i bobl ifanc pan fydd yr arian yn dod i ben a gweithwyr ieuenctid yn gadael. Croesawaf gyhoeddiad Jane am arian ychwanegol sylweddol ar gyfer gweithwyr ieuenctid. Mae’n dda gwrando ar y ddadl hon ond mae’n fwy calonogol clywed am ymrwymiad ariannol.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 69

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 69

Amendment 3 in my name, contributions in the Chamber and point 6.26 in the document that we are discussing, note that young people’s services rely heavily on the contribution of volunteers. Organisations that represent voluntary groups feel that this may be undermined by the issue of charging for police checks on potential volunteers, which is looming on the horizon. This is not a matter for the Assembly, but it will have consequences for Wales. We must do our utmost to protect young people in whatever setting, but it would be naïve of us to think that voluntary organisations will be able to pick up the tab for police checks. Passing on the costs to potential volunteers would have a severe effect on our ability to recruit volunteers into various sectors and, more importantly perhaps, to broaden the type and the kind of communities that volunteers come from. I hope that the Minister will raise that point with the Secretary of State.

Noda gwelliant 3 yn fy enw, cyfraniadau yn y Siambr a phwynt 6.26 yn y ddogfen a drafodwn, fod gwasanaethau pobl ifanc yn dibynnu llawer iawn ar gyfraniad gwirfoddolwyr. Teimla sefydliadau sydd yn cynrychioli grwpiau gwirfoddol fod mater codi tâl am archwiliadau’r heddlu ar gyfer darpar wirfoddolwyr, sydd yn dechrau ymddangos ar y gorwel, yn tanseilio hyn. Nid yw hyn yn fater i’r Cynulliad, ond bydd iddo ganlyniadau i Gymru. Rhaid inni wneud ein gorau i ddiogelu pobl ifanc ymha bynnag sefyllfa, ond byddai’n ddiniwed ohonom i feddwl y bydd sefydliadau gwirfoddol yn gallu fforddio talu am archwiliadau’r heddlu. Byddai trosglwyddo’r costau i ddarpar wirfoddolwyr yn cael effaith ddifrifol ar ein gallu i recriwtio gwirfoddolwyr mewn sectorau amrywiol ac, yn bwysicach efallai, i ledaenu’r math o gymunedau y daw gwirfoddolwyr ohonynt. Gobeithiaf y bydd y Gweinidog yn codi’r pwynt hwnnw gyda’r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol.

An organisation that will be heavily affected by charging policies will be the young farmers’ clubs. For those of you who are uninitiated, the YFC provides a wide range of opportunities for young people in rural areas, from chairing meetings and being club secretary to sporting activities and training opportunities in agricultural work practices. These rely on volunteers who give talks, organise discussions and provide training for young people. The YFC will be heavily hit if such a charging policy is introduced.

Sefydliad yr effeithir arno’n fawr gan bolisïau codi tâl fydd clybiau ffermwyr ifanc. i’r anghyfarwydd yn eich plith, darpara’r clybiau ystod eang o gyfleoedd i bobl ifanc mewn ardaloedd gwledig, o gadeirio cyfarfodydd a bod yn ysgrifennydd y clwb i weithgareddau chwaraeon a chyfleoedd hyfforddi mewn arferion gwaith amaethyddol. Dibynna’r rhain ar wirfoddolwyr sydd yn rhoi anerchiadau, yn trefnu trafodaethau ac yn darparu hyfforddiant i bobl ifanc. Byddai cyflwyno polisi codi tâl o’r fath yn effeithio’n fawr ar y Clybiau Ffermwyr Ifanc.

It gave me great pleasure this afternoon to hear from people in the public gallery that the Presteigne YFC in the constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire has just won the top award for youth services in Wales. I pass on my congratulations to the Presteigne YFC. This shows the need to consider issues that affect young people and their ability to access youth services in rural areas. Due to a lack of public transport in outlying areas away from the great metropolises of Brecon, Llandrindod Wells or Presteigne, it is difficult for many young people to get into town and access the services there, especially in the evenings. These are some of the problems with which we will have to grapple.

Rhoddodd bleser mawr imi y prynhawn yma i glywed gan bobl yn yr oriel gyhoeddus bod Clwb Ffermwyr Ifanc Llanandras yn etholaeth Sir Frycheiniog a Sir Faesyfed newydd ennill y wobr uchaf am wasanaethau ieuenctid yng Nghymru. Hoffwn longyfarch Clwb Ffermwyr Ifanc Llanandras. Dengys hyn yr angen i ystyried materion sydd yn effeithio ar bobl ifanc a’u gallu i fanteisio ar wasanaethau ieuenctid mewn ardaloedd gwledig. Oherwydd diffyg trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus mewn ardaloedd pellennig i ffwrdd o drefi mawr Aberhonddu, Llandrindod neu Lanandras, mae’n anodd i lawer o bobl ifanc gyrraedd y dref a manteisio ar y gwasanaethau yno, yn enwedig gyda’r nos. Dyma rai o’r problemau y bydd yn rhaid inni fynd i’r afael â hwy.

This does not mean that young people in rural areas do not play a large part in their local communities. I will mention two examples of young people’s organisations that have been involved in the planning process in Powys. Hay Zero Gravity and the Quick Aggressors are skateboarding groups that submitted a planning application to Powys County Council to build skate parks in Hay on Wye and Crickhowell. Not only have they got the planning applications through, they have successfully raised the money to build the ramps themselves. These young people wish to engage in local democracy. I hope that the Brecon group will also be successful in its attempts to establish a similar facility for young people in Brecon.

Nid yw hyn yn golygu nad yw pobl ifanc mewn ardaloedd gwledig yn chwarae rhan fawr yn eu cymunedau lleol. Soniaf am ddwy enghraifft o sefydliadau pobl ifanc a fu’n gysylltiedig â’r broses gynllunio ym Mhowys. Mae Hay Zero Gravity a Quick Aggressors yn grwpiau sglefrolio a gyflwynodd gais cynllunio i Gyngor Sir Powys i adeiladu parciau sglefrio yn y Gelli a Chrucywel. Nid yn unig y derbyniwyd eu ceisiadau cynllunio, maent wedi llwyddo i godi’r arian i adeiladu’r rampiau eu hunain. Mae’r bobl ifanc hyn yn dymuno ymwneud â democratiaeth leol. Gobeithiaf y bydd grŵp Aberhonddu yn llwyddiannus hefyd yn ei ymdrechion i sefydlu cyfleuster tebyg i bobl ifanc yn Aberhonddu.

Yesterday, I had a fantastic opportunity to be grilled by people on the Young Voice/Llais Ifanc interactive health policy debate. It was extremely hard. The questions flew in thick and fast but it showed me that young people want to engage in politics and in the decisions that affect their lives. We have a responsibility to enable and empower them to do that and start to break down the barriers that have prevented them from doing that in the past.

Ddoe, cefais gyfle gwych i gael fy nghroesholi gan bobl ar ddadl polisi iechyd rhyngweithiol Llais Ifanc/Young Voice. Yr oedd yn eithriadol o anodd. Daeth y cwestiynau yn aml ac yn gyflym ond dangosodd imi fod pobl ifanc am ymwneud â gwleidyddiaeth ac â’r penderfyniadau sydd yn effeithio ar eu bywydau. Mae gennym gyfrifoldeb i alluogi a rhoi’r awdurdod iddynt wneud hynny a dechrau dymchwel y rhwystrau sydd wedi eu hatal rhag gwneud hynny yn y gorffennol.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 71

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 71

I declare an interest as someone who was once young in years, but who is still young at heart.

Datganaf fuddiant fel rhywun a fu unwaith yn ifanc o ran oedran, ond sydd yn ifanc yn ei galon o hyd.

This morning’s debate has drawn many Members to the Chamber as they acknowledge their commitment to the future of Wales. We need to ensure that the energy and enthusiasm of young people is used to build a better Wales. I draw your attention to two points. I consider one to be fundamental to the acceptance of the young person’s equal part in partnerships. For far too long local authority services have been patronising in that they expect young people to accept what they are given rather than inviting them to join them in finding solutions. There must also be room for innovation. I have nothing against the formal structures of youth clubs and so on, but, as we heard earlier, it is important to send people out, for example as outreach workers, to ensure that we contact those who are most disaffected and most excluded from education and extra curricular activities.

Denodd dadl y bore yma lawer o’r Aelodau i’r Siambr wrth iddynt gydnabod eu hymrwymiad i ddyfodol Cymru. Mae angen inni sicrhau y defnyddir egni a brwdfrydedd pobl ifanc i greu gwell Cymru. Tynnaf eich sylw at ddau bwynt. Ystyriaf un yn sylfaenol i dderbyn rhan gyfartal person ifanc mewn partneriaethau. Ers gormod o amser o lawer bu gwasanaethau awdurdodau lleol yn nawddoglyd yn yr ystyr eu bod yn disgwyl i bobl ifanc dderbyn yr hyn a roddir iddynt yn hytrach na’u gwahodd i ymuno â hwy i ddod o hyd i atebion. Rhaid cael lle ar gyfer blaengaredd. Nid oes gennyf ddim yn erbyn strwythurau ffurfiol clybiau ieuenctid ac yn y blaen, ond, fel y clywsom yn gynharach, mae’n bwysig anfon pobl allan, er enghraifft fel gweithwyr allgyrch, er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn cysylltu â’r rheini sydd fwyaf anfodlon ac wedi eu heithrio fwyaf o addysg a gweithgareddau allgyrsiol.

That must be directed through local authorities so that they understand the need for real partnerships. To that end, I join Kirsty in saying that Powys has a number of mechanisms to ensure that young people are involved in the process of decision-making, which is important. In Powys, we are also trying to address the image of young people by making sure that there is a youth page in our local press, where young people’s efforts are appreciated and publicised. All too often, the press is only interested in older people. Let us give a spin to the young, vibrant element of our communities. I make a plea for sufficient funding, through this process, to build capacity for young people who wish to lead. Leadership courses are important in helping to give continuity to the process of involving young people. In that respect, I am pleased that this document announces extra funding. However, withdrawing or reducing that funding would be the worst thing of all. It must, therefore, be long-term funding that lasts for a minimum of five years.

Rhaid cyfeirio hynny drwy awdurdodau lleol fel y deallant yr angen am bartneriaethau gwirioneddol. I’r perwyl hwnnw, ymunaf â Kirsty wrth ddweud bod gan Bowys nifer o fecanweithiau i sicrhau bod pobl ifanc yn gysylltiedig â’r broses o wneud penderfyniadau, sydd yn bwysig. Ym Mhowys, yr ydym hefyd yn ceisio ymdrin â delwedd pobl ifanc drwy sicrhau bod tudalen ieuenctid yn ein gwasg leol, lle y caiff ymdrechion pobl ifanc eu gwerthfawrogi a’u cyhoeddi. Yn rhy aml o lawer, dim ond mewn pobl hŷn y mae gan y wasg ddiddordeb. Gadewch inni roi gogwydd i elfen ifanc, bywiog ein cymunedau. Apeliaf am ddigon o arian, drwy’r broses hon, i ddatblygu gallu ar gyfer pobl ifanc sydd yn dymuno arwain. Mae cyrsiau arweinyddiaeth yn bwysig wrth helpu i roi parhad i’r broses o gynnwys pobl ifanc. Yn hynny o beth, yr wyf yn falch bod y ddogfen hon yn cyhoeddi bod arian ychwanegol ar gael. Fodd bynnag, tynnu’r arian hwnnw yn ôl neu ei leihau fyddai’r peth gwaethaf un. Felly, rhaid iddo fod yn arian tymor hir sydd yn parhau am bum mlynedd o leiaf.

My second point is that it is important that we have a process that evaluates good practice in youth services. We should have an evaluation of how good these schemes are. All too often, innovative art or music schemes are marginalised because they are run by voluntary organisations that do not receive the funding that they deserve. I would like to see free evaluation take place, carried out by professional organisations and young people, so that they receive the services that they want.

Fy ail bwynt yw ei bod yn bwysig bod gennym broses sydd yn gwerthuso arfer da yn y gwasanaethau ieuenctid. Dylem werthuso pa mor dda yw’r cynlluniau hyn. Yn amlach na pheidio, mae cynlluniau celf neu gerddoriaeth arloesol ar y cyrion gan y cânt eu rhedeg gan sefydliadau gwirfoddol nad ydynt yn derbyn yr arian y maent yn ei haeddu. Hoffwn weld gwerthuso am ddim yn digwydd, wedi ei gynnal gan sefydliadau proffesiynol a phobl ifanc, er mwyn iddynt dderbyn y gwasanaethau sydd eu hangen arnynt.

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 72

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 72

This has been an excellent debate and I congratulate the Policy Unit on delivering this excellent document. It is important that we rethink how youth services are delivered. Geraint Davies made a valid point that those services must be delivered during school holidays, not just during school terms. I am interested in the work of Newport County Borough Council in this respect. It is progressing apace and I hope that other authorities will take the same view as it has done. Newport council is considering cross-cutting its services by having one person to champion youth services across leisure, housing and social services. That is the way forward.

Bu hon yn ddadl ragorol a hoffwn longyfarch yr Uned Bolisi ar gyflwyno’r ddogfen ragorol hon. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn ailfeddwl sut y cyflwynir gwasanaethau ieuenctid. Gwnaeth Geraint Davies bwynt dilys bod yn rhaid i’r gwasanaethau hynny gael eu cyflwyno yn ystod gwyliau ysgol, nid yn ystod tymor yr ysgol yn unig. Mae gennyf ddiddordeb yng ngwaith Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Casnewydd yn hyn o beth. Mae’n mynd rhagddo’n dda a gobeithiaf y bydd awdurdodau eraill yn mabwysiadu’r un agwedd ag ef. Mae cyngor Casnewydd yn ystyried trawsbyncio ei wasanaethau drwy gael un person i bledio achos gwasanaethau ieuenctid ar draws gwasanaethau hamdden a thai a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Dyna’r ffordd ymlaen.

We return again to the crucial point made by everybody who has contributed to this debate—funding. A great deal of money is already being spent on youth services in education, social services, housing and leisure. If we consider how that money is spent and redirect it to one direction, we will ensure better value for money. I am pleased that Jane Davidson announced more money for training, which is crucial. We must ensure that additional money is not spent on managers, but on the people who do the work. It is important that youth workers receive training. However, as Mick Bates said, those youth workers on the streets need continual, not only initial, training. They also need counselling, because youth workers, who are often young themselves, encounter difficult issues day after day. We must ensure that they receive that counselling.

Dychwelwn unwaith eto at y pwynt hanfodol a wnaethpwyd gan bawb sydd wedi cyfrannu at y ddadl hon—arian. Eisoes gwerir llawer iawn o arian ar wasanaethau ieuenctid mewn addysg, gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, tai a hamdden. Os ystyriwn sut y gwerir yr arian hwnnw a’i ailgyfeirio i un cyfeiriad, byddwn yn sicrhau gwell gwerth am arian. Yr wyf yn falch bod Jane Davidson wedi cyhoeddi bod rhagor o arian ar gael ar gyfer hyfforddiant, sydd yn hanfodol. Rhaid inni sicrhau na werir yr arian ychwanegol hwnnw ar reolwyr, ond ar y bobl sydd yn gwneud y gwaith. Mae’n bwysig bod gweithwyr ieuenctid yn cael hyfforddiant. Fodd bynnag, fel y dywedodd Mick Bates, mae angen hyfforddiant parhaol ar y gweithwyr hynny ar y strydoedd, nid hyfforddiant cychwynnol yn unig. Mae angen eu cynghori hefyd, gan fod gweithwyr ieuenctid, sydd yn aml yn ifanc eu hunain, yn wynebu materion anodd ddydd ar ôl dydd. Rhaid inni sicrhau eu bod yn cael eu cynghori.

It is also vital that they receive decent pay. Many of the youth workers whom I know are just about on the poverty line. They cannot deliver a good service to the young people who need it if they have to worry about how they will pay their bills. I was involved in the youth service in local government, and the staff turnover was huge, particularly for part-time youth workers in youth clubs, because the pay was pathetic. We cannot deliver any of this unless we have high-quality youth workers. We must look to ensure that those workers receive a decent wage.

Mae’n holl bwysig hefyd eu bod yn derbyn cyflog haeddiannol. Mae llawer o’r gweithwyr ieuenctid yr wyf yn eu hadnabod yn byw ar y llinell dlodi. Ni allant gyflwyno gwasanaeth da i bobl ifanc y mae ei angen arnynt os ydynt yn gorfod gofidio am sut y byddant yn talu eu biliau. Bûm yn gysylltiedig â’r gwasanaeth ieuenctid mewn llywodraeth leol, ac yr oedd trosiant y staff yn enfawr, yn arbennig o ran gweithwyr ieuenctid rhan amser mewn clybiau ieuenctid, am fod y cyflog mor druenus. Ni allwn gyflwyno unrhyw ran o hyn oni fydd gennym weithwyr ieuenctid o safon uchel. Rhaid inni sicrhau bod y gweithwyr hynny yn cael cyflog teilwng.

Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services spoken in English p. 73

Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 73

We owe it to our young people to demonstrate unity in the Chamber today, and we have done so after a full and open debate. I am glad that many young people are here today, along with their advocates and agencies who are working at the sharp end, and the people who produced this excellent report.

Mae arnom ddyled i’n pobl ifanc i arddangos undod yn y Siambr heddiw, a gwnaethom hynny ar ôl dadl lawn ac agored. Yr wyf yn falch bod llawer o bobl ifanc yma heddiw, ynghyd â’u heiriolwyr ac asiantaethau sydd yn gweithio ar flaen y gad, a’r bobl a gynhyrchodd yr adroddiad rhagorol hwn.

We should embrace the spirit of this debate in this Chamber. We are role models for our future young politicians who come here to watch us. They want to see that we are not here to engage in petty squabbles, but to act on what we have heard. I hope that we also will learn lessons from this debate.

Dylem ymgorffori ysbryd y ddadl hon yn y Siambr hon. Nyni yw’r modelau rôl ar gyfer ein gwleidyddion ifanc yn y dyfodol, sydd yn dod yma i’n gwylio. Maent am weld nad ydym yma er mwyn cweryla’n ddibwrpas, ond i weithredu ar yr hyn a glywsom. Gobeithiaf y byddwn hefyd yn dysgu gwersi o’r ddadl hon.

Gwenda, there are two Ministers who are advocates for young people and youth policy in the Assembly, namely Jane Davidson and myself. However, the whole Cabinet and every Member has a duty to embrace youth policy and the needs of children and young people. As Brian and Gwenda said, this is a matter of entitling and supporting our young people. It is a matter of learning from them, but also of entitling them to their rights, hopes and opportunities for the future. Last night, the Welsh national youth work awards ceremony was held. That was a celebration of young people’s achievements. Many of you mentioned similar awards in your local communities.

Gwenda, mae dau Weinidog sydd yn eiriolwyr dros bobl ifanc a pholisi ieuenctid yn y Cynulliad, sef Jane Davidson a minnau. Fodd bynnag, mae gan y Cabinet cyfan a phob Aelod ddyletswydd i ymgorffori polisi ieuenctid ac anghenion plant a phobl ifanc. Fel y dywedodd Brian a Gwenda, mae hyn yn fater o roi hawliau a chefnogaeth i’n pobl ifanc. Mae’n fater o ddysgu oddi wrthynt, ond hefyd o roi iddynt eu hawliau, gobeithion a chyfleoedd am y dyfodol. Neithiwr, cynhaliwyd seremoni wobrwyo gwaith ieuenctid genedlaethol Cymru. Bu’n ddathliad o gyraeddiadau pobl ifanc. Soniodd llawer ohonoch am wobrau tebyg yn eich cymunedau lleol.

We must recognise that young people have difficulties. There are barriers that we must address to redress that terrible statistic in the report that 11 per cent of 16 to 18-year-olds are outside training, work and education. The situation is worse for care leavers and many of the groups that Members have mentioned.

Rhaid inni gydnabod bod gan bobl ifanc anawsterau. Mae rhwystrau y mae’n rhaid inni ymdrin â hwy er mwyn unioni’r ystadegyn ofanadwy hwnnw yn yr adroddiad nad yw 11 y cant o bobl ifanc 16 i 18 yn ymwneud â hyfforddiant, gwaith nac addysg. Mae’r sefyllfa’n waeth i’r rheini sydd yn gadael gofal ac i lawer o’r grwpiau y soniodd yr Aelodau amdanynt.

Listening to young people is the key theme of this debate, as Gareth, Helen Mary, Ann, Lorraine, Geraint, Kirsty and Karen have said. It is a matter of listening, but then acting. Consultation and glossy brochures can be useful but, unless people see something delivered as a result of policy action, they will be disappointed again. This is a matter of young people having confidence in the Assembly. If they have confidence in us, we will have a more confident Wales. We must act on this debate and take it forward, as I know that we will do.

Gwrando ar bobl ifanc yw thema allweddol y ddadl hon, fel y dywedodd Gareth, Helen Mary, Ann, Lorraine, Geraint, Kirsty a Karen. Mae’n fater o wrando, ond wedyn gweithredu. Gall ymgynghori a llyfrynnau sgleiniog fod yn ddefnyddiol ond, oni wêl pobl rywbeth yn cael ei gyflwyno o ganlyniad i weithredu polisi, byddant yn siomedig unwaith eto. Mae hyn yn fater o bobl ifanc yn magu hyder yn y Cynulliad. Os bydd ganddynt hyder ynom ni, bydd gennym Gymru fwy hyderus. Rhaid inni weithredu ar y ddadl hon a’i datblygu, fel y gwn y gwawn.

Gareth made important points. I am grateful that he withdrew his amendment because this is about the spirit of what we want to achieve. There will be complex issues, as Owen John mentioned, concerning how we establish keeping-in-touch systems that will help young people and recognise confidentiality, without creating a run-around by agencies. We owe it to our young people to listen to them and to discuss how we can institute the close contact that we need with them.

Gwnaeth Gareth bwyntiau pwysig. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar iddo am dynnu ei welliant yn ôl gan fod hyn yn ymwneud ag ysbryd yr hyn yr ydym am ei gyflawni. Bydd materion cymhleth iawn, fel y soniodd Owen John, ynglŷn â sut y sefydlwn systemau cadw mewn cysylltiad a fydd yn helpu pobl ifanc ac yn cydnabod cyfrinachedd, heb greu system o drosglwyddo o un asiantaeth i’r llall. Rhaid inni wrando ar ein pobl ifanc a thrafod sut y gallwn sefydlu’r cysylltiad agos gyda hwy sydd ei angen arnom.

Many of you referred to the role of local government. Key to that is the children and young people’s framework for partnership, which will bring together many initiatives at local government level. The voluntary sector is also trying to engage in that. ‘Extending Entitlement’ is an important part of that. Local authorities will be required to produce comprehensive children and youth strategies as part of their community plans, under the Local Government Act 2000. We are working in partnership with local government and the voluntary sector to make this much more coherent and understandable for the professionals who are working in the field in the voluntary and statutory sector, and for young people. That community plan is a key vehicle for bringing together the children and youth partnership framework and ‘Extending Entitlement’.

Cyfeiriodd llawer ohonoch at rôl llywodraeth leol. Elfen allweddol o hynny yw’r fframwaith partneriaeth plant a phobl ifanc a fydd yn uno nifer o fentrau ar lefel llywodraeth leol. Mae’r sector gwirfoddol yn ceisio ymwneud â hynny hefyd. Mae ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ yn rhan bwysig o hynny. Bydd yn ofynnol i awdurdodau lleol gynhyrchu strategaethau plant a phobl ifanc cynhwysfawr fel rhan o’u cynlluniau cymunedol, o dan Ddeddf Llywodraeth Leol 2000. Yr ydym yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth â llywodraeth leol a’r sector gwirfoddol i wneud hyn yn llawer mwy cydlynol a dealladwy i’r bobl broffesiynol sydd yn gweithio yn y maes yn y sectorau gwirfoddol a statudol, ac i bobl ifanc. Mae’r cynllun cymunedol hwnnw yn gyfrwng allweddol i ddod â’r fframwaith partneriaeth plant a phobl ifanc ac ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ ynghyd.

As the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning said, ‘Extending Entitlement’ will be discussed fully in Committee and taken forward in consultation, as with the ‘Children and Youth: a framework for partnership’ document. It is important that we recognise how local government is critical to that and, of course, because the Partnership Council includes the voluntary sector and local government, we can monitor this. As you say, Gwenda, we need to monitor it carefully.

Fel y dywedodd y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes, caiff ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’ ei drafod yn llawn mewn Pwyllgorau a’i ddatblygu drwy ymgynghori, fel a wnaethpwyd gyda’r ddogfen ‘Plant a Phobl Ifanc: fframwaith ar gyfer partneriaeth’. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd llywodraeth leol i hynny ac, wrth gwrs, gan fod y Cyngor Partneriaeth yn cynnwys y sector gwirfoddol a llywodraeth leol, gallwn fonitro hyn. Fel y dywedwch, Gwenda, mae angen inni fonitro hynny’n ofalus.

We need to strengthen the impetus behind the report. It is, Gareth, a matter of moving from ‘will’ to ‘must’. I recognise that. We must also recognise that we do not have all the answers. Therefore, we must listen to young people and to those at the sharp end who work with them, such as youth workers, so that we know how to act. It is a matter of delivering policies as a result of inclusive debate and partnership. That is the way forward.

Mae angen inni gryfhau’r ysgogiad y tu ôl i’r adroddiad. Mater o symud o ‘bydd’ i ‘bydd yn rhaid’ yw hynny, Gareth. Cydnabyddaf hynny. Rhaid inni gydnabod hefyd nad yw’r holl atebion gennym. Felly, rhaid inni wrando ar bobl ifanc ac ar y rheini, megis gweithwyr ieuenctid sydd yn gweithio gyda hwy yn y meysydd lle ceir yr anawsterau mwyaf, fel y gwyddom sut i weithredu. Mater o gyflwyno polisïau o ganlyniad i ddadl a phartneriaeth gynhwysol ydyw. Dyna’r ffordd ymlaen.

Many people have paid tribute to David Melding’s contribution. It was a humane and well-informed contribution—as is so often the case with the contributions he makes in this Chamber—and positive about the most vulnerable young people. These strategies are for all young people in Wales, but we must recognise the needs of the most vulnerable, such as young carers. It is a matter of joined-up Government once again. For example, young carers are a key part of our carers’ strategy and we can cross over policy areas in our policy making. The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 is being implemented. That gives important new entitlements to young carers.

Mae llawer wedi talu teyrnged i gyfraniad David Melding. Yr oedd yn gyfraniad dynol a thra hyddysg—fel sydd yn aml yn wir gyda’r cyfraniadau a wna yn y Siambr hon—ac yn gadarnhaol ynglŷn â’r bobl fwyaf diamddiffyn. Mae’r strategaethau hyn ar gyfer pob person ifanc yng Nghymru, ond rhaid inni gydnabod anghenion y rhai mwyaf diamddiffyn, fel cynhalwyr ifanc. Mater o gael Llywodraeth ddi-fwlch ydyw unwaith eto. Er enghraifft, mae cynhalwyr ifanc yn rhan allweddol o’n strategaeth i gynhalwyr a gallwn groesi ar draws meysydd polisi wrth lunio ein polisïau. Mae Deddf Cynhalwyr a Phlant Anabl 2000 wrthi’n cael ei gweithredu. Rhydd hynny hawliau newydd pwysig i gynhalwyr ifanc.

In answering questions earlier this morning, I talked about children leaving care and referred to the importance of our responsibility for them. They are often left out and excluded. They do not feel that they are part of the community and feel that their opportunities are stifled. I am also grateful for your comments on youth offenders, David. It is important that youth justice and youth offending are seen as part of the children and youth partnership. We need that to be part of our strategy.

Wrth ateb cwestiynau yn gynharach y bore yma, siaradais am blant yn gadael gofal a chyfeiriais at bwysigrwydd ein cyfrifoldeb drosynt. Yn aml teimlant eu bod yn cael eu gadael allan a’u heithrio. Ni theimlant eu bod yn rhan o’r gymuned a theimlant bod eu cyfleoedd yn cael eu rhwystro. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar hefyd am eich sylwadau ar droseddwyr ifanc, David. Mae’n bwysig bod cyfiawnder ieuenctid a throseddau ieuenctid yn cael eu hystyried yn rhan o’r bartneriaeth plant a phobl ifanc. Yr ydym am i hynny fod yn rhan o’n strategaeth.

There are many health issues that we could discuss, for example, smoking cessation initiatives. Christine Humphreys raised the issue of sexual health and sex education and the importance of working with young people on these sensitive issues.

Mae llawer o faterion yn ymwneud ag iechyd y gallem eu trafod, er enghraifft, mentrau rhoi’r gorau i ysmygu. Cododd Christine Humphreys fater iechyd rhywiol ac addysg rhyw a phwysigrwydd gweithio gyda phobl ifanc ar y materion sensitif hyn.

Funding is critical. Unless we put money behind this, as Gareth, Rosemary, Karen, Lorraine and others said, it will not bite. It will not have the impact that we want it to have. We will publish the original working party’s report, Gareth. A copy will be placed in the Library and posted to the internet. We have £2 million available immediately for planning requirements this year to implement ‘Extending Entitlement’. However, that is only a starting point. Other streams of funding will become available. It is quite separate from the money that will be available through the children and youth partnership.

Mae arian yn holl bwysig. Oni sicrhawn arian ar gyfer hyn, fel y dywedodd Gareth, Rosemary, Karen, Lorraine ac eraill, ni chaiff unrhyw effaith. Ni chaiff yr effaith y byddwn am iddo ei chael. Byddwn yn cyhoeddi adroddiad gwreiddiol y gweithgor, Gareth. Rhoddir copi yn y Llyfrgell ac ar y rhyngrwyd. Mae £2 filiwn ar gael ar unwaith ar gyfer gofynion cynllunio eleni i weithredu ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’. Fodd bynnag, man cychwyn yn unig yw hynny. Daw ffynonellau ariannu eraill ar gael. Bydd hynny’n llwyr ar wahân i’r arian a fydd ar gael drwy’r bartneriaeth plant a phobl ifanc.

Karen Sinclair spoken in English p. 76

Karen Sinclair siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 76

Can you see any way forward in ring-fencing this money in local authorities so that it does not get swallowed up in the general education budget? I am concerned about that.

A allwch weld unrhyw ffordd ymlaen drwy bridiannu’r arian hwn o fewn awdurdodau lleol fel na chaiff ei lyncu yn y gyllideb addysg gyffredinol? Yr wyf yn gofidio am hynny.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 77

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

My comments earlier about local government’s responsibility to have strategies within their community plans will be critical to that. We already monitor that through the children and youth partnership. There are many special grant arrangements in relation to that partnership. When the Committee discusses this, it needs to consider all the different funding streams and how they impact on local government, to ensure that we deliver the goods. By discussing this today we are sending a strong message to local government and the voluntary sector about the way forward—

Bydd fy sylwadau yn gynharach am gyfrifoldeb llywodraeth leol dros sefydlu strategaethau o fewn eu cynlluniau cymunedol yn holl bwysig i hynny. Yr ydym eisoes yn monitro hynny drwy’r bartneriaeth plant a phobl ifanc. Mae llawer o drefniadau grant arbennig mewn perthynas â’r bartneriaeth honno. Pan fydd y Pwyllgor yn trafod hyn, bydd angen iddo ystyried yr holl ffynonellau ariannu gwahanol a sut yr effeithiant ar lywodraeth leol, er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn cadw’n haddewid. Wrth drafod hyn heddiw anfonwn neges gref i lywodraeth leol ac i’r sector gwirfoddol ynglŷn â’r ffordd ymlaen—

Pauline Jarman spoken in English p. 77

Pauline Jarman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

First, I declare an interest as a member of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council. Resources and funding are key to this. However, a point was made about the need for youth services to become a statutory service. In local government, because of funding difficulties over the years—and it is bound to fund education—there is an increasing trend for youth and community services to have to rely more heavily on external funding, such as lottery funding. I thought that lottery funding was intended to be complementary rather than a substitute for adequate funding. Will you give your view on that please?

Yn gyntaf, datganaf fuddiant fel aelod o Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf. Mae adnoddau ac arian yn allweddol yn hyn o beth. Fodd bynnag, clywsom bwynt am yr angen i wasanaethau ieuenctid ddod yn wasanaeth statudol. Mewn llywodraeth leol, oherwydd anawsterau ariannu dros y blynyddoedd—ac mae’n rhaid iddi ariannu addysg—mae tuedd gynyddol i wasanaethau ieuenctid a chymunedol orfod dibynnu mwy ar arian allanol, fel arian y loteri. Credais y bwriadwyd i arian y loteri fod yn ategol yn hytrach na rhywbeth i gymryd lle arian digonol. A fyddech cystal â rhoi eich barn ar hynny?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 77

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

Karen, quite rightly, pointed out how youth services have been stripped back over the years. Lorraine said that youth services should not be a lottery and talked about how young people had to reinstate facilities themselves in her community. Discretionary services have been stripped back. We are trying to reinstate them and put them on a firm and secure footing. That will emerge from our discussions on ‘Extending Entitlement’. Youth services must change and develop and be innovative. We have heard of good examples in the Chamber today. In the early 1970s, when I was a youth worker, as were others in the Chamber, those services were innovatory. We had detached youth workers and numerous good schemes, most of which have disappeared. There is little left.

Yr oedd yn gywir pan ddywedodd fod gwasanaethau ieuenctid wedi cael eu cwtogi’n llym dros y blynyddoedd. Dywedodd Lorraine na ddylai gwasanaethau ieuenctid fod fel loteri a siaradodd am sut y bu’n rhaid i bobl ifanc adfer cyfleusterau eu hunain yn ei chymuned hi. Cwtogwyd ar wasanaethau dewisol. Yr ydym yn ceisio eu hadfer a’u rhoi ar dir cadarn a diogel. Daw hynny’n amlwg o’n trafodaethau ar ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’. Rhaid i wasanaethau ieuenctid newid a datblygu a bod yn arloesol. Clywsom enghreifftiau da yn y Siambr heddiw. Ar ddechrau’r 1970au, pan oeddwn yn weithiwr ieuenctid, fel eraill yn y Siambr, yr oedd y gwasanaethau hynny yn torri tir newydd. Yr oedd gennym weithwyr ieuenctid diduedd a nifer o gynlluniau da, y mae’r rhan fwyaf ohonynt wedi diflannu. Dim ond ychydig sydd yn weddill.

It is vital that we reinstate youth services. As Rosemary said, that means training and improving the status of that service. On an issue that is also important to the youth service, Kirsty, we must consider the balance between safeguards and care. I will raise the cost of police checks with the Secretary of State. Funding and support to reinstate the youth service and entitle young people will be available.

Mae’n holl bwysig ein bod yn adfer gwasanaethau ieuenctid. Fel y dywedodd Rosemary, golyga hynny hyfforddiant a gwella statws y gwasanaeth hwnnw. Ar fater sydd hefyd yn bwysig i’r gwasanaeth ieuenctid, Kirsty, rhaid inni ystyried y cydbwysedd rhwng camau diogelu a gofal. Byddaf yn codi cost archwiliadau’r heddlu gyda’r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol. Bydd arian a chefnogaeth i adfer y gwasanaeth ieuenctid a rhoi hawliau i bobl ifanc ar gael.

Elin, the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning is prepared to contact Ceredigion County Council regarding your points about education in your constituency. John and other Members drew attention to excluded groups. It is important that we take that on board. That is why the Assembly has such an opportunity to be inclusive. As Gareth said it is about schools and councils. It is also about youth forums. There is a good one in my constituency that represents a wide range of young people. We must reach out and include those that do not have a voice, such as those with learning difficulties, or who are excluded for other reasons.

Elin, mae’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes yn barod i gysylltu â Chyngor Sir Ceredigion ynglŷn â’ch pwyntiau ar addysg yn eich etholaeth. Tynnodd John ac Aelodau eraill sylw at grwpiau sydd wedi’u hallgáu. Mae’n bwysig inni ystyried hynny. Dyna pam bod gan y Cynulliad y fath gyfle i fod yn gynhwysol. Fel y dywedodd Gareth, mae hyn yn ymwneud ag ysgolion a chynghorau. Mae’n ymwneud hefyd â fforymau ieuenctid. Mae un da yn fy etholaeth sydd yn cynrychioli ystod eang o bobl ifanc. Rhaid inni ymestyn allan a chynnwys y rheini nad oes ganddynt lais, fel y rheini sydd ag anawsterau dysgu, neu a gaiff eu hallgáu am resymau eraill.

This is an opportunity for the Assembly to show that we can promote our young people, give them confidence, and extend their opportunities and entitlement. If we believe in our young people, that must translate into a confident new Wales. We should overcome the lack of media interest in this because we know how important it is. The Assembly should be a place where young people want to come. They should want to listen to our debates. In addition, we should encourage a change of culture and in attitude, not only in this Chamber but in Wales’s council chambers, health authorities and all the institutions that have power over people’s lives. It is good that we have partnerships with local government and the health service so that we can try to achieve that.

Mae hwn yn gyfle i’r Cynulliad ddangos y gallwn hyrwyddo ein pobl ifanc, rhoi hyder iddynt ac ymestyn eu cyfleoedd a’u hawl. Os credwn yn ein pobl ifanc, dylai hynny droi yn Gymru newydd hyderus. Dylem oresgyn y diffyg diddordeb sydd gan y cyfryngau yn hyn oherwydd gwyddom pa mor bwysig ydyw. Dylai’r Cynulliad fod yn lle deniadol i bobl ifanc. Dylent fod eisiau gwrando ar ein dadleuon. Yn ogystal, dylem annog newid mewn diwylliant ac mewn agwedd, nid yn unig yn y Siambr hon, ond yn siambrau cynghorau Cymru, awdurdodau iechyd a’r holl sefydliadau sydd â phŵer dros fywydau pobl. Mae’n dda bod gennym bartneriaethau â llywodraeth leol a’r gwasanaeth iechyd fel y gallwn geisio cyflawni hynny.

This is an excellent day for young people in Wales. We congratulate all those involved in ‘Extending Entitlement’. It is a good start in redressing an imbalance and our lack of concern for our young people in the past.

Mae hwn yn ddiwrnod rhagorol i bobl ifanc yng Nghymru. Hoffem longyfarch pawb sydd yn gysylltiedig ag ‘Ymestyn Hawliau’. Mae’n ddechrau da wrth unioni’r anghydbwysedd a’n diffyg pryder am ein pobl ifanc yn y gorffennol.

Gwelliant 1 David Melding t. 79

Amendment 1 David Melding p. 79

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 50 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (50)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Rod Richards
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

Gwelliant 2 Gareth Jones t. 79

Amendment 2 Gareth Jones p. 79

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 49 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 1

Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (49)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Alun Cairns
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Rod Richards
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (1)
  • Rosemary Butler

Gwelliant 3 Christine Humphreys t. 80

Amendment 3 Christine Humphreys p. 80

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 51 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (51)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Rod Richards
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

Tynnwyd gwelliant 4 yn ôl.

Amendment 4 withdrawn.

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 49 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig wedi’i ddiwygio.

Amended motion adopted.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (49)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Jane Davidson
  • David Davies
  • Geraint Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Richard Edwards
  • Delyth Evans
  • Val Feld
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • John Griffiths
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Christine Humphreys
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Lynne Neagle
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Rod Richards
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Karen Sinclair
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

Dadl Fer

Short Debate

Cefnogi ein Proffesiwn Addysgu

Supporting our Teaching Profession

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 83

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 83

In establishing new practices, post the grand coalition and merger, I have indicated to Plaid Cymru—The Party of Wales, the only other party outside of the Executive, that Gareth Jones will be allowed five minutes to make a contribution to this debate. I suggest to the other parts of the coalition pantomime horse that if they wish to contribute to this important subject they should consult with their Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning to see if she will give way during her contribution.

Wrth sefydlu arferion newydd, ar ôl y glymblaid a’r cyfuno mawr, dywedais wrth Blaid Cymru, yr unig blaid arall y tu allan i’r Weithrediaeth, y caniateir pum munud i Gareth Jones gyfrannu at y ddadl hon. Awgrymaf i rannau eraill o geffyl pantomeim y glymblaid y dylent ymgynghori â’u Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes os dymunant gyfrannu at y pwnc pwysig hwn er mwyn gweld a wnaiff ildio yn ystod ei chyfraniad.

The title of this debate is broad and wide-ranging. However, my purpose today is to raise the issue of accusations against teachers that are subsequently proved to be false and how the National Assembly can be engaged in providing support for teachers. I will also talk about how we address the issue of confrontations between teachers and pupils and how they can be prevented so that we can avoid the allegations of misconduct that, too frequently, occur in the teaching profession.

Mae teitl y ddadl hon yn eang a phellgyrhaeddol. Fodd bynnag, fy niben heddiw yw codi’r mater o gyhuddiadau yn erbyn athrawon a brofir yn y pen draw yn rhai ffug a sut gall y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol ymroi i ddarparu cymorth i athrawon. Siaradaf hefyd am sut yr ymdriniwn â’r mater o wrthdaro rhwng athrawon a disgyblion a sut y gellir eu hatal fel y gallwn osgoi’r honiadau o gamymddwyn sydd yn digwydd, yn rhy aml, ym mhroffesiwn addysgu.

I cannot be accused of not choosing a topical issue to debate this week. At this very hour, at press conferences in London and Cardiff, the National Union of Teachers is launching its policy on how to deal with unruly pupils. This is the first opportunity that the Assembly has had to discuss this important issue since Marjorie Evans’s acquittal and reinstatement as headteacher of St Mary’s School, Caldicot. Now that the case has passed we can focus our attention, less on the rights and wrongs of the case against Mrs Evans, and more on what the Assembly can do to protect teachers from physical confrontations with unruly pupils.

Ni ellir fy nghyhuddo o beidio â dewis mater cyfoes i’w ddadlau yr wythnos hon. Ar yr union awr hon, mewn cynadleddau i’r wasg yng Nghaerdydd a Llundain, mae Undeb Cenedlaethol yr Athrawon yn lansio ei bolisi ar sut i ddelio â disgyblion afreolus. Dyma’r cyfle cyntaf a gafodd y Cynulliad i drafod y mater pwysig hwn ers rhyddfarniad Marjorie Evans ac ers iddi ddychwelyd i’w swydd fel pennaeth Ysgol y Santes Fair, Caldicot. Gan fod yr achos bellach wedi dod i ben gallwn ganolbwyntio yn llai ar y da a’r drwg yn yr achos yn erbyn Mrs Evans ac yn fwy ar yr hyn y gall y Cynulliad ei wneud i ddiogelu athrawon rhag gwrthdaro’n gorfforol â disgyblion afreolus.

Before I begin to outline the comments on and proposals for improving procedures to deal with accusations, I will talk about the issue of equal, if not greater import, of protecting children in school. When we send our children to school, teachers act in loco parentis. They take on the duties and responsibilities of parents for the duration of the school day. That is a serious job. A good teacher is not only one who can impart knowledge on subjects, but one who can make a child feel safe and secure in the school environment. A good teacher will protect a child and protect against bullying and harassment. A good teacher will certainly not use physical violence against his or her pupils.

Cyn imi ddechrau amlinellu’r sylwadau a’r cynigion ynglŷn â gwella’r gweithdrefnau i ddelio â chyhuddiadau, siaradaf am fater sydd yr un mor bwysig, os nad yn bwysicach, sef diogelu plant yn yr ysgol. Pan anfonwn ein plant i’r ysgol, gweithreda’r athrawon in loco parentis. Ymgymerant â dyletswyddau rhieni drwy gydol y diwrnod ysgol. Mae honno’n swydd ddifrifol. Gall athro da nid yn unig drosglwyddo gwybodaeth ar bynciau, ond gwneud i blentyn deimlo’n ddiogel yn amgylchedd yr ysgol hefyd. Bydd athro da yn diogelu plentyn ac yn ei ddiogelu rhag bwlio ac aflonyddu. Yn sicr, ni ddefnyddia athro da drais corfforol yn erbyn ei ddisgyblion.

None of the measures that I outline today will undermine the security of children in our schools. To give more protection for teachers against false accusations should not mean less safety for pupils. There should never be a trade-off between the two

Ni fydd unrhyw un o’r mesurau a amlinellaf heddiw yn tanseilio diogelwch plant yn ein hysgolion. Ni ddylai rhoi mwy o ddiogelwch i athrawon yn erbyn camgyhuddiadau olygu llai o ddiogelwch ar gyfer disgyblion. Ni ddylid byth cyfaddawdu rhwng y ddau.

The Assembly’s consistent support of children’s rights, especially in the guise of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, demonstrates that we should always put the protection of children first. When the Commissioner is established in Wales, he or she will be able to report on all services that affect children, including those in our maintained schools. We all support that welcome and positive step. However, we should never forget the golden rule of natural justice, that the accused is innocent until proven guilty. Moreover, our society and culture have changed radically over the last few decades. Children are more conscious of their basic rights and entitlements. They know much more about what adults can and cannot do.

Dengys cefnogaeth gyson y Cynulliad i hawliau plant, yn enwedig dan gochl Comisiynydd Plant i Gymru, y dylem roi diogelu plant yn gyntaf bob amser. Pan sefydlir y Comisiynydd yng Nghymru, gall gyflwyno adroddiad ar bob un o’r gwasanaethau a gaiff effaith ar blant, gan gynnwys y rheini yn ein hysgolion a gynhelir. Cefnogwn y cam calonogol a chadarnhaol hwnnw. Fodd bynnag, ni ddylem byth anghofio y rheol euraidd o gyfiawnder naturiol, sef bod y cyhuddedig yn ddieuog nes y profir ei fod yn euog. Yn ogystal, newidiodd ein cymdeithas a’n diwylliant yn llwyr dros yr ychydig ddegawdau diwethaf. Mae plant yn fwy ymwybodol o’u hawliau sylfaenol. Gwyddant lawer mwy am yr hyn y gall oedolion ei wneud a’r hyn na allant ei wneud.

Society’s attitude to the protection of the child has changed. No one disagrees that teachers who are accused of sexual assault, for example, should be suspended immediately. A firm line is taken on that and I know that we all support it. Such individuals are ostracised and treated as social pariahs. We all saw the reaction to the News of the World’s publication of the names of so-called sex offenders earlier this year. That is why we must be careful. False allegations can do so much damage that they ruin teachers’ careers. The social and psychological consequences of being falsely accused can be immense. Many teachers feel that they must move schools, move away from the area or even change their career to rid themselves of the rumours and suspicions that often flow from false accusations.

Newidiodd ymagwedd cymdeithas tuag at ddiogelu plant. Nid anghytuna neb y dylid gwahardd athrawon a gaiff eu cyhuddo o ymosodiad rhywiol, er enghraifft, ar unwaith. Ceir safbwynt cadarn ynglŷn â hynny a gwn fod pob un ohonom yn ei gefnogi. Caiff unigolion o’r fath eu diarddel a’u trin fel parïaid cymdeithasol. Gwelodd pob un ohonom yr ymateb pan gyhoeddodd y News of the World enwau troseddwyr rhyw honedig yn gynharach eleni. Dyna pam bod yn rhaid inni fod yn ofalus. Gall camgyhuddiadau wneud cymaint o niwed fel eu bod yn dinistrio gyrfaoedd athrawon. Gall y canlyniadau cymdeithasol a seicolegol o gael eich camgyhuddo fod yn enfawr. Teimla llawer o athrawon fod yn rhaid iddynt symud o’r ysgol, symud o’r ardal neu hyd yn oed newid eu gyrfa er mwyn cael gwared ar y straeon a’r amheuon sydd yn aml yn llifo o gamgyhuddiadau.

The Marjorie Evans case was, thankfully, a one-off. Not a great number of cases go to trial, but the number of cases that are referred to the headteacher or to the police, but from which no charges are made, is still large. According to reports issued last week, the number could be as high as one each working week in Wales alone. Therefore, this is not an isolated problem that can be ignored. We must develop a coherent strategy to deal with false allegations. Good work is being done throughout Wales to help accused teachers to deal with the after effects of unfounded allegations. One example is the Teachers’ Benevolent Fund, which runs a helpline called Teacherline. It offers anonymous advice to teachers and is a welcome innovation.

Yn ffodus, bu achos Marjorie Evans yn unigryw. Nid aiff llawer o achosion i dreial, ond parha nifer yr achosion a gaiff eu cyfeirio at y pennaeth neu’r heddlu, ond lle na ddygir cyhuddiad yn eu herbyn, i fod yn fawr. Yn ôl adroddiadau a gyhoeddwyd yr wythnos diwethaf, gallai’r nifer fod mor uchel ag un ym mhob wythnos waith yng Nghymru yn unig. Felly, nid yw hon yn broblem unigryw y gellir ei hanwybyddu. Rhaid inni ddatblygu strategaeth gydlynol i ddelio â chamgyhuddiadau. Gwneir gwaith da ledled Cymru i helpu athrawon a gyhuddir i ddelio ag ôl-effeithiau honiadau di-sail. Un enghraifft yw’r Gronfa Les Athrawon, sydd yn rhedeg llinell gymorth o’r enw Teacherline. Cynigia gyngor dienw i athrawon ac mae’n fenter i’w chroesawu.

Some local education authorities offer support services and valuable advice. However, to describe this advice as patchy is an understatement. Although some LEAs have good records, others leave something to be desired. An additional problem is that teachers are not keen on receiving counselling from the authority that is put in charge of pursuing the case against them. It is difficult for a local education authority to pursue allegations against a teacher on behalf of the pupils and parents but also to attempt to offer advice, guidance and support to the teacher.

Cynigia rhai awdurdodau addysg lleol wasanaethau cynnal a chyngor gwerthfawr. Fodd bynnag, nid yw disgrifio’r cyngor hwn fel rhywbeth bylchog yn orddweud. Er bod cofnodion da gan rai awdurdodau addysg lleol, mae eraill yn bell o fod yn foddhaol. Problem ychwanegol yw nad yw athrawon yn awyddus i gael eu cynghori gan yr awdurdod sydd yn gyfrifol am ddwyn yr achos yn eu herbyn. Mae’n anodd i awdurdod addysg lleol ddilyn honiadau yn erbyn athro ar ran y disgyblion a’r rhieni ond hefyd i geisio cynnig cyngor, arweiniad a chymorth i’r athro.

The range of services that exists is insufficient. That is why we need an all-Wales advice and counselling body for teachers, which is independent of local education authorities. Such an organisation could give a comprehensive range of services to accused teachers and could provide it in all parts of the country.

Nid yw amrywiaeth y gwasanaethau sydd yn bodoli yn ddigonol. Dyna pam bod angen corff cyngor a chynghori Cymru-gyfan ar gyfer athrawon, sydd yn annibynnol ar awdurdodau addysg lleol. Gallai sefydliad o’r fath roi amrywiaeth cynhwysfawr o wasanaethau i athrawon a gaiff eu cyhuddo a gallai ei ddarparu ymhob rhan o’r wlad.

However, these services alone will not be enough. We must take a radical look at proposals to address the situation. One idea that I favour is to grant legal anonymity to teachers against accusations unless and until the police bring a charge against them. Teachers should benefit from such protection from adverse publicity. It would give governors and police authorities breathing space to properly investigate claims and check their veracity. Teachers would appreciate the security that this measure would give them.

Fodd bynnag, ni fydd y gwasanaethau hyn yn unig yn ddigonol. Rhaid inni edrych mewn ffordd radicalaidd ar gynigion i ymdrin â’r sefyllfa. Un syniad a gefnogaf yw rhoi anhysbysrwydd cyfreithiol i athrawon yn erbyn cyhuddiadau nes y daw’r heddlu â chyhuddiad yn eu herbyn. Dylai athrawon elwa ar ddiogelwch o’r fath rhag cyhoeddusrwydd gwael. Rhoddai amser i lywodraethwyr ac awdurdodau’r heddlu anadlu er mwyn iddynt ymchwilio i honiadau yn iawn a gwirio eu cywirdeb. Byddai athrawon yn gwerthfawrogi’r diogelwch y byddai’r mesur hwn yn ei roi iddynt.

The obvious point that Members could make against such a proposition is that it would not have prevented Marjorie Evans’s name from being made public. This is true because Mrs Evans was charged, prosecuted, brought to trial and was only cleared on appeal. In such cases, anonymity would be impractical. However, in the cases that do not proceed, anonymity could make a difference for teachers.

Y pwynt amlwg y gallai Aelodau ei wneud yn erbyn cynnig o’r fath yw na fyddai wedi atal enw Marjorie Evans rhag cael ei gyhoeddi. Mae hyn yn wir gan fod cyhuddiad wedi’i ddwyn yn erbyn Mrs Evans, cafodd ei herlyn, aeth i dreial a dim ond ar apêl y cafodd ei chlirio. Mewn achosion o’r fath, ni fyddai anhysbysrwydd yn ymarferol. Fodd bynnag, yn yr achosion nad ydynt yn mynd yn eu blaenau, gallai anhysbysrwydd wneud gwahaniaeth i athrawon.

However, we still need to tackle the root causes of confrontation. An increasing number of teachers find themselves subject to physical assault and disorderly behaviour by a small minority of students. This can disrupt the education of the other students in the class and can lead to false accusations. We must tackle unruly behaviour before it deteriorates further.

Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni barhau i fynd i’r afael â gwir achosion gwrthdaro. Mae nifer gynyddol o athrawon yn destun ymosodiad corfforol ac ymddygiad afreolus gan leiafrif bach o fyfyrwyr. Gall hyn amharu ar addysg y myfyrwyr eraill yn y dosbarth a gall arwain at gamgyhuddiadau. Rhaid inni fynd i’r afael ag ymddygiad afreolus cyn iddo waethygu ymhellach.

One policy that has played a large part in undermining discipline in our schools is this administration’s artificial target to reduce permanent exclusions. The policy to reduce exclusions by a third has put great pressure on head teachers and local education authorities to keep unsuitable children in the school environment. The teaching profession has persistently opposed this policy and, frankly, it puts individual teachers at risk.

Un polisi a chwaraeodd ran fawr wrth danseilio disgyblaeth yn ein hysgolion yw targed artiffisial y weinyddiaeth hon i leihau’r gwaharddiadau parhaol. Rhoddodd y polisi i leihau’r gwaharddiadau draean bwysau mawr ar benaethiaid ac awdurdodau addysg lleol i gadw plant anaddas yn yr ysgol. Gwrthwynebwyd y polisi hwn yn gyson gan y proffesiwn addysgu ac, a dweud y gwir, mae’n rhoi athrawon unigol mewn perygl.

However, it is not only the artificial exclusion target that causes problems. Unlike in England, where the policies have changed, an LEA in Wales can still overrule a headteacher by reinstating a pupil who has been excluded by the school for disorderly behaviour. This policy has the effect of subjecting teachers and other children to pupils who should be educated off the school site. More importantly, what message does this send to other children in a school about the authority of the headteacher?

Fodd bynnag, nid yn unig y targed gwaharddiadau artiffisial sydd yn achosi problemau. Yn wahanol i Loegr, lle newidiwyd y polisïau, gall awdurdod addysg lleol yng Nghymru barhau i wrthod penderfyniad y pennaeth drwy aildderbyn disgybl a waharddwyd gan yr ysgol oherwydd ymddygiad afreolus. Effaith y polisi hwn yw gorfodi’r athrawon a’r plant eraill i ddioddef plant a ddylai gael eu haddysgu i ffwrdd o safle’r ysgol. Yn bwysicach, pa neges y mae hyn yn ei chyfleu i blant eraill yn yr ysgol am awdurdod y pennaeth?

I make a direct appeal to the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning today, and I would be grateful if she could address this point specifically in her response. Please scrap the exclusions target, for the sake of teachers and pupils across Wales. Give the profession a chance to teach, free from the threat of unruly pupils. I am afraid, however, that the administration is going in the wrong direction. We are concerned about the effectiveness of pupil referral units. Pupils that would otherwise be excluded would now be educated on-site in these units. Some of these LEA referral units have reasonable track records. But in too many cases they simply move the problem from the classroom to the corridor, so there is an issue here for the Assembly, and the Government in particular to address.

Apeliaf yn uniongyrchol i’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes heddiw, a byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallai ymdrin â’r pwynt hwn yn benodol yn ei hateb. A fyddech cystal â chael gwared ar y targed gwaharddiadau, er lles athrawon a disgyblion ledled Cymru. Rhowch gyfle i’r proffesiwn addysgu, heb fygythiad gan ddisgyblion afreolus. Ofnaf, fodd bynnag, fod y weinyddiaeth yn mynd i’r cyfeiriad anghywir. Yr ydym yn poeni am effeithiolrwydd unedau cyfeirio disgyblion. Câi’r disgyblion a gâi eu gwahardd fel arall bellach eu haddysgu ar y safle yn yr unedau hyn. Mae enw cymharol dda gan rai o unedau cyfeirio’r awdurdodau addysg lleol hyn. Ond mewn gormod o achosion, dim ond trosglwyddo’r broblem o’r ystafell ddosbarth i’r coridor y maent, felly mae mater yma y dylai’r Cynulliad, ac yn arbennig y Llywodraeth, ymdrin ag ef.

In closing, I reiterate the crucial importance of sorting out the problem of violence in our schools. We also need to fully address the question of false accusations against teachers in our schools. These two issues cannot be easily separated. Therefore, I call upon the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning to make a clean break by scrapping the artificial exclusion targets and the headteacher exclusions override policy. Now is the time for a fresh start on the issue of school discipline. Now is the time to address the issues in the wake of the Marjorie Evans case. An independent all-Wales counselling service, anonymity for teachers unless the police bring a charge—these are all measures that would make a real difference to the teaching profession. The Evans case was hardly the best recruiting-sergeant for the profession, and if we do not act now we will find it increasingly difficult in the years ahead to enrol teachers in the numbers in which we need them. This is a challenge that you, Minister, and the Assembly cannot duck, and it is a task that we will need to address without delay.

Wrth gloi, ailadroddaf bwysigrwydd hanfodol datrys y broblem o drais yn ein hysgolion. Mae angen inni hefyd ymdrin â chwestiwn camgyhuddiadau yn erbyn athrawon yn ein hysgolion yn llawn. Ni ellir gwahanu’r ddau fater hwn yn hawdd. Felly, galwaf ar y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes i ddechrau o’r newydd drwy gael gwared ar dargedau gwahardd artiffisial a’r polisi gwrthod gwaharddiadau penaethiaid. Yn awr yw’r amser i ddechrau o’r newydd ar y mater o ddisgyblaeth mewn ysgolion. Yn awr yw’r amser i ymdrin â’r materion yn sgîl achos Marjorie Evans. Gwasanaeth cynghori annibynnol Cymru gyfan, anhysbysrwydd ar gyfer athrawon oni ddyga’r heddlu gyhuddiad yn eu herbyn—gwnâi pob un o’r mesurau hyn wahaniaeth gwirioneddol i’r proffesiwn addysgu. Nid achos Evans oedd yr ymgyrch recriwtio orau ar gyfer y proffesiwn, ac os na chymerwn gamau yn awr bydd yn gynyddol anodd cofrestru athrawon yn y niferoedd sydd eu hangen yn y blynyddoedd i ddod. Dyma her na allwch chi, Weinidog, na’r Cynulliad ei hosgoi, ac mae’n dasg y bydd angen inni fynd i’r afael â hi yn ddi-oed.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 88

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 88

Datganaf fuddiant fel cynghorydd ac athro cofrestredig. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i Jonathan Morgan am gyflwyno cynnig, sydd nid yn unig yn amserol ond sydd â neges o bwys mawr i ni, Aelodau’r Cynulliad.

I declare an interest as a councillor and a registered teacher. I am grateful to Jonathan Morgan for tabling a motion, which is not only timely but has an important message for us as Assembly Members.

Po fwyaf yr wyf yn ymwneud â gweithgareddau a thrafodaethau Pwyllgorau’r Cynulliad, mwyaf y sylweddolaf gymaint o bwysau y byddwn yn eu rhoi ar ein hathrawon. O ystyried cyfle cyfartal, datblygu cynaliadwy ac agweddau eraill sydd yn themâu pwysig i’r Cynulliad, trown fwyfwy at ysgolion ac at ein hathrawon i gyflwyno’r themâu hyn a sicrhau eu bod yn cyrraedd eu targedau.

The more that I am involved with the activities and discussions of the Assembly’s Committees, the more I realise how much pressure we will be putting on our teachers in considering equal opportunities, sustainable development and other aspects that are important themes for the Assembly, we turn more and more to schools and to our teachers to present these themes and ensure that they reach their targets.

Mae’r baich aruthrol hwn ar y proffesiwn yn cynyddu bob wythnos, o dymor i dymor, o flwyddyn i flwyddyn, ac ni fydd y dechnoleg newydd yn ei ysgafnhau. Ar yr union adeg pan fo angen cydweithrediad a chefnogaeth ein hathrawon arnom i’n cynorthwyo ni fel Aelodau i gyflawni ein gwaith yn y Cynulliad, mae morâl y proffesiwn yn isel. Dysga staff mewn adeiladau sydd o ansawdd difrifol wael—clywsoch am Ysgol Penglais ac Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn yr wythnos hon. Mae’r cyflogau yn isel, ac i ychwanegu halen at y briw, rhaid i staff gystadlu â’i gilydd i ennill codiad cyflog sydd yn dibynnu ar berfformiad eraill, sef y disgyblion, ac nid ar eu perfformiad hwy eu hunain. Ar ben hyn oll, wyneba nifer cynyddol o athrawon yr hunllef y cyfeiriodd Jonathan ati o gael eu camgyhuddo, eu gwahardd heb yr hawl i amddiffyn eu hunain a’u pardduo gan system sydd bron mor gyntefig a rhagfarnllyd â’r hen arfer o ddefnyddio’r stôl drochi i adnabod y wrach.

This huge burden on the profession increases every week, term by term, year by year, and the new technology will not lighten it. At the exact time when we need the co-operation and support of our teachers to help us as Members to accomplish our work in the Assembly, the morale of the profession is low. Staff teach in buildings that are of extremely poor quality—you heard about Penglais School and Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn this week. Wages are low and to rub salt into the wound staff must compete with each other to win a pay rise that depends on the performance of others, namely the pupils, and not their own. On top of all this, an increasing number of teachers face the nightmare to which Jonathan referred of being falsely accused, being suspended without the right to defend themselves and being condemned by a system that is almost as primitive and prejudiced as the old practice of using the dunking stool to identify witches.

Mae’n anodd credu nad ydym fel cymdeithas yn fodlon nac yn barod i ddangos llawer mwy o barch tuag at bobl yr ydym yn dibynnu cymaint arnynt. Rhaid gwarchod hawliau’r disgybl—clywsom hynny gan Jonathan—a’r athro. Er tegwch i bawb, dylid cadw cofnodion manwl o unrhyw gamymddygiad gan ddisgyblion ac unrhyw ddigwyddiad lle bu’r athro yn llawdrwm ei ddisgyblaeth. Bron yn ddieithriad ceir patrwm i gamymddygiad plentyn. Daw i’r amlwg yn gynnar y ei yrfa ysgol ac, o barch at yr athro, dylid defnyddio synnwyr cyffredin a gwirio record y plentyn cyn anfon athro adref yn ddigwestiwn. Mae’r sefyllfa bresennol yn annerbyniol.

It is difficult to believe that we as a society are not willing or prepared to show much more respect to people upon whom we depend so much. We must protect the pupil’s rights—we heard that from Jonathan—and the teacher’s. To be fair to everyone, detailed records should be kept of any pupil misbehaviour and any event where the teacher’s discipline has been heavy-handed. Almost without exception there is a pattern to a child’s misbehaviour. It becomes obvious early in their school career and, out of respect for the teacher, one should use common sense and check the child’s record before unquestioningly sending a teacher home. The present situation is unacceptable.

Mae angen adolygiad buan o’r canllawiau a’r rheoliadau sydd mewn grym. Mae angen ailystyried cyfrifoldebau’r ysgol, y llywodraethwyr a’r awdurdod addysg lleol a’r berthynas rhyngddynt, yn ogystal â rôl y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Mae rhywbeth o’i le yn y gyd-berthynas honno; nid oes cydbwysedd na thegwch ar hyn o bryd.

There needs to be a swift review of the guidelines and regulations that are in force. There is a need to reconsider the responsibilities of the school, the governors and the local education authority and the relationship between them, as well as the role of the social services. There is something wrong with that inter-relationship; there is no balance or fairness at the moment.

Yn yr achosion prin hynny o gam-drin plentyn, dylid cyfeirio’r mater i’r heddlu a’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Fodd bynnag, mae’r gyfundrefn bresennol yn agored i bob math o gamliwio a chamddefnyddio, sydd yn arwain at gamgyhuddiadau yn erbyn athrawon.

In those rare cases where there is abuse of a child, the matter should be referred to the police and the social services. However, the current system is open to all sorts of misrepresentation and misuse, which lead to false accusations against teachers.

Yr unig ffordd ymlaen yw i’r Cynulliad sefydlu gweithgor i asesu’r sefyllfa bresennol, argymell gwelliannau ac, yn ôl y galw, cyflwyno is-ddeddfwriaeth. Byddai ymrwymiad o’r fath yn anfon neges gadarnhaol i’r proffesiwn ein bod yn eu parchu, yn ymddiried ynddynt ac yn dibynnu arnynt i’n helpu ni â’r gwaith enfawr hwn sydd o’n blaenau ni fel Aelodau o’r Cynulliad. Mae’n rhaid i ni ddangos yr ymddiriedaeth honno a’r parch hwnnw, ac apeliaf ar y Gweinidog i edrych ar y mater hwn o ddifrif ac efallai sefydlu gweithgor a allai adrodd yn ôl i’r Cynulliad. Yr wyf yn hynod ddiolchgar i Jonathan am ddewis y pwnc ac am roi cyfle imi gyflwyno’r hyn a ddywedais.

The only way ahead is for the Assembly to establish a working group to assess the current situation, suggest improvements and introduce subordinate legislation as needed. Such a commitment would send a positive message to the profession that we respect them, trust them and depend on them to help us with this massive task before us as Assembly Members. We must show that trust and respect, and I appeal to the Minister to examine this issue seriously and perhaps establish a working party that could report back to the Assembly. I am exceptionally grateful to Jonathan for choosing the subject and for giving me the opportunity to have my say.

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning spoken in English p. 90

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

Thank you, Jonathan, for raising this important subject, which is highly topical in Wales at the moment. I can understand why you and Gareth feel as you do. You will appreciate that there is no intended irony in having a debate on anonymity for teachers accused of offences related to young people just after we have been talking about increasing rights for young people.

Diolch, Jonathan, am godi’r pwnc pwysig hwn, sydd yn arbennig o amserol yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd. Gallaf ddeall pam eich bod chi a Geraint yn teimlo felly. Fe werthfawrogwch nad oes eironi bwriadol drwy gael dadl ar anhysbysrwydd ar gyfer athrawon a gaiff eu cyhuddo o droseddau yn ymwneud â phobl ifanc yn union ar ôl inni drafod cynyddu hawliau ar gyfer pobl ifanc.

There is a key issue that we must examine; we must ensure that our young people are properly protected in our schools. I accept what Jonathan said about this: that in no way does it mean that we have not got an excellent and dedicated teaching profession, because we have, absolutely. We know that they have been through difficult times. We have been through a difficult year in negotiations about the pay structures, matters that were outside the Assembly’s control. We know that we have wonderful teachers in our schools. I have visited three schools since being appointed Minister. Before that, I visited every school in my Pontypridd constituency, so I know about the issues of building problems and I also see the excellent quality of work that goes on every day with pupils in our schools.

Mae mater allweddol y mae’n rhaid inni ei archwilio; rhaid inni sicrhau y diogelir ein pobl ifanc yn ein hysgolion yn briodol. Derbyniaf yr hyn a ddywedodd Jonathan ynglŷn â hyn: na olyga mewn unrhyw ffordd nad oes gennym broffesiwn addysgu ardderchog ac ymroddedig, oherwydd mae gennym yn ddi-os. Gwyddom y buont drwy gyfnod anodd. Buom drwy flwyddyn anodd mewn negodiadau am y strwythurau cyflog, sef materion a oedd y tu hwnt i reolaeth y Cynulliad. Gwyddom fod gennym athrawon ardderchog yn ein hysgolion. Yr wyf wedi ymweld â thair ysgol ers imi gael fy mhenodi yn Weinidog. Cyn hynny, ymwelais â phob ysgol yn fy etholaeth ym Mhontypridd, ac felly yr wyf yn ymwybodol o’r problemau adeiladu a gwelaf hefyd ansawdd ardderchog y gwaith a gyflawnir gyda disgyblion ein hysgolion bob dydd.

I want to make it absolutely clear that we are particularly keen about setting the right support framework for teachers in Wales. We are making strong progression implementing initiatives, including several which originated in Wales and were contained in ‘Betterwales.com’. They concentrate on higher teaching standards through improved in-service training, a sharper focus on the professional development of headteachers, a new framework to recognise teachers’ performance, and establishing the general teaching council.

Dymunaf ei gwneud yn hollol glir ein bod yn arbennig o awyddus i osod y fframwaith cymorth priodol ar gyfer athrawon yng Nghymru. Gwnawn gynnydd cryf wrth weithredu mentrau, gan gynnwys nifer a ddeilliodd o Gymru ac a gafodd eu cynnwys yn ‘Gwellcymru.com’. Canolbwyntiant ar safonau addysgu uwch drwy hyfforddiant mewn swydd gwell, mwy o bwyslais ar ddatblygiad proffesiynol athrawon, fframwaith newydd i gydnabod perfformiad athrawon, a sefydlu’r cyngor addysgu cyffredinol.

I want to concentrate on the latter, because in many ways the new general teaching council, which is an untested and untried body, will be the authoritative voice for the teaching profession. It will provide the opportunity that you sought in your contribution for an all-Wales advice and counselling body. This council will have specific responsibilities in terms of setting up appropriate codes of conduct on discipline, for example, and it will be terribly important as the teachers’ voice. It is also important for us as Assembly Members—you talked about the fact that the NUT are discussing this issue at its conference this week, and it is utterly appropriate that it does so—to send out a strong message that teachers should join a union. Union protection is a wonderful thing in the teaching profession. We need to say strongly that teachers need to use them and their expertise.

Hoffwn ganolbwyntio ar y peth olaf, gan y bydd y cyngor addysgu cyffredinol newydd, sydd yn gorff nas profwyd ac na roddwyd cynnig arno, yn llais awdurdodol ar gyfer y proffesiwn addysgu mewn llawer o ffyrdd. Darpara’r cyfle a chwiliasoch amdano yn eich cyfraniad am gorff cyngor a chynghori Cymru-gyfan. Bydd gan y cyngor hwn gyfrifoldebau penodol mewn perthynas â sefydlu codau ymddygiad priodol ar ddisgyblaeth, er enghraifft, a bydd yn hynod bwysig fel llais athrawon. Mae’n bwysig hefyd inni fel Aelodau Cynulliad—soniasoch am y ffaith bod Undeb Cenedlaethol yr Athrawon yn trafod y mater hwn yn ei gynhadledd yr wythnos hon, ac mae’n hollol briodol ei fod yn gwneud hynny—anfon neges gref y dylai athrawon ymuno ag undeb. Mae diogelwch undeb yn beth gwych yn y proffesiwn addysgu. Mae angen inni ddweud yn gryf bod angen i athrawon eu defnyddio hwy a defnyddio eu harbenigedd.

I am particularly pleased about the establishment of Teacherline and I am concerned about the number of teachers ringing up with problems. We will monitor its effectiveness in Wales and consider whether there are issues that should be raised here in light of that.

Yr wyf yn arbennig o falch ynglŷn â gwaith sefydlu Teacherline ac mae nifer yr athrawon sydd yn ei ffonio gyda phroblemau yn destun pryder imi. Byddwn yn monitro ei heffeithiolrwydd yng Nghymru ac yn ystyried a oes materion y dylid eu codi yn sgîl hynny.

I was asked to consider issues on reducing exclusion. This is part of a complex debate. The exclusion issue arose under the previous Government, when performance data were published and league tables being published in the press. The schools that wanted to appear more effective increased the number of pupils who were excluded. We cannot look at any exclusion issues in isolation. We must consider what happens to pupils who are excluded. Currently, 11 per cent or 12,000 young people in Wales are not in employment, education or training. Everybody wants this matter to be tackled. It must be tackled through support within the schools and not through excluding children and young people. That is why I cannot accept any points on reducing targets on exclusion in isolation.

Gofynnwyd imi ystyried materion ar leihau gwaharddiadau. Mae hyn yn rhan o ddadl gymhleth. Cododd y mater gwaharddiadau o dan y Llywodraeth flaenorol, pan gyhoeddwyd data perfformiad a thablau cynghrair yn y wasg. Cynyddwyd nifer y disgyblion a waharddwyd gan yr ysgolion a oedd yn awyddus i ymddangos yn fwy effeithiol. Ni allwn edrych ar unrhyw faterion gwaharddiadau ar eu pennau eu hunain. Rhaid inni ystyried yr hyn sydd yn digwydd i’r disgyblion a waherddir. Ar hyn o bryd, nid yw 11 y cant neu 12,000 o bobl ifanc yng Nghymru yn ymgymryd â chyflogaeth, addysg na hyfforddiant. Mae pawb yn awyddus i’r mater hwn gael ei ddatrys. Rhaid ymdrin ag ef drwy roi cymorth o fewn ysgolion ac nid drwy wahardd plant a phobl ifanc. Dyna pam na allaf dderbyn unrhyw bwyntiau ynglŷn â lleihau targedau ar waharddiadau ar eu pennau eu hunain.

I accept the point about supporting teachers. As you know, we support their continuing professional development through providing grants for educational support and training. Two of those grants are available for behaviour management training for teachers and pupils. There is specific support for teachers who are in restraint of children with behavioural difficulties, because those children put their own learning and that of others at risk. Teachers and other authorised staff may use reasonable force to control or restrain pupils. Guidance on this was set out in the Welsh Office circular 37/98. In response to the north Wales tribunal inquiry report, ‘Lost in Care’, we are committed to reviewing the existing guidance. The Assembly’s Children First steering group will examine the current guidance across social services, education and health settings, because this is not just about education. It is about ensuring that, when dealing with children, all professionals, in all settings, work according to the same guidance. The review of guidance is being undertaken in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Employment, which will be seeking Wales’s broad range of views on these matters. Furthermore, the National Union of Teachers is considering these matters in its conference this week. In an informal meet and greet session with representatives from the NUT during my first days in this new position, I stated that I wanted feedback from the NUT, in particular, but also from other unions, on what action the Assembly can legally take in situations like the Marjorie Evans case.

Derbyniaf y pwynt am roi cymorth i athrawon. Fel y gwyddoch, cefnogwn eu datblygiad proffesiynol parhaus drwy ddarparu grantiau ar gyfer cymorth addysgol a hyfforddiant. Mae dau o’r grantiau hynny ar gael ar gyfer hyfforddiant rheoli ymddygiad ar gyfer athrawon a disgyblion. Ceir cymorth penodol ar gyfer athrawon sydd yn rheoli plant ag anawsterau ymddygiadol, gan fod y plant hynny yn peryglu eu gwaith dysgu eu hunain ac eraill. Gall athrawon a staff awdurdodedig eraill ddefnyddio grym rhesymol i reoli neu atal disgyblion. Nodwyd arweiniad ynglŷn â hyn yng nghylchlythyr 37/98 y Swyddfa Gymreig. Mewn ymateb i adroddiad ymchwiliad tribiwnlys gogledd Cymru, ‘Ar Goll Mewn Gofal’, yr ydym yn ymrwymedig i adolygu’r arweiniad presennol. Bydd grŵp llywio Plant yn Gyntaf y Cynulliad yn archwilio’r arweiniad presennol ar draws lleoliadau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, addysg ac iechyd, gan nad yw hyn yn ymwneud ag addysg yn unig. Mae’n ymwneud â sicrhau bod pob gweithiwr proffesiynol, ym mhob lleoliad, yn gweithio yn ôl yr un arweiniad wrth ddelio â phlant. Adolygir yr arweiniad ar y cyd â’r Adran Iechyd a’r Adran Addysg a Chyflogaeth, a fydd yn ceisio’r amrywiaeth eang o safbwyntiau sydd yng Nghymru ar y materion hyn. Ar ben hynny, mae Undeb Cenedlaethol yr Athrawon yn ystyried y materion hyn yn ei gynhadledd yr wythnos hon. Mewn sesiwn cwrdd a chyfarch anffurfiol gyda chynrychiolwyr o’r NUT yn ystod fy nyddiau cyntaf yn y swydd newydd hon, datganais fy mod yn awyddus i gael adborth gan y NUT, yn arbennig, ond hefyd gan undebau eraill, ynglŷn â pha gamau y gall y Cynulliad eu cymryd yn gyfreithiol mewn sefyllfaoedd fel achos Marjorie Evans.

However, it is not appropriate for me to comment on particular cases, which are the concern of the schools’ governing bodies and the local education authorities involved. My concern and that of the Assembly is that we ensure that the processes are as fair as possible to the pupils and the teachers involved. Considerable progress has been made to outline clear procedures for dealing with allegations against teachers. All schools should have accessible procedures and a designated member of staff who is responsible for child protection and for co-ordinating appropriate action in the school and with other agencies, including the local area child protection committee.

Fodd bynnag, nid yw’n briodol imi roi sylwadau ar achosion penodol, sydd yn fater i gyrff llywodraethu yr ysgolion a’r awdurdodau addysg lleol dan sylw. Fy mhryder i a phryder y Cynulliad yw ein bod yn sicrhau bod y prosesau mor deg â phosibl i’r disgyblion a’r athrawon dan sylw. Gwnaethpwyd cynnydd sylweddol er mwyn amlinellu gweithdrefnau clir ar gyfer delio â honiadau yn erbyn athrawon. Dylai pob ysgol feddu ar weithdrefnau hygyrch ac aelod o staff penodedig sydd yn gyfrifol am ddiogelwch plant ac am gydlynu camau priodol yn yr ysgol a chydag asiantaethau eraill, gan gynnwys y pwyllgor ardal leol ar ddiogelu plant.

Welsh Office Circular 52/95 provides guidelines on practices and procedures to deal with allegations of physical and sexual abuse concerning teachers. It is important to remind people that when an allegation is made, suspension of the person concerned should not be automatic. It is a matter for the headteacher, or in a case where the headteacher is accused, the governors, to consider carefully whether it is the appropriate course of action. That guidance is extant. Although suspension on full pay is, in law, a neutral act, we are acutely aware that it is distressing for the accused and disruptive to the school. Therefore, the headteacher or governors must take into account the seriousness and plausibility of the allegation, the risk of harm to the pupil concerned, or to other pupils, and the possibility of tampering with evidence, as well as the interests of the person concerned and the school. That guidance exists now and shows that the system is trying to be fair, because there is a view that suspension is automatic when it need not be.

Rhydd Cylchlythyr 52/95 y Swyddfa Gymreig ganllawiau ar arferion a gweithdrefnau i ddelio â honiadau o gamdriniaeth corfforol a rhywiol yn ymwneud ag athrawon. Mae’n bwysig atgoffa pobl na ddylai person gael ei wahardd dros dro yn awtomatig pan wneir cyhuddiad yn ei erbyn. Mater i’r pennaeth, neu mewn achos pan gyhuddir y pennaeth, mater i’r llywodraethwyr yw ystyried yn ofalus ai dyna’r cam priodol. Mae’r arweiniad hwnnw yn bodoli. Er bod gwaharddiad ar gyflog llawn yn weithred niwtral, yn ôl y gyfraith, yr ydym yn hynod ymwybodol ei fod yn achosi gofid i’r sawl a gyhuddir ac yn amharu ar ysgol. Felly, rhaid i’r pennaeth neu’r llywodraethwyr ystyried difrifoldeb a hygrededd yr honiad, y risg o niwed i’r disgybl dan sylw, neu i ddisgyblion eraill, a phosibilrwydd ymyrryd â thystiolaeth, yn ogystal â buddiannau’r person dan sylw a’r ysgol. Mae’r arweiniad hwnnw bellach yn bodoli ac yn dangos y ceisia’r system fod yn deg, oherwydd ceir barn bod gwaharddiad yn awtomatig pan nad os angen iddo fod.

Christine Humphreys spoken in English p. 93

Christine Humphreys siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 93

Do you accept that most of the measures that you have discussed so far are about protecting pupils, which is laudable, because our pupils must be protected, but that there is real concern in the teaching profession about the protection of teachers? There are so many unjust claims and incidents. Speaking as a former teacher, perhaps I should declare an interest as a registered teacher—

A dderbyniwch fod y rhan fwyaf o’r mesurau a drafodasoch hyd yma yn ymwneud â diogelu disgyblion, sydd yn ganmoladwy, gan fod yn rhaid diogelu ein disgyblion, ond bod gwir bryder yn y proffesiwn addysgu am ddiogelu athrawon? Ceir cymaint o honiadau a digwyddiadau anghyfiawn. Gan siarad fel cyn-athrawes, efallai y dylwn ddatgan buddiant fel athrawes gofrestredig—

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 93

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 93

Order. This is supposed to be an intervention, not a speech.

Trefn. Ymyriad yw hwn i fod, nid araith.

Christine Humphreys spoken in English p. 94

Christine Humphreys siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 94

I know, but I thought that I should declare an interest.

Mi wn, ond credais y dylwn ddatgan buddiant.

There are concerns about the impact that the perceived lack of discipline in schools is having on teacher recruitment. If we want our most able young people to take up teaching as a profession, we must show them that it is a good profession to enter and that they will be protected as soon as they are in that profession, because, quite frankly, they can obtain better posts outside teaching at a higher rate of salary.

Mae pryderon ynghylch yr effaith a gaiff y diffyg disgyblaeth canfyddedig mewn ysgolion ar recriwtio athrawon. Os ydym am i’n pobl ifanc mwyaf galluog ymgymryd ag addysgu fel proffesiwn, rhaid inni ddangos iddynt ei fod yn broffesiwn da i fynd i mewn iddo ac y cânt eu diogelu cyn gynted ag y dechreuant yn y proffesiwn hwnnw, oherwydd, a bod yn onest, gallant gael swyddi gwell y tu allan i’r proffesiwn addysgu gyda chyflog uwch.

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 94

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 94

I will finish speaking about the key issue of dealing with allegations and I will then address your point.

Gorffennaf siarad am y mater allweddol o ddelio â honiadau ac ymdriniaf â’ch pwynt chi wedyn.

The Welsh Office circular that provides guidelines on practice and procedure in dealing with the allegations of physical and sexual abuse concerning teachers was agreed with all local education authorities and the major teaching organisations in England and Wales, but it was drafted in 1995. I am acutely aware that, as case law changes situations in the courts, there could be a future case that would lead us to reconsider these guidelines. As I said, I have already asked unions to suggest an appropriate way for the Assembly to move forward on this. I am happy to ask our Children First group to consider the Welsh Office Circular 52/95 to assess whether it protects the rights of pupils and teachers adequately.

Cytunwyd ar gylchlythyr y Swyddfa Gymreig, sydd yn rhoi canllawiau ar arfer a gweithdrefn wrth ddelio â honiadau o gamdriniaeth corfforol a rhywiol mewn perthynas ag athrawon, gyda phob un o’r awdurdodau addysg lleol a phrif sefydliadau addysgu Cymru a Lloegr, ond fe’i drafftiwyd yn 1995. Yr wyf yn hynod ymwybodol y gallai achos yn y dyfodol ein harwain i ailystyried y canllawiau hyn, wrth i gyfraith achosion newid sefyllfaoedd yn y llysoedd. Fel y dywedais, gofynnais eisoes i’r undebau awgrymu ffordd briodol i’r Cynulliad symud ymlaen ynglŷn â hyn. Yr wyf yn fodlon gofyn i’n grŵp Plant yn Gyntaf ystyried Cylchlythyr 52/95 y Swyddfa Gymreig i asesu a yw’n diogelu hawliau disgyblion ac athrawon yn briodol.

On Christine’s point about encouraging young people into the profession, a key proposal on which I will consult shortly, is how we can set up proper induction arrangements that are appropriate to Wales. There are currently sensitive legal issues in teaching, and if you enter the profession without adequate support or knowledge of the law, you could be placed in a vulnerable position. From discussion with childcare workers, I know how the north Wales tribunal inquiry has discouraged people from entering the childcare profession in huge numbers. We do not want that to happen in teaching, although, I am sure that there is already some backlash. I am particularly keen to consult on induction arrangements that are appropriate to Wales. There are advantages to having a statutory induction year like that of England, but we shall consult with an open mind on this and other options. We will also go further than England to welcome views on professional development for the first three years of teaching. Induction arrangements can be incorporated into professional development.

Ynglŷn â phwynt Christine am annog pobl ifanc i fynd i mewn i’r proffesiwn, cynnig allweddol yr ymgynghoraf arno cyn bo hir, yw sut y gallwn sefydlu trefniadau sefydlu sydd yn briodol i Gymru. Mae materion cyfreithiol sensitif yn y proffesiwn addysgu ar hyn o bryd, ac os ewch i mewn i’r proffesiwn heb gymorth digonol neu wybodaeth ddigonol am y gyfraith, gellid eich rhoi mewn sefyllfa wan. Yn sgîl trafodaethau â gweithwyr gofal plant, gwn sut yr anogwyd pobl i beidio â mynd i mewn i’r proffesiwn gofal plant mewn niferoedd enfawr gan ymchwiliad tribiwnlys gogledd Cymru. Nid ydym am i hynny ddigwydd yn y proffesiwn addysgu, er fy mod yn siŵr bod rhywfaint o adlach eisoes. Yr wyf yn arbennig o awyddus i ymgynghori ar drefniadau sefydlu sydd yn briodol i Gymru. Mae manteision i gael blwyddyn sefydlu statudol fel yn Lloegr, ond ymgynghorwn gyda meddwl agored ynglŷn â hyn ac opsiynau eraill. Awn ymhellach na Lloegr hefyd i groesawu sylwadau ar ddatblygiad proffesiynol am y tair blynedd gyntaf yn y proffesiwn addysgu. Gellir ymgorffori trefniadau sefydlu mewn datblygiad proffesiynol.

I thank everyone for their contributions to the debate. I am pleased to have had this opportunity to speak on this issue. I assure you that teacher support remains one of my main priorities, because there is a fantastic group of teachers out there and I want to do all that I can, as a Minister, not only to retain them in the profession, but also to encourage more people to follow them.

Diolch i bawb am eu cyfraniadau i’r ddadl. Yr wyf yn falch o fod wedi cael y cyfle i siarad ar y mater hwn. Fe’ch sicrhaf fod cymorth i athrawon yn parhau i fod yn un o’m prif flaenoriaethau, oherwydd y mae grŵp rhagorol o athrawon gennym ac yr wyf yn awyddus i wneud popeth a allaf, fel Gweinidog, nid yn unig i’w cadw yn y proffesiwn, ond i annog mwy o bobl i’w dilyn hefyd.

John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 95

John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 95

Thank you. That concludes our proceedings for today.

Diolch. Dyna ddiwedd ein trafodion am heddiw.

Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 12.28 p.m.

The meeting ended at 12.28 p.m.