Paratoi'r sector gofal cymdeithasol yng Nghymru ar gyfer Brexit

Mae £200,000 wedi cael ei neilltuo o Gronfa Bontio'r Undeb Ewropeaidd (UE) Llywodraeth Cymru i gyllido ymchwil i'r ffordd y gallai'r broses Brexit effeithio ar y gweithlu gofal cymdeithasol yng Nghymrum, ac i helpu'r sector baratoi ar gyfer unrhyw ganlyniad posibl.

Cafodd Cronfa Bontio'r UE, sy'n werth £50m, ei sefydlu i helpu busnesau, gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ac eraill i baratoi ar gyfer effaith Brexit.

Bydd data'n cael eu casglu fel rhan o'r ymchwil ynglŷn â chyfansoddiad y gweithlu gofal cymdeithasol. O ganlyniad, bydd modd gweld a oes unrhyw ardaloedd daearyddol penodol neu swyddi penodol mewn gofal cymdeithasol sy'n arbennig o ddibynnol ar weithwyr sy'n wladolion yr UE, ac a allai cael eu heffeithio'n andwyol felly, gan ddibynnu ar y trefniadau pontio a'r polis mudo y cytunir arnynt rhwng Llywodraeth y DU a'r Undeb Ewropeaidd.

Mae'n hanfodol cael darlun clir o gyfansoddiad y gweithlu gofal cymdeithasol a dealltwriaeth ynghylch faint o wladolion yr UE sy'n cael eu cyflogi ar hyn o bryd i alluogi rhanddeiliaid ar draws llywodraeth leol, y sector annibynnol a'r trydydd sector, i weld a oes unrhyw feysydd sy'n arbennig o fregus. Bydd hyn hefyd o gymorth iddynt gynllunio'n briodol er mwyn sicrhau bod modd parhau I gynnig gofal.

Bydd rhanddeiliaid yn gallu gwneud yn siŵr bod eu cynlluniau wrth gefn a'u paratoadau yn gymesur â lefel y risg briodol. O ganlyniad, bydd y sector a'r unigolion sy'n derbyn gofal a'u teuluoedd hefyd yn cael tawelwch meddwl.

Dywedodd Huw Irranca-Davies, y Gweinidog Gofal Cymdeithasol:

"Mae gofal cymdeithasdol yn gyflogwr mawr ac mae'n gwneud cyfraniad sylweddol i economi Cymru. Mae mwy na 80,000 o aelodau staff yn cael eu cyflogi yn y sector gofal cymdeithasol i oedolion ar draws Cymru. Felly, mae'n flaenoriaeth drawsbynciol yn Ffyniant i Bawb, ein strategaeth genedlaethol. Mae'r gofal a'r cymorth sy'n cael eu rhoi gan y gweithlu yn amddiffyn ac yn cefnogi rhai o aelodau mwyaf agored i newid ein cymdeithas"

£200,000 has been allocated from the Welsh Government's EU Transition Fund to fund research into how the Brexit process could impact on the social care workforce in Wales, and to help the sector plan for any eventualities.

The £50m Eu Transition Fund was set up to help business, public services and others prepare for the impacts of Brexit.

The research will collect data on the make-up of the social care workforce and determine whether there are any geographic regions or particular roles within social care that are particularly dependent on EU nationals, which could be adversely affected, depending on the transitional arrangements and migration policy agreed by the UK Government and the European Union.

Having a clear understanding of the make-up of the social care workforce and the extent of EU nationals currently employed will allow stakeholders across local government, the independent and third sectors to identify whether there are any areas of particular vulnerability and to support them plan accordingly to ensure continuity of care.

It will allow stakeholders to ensure any contingency planning and preparations are proportionate to the level of potential risk. It will also provide reassurances both to the sector and to people receiving care and their families.

Social Care Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies said:

"Social care is a significant employer and contributor to the economy in Wales, with the adult social care sector employing more than 80,000 staff across Wales. The care and support provided by the workforce protects and supports some of the most vulnerable members of our society. This is why it is a cross-cutting priority within our national strategy, Prosperity for All.

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