Written Statement - Welsh in Education Grant 2013-14

In October 2011 I announced the consolidation of funding to support Welsh language provision in schools. From April 2012, the Welsh in Education Grant amalgamated funding previously provided by the following grant schemes:

• the former Better Schools Fund (Priority Area 2), separately administered as the Welsh in Education Grant during 2011-12
• the Welsh Language Board grant for athrawon bro
• the Welsh Language Board grant for pilot latecomers’ immersion projects and primary-secondary school linguistic progression.

Applications are now being invited by regional consortia for the 2013-14 Welsh in Education Grant. A total of £5.6m has been allocated for the Grant, with match funding by local authorities meaning that at least £8.4m will be spent on activities aimed at achieving the outcomes of the Welsh-medium Education Strategy during 2013-14.

Whilst elements of the Grant have historically been primarily focussed on activities to raise standards of teaching Welsh as a second language, consortia will now be required to ensure that the Grant funds a wider range of activities. 2013-14 Grant allocations for each consortia have therefore been divided into three activity areas:

• Teaching and learning Welsh as a first language
• Teaching and learning other subjects through the medium of Welsh
• Teaching and learning Welsh as a second language 

These allocations have been calculated on the basis of pupil numbers in each sector and will ensure that the Welsh in Education Grant supports Welsh language learning across the entire curriculum.

This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Assembly returns I would be happy to do so.