WelshTrefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Mae yna un newid i fusnes yr wythnos hon. Mae teitl datganiad y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Addysg a'r Gymraeg wedi newid i 'Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer Addysg'. Mae hyn yn golygu y bydd yna ddatganiad ar wahân ar y Gymraeg yn dilyn y mis nesaf er mwyn sicrhau craffu llawn ar y Gweinidog.
Mae busnes drafft y tair wythnos nesaf wedi'i nodi yn y datganiad busnes, sydd ar gael i Aelodau yn electronig.
Official English translation
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. There is one change to this week's business. The title of the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language's statement has changed to 'Priorities for Education'. This will mean that a separate statement on the Welsh language will follow next month in order to ensure full scrutiny of the Minister.
Draft Plenary business for the next three weeks is set out in the business statement and it's available to Members electronically.
Gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am godi hynny? Mi fyddwn i'n awgrymu eich bod chi yn ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog perthnasol gyda'r hyn yr hoffech fod yn ei weld. Yn amlwg, mae yna atebion wedi'u rhoi ar y meysydd hyn o'r blaen; mi wnaethoch chi glywed gan y Gweinidog rŵan ynglŷn â'r ffyrdd rydym ni eisiau gweithio o ran cyfiawnder. Felly, byddwn i yn eich annog chi i ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog.
Official English translation
May I thank the Member for raising this issue? I would suggest that you write to the relevant Minister with your concerns. Clearly, some answers have been given in the past on these areas; you heard from the Minister just now in terms of how we want to work in relation to justice. So, I would encourage you to write to the Minister.
Can I thank the Member for raising this really crucially important issue, an issue that I hope unifies us as a Senedd in wanting to see action? I'm very pleased that the Business Committee this morning chose to have a Member's debate on this very issue next week. There will, of course, be a full Government response during that debate. Like you, I have received casework on this heartbreaking situation and I think we all acknowledge the devastating impact of losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy. So, I'm glad that we found cross-party consensus this morning to have that Member's debate, and I very much look forward to seeing how we can work cross-party on such an important issue.
Can I thank the Member for raising three points?
On childcare, I think that every Member in this Chamber is fully aware of Plaid Cymru's policy position and that this announcement was in line with our policy position in terms of the roll-out.
On the second point, points were made last week and raised in the business statement around Carers Week. I made my views clear there in terms of our support for carers, and further information will be provided in due course.
Regarding the squirrelpox vaccine, may I suggest that you write to the Cabinet Secretary for that update? And I'm proud to see that you are continuing that long tradition of being the champion for the red squirrel in this Senedd.
Gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am godi'r mater pwysig hwn? Mi ydw i ar y record yn ceisio rhoi pwysau ar y Llywodraeth flaenorol o ran y maes hwn, a nifer eraill ohonom ni yn y Siambr hon. Yn gyntaf, mi hoffwn i fod yn cydnabod y pwysau ariannol mae'r sectorau hyn yn eu hwynebu a'r gwaith gwirioneddol bwysig maen nhw yn ei wneud. Mi oedden ni'n gyson fel gwrthblaid o ran pa mor fregus oedd y penderfyniad hwn yn gadael y sectorau hyn a'r effaith fyddai hyn yn ei gael ar bobl yn ein cymunedau ni.
Mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Fenter, Cysylltedd ac Ynni yn adolygu'r trefniadau ar gyfer y gronfa twf leol y cytunwyd arnynt rhwng y Llywodraeth Cymru flaenorol a Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig. Mae'r gyfran gyntaf o gyllid eisoes wedi ei darparu i lywodraeth leol ar gyfer 2026-27, ac mi fyddwn ni'n cadw'r trefniadau pontio hyn dan adolygiad i fonitro cynnydd.
Official English translation
May I thank the Member for raising this important issue? I am on the record in trying to push the previous Government in this area, as are many others in this Chamber. First of all, I'd like to recognise the financial pressures that those sectors do face and the truly valuable work that they do. We were consistent in opposition in terms of how vulnerable this decision left these organisations and the impact that this would have on people in our communities.
The Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy is reviewing the arrangements for the local growth fund that were agreed on between the previous Welsh Government and the UK Government. The first block of funding has already been allocated to local government for 2026-27, and we will keep these transitional arrangements under review to monitor progress.
Diolch i'r Aelod am godi'r mater hwnnw. Mi ddylwn i ddatgan, wrth gwrs, Ddirprwy Lywydd, fod hyn o fewn yr etholaeth dwi'n ei chynrychioli ac yn fater fel Aelod lleol y byddwn i yn ymgysylltu efo'r Llywodraeth arno. Yr hyn fyddwn i yn gofyn i'r Aelod ei wneud, oherwydd natur yr hyn mae o wedi ei godi—. Wrth gwrs, mae o yn berthnasol i'r datganiad blaenoriaethau wnaed gan y Gweinidog, ond byddwn i'n argymell bod yr Aelod yn ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog Cabinet ac yn sicrhau bod yr ymateb hwnnw, felly, yn ffurfiol yn dod ato fo.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for raising this issue, and I should declare, Dirprwy Lywydd, that this is within the constituency that I represent, and this is an issue that I will be engaging with the Government on as a local Member. What I would ask the Member to do, because of the nature of what he has raised—. Of course, it is relevant to the statement of priorities that was made by the Minister, but I would recommend that the Member does write to the Cabinet Minister and ensures that that response does come back to him formally.
Wel, a gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am godi mater sydd, wrth gwrs, yn eithriadol o bwysig? Ac mi fyddwn i, wrth gwrs, wastad yn annog yr Aelod, pan fydd yna achosion y mae hi'n wybyddus amdanyn nhw, i barhau i fod yn ymgysylltu'n uniongyrchol â'r Gweinidog dros iechyd i sicrhau eu bod nhw'n gallu ymateb a'u bod nhw'n ymwybodol o hynny. Byddwch chi'n ymwybodol bod y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal wedi amlinellu blaenoriaethau lle mae yna benderfynolrwydd i fynd i'r afael â hyn, yn sicr, ac mi fydd yna gyfle pellach i fod yn codi cwestiynau efo fo yn uniongyrchol drwy gwestiynau iddo fo fel Gweinidog.
Official English translation
Well, may I thank the Member for raising an issue that is, of course, extremely important? And I would, of course, always encourage the Member, when there are cases that she is aware of, to continue to engage directly with the Minister for health to ensure that the department can respond and are aware of that. You will be aware that the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care has outlined his priorities where there is a determination to tackle this issue, certainly, and there will be further opportunities to raise questions with him directly through questions to him as Minister.
A gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am godi'r mater hwn a'n gwneud ni'n ymwybodol o'r diweddaraf o ran y sefyllfa hon? Mae'n bwysig dros ben fod rheoleiddwyr amgylcheddol yn defnyddio'r grymoedd sydd ganddyn nhw, gan gynnwys sicrhau bod iechyd cyhoeddus a'r amgylchedd yn cael eu gwarchod. Mae'n bwysig bod y cyhoedd yn parhau i adrodd unrhyw broblemau sy'n deillio o'r safle hwn i Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru. Mi fyddwch chi'n ymwybodol bod yna ymchwiliad gan Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn sgil rhai problemau ar y safle, ac mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet yn cadw llygad agos iawn ar hynny, fel bod y monitro hwnnw'n digwydd a'n bod ni'n sicrhau bod y rheoleiddwyr yn defnyddio'r grymoedd sydd ganddyn nhw.
Official English translation
May I thank the Member for raising this issue and making us aware of the latest position in relation to this? It is extremely important that environmental regulators do use the powers that they have, including ensuring that public health and the environment are protected. It's important that the public continue to report any problems emerging from this site to Natural Resources Wales. You will be aware that there is an investigation by NRW in light of certain problems on this site, and the Cabinet Minister is keeping a very close eye on that, so that that monitoring can happen and that we do ensure that the regulators use the powers available to them.
Diolch i'r Aelod am godi'r mater hwnnw. Mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Addysg a'r Gymraeg yma ac wedi clywed hynny. Yn amlwg, mae ganddi ddatganiad blaenoriaethau'r prynhawn yma, lle mae yna gyfle i unrhyw Aelod godi mater perthnasol i'w phwnc. Felly, yn amlwg, rydych chi wedi rhoi rhagrybudd efallai o rywbeth y byddwch chi yn ei godi, sydd yn help i'r Gweinidog baratoi. Ac, yn sicr, byddwn i wastad yn annog hefyd Aelodau i fod yn codi materion lleol drwy ysgrifennu at y Gweinidogion Cabinet.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for raising this issue. The Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language is here and has heard that. Evidently, she does have a statement on her priorities this afternoon, where all Members have the opportunity to raise relevant issues. So, clearly, you have given a forewarning perhaps of something that you will raise, which will help the Minister in terms of her preparation. And, certainly, I would always encourage Members to raise local issues by writing to the Cabinet Ministers.
Diolch i'r Aelod am godi'r mater hwnnw. Mi glywsoch chi'r sylwadau o ran procurement yn gynharach gan y Prif Weinidog, ond, yn amlwg, mae hwn yn fater penodol iawn rydych chi yn ei godi. Oherwydd natur yr hyn rydych chi wedi sôn amdano fo, mi fyddwn i'n gofyn i chi yn garedig i ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal i sicrhau eich bod chi'n cael ateb mor llawn ag sydd ei angen arnoch chi, ac oherwydd, hefyd, natur y wybodaeth sydd gennych chi, er mwyn sicrhau eich bod chi'n cael yr ateb hwnnw. Yn amlwg, mae atebion felly yn gallu bod ar gael i bob Aelod o'r Senedd hon.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for raising that issue. You will have heard the comments made in relation to procurement earlier by the First Minister, but, clearly, this is a very specific issue that you have raised. Now, because of the nature of your request, I would kindly request that you write to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care to ensure that you do get as full a response as required, and also, because of the nature of the information that you have, in order to ensure that you do get that response. Clearly, those answers can be available to all Members of the Senedd.
A gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am godi mater, wrth gwrs, eithriadol o bwysig? Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn llwyr ymwybodol o'r penderfyniad arwyddocaol hwn, ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ystyried yr effaith y bydd yn ei gael ar gymhwyso'r Ddeddf Galluedd Meddyliol 2005 yng Nghymru. Mi fyddwn ni yn parhau i weithio gyda Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig i ddeall goblygiadau'r dyfarniad yng Nghymru yn llawn, ac i sicrhau cysondeb yn y neges i fyrddau iechyd lleol ac awdurdodau lleol. Mi fydd yna ddiweddariad i'r Senedd wedi ystyriaeth lawn o oblygiadau hyn i Gymru.
Official English translation
May I thank the Member for raising an extremely important issue? The Welsh Government is fully aware of this significant decision, and the Welsh Government is considering the impact it will have on applying the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in Wales. We will continue to work with the UK Government to understand the implications of the judgment in Wales in full, and to ensure consistency in messaging to local health boards and local authorities. There will be an update to the Senedd once we have given full consideration to the implications of this for Wales.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i'r Aelod am godi mater sydd, wrth gwrs, o bwys i bawb yn y Siambr hon. A dwi'n meddwl ei bod hi'n bwysig cydnabod ei bod hi'n anodd cael mynediad, ac yn arbennig mewn ardaloedd gwledig fel Powys, ei bod hi hyd yn oed yn anoddach. Yn sicr, mae'r Llywodraeth hon wedi ymrwymo—mi oedd yna ymrwymiadau pendant yn ein maniffesto ni—o ran ailedrych ar y contract o ran deintyddiaeth NHS. Mi fyddwch chi'n ymwybodol bod nifer o Aelodau sydd bellach yn rhan o'r Llywodraeth wedi ymgyrchu dros agor ysbyty deintyddol newydd hefyd er mwyn mynd i'r afael â'r bylchau sydd yn bodoli, a sut ydyn ni wedyn yn sicrhau cysondeb ledled Cymru.
Wrth gwrs, mae hi'n broblem mewn ardaloedd dinesig hefyd, ond mae yna broblem benodol fan hyn. Ac, yn sicr, mi fyddaf yn gofyn i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal i sicrhau bod yna ddiweddariad, o ran deintyddiaeth, i'r Senedd.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for raising such an important issue for everyone in this Chamber. And I think it is important to recognise that it is difficult to gain access, and that particularly in rural areas such as Powys, it's even harder. Certainly, the Government is committed—there were specific commitments in our manifesto—to look at the contract in terms of NHS dentistry. You'll be aware that many Members who are part of the Government now had campaigned for opening a new dental hospital in order to tackle the gaps that exist, and then it's about how we ensure consistency across Wales.
Of course, it is a problem in urban areas as well, but there is a specific problem here. And I will certainly ask the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care to ensure that there is an update on dentistry to the Senedd.
Diolch i'r Aelod am godi mater sydd, wrth gwrs, o bwys mawr. Mi welsom ni, wrth gwrs—. Dwi'n siŵr ein bod ni i gyd yn cofio gweld pa mor erchyll oedd y sefyllfa honno yn y Swistir, a chymaint o bobl ifanc wedi'u heffeithio a theuluoedd wedi'u newid am byth. Yn sicr, mi fyddwch chi'n ymwybodol bod adeiladau cyhoeddus a masnachol wedi eu rheoleiddio gan ddeddfau diogelwch tân llym, sy'n mynnu bod perchnogion a chyflogwyr yn cymryd pob cam posib i leihau'r risg. Mae peidio â gwneud hynny yn gallu cael ei ystyried yn drosedd ddifrifol. Felly, yn sicr, mae'r rheoleiddio yna; sut y mae o'n cael ei weithredu sydd angen edrych arno. Mi wnaf i sicrhau ein bod ni'n gweld pa waith pellach sydd angen ei wneud, a bydd yna ddiweddariad. Mi fyddwn i hefyd yn annog unrhyw Aelod, gan gynnwys yr Aelod a gododd hyn, os ydych chi'n ymwybodol o unrhyw bryderon penodol, mi fyddwn i yn eich annog chi i fod yn sicrhau bod y rheini yn cael eu hadrodd, ond hefyd eich bod chi'n gwneud y Gweinidog Cabinet yn ymwybodol hefyd. Diolch.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for raising an issue that, of course, is of great importance. We saw, of course—. I'm sure we all remember seeing how horrific that situation was in Switzerland, and how many young people were affected and families' lives changed forever. Certainly, you'll be aware that public buildings and commercial buildings are regulated by very strict fire regulations, which insist that employers and owners take every step possible to reduce risk. Not doing that can be considered a very serious offence. So, certainly, that regulation is there; how it's implemented is what needs to be looked at. I will ensure that we look at what further work needs to be done, and there will be an update. I would also encourage every Member, including the Member who raised this issue, that, if you are aware of any specific issues, I would encourage you to ensure that they are reported, but also that you do make the Cabinet Minister aware of those issues. Thank you.
WelshTrefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Wel, braint yw cael y cyfle heddiw i nodi blaenoriaethau y Llywodraeth newydd hon ar gyfer diwylliant, y celfyddydau, y diwydiannau creadigol, darlledu a chwaraeon. Dyma ddechrau ar unioni’r diffyg strategaeth, gweledigaeth a chefnogaeth ar eu cyfer oedd yn nodwedd mor amlwg dros y 15 mlynedd diwethaf, a dwi’n falch o rannu heddiw fod y gwaith hwn bellach ar droed.
Mae’r Llywodraeth hon yn gweld ein diwylliant a chwaraeon fel meysydd o bwys ac nid yn rhywbeth opsiynol neu’n braf eu cael. Ac mi ydyn ni’n benderfynol ein bod ni am weithio yn drawsbortffolio i wireddu eu potensial er budd pobl, cymunedau ac economi Cymru. Mae ein man cychwyn yn heriol. Mae’r blynyddoedd diwethaf a’r toriadau sylweddol sydd wedi eu gwneud i’r cyllidebau hyn wedi creu sefyllfa argyfyngus. Mae cannoedd o swyddi wedi cael eu colli a lleoliadau wedi gorfod cau. Yn hytrach na bod ar gael i bobl Cymru eu mwynhau, mae gormod o'n casgliadau cenedlaethol yn cael eu cartrefu mewn stordai ac adeiladau sydd angen buddsoddiad cyfalaf sylweddol oherwydd y toriadau a wnaed.
O ran chwaraeon, mae ein hisadeiledd yn fregus. Bach yw’r cynnydd sydd wedi ei wneud o ran gwireddu potensial y celfyddydau a chwaraeon o ran yr agenda ataliol, ac mae sicrhau mynediad cydradd i bawb o ran cyfranogiad angen gwaith sylweddol.
Ac eto, er gwaethaf hyn oll, mae yna waith arloesol ac o bwys rhyngwladol yn digwydd yma yng Nghymru. Fel enghraifft o Gymru yn arwain ar lwyfan y byd, roeddwn wrth fy modd i gymryd rhan nos Sul yng ngwobr gyntaf Annwn yng Nghanolfan Mileniwm Cymru. Mi gefais i fy ysbrydoli gan y dulliau arloesol o adrodd straeon gan artistiaid o bob cwr o'r byd, a llongyfarchiadau mawr i'r enillwyr, Colored (Noire), gyda'u dehongliad o fywyd Claudette Colvin.
Ond mae’r gwaith sydd yn digwydd yn y meysydd hyn yn sicr yn trawsnewid bywydau ac mae o'n cynnig mewnwelediad i ni o’r manteision y gellid eu cael o roi ffocws o’r newydd. A dyna’r gwaith sydd ar droed gen i a’r Llywodraeth hon: i ddatblygu Cymru fel pwerdy diwylliannol a chwaraeon, lle mae’r sectorau hyn yn ffyniannus ac yn dod â budd i bawb. Ddim rhagor ar yr ymylon, ond yn galon i’n gweledigaeth ar gyfer creu Cymru hyderus, gynhwysol a blaengar, ac yn dod ag adferiad o ran iechyd pobl, a hefyd ein heconomi.
Yn ein 100 diwrnod cyntaf, mi ydyn ni yn gosod y sylfeini ar gyfer gwneud y gwaith caib a rhaw angenrheidiol i wireddu hyn yn y tymor byr, canolig a'r hirdymor, ac mi fyddaf i'n amlinellu heddiw sut ydyn ni'n mynd â’r gwaith hwn yn ei flaen.
Mae gwaith eisoes wedi dechrau ar lansio ymgynghoriad ar strategaeth newydd, un uchelgeisiol ar gyfer diwylliant a chwaraeon yng Nghymru, ac mi fydd hyn yn digwydd o fewn y 100 diwrnod cyntaf. Dwi wedi bod yn ymgysylltu'n uniongyrchol â rhanddeiliaid i sicrhau bod eu lleisiau yn llywio ein penderfyniadau o'r cychwyn cyntaf, ac mi ydyn ni yn gweithio ar draws y Llywodraeth i ymgorffori diwylliant a chwaraeon mewn meysydd polisi ehangach. Mi fyddwn ni hefyd yn unioni gwendid blaenoriaethau diwylliant y Llywodraeth ddiwethaf, drwy sicrhau bod y diwydiannau creadigol wedi eu hymgorffori yn y strategaeth newydd hon.
Mae hyn yn ymwneud â dylunio system wrth wraidd y Llywodraeth lle mae diwylliant a chwaraeon yn chwarae rhan allweddol wrth atal a thrin salwch, ysgogi twf economaidd, a chyfrannu at ddyfodol ffyniannus i bob cymuned. Mi fydd ein gweledigaeth a'n penderfyniadau yn cael eu hategu gan ddata a thystiolaeth gadarn i dargedu cymorth lle mae'r effaith fwyaf.
Cam pwysig yw datblygu dealltwriaeth glir o gyflwr presennol diwylliant a chwaraeon am ein bod ni'n etifeddu sefyllfa lle nad oes data digonol yn bodoli ar y funud, na dealltwriaeth glir o anghenion y sectorau hyn. Rwyf felly wedi dechrau’r gwaith o gomisiynu archwiliad o gyfleusterau chwaraeon cymunedol a rhanbarthol i lywio buddsoddiad cyfalaf wedi'i dargedu dros dymor y Llywodraeth a thu hwnt. Mi ydw i wedi dechrau'r gwaith hwn ochr yn ochr â'n partneriaid cyflenwi yn Chwaraeon Cymru, ac mi fydd ein buddsoddiadau ni fel Llywodraeth yn fwy strategol, yn dilyn lle mae'r dystiolaeth a'r data yn mynd â ni.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd. It is a privilege to have the opportunity today to set out this new Government's priorities for culture, the arts, the creative industries, broadcasting and sport. This is the beginning of rectifying the lack of strategy, vision and support for them that has been such a prominent feature over the last 15 years, and I'm pleased to share today that this work is now under way.
This Government does see our culture and sport as areas of importance and not something optional or nice to have. And we're determined that we want to work across portfolios to realise their potential for the benefit of the people, communities and economy of Wales. Our starting point is challenging. The last few years and the significant cuts that have been made to these budgets have created a precarious situation. Hundreds of jobs have been lost and venues have had to close. Rather than being available for the people of Wales to enjoy, too many of our national collections are housed in storehouses and buildings that require significant capital investment due to the cuts that have been made.
When it comes to sport, our infrastructure is fragile. Little progress has been made in realising the potential of the arts and sport in terms of the preventive agenda, and ensuring equal access for all in terms of participation requires significant work.
And yet, despite all of this, there is groundbreaking and internationally important work taking place in Wales. As an example of Wales leading on the world stage, I was thrilled to take part on Sunday evening in the inaugural Annwn prize at the Wales Millennium Centre. I was inspired by the quality of immersive storytelling by artists from across the world, and huge congratulations to the winners, Colored (Noire), with their interpretation of the life of Claudette Colvin.
The work that is taking place in these sectors certainly transforms lives and it offers us an insight into the benefits that could be gained from a new focus. And that's the work that I and this Government are doing: to develop Wales as a cultural and sporting powerhouse, where these sectors thrive and benefit everyone. No longer on the margins, but at the heart of our vision for creating a confident, inclusive and progressive Wales, and bringing recovery in terms of people's health, but also our economy.
In our first 100 days, we lay the foundations for doing the necessary legwork to make this a reality in the short, medium and long term, and I will outline today how we are going to take this work forward.
Work has already begun on launching a consultation on a new, ambitious strategy for culture and sport in Wales, and this will take place within the first 100 days. I have been engaging directly with stakeholders to ensure that their voices inform our decisions from the outset, and we are working across Government to embed culture and sport into wider policy areas. We will also rectify the weakness of the last Government's priorities for culture, by ensuring that the creative industries are incorporated into this new strategy.
This is about designing a system at the heart of Government in which culture and sport play a key role in preventing and treating illness, stimulating economic growth, and contributing to a prosperous future for all communities. Our vision and decisions will be underpinned by robust data and evidence to target aid where the impact is greatest.
Developing a clear understanding of the current state of culture and sport is an important step because we're inheriting a situation where there is insufficient data at the moment, and no clear understanding of the needs of these sectors. I have therefore begun the work of commissioning an audit of community and regional sports facilities to inform targeted capital investment over the term of Government and beyond. I have started this work alongside our delivery partners at Sport Wales, and our investments as a Government will be more strategic, following where the evidence and data take us.
Mi oeddwn i'n falch o gyhoeddi cronfa gyfalaf Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru gwerth £8 miliwn i gefnogi sefydliadau celfyddydol gyda'u hanghenion seilwaith eleni. Mi gefnogwyd hyn gan waith archwilio sylweddol i sefydlu anghenion y blaenoriaethau, a bydd y gwaith o ddeall beth yw'r gwir angen o ran buddsoddiad yn parhau.
Mi fyddwn ni hefyd yn mynd ati i ddeall pa fuddsoddiadau eraill a sefydliadau sydd eu hangen ar Gymru os ydyn ni am wireddu'r weledigaeth hon. Fel rhan o hyn, bydd y gwaith yn parhau o ran ein huchelgais o gael oriel gelf gyfoes genedlaethol i Gymru.
Lywydd, rwyf eisoes wedi dechrau trafodaethau trawslywodraethol hanfodol ynghylch sut y gall diwylliant a chwaraeon ynghyd fod yn driniaeth feddygol, ynghyd â sut y gallan nhw gyfrannu at ein hagenda ataliol. Un enghraifft yw ein hymrwymiad i nofio ysgol a gwneud yn siŵr bod pob plentyn yn gadael yr ysgol gynradd gyda'r gallu i nofio, sydd wrth gwrs yn sgìl bwysig a all achub bywydau. Mi fyddwn ni'n cyhoeddi cynllun gweithredu o fewn ein 100 diwrnod cyntaf.
Mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn cydnabod manteision iechyd a lles ataliol y celfyddydau, diwylliant a chwaraeon. Mae tystiolaeth gynyddol y gall y sectorau hyn gefnogi dulliau ataliol a gwella canlyniadau. Yn ein 100 diwrnod cyntaf, rydym yn comisiynu adolygiad o gyfleoedd ar gyfer buddsoddi mewn diwylliant, y celfyddydau a chwaraeon i lywio'r amcan o weld cynnydd cynyddol mewn gwariant yn y meysydd hyn. Dim ond yr wythnos diwethaf, mi ges i drafodaeth bwerus gyda chyngor y celfyddydau ynghylch sut y gallwn wneud mwy o ran cyflawni ymyriadau a all gael effaith ar y galwadau ar y gwasanaeth iechyd. Ac nid sefydliadau cenedlaethol yn unig sy'n chwarae rôl: mae ein rhwydwaith o amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd ac archifau lleol hefyd yn chwarae rhan hanfodol wrth gefnogi iechyd a lles, economi a chymunedau ledled Cymru. Maen nhw hefyd yn gwneud gwaith arloesol.
Am rhy hir, mae diwylliant, celfyddydau a chwaraeon wedi cael eu gosod yn erbyn y gwasanaeth iechyd, yn hytrach na chydnabod eu bod yn gwbl gysylltiedig ag ef. Nid yw'r sectorau hyn yn 'braf i'w cael'; maen nhw'n rhan o'r ateb i greu cymdeithas iachach. Mae ein maniffesto yn ymrwymo i wneud diwylliant a chwaraeon yn hygyrch i bawb. Mae hynny'n cynnwys mynd i'r afael ag anghydraddoldebau mewn mynediad, boed hynny oherwydd cost, daearyddiaeth, anabledd neu rwystrau eraill. Mae'r ymrwymiad hwn yn cynnwys sicrhau cynnal mynediad am ddim i bawb i'n hamgueddfeydd cenedlaethol, ac mi ydw i eisoes wedi cael trafodaethau cadarnhaol ar hyn gydag Amgueddfa Cymru, ac mae gwaith pellach i'w wneud i wireddu hawl pawb i gyfranogi mewn diwylliant a chwaraeon.
Am wlad sy'n gymharol fach, mae'r dalent a'r dyhead sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru i gystadlu ar brif lwyfannau rhyngwladol yn un mawr, ac mae'n rhaid i ddigwyddiadau mawr sydd yn cael eu cynnal yma fod yn sbardun economaidd, diwylliannol a chwaraeon pwysig. Mae cyfleoedd fel y Tour de France ac Euro 2028 yn dod i Gymru yn dangos sut y gall digwyddiadau ddarparu manteision economaidd uniongyrchol, ond hefyd gwaddol tymor hir. Dyma ein cyfle i ysbrydoli cenhedlaeth newydd a sefydlu cynlluniau gwaddol fel bod effaith y digwyddiadau hyn yn cael ei theimlo ymhell y tu hwnt i'r digwyddiad.
Ochr yn ochr â'n blaenoriaethau ar gyfer diwylliant, chwaraeon a threftadaeth, rydym hefyd eisiau amgylchedd cyfryngau cryfach sy'n adlewyrchu Cymru hyderus a ffyniannus. Mae fy mlaenoriaethau ar gyfer darlledu a'r cyfryngau yn glir. Mae Cymru'n haeddu tirlun cyfryngau hyderus, amrywiol a chynaliadwy wedi'i wreiddio mewn gwerth cyhoeddus ac uchelgais genedlaethol. Er mwyn cyflawni hyn, rhaid i Gymru gael llais yn y penderfyniadau sy'n effeithio arnom ni. Dyna pam rydym ni'n benderfynol o barhau i wneud yr achos am ddatganoli pwerau dros ddarlledu. Mae gwaith eisoes wedi dechrau ar sefydlu awdurdod darlledu a chyfathrebu cysgodol i Gymru, ac mae hwn yn gam cyntaf hanfodol i adeiladu'r gallu sefydliadol sydd ei angen ar Gymru i yrru tirlun cyfryngau cryfach a mwy atebol.
Rwyf hefyd yn datblygu cynlluniau i gefnogi newyddiaduraeth er budd y cyhoedd a diogelu darpariaeth newyddion o ansawdd uchel, fel bod Cymru mewn sefyllfa dda i gwrdd â chyfleoedd a heriau tirlun cyfryngau sy'n newid yn gyflym yn y dyfodol.
Mae'r Gymraeg yn rhan annatod o fy mlaenoriaethau, yn enwedig o ran cynyddu'r defnydd cymdeithasol o'r iaith drwy gyfranogiad mewn diwylliant a chwaraeon. Eleni, mi ydyn ni'n dathlu 850 mlynedd o'r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, carreg filltir bwysig yn ein hanes fel cenedl. Bydd cyfraniad o £0.25 miliwn gan y Llywodraeth yn cefnogi rhaglen o weithgareddau i ysbrydoli pobl i ddefnyddio'r iaith a chodi proffil rhyngwladol yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol. Bydd ein cefnogaeth ariannol hefyd yn sicrhau bod teuluoedd lleol ar incwm isel yn cael mynediad am ddim i'r ŵyl. Mae'n hollbwysig bod pawb yn cael cyfle i fwynhau ein diwylliant, ein hiaith a'n prifwyl.
Mae'r blaenoriaethau hyn yn nodi dechrau taith a dechrau pennod newydd i ddiwylliant a chwaraeon yng Nghymru. Yn ganolbwynt i bopeth byddaf yn ei wneud dros y blynyddoedd i ddod fydd gwireddu'r weledigaeth dwi wedi'i rhannu gyda'r Senedd heddiw, er mwyn sicrhau bod pawb yng Nghymru yn gallu profi, cymryd rhan ac elwa o'n diwylliant a chwaraeon. Mae hyn oherwydd bod y Llywodraeth hon yn credu yng ngrym diwylliant a chwaraeon i drawsnewid bywydau, i gyfrannu i'r weledigaeth o symud tuag at agenda iechyd ataliol er mwyn gosod ein gwasanaeth iechyd ar sylfaen fwy cynaliadwy, a hefyd gan ein bod yn benderfynol o adeiladu Cymru lle mae creadigrwydd yn ffynnu. Diolch.
Official English translation
I was pleased to announce the Arts Council of Wales's £8 million capital fund to support arts organisations with their infrastructure needs this year. This has been supported by significant audit work to establish needs and priorities, and the work of understanding what the real investment need is will continue.
We will also be actively undertaking work to understand what other investments and organisations Wales needs if we are to realise this vision. And as part of this work, work will continue in relation to our ambition of having a national gallery of contemporary art for Wales.
Llywydd, I've already begun vital cross-governmental discussions about how culture and sport together can be a medical treatment, as well as how they can contribute to our preventative agenda. One example is our commitment to school swimming and making sure that every child leaves primary school with the ability to swim, which is an important skill that can save lives. We will publish an action plan within our first 100 days.
This Government recognises the preventative health and well-being benefits of arts, culture and sport. There is growing evidence that these sectors can support preventative approaches and improve outcomes. In our first 100 days, we are commissioning a review of opportunities for investment in culture, arts and sport to inform the objective of seeing increasing spending in these areas. Just last week, I had a powerful discussion with the arts council about how we can do more in delivering interventions that can have an impact on the calls on the health service. And it is not only national organisations that play a role: our network of local museums, libraries and archives also play a vital role in supporting health and well-being, local economies, and communities across Wales. They are also doing groundbreaking work.
For too long, culture, the arts and sport have been pitted against the NHS rather than being recognised as completely connected to it. These sectors are not a 'nice to have'; they are part of the solution to creating a healthier society. Our manifesto commits to making culture and sport accessible to all. That includes addressing inequalities in access, whether due to cost, geography, disability or other barriers. This commitment includes maintaining free access for all to our national museums, and I have already had positive discussions on this with Amgueddfa Cymru, and further work needs to be done to realise everyone's right to participate in culture and sport.
For a country that is relatively small, the talent and aspiration that we have here in Wales to compete on major international stages is huge, and major events that are held here have to be an important economic, cultural and sporting driver. Opportunities such as the Tour de France and Euro 2028 coming to Wales show how events can provide immediate economic benefits, but also a long-term legacy. This is our opportunity to inspire a new generation and establish legacy plans so that the impact of these events is felt far beyond the event.
Alongside our priorities for culture, sport and heritage, we also want a stronger media environment that reflects a confident and prosperous Wales. My priorities for broadcasting and media are clear. Wales deserves a confident, diverse and sustainable media landscape rooted in public value and national ambition. To achieve this, Wales must have a voice in the decisions that affect us. That is why we are determined to continue to make the case for the devolution of powers over broadcasting. Work has already begun on the establishment of a shadow broadcasting and communications authority for Wales, and this is a vital first step in building the organisational capacity that Wales needs to drive a stronger and more accountable media landscape.
I'm also developing plans to support public-interest journalism and safeguard the provision of high-quality news, so that Wales is well placed to meet the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing media landscape in the future.
The Welsh language is an integral part of my priorities, particularly in terms of increasing the social use of the language through participation in culture and sport. This year, we are celebrating 850 years of the National Eisteddfod, an important milestone in our history as a nation. A contribution of £0.25 million from the Government will support a programme of activities to inspire people to use the language and raise the international profile of the National Eisteddfod. Our financial support will also ensure that local low-income families have free access to the festival. It is vital that everybody has an opportunity to enjoy our culture, language and National Eisteddfod.
These priorities mark the beginning of a journey and the beginning of a new chapter for culture and sport here in Wales. At the heart of everything that I will do over the coming years will be realising the vision that I have shared with the Senedd today, to ensure that everybody in Wales can experience, participate in and benefit from our culture and sport. This is because this Government believes in the power of culture and sport to transform lives, to contribute to the vision of moving towards a preventative health agenda to put our health service on a more sustainable footing, and because we are determined to build a Wales where creativity thrives. Thank you.
Diolch i'r Aelod am yr ymateb hwnnw. Braf iawn oedd clywed y Gymraeg yn fanna. Dwi'n edrych ymlaen i'ch gweld chi yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol. Dwi'n gofyn i Aelodau ailddychmygu beth mae'r celfyddydau a chwaraeon yn edrych fel efo Llywodraeth sy'n gweld eu gwerth nhw ac sy'n fodlon cael data a strategaeth iawn. Does yna ddim strategaeth wedi bod yn y meysydd hyn. Mae gwario wedi bod yn cael ei wneud heb sail data. Dyna dwi wedi'i etifeddu. Yn yr wrthblaid, roeddwn i'n credu eu bod nhw'n cuddio'r data hwn oddi wrthyf i, ond dydy o ddim yn bodoli.
O ran yr hyn sydd angen ei wneud, dwi'n bod yn berffaith onest efo chi rŵan fy mod i eisiau sail dystiolaeth gadarn a data er mwyn gyrru'r newid rydyn ni ei angen. Yn yr wrthblaid, mi roeddwn i'n cael llond bol, fel aelod o bwyllgor, o weld yr un adroddiad yn dod drwodd, flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn, yn dweud ei bod hi'n bwysig ein bod ni'n symud at agenda ataliol, a dim byd yn newid o gwbl. Pan oeddwn i'n arwain dadl ynglŷn â phwysigrwydd diwylliant yn y Siambr hon, fe wnaeth y Dirprwy Weinidog oedd efo cyfrifoldeb dros ddiwylliant weiddi arnaf i ar y pryd, 'Ond beth am y NHS?', yn lle gweld gwerth hwn o ran triniaeth feddygol ynghyd â'r agenda ataliol. Felly, mae hwn yn newid sylweddol.
Dwi'n deall y pwyntiau wnaethoch chi ynglŷn â'r sefyllfa ariannol heriol, ond mae'n bwysig ein bod ni'n cydnabod hynny. A doedden ni ddim yn rhan o'r toriadau hynny. Mi fyddwch chi wedi gweld yn gyson fod yna waith trawsbleidiol wedi'i wneud yn gwneud yr achos dros fuddsoddi mewn diwylliant a chwaraeon. Mi fyddwn i'n annog pob Aelod newydd yma i edrych ar waith y pwyllgor diwylliant a chwaraeon a wnaed yn ystod y chweched Senedd, oedd yn dangos pam mae'n rhaid i ni stopio torri yn y meysydd hyn os ydyn ni am newid hynny.
Mae'r ymrwymiad hwnnw yn ddiamwys gennym ni, a'r hyn roeddwn i'n ei amlinellu heddiw oedd gweledigaeth drawsbleidiol—nid mewn seilos, ond trawsbleidiol. Dwi wedi cael sgyrsiau gwirioneddol gadarnhaol gyda'r Dirprwy Weinidog dros Iechyd Cyhoeddus ac Ataliol ynglŷn â sut rydym ni'n galluogi ein swyddogion i gydweithio er budd. Felly, o ran canrannau, beth fydd gennych chi yn y strategaeth fydd ffordd wahanol o weithredu, un fydd yn atebol i'r Senedd hon, ond mae hi yn ffordd newydd. Felly, dwi'n gobeithio y dewch chi efo ni ar y daith hon, a byddwch chi hefyd yn gweld gwerth yn y gwaith hwn, a'n bod ni, o'r diwedd, yn gweld diwylliant a chwaraeon yn cael y sylw teilwng yn y Senedd hon a gan Lywodraeth.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for that response. It was very good to hear the Welsh language used there. I look forward to seeing you at the National Eisteddfod. I am asking Members to reimagine what the arts and sports look like with a Government that appreciates their value and is willing to have data and a proper strategy in place. There has been no strategy in this area. Expenditure has been done without data. That's what I've inherited. In opposition, I thought that they were hiding this data from me, but it doesn't actually exist.
In terms of what we need to do, I'm being entirely honest with you now that I want a robust evidence base and data in order to drive the change that we need. In opposition, I grew tired, as a member of a committee, of the same report, published year on year, saying that it's important that we move to a preventative agenda, but nothing at all was changing. When I led a debate on the importance of culture in this Chamber, the Deputy Minister with responsibility for culture was shouting, 'What about the NHS?', rather than seeing the value of this as medical treatment as well as being part of the preventative agenda. So, this is a significant change.
I understand the points that you made on the challenging financial situation, but it's important that we acknowledge and recognise that. And we weren't involved in those cuts. You will have seen, consistently, that cross-party work was done, making the case for investment in culture and sport. And I would encourage every new Member here to look at the work the culture and sport committee carried out during the sixth Senedd, that demonstrated why we must stop making cuts in these areas if we want real change.
That commitment is unambiguous, and what I've outlined today is a cross-party vision—not in silos, but across the parties. I have had really positive conversations with the Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health as to how we enable our officials to collaborate. So, in terms of percentages, what you will have in the strategy will be a different way of working, one that will be accountable to this Senedd, but it is a new approach. So I do hope that you will come with us on this journey, that you will also see the value of the work, and that we at last see culture and sport given due attention in this Senedd and from Government.
Gaf fi ddiolch i'r Aelod am y cyfraniad hwnnw a'i groesawu o i'r rôl craffu hefyd?
Dwi'n falch eich bod chi'n cydnabod yn y cyfraniad hwnnw wendid y blaenoriaethau diwylliant diwethaf a'r ffaith nad oedd y diwydiannau creadigol yn rhan o hynny. Dyna'n union beth rydym ni eisiau ei unioni efo hyn. Mae'r ffaith bod y diwydiannau creadigol yn cael eu gweld fel rhywbeth ar wahân wedi bod yn wendid aruthrol, a dyna pam rydym ni'n gorfod ailedrych ar strategaeth newydd rŵan. Mae'r adolygiad o Cymru Greadigol er mwyn sicrhau ein bod ni'n gweld sut mae hynny yn gweithio yn y ffordd fwyaf effeithiol hefyd yn eithriadol o bwysig, oherwydd mae yna bethau gwirioneddol dda wedi dod allan o Cymru Greadigol, ond mae yna ffyrdd hefyd lle rydym ni'n gallu sicrhau bod y manteision hynny'n parhau, ein bod ni'n parhau hefyd yn gystadleuol, oherwydd mae hynna'n broblem wrth i lefydd fel Manceinion allu cystadlu mwy efo Cymru a bod yn denu cynyrchiadau ac ati. Felly, mae angen yr adolygiad hwnnw.
A dwi'n meddwl hefyd—. Roeddwn i'n adlewyrchu ar eich pwynt chi ynglŷn â Grand Theft Auto—dim y geiriau roeddwn i'n disgwyl eu dweud yn ystod fy ymateb cyntaf fel Gweinidog, ond dyna ni, dyma le rydyn ni. [Chwerthin.] Roeddech chi'n sôn am y buddsoddiad a wnaed gan y Llywodraeth i alluogi hynny, y bartneriaeth efo prifysgolion. Wel, dyna'n union dŷn ni eisiau ei wneud efo'r strategaeth hon—galluogi twf sectorau fel hyn i sicrhau bod yna swyddi yma yng Nghymru a'r budd hwnnw, oherwydd y budd efo hynny ydy, dim ots lle dŷch chi'n gweithio yn y diwydiannau hynny, fedrwch chi fod yng Nghymru wledig, fedrwch chi fod mewn dinas, fedrwch chi fod yn y Cymoedd—dyna ydy strategaeth ddiwylliant gwirioneddol, lle dŷn ni'n sicrhau'r bartneriaeth honno. Mae rôl prifysgolion er mwyn sicrhau ein bod ni'n gweld hynny yn allweddol bwysig. Ond mi fedrwn ni weld hwn fel ffordd o ddenu pobl ifanc nôl i Gymru a'u cadw nhw yma mewn swyddi da iawn. Felly, dwi'n falch iawn o weld y gefnogaeth i hynny.
Mi fydd yr Aelod, wrth gwrs, yn ymwybodol iawn o sefyllfa cerddoriaeth yma yng Nghymru. Mi oedd yna adroddiad y llynedd a oedd yn dangos bod cerddoriaeth draddodiadol, yn benodol, mewn perygl o ddiflannu yn llwyr. Dŷn ni'n gwybod bod sefydliadau dŷn ni i gyd, dwi'n siŵr, wedi eu mwynhau dros y blynyddoedd yn fregus dros ben, neu wedi diflannu. Mae yna bryder gwirioneddol fod cymaint o bobl rŵan ddim yn cael cyfleoedd i ddysgu offeryn, ein bod ni'n gweld diffyg bandiau yn dod drwodd oherwydd diffyg cyfleon iddyn nhw, ein bod ni'n gweld hi'n anodd i bobl greadigol allu cynnal bywoliaeth a pharhau yma yng Nghymru—eu bod nhw un ai'n gorfod gadael Cymru neu newid trywydd yn llwyr.
Felly, yn sicr, dwi'n gweld y strategaeth yma yn cyd-fynd hefyd efo'r strategaeth sgiliau, oherwydd os dŷn ni'n edrych ar beth sy'n digwydd mewn ysgolion ar y funud, efo llai o blant a phobl ifanc yn cymryd TGAU mewn cerddoriaeth, drama a chelf, wel, ble mae hynny'n mynd i'n gadael ni yn y dyfodol? Mae prifysgolion yn torri cyrsiau yn y meysydd hyn, yn gweld eu bod nhw ddim yn bethau sydd yn werth buddsoddi ynddyn nhw, ond eto maen nhw. Felly, gobeithio y byddwn ni wedyn, drwy edrych ar hyn yn ei ystod, yn gallu gweld bod yna ddyfodol i bobl ddiwylliannol fod yma yng Nghymru, a dyfodol i'r sectorau hyn sy'n cael eu gweld fel budd economaidd.
Official English translation
Could I thank the Member for that contribution and welcome him to his scrutiny role as well?
I'm pleased that you do recognise in that contribution the weakness of the last set of priorities for culture and that the creative industries weren't part of it. That's exactly what we want to rectify with this. The fact that the creative industries are seen as a separate thing has been a great weakness, and that's why we need to relook at a new strategy now. The review of Creative Wales in terms of ensuring that we do see how that works in the most effective way is also very important, because there are very genuinely good things that have emerged from Creative Wales, but there are also ways in which we can ensure that those benefits continue and that we continue to be competitive, because that's a problem as places such as Manchester can compete more with Wales and attract productions and so forth. So, we do need that review.
And I also think—. I was reflecting on your point around Grand Theft Auto. Those are not words I expected to say during my first response as a Minister, but that's where we are. [Laughter.] You mentioned the investment made by Government to enable that partnership with universities. Well, that's exactly what we want to do with this strategy, namely to enable growth in these sectors to ensure that there are jobs here in Wales and the benefits that they bring, because regardless of where you work in those industries, you can be in rural Wales, you can be in a city, you can be in the Valleys—that's a genuine cultural strategy, when we ensure that partnership. The role of universities in terms of ensuring that we do see that happening is vital. But we can see this as a way of attracting young people back to Wales and keeping them here in great jobs. So, I'm very pleased to see the support for that.
The Member will be aware of the situation regarding music here in Wales. There was a report out last year that showed that traditional music, particularly, was in danger of disappearing entirely. We know of organisations that we've all, I'm sure, enjoyed over the years that are fragile or have disappeared. There is a great concern that so many people don't have opportunities to learn an instrument, that we see a lack of bands emerging because of a lack of opportunity, that we see that it's difficult for creative people to maintain a living here in Wales—either they have to leave Wales or they have to change direction entirely.
So, I certainly see this strategy aligning with the skills strategy, because if we look at what's happening in schools at the moment, with fewer children and young people taking GCSEs in music, drama and art, where's that going to leave us in the future? Universities are cutting courses in these areas; they see them as things that are not worth investing in, but they are, of course. So, hopefully we will then see, by looking at this whole range of issues, that there will be a future for creative people here in Wales, and a future for these sectors that are seen as economically beneficial.
Gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am y sylwadau arbennig o bwysig yna? Mi wnaf i roi'r ymrwymiad hwn i'r Senedd hon rŵan: dwi yn parchu'r egwyddor hyd braich. Dydy hynna ddim wastad wedi digwydd, ac mae angen inni fod yn glir am hynna, gan Lywodraethau'r gorffennol. Mae bod hyd braich yn bwysig, ac un o'r pethau dwi'n barod yn edrych arnyn nhw ydy'r llythyr cylch gorchwyl, a sut mae'n bartneriaeth wirioneddol rhwng y Llywodraeth a'r cyrff hyn, gan fynd yn ôl hefyd i'w bwriad gwreiddiol nhw. Felly, mae hwnna'n ymrwymiad cyfan gwbl, oherwydd, i fi, mae angen i hon fod yn sgwrs genedlaethol.
Mi fyddwch chi i gyd fel Aelodau'n ymwybodol o effaith y toriadau sydd wedi bod yn y meysydd hyn, a'r pethau y mae pobl wir yn gwerthfawrogi yn ein cymunedau ni, pethau y mae pobl yn cael budd gwirioneddol ohonyn nhw. Dwi'n meddwl mai gwendid mawr y strategaeth y gwelsom ni gan y Llywodraeth diwethaf—os gallwch chi ei galw hi'n strategaeth, oherwydd nifer o frawddegau oedden nhw, a oedd yn nodi, efallai, rhai sylwadau ynglŷn â diwylliant yn hytrach na strategaeth wirioneddol—y gwendid mawr oedd, mi oedd yr ymgysylltu wedi'i wneud efo rhai pobl, ond ddim gyda phawb, ddim gan ddefnyddwyr y gwasanaeth, ac, yn bwysicach, y rheini nad oeddynt yn cael cyfle i gyfranogi. Felly, yn hytrach na mynd ar ôl y sylwadau gan yr un un sefydliadau, dwi'n meddwl ei fod o'n bwysig iawn ein bod ni'n edrych ar y dystiolaeth a ddaeth i law, ac yna gwaith y strategaeth newydd fydd edrych ar y bylchau hynny.
Does yna ddim strategaeth o ran chwaraeon gan y Llywodraeth. Byddwn i'n gofyn i rai Aelodau edrych ar beth oedd y strategaeth gan Lywodraeth Lafur Cymru—‘Dringo’n Uwch’, ‘Climbing Higher’—a oedd i fod yn strategaeth 20 mlynedd. Dwi'n trio gweithio allan ar ba bwynt y stopiodd y gwaith hwnnw. Pam ein bod ni mewn sefyllfa na fu i'r mesurau hynny gael eu cyrraedd? Mae hynny'n rhywbeth dwi wedi gofyn i swyddogion rŵan i egluro i fi—sut, efo’r un un blaid mewn grym am 27 mlynedd, y methwyd pob un targed yn y strategaeth hirdymor honno, a pha wersi y gallwn ni eu dysgu i sicrhau bod yr hyn dŷn ni'n ei wneud yn fesuradwy, yn uchelgeisiol, ein bod ni hefyd yn cyflawni a bod y gwaith hwn ddim yn mynd yn angof.
O ran yr adnoddau a'r cyllid, yn sicr, mae'r ffaith ein bod ni'n edrych yn drawsbortffolio—. Os edrychwch chi ar adroddiad a wnaed i Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru gan Brifysgol Bangor a hefyd gan Brifysgol Edge Hill—dwi'n barod iawn i rannu copi o hwn—mae o'n dangos yr arbedion y gall buddsoddi yn y celfyddydau ei wneud o ran y gwasanaeth iechyd. Mae potensial i arbed hyd at £3.5 miliwn y flwyddyn drwy leihau costau salwch staff a staff yn gadael, felly dydy o ddim jest ynglŷn â chleifion, ond hefyd staff. O wneud hyn yn iawn, mi fedrwn ni arbed arian i'r NHS a sicrhau bod yna fuddsoddiad ar gael. Felly, dwi'n deall bod hyn yn newid ffocws, ond dwi'n gobeithio eich bod chi'n gweld ein bod ni'n gyfan gwbl ymrwymedig i newid hyn er budd pawb yng Nghymru.
O ran gweithio efo Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig, yn amlwg mae yna bartneriaeth gadarnhaol o ran Ewro 2028, a dwi'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr i fynd â'r gwaith hwnnw rhagddo. Ac mae yna gyfleoedd eraill efo digwyddiadau mawr ac ati. Dydw i ddim eto wedi cyfarfod efo'r Gweinidogion perthnasol, ond dŷn ni eisiau perthynas adeiladol lle dŷn ni yn gallu cydweithio. Ac yn sicr, mi fyddwch chi'n cael yr ymrwymiad yma gen i: os oes yna arian ar gael i Gymru, mi fyddaf i'n sicrhau ein bod ni'n trio ei gael o yma i Gymru.
Official English translation
Could I thank the Member for those very important comments? I will give this commitment to the Senedd now: I respect the arm's-length principle. That hasn't always happened, and we have to be clear about that, in terms of Governments of the past. The arm's-length principle is important, and one of the things that I'm looking at is the terms of reference letter, and how it's a genuine partnership between the Government and these bodies, returning to their original purpose. So, that's an absolute commitment, because, to me, this needs to be a national conversation.
You will all as Members be aware of the cuts that have taken place in these areas in respect of things that people genuinely appreciate in our communities, things that people gain genuine benefit from. I think that the great weakness of the strategy that we saw from the previous Government—if you can call it a strategy, because it was a number of sentences that noted, perhaps, some points about culture rather than a strategy—the great weakness was that engagement was carried out with some people, but not with everyone, not with service users and, importantly, those who didn't have a chance to participate. So, rather than pursuing comments from the same organisations, I think it's important that we look at the evidence that emerged, and the work of the new strategy will be to look at those gaps.
There is no Government sports strategy. I would ask Members to look at what the strategy was from the Welsh Labour Government—‘Climbing Higher’—that was meant to be a 20-year strategy. I'm trying to work out at what point that work stopped. Why are we in a situation where those measures or points were not reached? That's something I've asked the officials to explain to me—how, with the same party in power for 27 years, were all the targets missed in that long-term strategy, and what lessons we can learn to ensure that what we do is measurable, ambitious, and that we can also deliver and that that work is not forgotten.
In terms of resources and funding, certainly, the fact that we're looking on a cross-portfolio basis—. If you look at the report made for the Arts Council of Wales by Bangor University and also by Edge Hill University—I'm very happy to share a copy of this—it does show the savings that investment in the arts can make in terms of the health service. There is a potential to save £3.5 million a year in terms of staff sickness and departing staff. So, it's not just about patients, but also staff. In doing this properly, we can save money for the NHS and ensure that there is investment available. So, I do understand that this does change the focus, but I hope that you do see that we are entirely committed to changing this for the benefit of everyone in Wales.
In terms of working with the UK Government, evidently there is a positive partnership in terms of Euro 2028, and I'm looking forward to taking that work forward. And there are other opportunities with major events. I haven't yet met the relevant Ministers, but we do want a constructive relationship where we can collaborate. And certainly, you will get this commitment from me: if there is money available for Wales, I will ensure that we try and get it here to Wales.
Diolch i'r Aelod. Dwi'n hapus iawn i gael sgyrsiau pellach y tu hwnt i'r Siambr hon er mwyn clywed y syniadau hyn. Yn sicr, dyna pam mae edrych ar beth ydy'r sefyllfa ar lawr gwlad, nid jest o fewn ein sefydliadau cenedlaethol ni, ond ar lawr gwlad, mor, mor bwysig. Mae o'n syndod i fi ein bod ni ddim wedi gweld dealltwriaeth o hynny gan y Llywodraeth ddiwethaf—eu bod nhw ddim yn gwybod beth oedd yr angen a beth oedd yn fregus—er mwyn sicrhau bod pob £1 sy'n cael ei wario yr un fwyaf effeithiol.
Rŵan, fedraf i ddim dweud wrth Aelodau y bydd yr holl arian ar gael i wneud popeth dŷn ni eisiau o fewn tymor yma—fedraf i ddim rhoi'r ymrwymiad yna—ond mae'n rhaid inni wybod beth ydy'r angen a chael cynllun, oherwydd beth mae pobl wedi dweud wrthyf i ydy dyma sut y byddwn ni hefyd yn gallu denu nawdd i nifer o'r prosiectau hyn, i ymgysylltu efo'r diaspora, gan y bydd yr ymrwymiad o'r Llywodraeth yn hollol glir, ac y byddwn ni'n trio ein gorau i gael gymaint o'r buddsoddiad angenrheidiol er mwyn denu buddsoddiad. Felly, dyna fy ymrwymiad i chi. Mae'n rhaid i fi ddeall beth ydy'r sefyllfa er mwyn cael cynllun iawn. Ac mae hynna yn mynd i gymryd amser, ond dydy o ddim yn mynd i gymryd pedair blynedd. Dwi'n gofyn i swyddogion wneud y gwaith hwn yn drylwyr, a dwi hefyd eisiau bod y data hwnnw yn aros yn gyson, ei fod o fel dashboard byw, inni wir ddeall beth sydd at risk, er mwyn inni allu sicrhau dyfodol i'r rhain. Ond mae gormod o'n sefydliadau ni yn fregus. Mae'r diffyg strategaeth yn warth, dwi'n credu, a dwi ddim yn hapus fy mod i'n etifeddu sefyllfa fel hon.
Official English translation
I thank the Member. I'm very happy to have further conversations outside of this Chamber in order to hear her ideas. Certainly, that's why looking at the situation on the ground is important, not just within our national institutions, but the situation on the ground is so important. It's been surprising for me that we didn't have an understanding of that by the previous Government—that they didn't know what the needs were and where the vulnerabilities were—in order to ensure that every £1 spent is spent as effectively as possible.
Now, I can't tell Members that all the money will be available to do everything that we want during this term—I can't give that commitment—but we need to know what the needs are and we need a plan in place, because what people have told me is that this is also how we can attract sponsorship for many of these projects—to link up with the diaspora, for example—because the Government's commitment will be entirely clear, and we will do our level best to get as much of that necessary investment in place to attract investment. So, that's my commitment to you. We have to understand what the situation is in order to get a proper plan in place. And that's going to take time, but it's not going to take four years. I'm asking officials to do this work thoroughly, and I also want that data to remain consistent, so it's a live dashboard, so we truly understand what's at risk, so that we can ensure a future for these. But too many of our organisations are vulnerable. That lack of strategy is a disgrace, I think, and I am not happy that I am inheriting this situation.
Thank you, James. Certainly, there's common ground here and I'm keen to work with every Member who has an interest here. Because you will have seen that when I mentioned this initially there was criticism and I think a lack of understanding from people about the importance of sport, not just in terms of prevention, but as treatment, as effective medical treatment, and that's for both physical and mental health.
In terms of the exact figures and how we will do this, this is a completely new way of working for Government, and what I can give you the assurance of is that there is an acknowledgement across Government of the importance of this, that we are ensuing that those discussions are now taking place within those first 100 days and we will update the Senedd as we can. Because the key thing here is making sure that we are having better outcomes for people, putting people at the centre of this. And actually, I would hope that we can make the case together that sport is not just a 'nice to have', but that, actually, it does transform lives, it saves lives, and an investment in the grass roots is something, if we can get that acknowledgment as treatment, that's not there currently. And that's the shift I'm asking all of you to support me with, so that we can make that case and see how we achieve it.
Well, thank you for those points, and the answer I would give is that that's exactly the work we are doing, so that you have transparency, that I'm held to account, but also, hopefully, we see progress in these areas. Let me be clear: we have not held this portfolio for 15 years. Alun Ffred Jones was there. We saw investment, which led to St Fagans becoming Art Fund Museum of the Year, and a number of important initiatives that supported local museums, local libraries and archives. So, let's be very clear here: we share the frustrations that many Members will have about the lack of progress and the cuts that were made.
I think it's very clear here that the work is starting. I've been honest with you about the data that I have inherited, because I want to be held to account, so that we can track this. So, that's the work that's currently being done, and I will update the Senedd accordingly so that you can see the measures that are being put in place and how we will progress this work.
Diolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn pwysig hwnnw. Mi fydd Aelodau oedd yma yn y chweched Senedd yn gwybod bod hwn yn fater roedd gen i ddiddordeb mawr ynddo fo ac mi oeddwn i'n cwestiynu'r Llywodraeth ddiwethaf arno fo, oherwydd roedd o'n rhwystredigaeth i fi. Mi oedd yna ffocws ar ddenu digwyddiadau mawr, ond dim meddwl pam ac i ba bwrpas. A dyna'r cwestiwn byddaf i wastad yn gofyn i fi fy hun cyn inni roi ein henwau gerbron er mwyn galluogi hyn i ddigwydd: pam? Dydy o ddim jest er mwyn dweud, 'Rydym ni wedi cael y Tour de France yma yng Nghymru.' Dydy hynna'n golygu dim os nad oes yna waddol gwirioneddol a bod hynny'n rhan o'r cynllunio o'r dechrau.
Mae gen i gyfle rŵan i roi stamp Plaid Cymru o ran yr Ewros yn 2028, ac mae'r gwaith hwnnw yn mynd rhagddo. O ran y Tour de France, fy her gyntaf i i swyddogion oedd, 'Beth ydy'r gwaddol i bobl Cymru? Faint mwy o bobl fydd yn beicio?' Oherwydd dydw i ddim eisiau ein bod ni jest yn denu ymwelwyr i Gymru i ddod ar eu beics, dwi eisiau gwybod beth ydy'r newid yn ein cymunedau ni, oherwydd, drwy gynrychioli'r Cymoedd, dwi'n gwybod pa mor heriol ydy diffyg ffaith bod gennym lwybrau beicio neu'r holl frynnoedd sydd gennym ni ac ati. Os dydych chi ddim efo beic electrig, yna does yna ddim lot o obaith, meddai rhywun sydd yn byw ar ben bryn fan hyn.
Ond mae'n rhaid i ni ofyn y cwestiwn hwnnw, 'Pam?' bob tro, onid oes? A dyna fy ymrwymiad i o ran digwyddiadau mawr: maen nhw i bwrpas, mae yna waddol yn gorfod bod yn gysylltiedig â nhw, neu fedraf i ddim sefyll yma a chyfiawnhau degau o filiynau weithiau o wariant ar rywbeth sydd yn digwydd mewn amrantiad a fflach ac yn gadael dim ar ei ôl.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for that important question. Members who were here in the sixth Senedd will be aware that this was an issue that I was very interested in and I questioned the last Government on it, because it was frustrating for me. There was a focus on attracting major sporting events, but no thought was given as to why and to what purpose. And that would be the question that I will always ask myself before we put our names forward in order to allow this to happen: why? It's not just to say, 'Well, we've had the Tour de France here in Wales.' That means nothing unless there is a real legacy and that is part of the planning from the outset.
I have an opportunity now to put a Plaid Cymru stamp on Euro 2028, and that work is progressing. In terms of the Tour de France, my first challenge for officials was to ask, 'What's the legacy for the people of Wales? How many more people will cycle?' Because I don't want us just to attract visitors to come to Wales to cycle, I want to know what the change is within our own communities, because, representing the Valleys, I know how challenging the fact of not having cycle paths is and all the hills we have and so on. If you don't have an electric bike then you don't have much hope, and that's according to someone who lives on the top of a hill in the Valleys.
But we have to ask that question, 'Why?' every time. That's my commitment in terms of major sporting events: they are for a purpose, there has to be a legacy attached to them, or I can't stand here justifying spending tens of millions of pounds sometimes on something that happens in the blink of an eye and leaves nothing behind.
WelshTrefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd. Ers y Cyfarfod Llawn diwethaf, mae un ychwanegiad wedi'i wneud i agenda heddiw. Yn hwyrach y prynhawn yma, mi fydd y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Drafnidiaeth yn gwneud datganiad ar wydnwch seilwaith allweddol. Mae busnes drafft y tair wythnos nesaf wedi'i nodi yn y datganiad busnes sydd ar gael i bob Aelod yn electronig.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Llywydd. Since the last Plenary meeting, one addition has been made to today's agenda. Later this afternoon, the Deputy Minister for Transport will make a statement on key infrastructure resilience. Draft Plenary business for the next three weeks is shown on the business statement, which is available to every Member electronically.
Yn sicr. Gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am godi mater hynod o bwysig, ac, fel rydych chi wedi dweud yn berffaith iawn, mater trawsbleidiol y mae gofyn i ni weithio gyda'n gilydd drosto fo? Mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet a'r Dirprwy Weinidogion perthnasol yma, a dwi'n siŵr y byddan nhw'n falch iawn o ddod â datganiad ymlaen, boed hynny yn ysgrifenedig neu'n llafar. Mi wnaf i drafod efo nhw o ran hynny. Ond, yn sicr, mi oedd yna ymrwymiad yn y chweched Senedd i weithio'n drawsbleidiol; dwi'n gobeithio y cawn ni'r un ymrwymiad yn y seithfed Senedd hon.
Official English translation
Certainly. May I thank the Member for raising such an important issue, and, as you have said, quite rightly, a cross-party issue that we need to work together on? The Cabinet Minister and the relevant Deputy Ministers are here, and I'm sure that they would be very pleased to bring a statement forward, be that a written or oral statement. I will discuss that with them. But, certainly, there was a commitment in the sixth Senedd to work on a cross-party basis; I hope we will see the same commitment in this seventh Senedd.
Wel, diolch yn fawr iawn i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn hwnnw. Mi fyddwn i'n argymell eich bod chi'n ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog Cabinet perthnasol yn amlinellu eich pryderon chi, ac mi fyddwch chi, dwi'n siŵr, yn cael yr ymateb drwy'r sianeli priodol.
Official English translation
Well, thank you very much to the Member for that question. I would recommend that you write to the Cabinet Minister outlining your concerns, and you will, I'm sure, receive a response through the appropriate channels.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi am y cwestiwn hwnnw. Yn sicr, mi fyddwch chi wedi bod yma ar gyfer datganiad blaenoriaethau'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros iechyd yr wythnos diwethaf, lle buodd o'n glir ynglŷn â'i ddisgwyliadau o ran perfformiad ac argaeledd triniaeth ledled Cymru, boed hynny yng Nghymru wledig neu boed hynny'n drefol ac ati. Mi fyddwn i'n eich annog chi i fod yn parhau i ymgysylltu gyda'r Gweinidog Cabinet. Mi fydd yna gyfleoedd eraill i fod yn croesholi'r Gweinidog Cabinet yma. Ond, fel y gwelsoch chi yr wythnos diwethaf, mae eisoes wedi bod datganiad ynglŷn â blaenoriaethau'r Gweinidog a'r parodrwydd hwnnw i weithio ledled Cymru i ganfod y datrysiadau rydyn ni'n eu deisyfu.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for that question. Certainly, you will have been here for the Cabinet Minister for health's priorities statement last week, where he was clear in terms of his expectations in terms of performance and the availability of treatment across Wales, be that in rural Wales or urban Wales. I would encourage you to continue to engage with the Cabinet Minister. There will be other opportunities to question the Cabinet Minister here. But, as you saw last week, there has already been a statement as to the Minister's priorities and that willingness to work across Wales to find the solutions that we all want.
Diolch. Gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am godi'r pwynt yma? Mi welais i'r people's emergency briefing cyn yr etholiad a chael fy mrawychu'n bersonol gan hynny. Yn sicr, mi fyddwn i'n annog pob Aelod, os nad ydych chi wedi'i wylio eto, i wylio hwn, oherwydd mae yna wersi pwysig i bawb yma yng Nghymru, ond yn rhyngwladol hefyd, ynglŷn ag effaith newid hinsawdd ond hefyd y cyfleoedd sydd yna i ni ymateb. Yn sicr, o ran y cyfrifoldebau, fi fel Aelod Cabinet sydd efo cyfrifoldeb dros ddarlledu. Yn amlwg, fedrwn ni ddim dweud wrth ddarlledwyr beth i ddarlledu, ond beth fedrwn ni ei wneud drwy'r gwaith y bydd y Gweinidog Cabinet perthnasol yn ei wneud ydy sicrhau ein bod ni'n ymgysylltu, ein bod ni'n gweld gweithredu. Dwi'n meddwl bod yna rôl i ni i gyd i fod yn rhannu'r linc i'r ffilm bwysig hon ac annog pawb i fod yn ymwneud a deall beth ydy'r gwir heriau rydym ni'n eu hwynebu yma yng Nghymru.
Official English translation
Thank you. May I thank the Member for raising this point? I saw the people's emergency briefing before the election and I was frightened by that personally. Certainly, I would encourage every Member, if you haven't watched it yet, to do so, because there are important lessons for everyone here in Wales, but also internationally too, with regard to the impact of climate change but also the opportunities that there are there for us to respond. Certainly, in terms of the responsibilities, I as Cabinet Member have responsibility for broadcasting. Clearly, we can't tell broadcasters what to broadcast, but what we can do through the work that the relevant Cabinet Minister will be doing is to ensure that we do engage, that we see action. I think that there's a role for all of us to be sharing the link to this important film and to encourage everyone to be involved and to understand what the real challenges are that we face here in Wales.
Diolch i'r Aelod am godi'r mater hwn. Lywydd, dwi'n meddwl ei bod hi'n bwysig fy mod i'n datgan hefyd ddiddordeb gan fod hwn yn fater sy'n effeithio ar etholwyr ac dwi innau hefyd ar y record yn codi pryderon yn ystod y chweched Senedd, a hefyd yn codi'r mater ar ran etholwyr ar y funud gyda'r Gweinidog Cabinet fel Aelod etholaeth.
Mi fyddwch chi'n ymwybodol bod y Gweinidog Cabinet wedi cyfarfod â chadeirydd Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Cwm Taf Morgannwg yn barod, ac wedi nodi ei ddisgwyliadau clir bod y broses werthuso swyddi yn cael ei hanrhydeddu. Mi amlygodd hyn ar y record yr wythnos diwethaf. Dwi'n falch iawn bod y Gweinidog Cabinet yma heddiw. Dwi'n ymwybodol hefyd eich bod chi wedi ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog Cabinet, ac, yn sicr, mi fyddwn ni'n awyddus iawn fel Llywodraeth i barhau i gydweithio ag Aelodau etholedig perthnasol, ond hefyd â'r bwrdd iechyd a'r undeb, i sicrhau bod yna ddatrysiad i hyn a'n bod ni'n gallu gweld y gwasanaeth yn ailddechrau. Ond, yn sicr, mae'r Gweinidog yma ac wedi clywed eich galwadau chi heddiw.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for raising this question. Llywydd, I think it's important that I also declare an interest as this is an issue that impacts constituents of mine and I am on the record raising concerns during the sixth Senedd on this issue, and also am raising the issue on behalf of constituents currently with the Cabinet Minister as a constituency Member.
You will be aware that the Cabinet Minister has met the chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board already, and has set out his clear expectations that the job evaluation process should be honoured. He outlined this on the record last week. I'm very pleased that the Cabinet Minister is here this afternoon. I'm also aware that you have written to the Cabinet Minister, and, certainly, we would be very eager as a Government to continue to collaborate with relevant elected Members, but also with the health board and the union, in order to ensure that there is a resolution to this and that we can see the service recommenced. But, certainly, the Minister is here and will have heard your comments this afternoon.
Diolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn. Dwi'n siŵr, Lywydd, y bydd yr Aelod wedi clywed ymateb y Prif Weinidog yn gynharach heddiw, a hefyd wedi nodi'r datganiad a wnaed gan y Gweinidog Cabinet yr wythnos diwethaf. Rydym ni'n annog unrhyw Aelod yma sydd efo pryderon am ddatblygiadau penodol i ymgysylltu drwy'r ffyrdd arferol, a hynny drwy ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog Cabinet perthnasol. Dyna y byddwn i'n eich annog chi i'w wneud yn yr achos yma.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for the question. I'm sure, Llywydd, that the Member will have heard the response of the First Minister earlier today, and will also have noted the statement made by the Cabinet Minister last week. We would encourage any Member here that has concerns about specific developments to engage through the usual channels, and that's by writing to the relevant Cabinet Minister. That is what I would encourage you to do as well in this case.
Diolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn pwysig yna. A hithau'n Wythnos Gofalwyr, dwi'n meddwl fy mod i'n siarad ar ran pawb yma o ran y gwerth a'r rôl bwysig mae gofalwyr di-dâl yn arbennig yn eu chwarae, a'r arbedion sylweddol i'r gwasanaeth iechyd oherwydd eu hymroddiad nhw—dros £10 biliwn y flwyddyn ydy'r arbedion hynny. Ond, yn amlwg, mae'r straen yn aruthrol ar yr unigolion hynny ac yn rhywbeth sydd wedi cael ei gydnabod gennym ni pan oeddem ni'n wrthblaid, ond hefyd yn ein maniffesto ni. Mae'r ffaith bod yna o leiaf 300,000 o ofalwyr di-dâl yma yng Nghymru yn ffigwr uchel aruthrol ac yn rhywbeth rydym wedi bod yn adlewyrchu arno fo. Mi ydym ni yn gwerthfawrogi yr effaith hon ac, yn sicr, mae'r ffaith bod y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal yma—. Mae gennym ni ymrwymiadau clir o ran sut gallwn ni wella'r gefnogaeth honno. Ond, yn sicr, mi fyddwn ni eisiau adeiladu ar y gwaith sydd wedi ei wneud yn flaenorol. Mae hwn yn parhau yn bwnc o bwys.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for that important question. And it is, of course, Carers Week, and I think I speak on behalf of all of us in expressing the value of carers and the important role that unpaid carers particularly play, and the substantial savings that they bring to the health service because of their commitment—over £10 billion in savings per annum. But, clearly, the strain on those individuals is huge and is something that has been recognised by us when we were in opposition, but also in our manifesto. The fact that there are at least 300,000 unpaid carers here in Wales is an exceptionally high figure and it is something that we have been reflecting on. We do appreciate the impact this is having, and the fact that the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care is here—. We do have clear commitments in terms of how we can improve that support. But, certainly, we would want to build on the work that has been done previously. This continues to be an important issue.
Gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am y ddau gwestiwn yna? O ran y mater cyntaf, yn amlwg, mae yna gyfle. Dwi'n falch bod y Gweinidog Cabinet yma i wrando hefyd. Ac yn sicr, dwi'n siŵr y bydd o'n awyddus i ddeall rhai o'r heriau sy'n cael eu hwynebu. Mae'r targedau ailgylchu yn rhai lle mae Cymru wedi bod ar flaen y gad, ond nid da lle gellir gwell. Ac yn amlwg, mae yna broblemau o ran y tipio anghyfreithlon rydym ni'n ei weld ac ati. Felly, yn sicr, mi fydd yna gyfle i ofyn rhagor o gwestiynau i'r Gweinidog yfory, yma ar lawr y Senedd, ac mi fyddwn yn annog Aelodau i gymryd y cyfle hynny.
O ran yr ail bwynt, yn amlwg, mae Betsi Cadwaladr yn bwnc sydd, yn haeddiannol, wedi derbyn nifer o gwestiynau ar lawr y Senedd hon a chan Aelodau. Mi oedd y Gweinidog Cabinet yn glir yr wythnos diwethaf ynglŷn â'i ymrwymiad o, ac wedi eisoes cyfarfod efo cadeirydd a phrif weithredwr bwrdd Ysbyty Glan Clwyd i wneud yn glir yr hyn mae o'n ei ddisgwyl o ran gwelliannau i hyn. Os oes gennych chi gwestiynau penodol yr hoffech chi drafod ymhellach, byddwn i yn eich annog chi i ysgrifennu at yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Ond, yn amlwg, mae hwn yn fater sydd yn dod i fyny yn gyson, ac yn haeddiannol felly, ac yn rhywbeth dwi'n gwybod y bydd y Gweinidog Cabinet yn awyddus i barhau i ddiweddaru Aelodau arno fo yn y ffordd dryloyw yr ydym ni wedi ymrwymo fel Llywodraeth i weithredu arno.
Official English translation
May I thank the Member for those two questions? In terms of the first issue, clearly, there is an opportunity. I'm pleased that the Cabinet Minister is here to hear your question. I'm sure that he'll be eager to understand some of the challenges that are being faced. The recycling targets are ones where Wales has been in the vanguard, but there's always room for improvement. And clearly, there are problems in terms of illegal fly-tipping and so on. So, there'll certainly be an opportunity to ask further questions of the Minister tomorrow in the Senedd, and I would encourage Members to take that opportunity.
In terms of the second point, clearly, Betsi Cadwaladr is a topic that, deservingly, has been the subject of many questions in the Senedd and from Members. The Cabinet Minister was clear last week with regard to his commitment, and has already met the chair and chief executive of the board at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd to make clear to them his expectations in terms of improvements. If you have specific questions that you'd like to discuss further, I would encourage you to write to the Cabinet Minister. But, clearly, this is a matter that does come up consistently, and deservedly so, and it's something that I know that the Cabinet Minister will be very eager to continue to update Members on in the transparent way that we are committed to as a Government.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am godi mater o bwys mawr. Dwi'n siŵr bod nifer ohonom ni fel Aelodau etholaeth wedi derbyn etholwyr yn cysylltu gyda ni yn bryderus dros ben am hyn. Gadewch i mi fod yn glir, mae problemau gweithredol parhaus gyda chynllun pensiwn y gwasanaeth sifil yn annerbyniol, ac mae aelodau Cymreig cynllun pensiwn y gwasanaeth sifil yn haeddu gwasanaeth gwell. Mae'n ddrwg iawn gen i glywed am y problemau y mae gweithwyr ledled Cymru wedi'u hwynebu oherwydd digwyddiadau sydd y tu hwnt i'n rheolaeth ni. Mi fyddaf i'n gofyn i'r Gweinidog Cabinet perthnasol roi diweddariad i'r holl Aelodau o ran hyn.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for raising an issue of huge concern. I'm sure that many of us as Members in our constituencies have received contact from constituents who are very concerned about this. Let's be clear that continuing problems with regard to the civil service pension scheme are unacceptable and members of the civil service pension scheme in Wales deserve a better service. I'm very sorry to hear about the problems that employees across Wales have faced because of events that are beyond our control. I will be asking the relevant Cabinet Minister to give an update to all Members in terms of this.
Lywydd, dwi ddim yn siŵr os oedd yr Aelod yma ar gyfer y sesiwn gwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog, lle gofynnwyd y cwestiwn hwn, ond yn sicr mi oedd yna ateb diamwys iawn a chadarn gan ein Prif Weinidog. Yn sicr, o ran Plaid Cymru, dydyn ni ddim angen Reform yn pregethu wrthym ni ynglŷn â dyfodol Port Talbot, a ninnau wedi bod yn ceisio cael Llywodraeth i fod yn gwladoli ac edrych ar opsiynau amgen. Mi oedd y Prif Weinidog yn glir bod y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Fenter, Cysylltedd ac Ynni a phrif swyddog gweithredol Tata Steel wedi trafod ddoe—ddoe neu ddydd Llun? Ddoe, sori. Mae hi wedi bod yn wythnos hir yn barod. [Chwerthin.] Fe gafwyd sicrwydd bod y cwmni yn parhau i fod yn gwbl ymrwymedig i brosiect y ffwrnais arc drydan. Mi gadarnhaodd Tata fod y cwmni eisoes wedi cwrdd â chyfres o gerrig milltir allweddol yn y cyfnod adeiladu a chludo cydrannau mawr sy'n ymwneud ag adeiladau'r ffwrnais arc. Felly, mae Tata yn gweithio gyda'r Grid Cenedlaethol ac asiantaethau eraill i hyrwyddo'r prosiect yn gyflym ac yn ddiogel. Mi fyddwn ni, fel Llywodraeth, yn parhau i wneud popeth y gallwn i gefnogi'r gwaith hwn. Fel y nododd y Prif Weinidog hefyd, ar gyfer llawer o'r ysgogiadau hyn, nid oes gennym ni'r grym yma yng Nghymru; rydym ni angen gweithio mewn partneriaeth efo Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig, ac mae'r ymrwymiad hwnnw eisoes wedi ei wneud yma heddiw gan y Prif Weinidog.
Official English translation
Llywydd, I'm not sure if the Member was here for the First Minister's questions, where this very question was asked, but certainly there was an unambiguous response and a robust response from our First Minister. Certainly, from a Plaid Cymru perspective, we don't need Reform preaching at us about the future in terms of Port Talbot given that we have been trying to get the Government to nationalise and to look at alternative arrangements. The First Minister was clear that the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy and the chief executive of Tata Steel had had discussions yesterday—was it yesterday or was it Monday? Yes, it was yesterday. It's already been a long week. [Laughter.] He was given an assurance that the company continued to be committed to the electric arc furnace project. Tata confirmed that the company had already met with a series of significant milestones in the construction phase and in bringing large components related to the furnace to the site. So, Tata is working with the National Grid and other agencies to promote the process swiftly and safely. We, as a Government, will continue to do everything we can to support this work. As the First Minister also stated, many of these incentives aren't in our hands; we need to work in partnership with the UK Government, and that commitment has already been made here today by the First Minister.
Diolch, Lywydd. Yn gyntaf oll, gaf i ddweud pa mor ofnadwy ydy clywed y stori yna? Yn amlwg, mae hynny'n gyfan gwbl annerbyniol, ac mi fyddai pawb yma, dwi'n siŵr, wedi'u brawychu o glywed hynny. Dwi'n siŵr ein bod ni i gyd, drwy waith achos fel Aelodau, wedi dod ar draws achosion cyffelyb lle mae hynny wedi bod yn annerbyniol. Dydy o ddim yn deg â'r cleifion, dydy o ddim yn deg â theuluoedd, dydy o ddim yn deg â staff yn y fath amgylchiadau.
Mi fyddwn i'n hoffi rhoi'r sicrwydd i chi fod y Gweinidog Cabinet wedi cyfeirio at hyn yr wythnos diwethaf. Mae o eisoes wedi bod yn trafod hyn ac yn mynd ati i weld sut byddwn ni'n gallu cymryd camau pendant. Mi fu'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal yn ymweld ag un hwb llawfeddygol a diagnostig yng Nghastell-nedd Port Talbot sydd yn gweld effaith go iawn ar gleifion. Mae yna ystod o bethau rydyn ni'n trio eu gwneud i osgoi pobl yn cyrraedd sefyllfa o argyfwng fel yna, oherwydd dylai fod triniaeth gynt ar gael a ddim ar y pwynt yna. Felly, yn sicr, mae'r ymrwymiad pendant yna gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet dros iechyd ac mae o yma ac wedi clywed hwnna gennych chi heddiw.
Official English translation
Thank you, Llywydd. First of all, may I say how appalling it is to hear that story? Clearly, that is totally unacceptable, and everyone here would have been shocked to hear that. I'm sure that all of us, through our casework as Members, have come across similar cases where that has also been unacceptable. It's not fair on the patients, it's not fair on the families, it's not fair on the staff in those kinds of circumstances.
I would like to give you an assurance that the Cabinet Minister has referred to this. He did refer to it last week. He's already been discussing this and he is looking at how we can take robust steps on this issue. The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care visited a surgical and diagnostic hub in Neath Port Talbot that is seeing a real impact in terms of patient care. There is a range of things that we are doing to avoid reaching that point of crisis in that way because there should be earlier treatment available before reaching that point. So, certainly, that firm commitment is there from the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care, and he is here and he'll have heard your words.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i'r Aelod am godi mater o bwys, mater mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros iechyd wedi gwneud nifer o ddatganiadau pendant a chlir amdano, a hefyd sut rydyn ni'n bwriadu mynd i'r afael efo'r heriau hynny o ran gweithlu. Mi fydd yna uwchgynhadledd yn digwydd yn fuan iawn, sydd â ffocws pendant ar hyn, a dwi'n gobeithio bod yr ymrwymiadau hynny wedi bod yn glir. Yn amlwg, yn dilyn yr uwchgynhadledd, mi fydd yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, wrth gwrs, yn diweddaru'r Senedd hon.
Official English translation
Thank you very much to the Member for raising an important issue, an issue that the Cabinet Minister for health has made a number of decisive and clear statements on and also as to how we intend to address those challenges in relation to the workforce. There will be a summit happening very soon, which will have a clear focus on this issue, and I do hope that those commitments have been clear. Clearly, following the summit, the Cabinet Secretary will, of course, update the Senedd.
Gaf i ddiolch, Lywydd, i'r Aelod am godi'r mater hwn? Yn amlwg, mae o'n bwnc a gododd yn ystod cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog, ac mi fyddwn i'n cyfeirio'r Aelod at y sylwadau a wnaed gan y Prif Weinidog ar yr adeg hynny.
Official English translation
May I thank, Llywydd, the Member for raising this issue? Clearly it is a subject that was raised during questions to the First Minister and I would refer the Member to the comments made by the First Minister at that time.
Lywydd, gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am godi'r mater hwn? Mi wnaf i nodi eto fod hyn wedi codi yn ystod y cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog, ac wedi codi yr wythnos diwethaf. Yn sicr, mi fyddwch chi'n ymwybodol bod pob un o'r Gweinidogion Cabinet wedi ymrwymo i fod yn gwneud datganiad ar flaenoriaethau'r portffolio. Mae hynny eisoes yn yr amserlen tair wythnos, ac mi fydd yna gyfle i holi'r Gweinidog Cabinet ar yr ystod o feysydd hwnnw yn ystod hynny, ac, yn amlwg, mae yna ymrwymiadau hefyd wedi cael eu gwneud gan y Prif Weinidog yn gynharach heddiw.
Official English translation
Llywydd, may I thank the Member for raising this issue? I will set out again that this was raised during FMQs and was raised last week. You will certainly be aware that every Cabinet Minister is committed to making a portfolio priorities statement. That's already in the three-week timetable, and there will be an opportunity to question the Cabinet Minister on that range of issues at that time, and, clearly, there are commitments that have been made by the First Minister earlier today.
Diolch yn fawr i'r Aelod am godi'r ddau fater hwnnw. Yn gyntaf oll, o ran amseroedd aros, mi wnaeth y Gweinidog Cabinet dros iechyd ddatganiad yr wythnos diwethaf. Mi fyddwn ni'n diweddaru'r Senedd. Mae'r gwaith yn mynd rhagddo, a hynny ar fyrder, ac mi fyddwn ni yn sicrhau bod yna ddiweddariadau rheolaidd i holl Aelodau'r Senedd hon. Dydy'r Llywodraeth hon ddim yn ofni craffu. Rydyn ni wedi ymrwymo i fod yn dryloyw, ac mi fyddwn ni'n rhannu'r wybodaeth wrth i'r gwaith hwnnw ddatblygu.
O ran yr ail bwynt, dwi'n siŵr bydd yr Aelod yn falch o glywed bod yna gyfle i fy holi i, fel Gweinidog efo cyfrifoldeb dros chwaraeon a diwylliant, yr wythnos nesaf. Mi fyddaf i'n amlinellu fy mlaenoriaethau cychwynnol i ar gyfer y meysydd allweddol bwysig hyn, a byddwn i'n ei annog o, gobeithio, i fy holi wythnos nesaf, pan fydd yna fwy o fanylion ar gael hefyd.
Official English translation
Thank you very much to the Member for raising those two issues. First of all, in terms of waiting times, the Cabinet Minister for health made a statement last week. We will be giving an update to the Senedd. The work is in train as a matter of urgency, and we will ensure that there are regular updates given to all Members of the Senedd. This Government isn't afraid of scrutiny. We are committed to being transparent and we'll be sharing the information as that work develops.
In terms of the second point, I'm sure that the Member will be pleased to hear that there's an opportunity to ask questions of me, as Minister with responsibility for sport and culture, next week. I will be outlining my initial priorities for these crucially important areas, and I would encourage him, hopefully, to ask me questions next week, when more details will be available.