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It is estimated that the cost of the development, implementation and marketing of the Home Insulation Scheme by the managing agent for the scheme, which will cover at least 90,000 households in its first phase, will be approximately £5.5 million. The Home Insulation Scheme (HIS) is expected to attract investment in energy efficiency measures by energy companies under their Carbon Emissions Reduction Target obligations. Other funding from HIS will be used to provide additional energy efficiency measures in the selected areas and to cover scheme evaluation. Funding may also be used to cover additional costs in rural and island areas and staffing costs. The breakdown of spend will depend on the uptake of measures under the scheme and final arrangements in respect of procurement.

It is a matter for each local authority, working in partnership with NHS health boards and the voluntary sector, to consider the need for carers'' advocacy services in local authority areas. Decisions should be made within the context of local carers'' strategies and plans. There can be different models for carers'' advocacy services including specialist advocacy, support through carers'' centres and advocacy by the carers'' friends and relatives.

The Carers'' Strategy Steering Group, with representation from key interests, is taking forward consideration of a wide range of issues, including the need for and value of advocacy services. The Carers'' Strategy for Scotland will be published in 2010.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21691 on 27 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25589 on 27 July 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25584 on 27 July 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

No targets for waiting times have been set. The Energy Assistance Package is a collaborative approach to tackling fuel poverty, and a range of partners with differing delivery timescales provide advice and intervention at each of the four stages. It is a demand-led programme and as such waiting times are dependent upon the number of applicants, available resources (including installer capacity) and the individual circumstances of each installation which may include technical issues such as the suitability of the fuel supply or the need for a building warrant, or personal issues such as agreeing a convenient installation date with the applicant. Delivery partners are working hard to keep waiting times to a minimum at each stage of the package.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25584 on 27 July 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25515 on 27 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

Stage 3 of the Energy Assistance Package provides installation of standard insulation measures to eligible households under the Carbon Emission Reduction Target programmes run by energy companies. This will include where appropriate, cavity wall and loft installation where the loft has no insulation or insulation below 60mm.

I refer the member to the answers to question S3W-25585 on 27 July 2009 and question S3W-21691 on 27 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

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