English: Whilst our debate has mentioned our young carers and the fantastic and heart-warming work they do, as the Welsh Conservatives' older people's champion, I would like to highlight the work of our older carers within Wales. Of our 370,000 unpaid carers, around 24 per cent - that's 90,000 - are over the age of 65, which is the highest proportion in the UK. Sixty-five per cent report having long-term health problems themselves, or, indeed, a disability of their own. Indeed, over two thirds say that being a carer has an adverse effect on their mental health and well-being. Whilst the social services and well-being Act widened the definition of a carer and implemented changes to carers assessments, Carers Wales have noted that there is little evidence that the Act has improved the lives of our carers. Now, there are two key points I would like to address in terms of how the lives of older carers, and indeed carers of any age, might be improved: effective assessments regarding the help and support needed to continue caring, and effective, quality respite. As regards assessments in particular, Carers Wales note that councils may be acting unlawfully if carers are not made aware of the legal basis of the conversations or assessments they are having, with some councils allegedly using 'what matters' conversations as an assessment, rather than a formal and a distinctive meeting. So, I would be grateful if the Cabinet Secretary could confirm what steps he is taking to ensure that full clarity is provided by local authorities to carers in this regard. More worryingly, too, was the admittance by the Cabinet Secretary, on a written Assembly question last year, that it would not be possible to determine how many carers had an assessment by local authorities due to differences in definitions and timescales for data collection. So, of course, I would urge the Welsh Government to take serious steps to improve the situation, and would ask how it is possible for the Government to monitor outcomes and the success of this policy without the relevant data. With regard to respite, the Carers Trust have highlighted the need for access to flexible and high-quality respite. Flexibility here is key, because respite doesn't just mean a weekend away, or a week in supporting accommodation; it can be just an hour's cover to enable a carer to pop to the shops, the bank, or for a quick coffee with their friends. Just imagine the impact that not being able to do those things that we so often take for granted, what that, might have on a person. We talk a lot about the isolation and loneliness of older people in this Chamber. This can affect carers too. Although they have the company of the person they provide care for, this can often prevent them from having the time and the flexibility to see their other friends and members of their own family. We note the commitment of the Welsh Government to bring forward a national respite strategy, and a pledge last year of a £3 million fund for local authorities to support this. But, again, we're seeing little evidence of progress, and I would welcome an update from the Cabinet Secretary as to how this is being taken forward, the structure that this strategy takes, how this funding is being used by local authorities, and how many actual people are seeing the benefits and have received respite under the scheme. Llywydd - Deputy - we know the invaluable work carers do here in Wales. We know that they save our economy upwards of £8.1 billion a year, but investing in carers can save almost £4 for every £1 spent, and in monetised health benefits could save the health system £7.88 for each £1 spent. We must all work harder to recognise the selfless dedication with which they support our most vulnerable people, and we must ensure that they are given our utmost support. I look to the Welsh Government to support our motion today and to commit to improving the lives of carers of all ages in Wales. Diolch yn fawr.
Welsh: Er bod ein dadl wedi sôn am ein gofalwyr ifanc a'r gwaith gwych a chalonogol y maent yn ei wneud, fel hyrwyddwr pobl hŷn y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, hoffwn dynnu sylw at waith ein gofalwyr hŷn yng Nghymru. O'n 370,000 o ofalwyr di-dâl, mae tua 24 y cant - dyna 90,000 - dros 65 oed, sef y gyfran uchaf yn y DU. Mae 65 y cant yn dweud bod ganddynt broblemau iechyd hirdymor neu anabledd eu hunain. Yn wir, mae dros ddwy ran o dair yn dweud bod yn ofalwr yn effeithio'n niweidiol ar eu hiechyd meddwl a'u lles. Er bod y Ddeddf gwasanaethau cymdeithasol a llesiant wedi ehangu'r diffiniad o ofalwr ac wedi rhoi newidiadau ar waith i asesiadau gofalwyr, mae Gofalwyr Cymru wedi nodi nad oes llawer o dystiolaeth fod y Ddeddf wedi gwella bywydau ein gofalwyr. Nawr, mae yna ddau bwynt allweddol yr hoffwn roi sylw iddynt o ran sut y gellid gwella bywydau gofalwyr hŷn, a gofalwyr o bob oed yn wir: asesiadau effeithiol o'r cymorth a'r gefnogaeth sydd eu hangen i barhau i ofalu, a gofal seibiant effeithiol o safon uchel. O ran asesiadau yn benodol, mae Gofalwyr Cymru'n nodi efallai fod cynghorau'n gweithredu'n anghyfreithlon os na wneir gofalwyr yn ymwybodol o'r sail gyfreithiol i'r sgyrsiau neu'r asesiadau y maent yn eu cael, gyda rhai cynghorau yn ôl y sôn yn defnyddio sgyrsiau 'beth sy'n bwysig' fel asesiad, yn hytrach na chyfarfod ffurfiol a phenodol. Felly, buaswn yn ddiolchgar pe gallai Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet gadarnhau pa gamau y mae'n eu cymryd i sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol yn egluro hyn yn llawn i ofalwyr. Mater sy'n peri mwy o bryder hefyd oedd y ffaith bod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet wedi cyfaddef mewn cwestiwn Cynulliad y llynedd, na fyddai'n bosibl pennu faint o ofalwyr a oedd wedi cael asesiad gan awdurdodau lleol oherwydd gwahaniaethau o ran diffiniadau ac amserlenni ar gyfer casglu data. Felly, wrth gwrs, rwyf am annog Llywodraeth Cymru i roi camau ar waith o ddifrif i wella'r sefyllfa, a gofyn sut y mae'n bosibl i'r Llywodraeth fonitro canlyniadau a llwyddiant y polisi hwn heb y data perthnasol. O ran gofal seibiant, mae Ymddiriedolaeth y Gofalwyr wedi tynnu sylw at yr angen am fynediad hyblyg a safonol at seibiant hyblyg. Mae hyblygrwydd yn allweddol yma, oherwydd nid penwythnos i ffwrdd, neu wythnos mewn llety â chymorth yn unig yw gofal seibiant; gall olygu awr yn unig o warchod i alluogi gofalwr i daro i'r siopau, y banc, neu am baned o goffi sydyn gyda'u ffrindiau. Dychmygwch yr effaith y gallai methu gwneud y pethau hynny y byddwn mor aml yn eu cymryd yn ganiataol yn ei chael ar unigolyn. Rydym yn siarad llawer am unigedd ac unigrwydd pobl hŷn yn y Siambr hon. Gall hyn effeithio ar ofalwyr hefyd. Er eu bod yn cael cwmni'r unigolyn y maent yn darparu gofal ar eu cyfer, gall hyn yn aml eu rhwystro rhag cael amser a hyblygrwydd i weld eu ffrindiau eraill ac aelodau o'u teuluoedd eu hunain. Rydym yn nodi ymrwymiad Llywodraeth Cymru i gyflwyno strategaeth genedlaethol ar gyfer gofal seibiant, ac addewid y llynedd o gronfa o £3 miliwn i awdurdodau lleol i gefnogi hyn. Ond unwaith eto, ni welwn fawr o dystiolaeth o gynnydd, a buaswn yn croesawu diweddariad gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ynglŷn â sut y mae hyn yn cael ei ddatblygu, strwythur y strategaeth hon, sut y mae'r cyllid hwn yn cael ei ddefnyddio gan awdurdodau lleol, a faint o bobl sy'n gweld y manteision ac wedi cael gofal seibiant o dan y cynllun. Lywydd - Ddirprwy - gwyddom am y gwaith amhrisiadwy y mae gofalwyr yn ei wneud yma yng Nghymru. Gwyddom eu bod yn arbed mwy na £8.1 biliwn y flwyddyn i'n heconomi, ond gall buddsoddi mewn gofalwyr arbed bron £4 am bob £1 a werir, ac mewn termau ariannol gallai manteision iechyd arbed £7.88 i'r system iechyd am pob £1 a werir. Rhaid i bawb ohonom weithio'n galetach i gydnabod eu hymrwymiad anhunanol i gefnogi ein pobl fwyaf agored i niwed, a rhaid inni sicrhau eu bod yn cael ein cefnogaeth lwyr. Rwy'n disgwyl i Lywodraeth Cymru gefnogi ein cynnig heddiw ac ymrwymo i wella bywydau gofalwyr o bob oed yng Nghymru. Diolch yn fawr.