Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-11269

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 30 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 27 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish an updated Personal Footcare Guidance.

Question reference: S6W-11267

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 30 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it will launch its HIV elimination plan, and whether the launch will coincide with World AIDS Day 2022.

The Scottish Government remains committed to reaching its target of eliminating HIV Transmission in Scotland by 2030.

In 2019, The Scottish Government commissioned the Scottish Health Protection Network leads to deliver a proposal for how Scotland can become one of the first countries to eliminate HIV transmissions.

Work on the proposal has been led by Professor Rak Nandwani, Honorary Professor at Glasgow Caledonian University, with input from clinicians, academics, public health experts, the third sector and people living with HIV.

Their work has now concluded, and we anticipate the proposal, along with next steps, will be published on 1 December, to coincide with World Aids Day

Question reference: S6W-10669

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 5 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to implement a new priority booking system, as part of the new ticketing system to be introduced by Caledonian MacBrayne in autumn 2022, similar to models reportedly used in Scandinavia, to allow islanders to book priority spaces on ferries at short notice, including for the delivery of goods and services.

Question reference: S6O-01429

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to provide additional financial resources for third sector organisations that are on the frontline in providing advice and support services as the cost of living crisis continues to deepen.

Question reference: S6W-10774

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 September 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 21 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of its review of Individual Placement and Support employability services.

Individual Placement and Support assists people requiring more intensive support to enter and sustain employment. The Independent review has considered the current delivery landscape and outcomes achieved by this specialist employment support programme, and made recommendations to build on best practice as well as identifying areas for further improvement. The Scottish Government intends to publish the report of the Independent review of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) before the end of 2022.

Question reference: S6W-10778

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 September 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish a Dynamic Support Register, as recommended by the working group on complex care and delayed discharge in its report, Coming Home Implementation.

We have set out Scottish Government’s and COSLA’s commitment to implementing the key recommendations set out in the Coming Home Implementation report, which are essential to achieving our aim to significantly reduce delayed discharge and inappropriate out-of-area placements for adults with learning disabilities and complex care needs by March 2024.

Scottish Government are committed to working with local Health and Social Care Partnerships to achieving this aim and work to develop the Dynamic Support Register is underway and it will be established as soon as possible.

Question reference: S6W-10776

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 September 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when the consultation process will begin on the proposed Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill.

The Scottish Government has committed to introducing a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill to ensure that the rights of autistic people, people with learning disabilities, and neurodivergent people are respected and protected.

Informal consultation has already begun with 30 events involving 18 different organisations taking place as part of the scoping work undertaken between May and July 2022.

Final decisions on the exact timing of a formal public consultation will be taken and announced in due course.

Question reference: S6W-10777

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 September 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish a National Support Panel to provide support and expertise to health and social care partnerships, as recommended by the working group on complex care and delayed discharge in its report, Coming Home Implementation.

We have set out Scottish Government’s and COSLA’s commitment to implementing the key recommendations set out in the Coming Home Implementation report, which are essential to achieving our aim to significantly reduce delayed discharge and inappropriate out-of-area placements for adults with learning disabilities and complex care needs by March 2024.

Scottish Government are committed to working with local Health and Social Care Partnerships to achieving this aim and the National Support Panel will be established as soon as possible.

Question reference: S6W-10667

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to create through its agencies a capital funding stream for arts and culture projects, which could support the building of new theatre spaces.

The recent targeted review of the Capital Spending Review does not include a new funding stream dedicated to supporting new theatre spaces. The Scottish Government currently considers any request for capital funding of cultural venues on a case by case basis, dependent on a robust Business Case. We have provided £5.5 million towards the Citizens Theatre refurbishment, including a recent £1.5 million of additional support through Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, and will provide £6.5 million to support the King’s Theatre Edinburgh redevelopment.

Question reference: S6W-10666

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 20 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what funding (a) has been provided since 2019 and (b) will be provided to local authorities in order to comply with the Burial Ground Memorial Safety Guidance for Scotland's Local Authorities it published in June 2019, in particular to support local authorities to follow the options set out under the "Methods of Making Safe" section, broken down by local authority.

Responsibility for the routine maintenance, upkeep and management of burial grounds in Scotland rests with the relevant burial authority. A burial authority may be a local authority or a private owner. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (as amended), owners must ensure any premises they are responsible for are maintained to a safe standard for both employees and visitors. The was produced to assist local authorities meet their obligations to inspect and make safe memorials and headstones.

At this time the Scottish Government has no plans to provide financial support to local authorities for the maintenance of burial grounds.

��˿��

Chamber and committees