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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-11337

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has spent on raising awareness in Scotland of the changes to the Highway Code, which were introduced in January 2022.

The Highway Code changes which came into effect at the start of the year were supported by a nationwide multi-media campaign in February 2022. Amendments to The Highway Code are reserved to the UK Government, and DfT is responsible for marketing these changes. The Scottish Government and road safety partners across Scotland support the latest changes.

The Scottish Government was disappointed the UK Government felt unable to promote those changes ahead of 29 January, so we took the proactive decision to do so ourselves in Scotland. Transport Scotland, Police Scotland, Road Safety Scotland and Traffic Scotland all used their social media to raise awareness of the changes, and the Scottish Government provided £103,000 for a three-week awareness-raising campaign, which ran in February on radio and social media. This phase was funded by DfT. Transport Scotland continues to work with partners across the UK, including DfT, to align future awareness campaigns for any further changes to the Highway Code.

Question reference: S6W-11270

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 what plans it has to provide free toenail trimming services for people aged 75 years and older.

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-11271

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 what funding is available for third sector organisations to provide footcare services for vulnerable and older people.

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-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 Burial ground memorial safety: local authority guidance 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.

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.