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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-22254

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what measures have been implemented to manage non-native gamebird releases where there is potential for highly pathogenic avian influenza transmission from infected gamebirds to (a) native wild birds, (b) other wildlife, (c) dogs and (d) the shooting community.

The Scottish Government works closely with the game sector to encourage best practice biosecurity measures by keepers of poultry and other captive birds. Advice has been issued frequently through a number of formats including webinars, emails, regular interface with stakeholders such as game industry representatives, and publication of online guidance.

A Scottish Avian Influenza in wild bird Task Force was established in 2022 to coordinate a joint response to the outbreak in wild birds. On 11 August Ministers launched the Wild Bird HPAI Response Plan that sets out how the Scottish Government and its partners will respond to any further outbreaks of HPAI in wild birds in Scotland.

Communications have also included guidance on gov.scot for pet dogs and working dogs. Scottish Government has also worked with the game industry to develop standing guidance on avian influenza and game birds.

Question reference: S6W-22250

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many gamebird rearing and release facilities have been found to be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2023.

In 2023 six game bird premises were declared with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Scotland. These were:

Near Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, confirmed 08 August 2023 (AIV 2023/29)
Near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, confirmed 14 August 2023 (AIV 2023/41)
Near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, confirmed 14 August 2023 (AIV 2023/42)
Near Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, confirmed 14 August 2023 (AIV 2023/43)
Near Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, confirmed 17 August 2023 (AIV 2023/44)
Near Forfar, Angus, confirmed 18 August 2023 (AIV 2023/45)

Question reference: S6W-22249

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place for the early detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza on grouse moors.

In Scotland (and across Great Britain) the GB Dead Wild Bird Surveillance Scheme, administered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on behalf of the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and Defra (England), allows members of the public to report dead wild birds (via a helpline and/or online reporting tool), and for a selection of these birds (based on a triage criteria) to be tested for avian influenza. The purpose of the scheme is to capture information on the general location and strains of avian influenza that might be prevalent in GB. This data then helps government build up a picture of the current risks, and shapes how they then respond in policy terms.

In addition to this, NatureScot have a network of reporters across Scotland who provide early intelligence on unusual mortality levels in wild bird species. It is also recognised by Scottish Government that managers of grouse moors in Scotland may regularly carry out their own health checks of wild grouse across the summer months.

Question reference: S6W-22022

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the Scottish Dental Access Initiative in recruiting dentists in Dumfries and Galloway.

The purpose of the Scottish Dental Access Initiative (SDAI) is not for the recruitment of dentists, but to improve access to NHS dental services by encouraging dentists to set up a new practice or extend an existing practice in areas where access to NHS dental services is challenging.

Since 2007, there have been seven dental practices in Dumfries and Galloway that have been provided with SDAI grants.

Question reference: S6W-22019

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the accessibility of NHS dentistry for adults in Dumfries and Galloway.

Question reference: S6W-22020

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many adult patients have been registered with an NHS dentist in Dumfries and Galloway in each of the last three years.

Question reference: S6W-22021

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many adult patients have been deregistered from NHS dental services in Dumfries and Galloway in the last two years.

Question reference: S6W-22018

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what impact payment reform has had on the (a) recruitment of dentists in Dumfries and Galloway and (b) level of deregistration of adult patients from NHS dental services.

Payment reform will be implemented on 1 November 2023. Therefore, it is not possible at this stage to make an assessment on the impact of payment reform on the recruitment of dentists in Dumfries and Galloway and the level of deregistration of adult patients from NHS dental services.

The main purpose of payment reform is to improve access to NHS dental services and thereby reducing the number of deregistrations. This will be done by replacing the existing care and treatment fees with a new set priced at levels that we believe will incentivise dentists to provide a full range of NHS care and treatment.

Question reference: S6O-02504

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent statistics showing that the number of children in Dumfries and Galloway living in temporary accommodation rose by 67% between 2022 and 2023.

Question reference: S6W-20516

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it provides to increase digital demand responsive transport within Dumfries and Galloway.

Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) is supported, with local authorities receiving £9.1m through the General Revenue Grant in 2023-24, and Dumfries & Galloway receiving £702k. This funding is not ring fenced, allowing local authorities flexibility in allocating resources as they see fit, including use of digital platforms. In addition, DRT is eligible for the same support as standard bus services through the Network Support Grant and the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.

The Scottish Government is committed to improving connectivity in the south west of Scotland and the second Strategic Transport Projects Review recommends that pilot schemes, involving demand responsive transport and Mobility as a Service, draw on innovative solutions, international best practice, and smart technologies. Digital DRT has been incorporated within the HITRANS, Tactran and SEStran MaaS Investment Fund pilots and, as such, we envisage that MaaS would be able to play a pivotal role in the future operation of digital DRT across Scotland.