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We want all children and young people to receive the support needed to reach their full learning potential.

We will continue to work closely with local authorities to secure more positive experiences for pupils with autism.

We will do this by improving consistency of support, career pathways and professional development for support for learning teachers, and building further capacity.

I will also be meeting with third sector organisations involved in the publication of ‘Not Included, Not engaged, Not involved’ to determine what further action may be needed to strengthen support for pupils with autism in schools.

A table providing details of closures on the A7 from 1 August 2017 to 30 August 2018 has been placed in SPICE, (BIB number 60059). This includes closures due to roadworks and maintenance activities carried out by our Operating Company and other 3 rd parties, and closures implemented by Police Scotland to attend to road traffic accidents and any subsequent follow up actions required.

Jeane Freeman : Operational standards are the responsibility of the LA providing the service and there are no regulatory requirements. The Scottish Government have always promoted standards bodies (of which there are several) so around a third of organisations are signed up to these (Such as The Technology Enabled Care Services Association - TSA) and are assessed on these processes, however this is voluntary.

Where telecare is provided as part of a care service registered with the Care Inspectorate, the whole care service is regulated by the Care Inspectorate and evaluated through their normal inspections of care services.

The Scottish Government is committed to improving the quality of care in Scotland and wants to ensure that everyone who requires care has access to the highest standards of care in every setting, whether in their own home or in residential accommodation. Although the Scottish Government has overall responsibility for health and social care policy in Scotland, the statutory responsibility for delivering, commissioning or monitoring care call services (also known as telecare) at a local level lies with local authorities.

Each Telecare organisation will perform a yearly survey for citizens in receipt of services, however, results are kept internally. The Scottish Government's Technology Enabled Care Programme continue to work closely with Local Authorities in driving forward the uptake of telecare services and continue to closely monitor the number of people known to have benefitted from telecare services.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-18135 on 29 August 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

I met with MSPs, representatives of interest groups, transport operators and members of the public in Stranraer on 24 August to hear first-hand their views on the A75 trunk road.

Transport investment has to be supported by robust evidence and that is why the Scottish Government is undertaking the South West Scotland Transport study. This study is considering the rationale for improvements to road, rail, public transport and active travel on the key strategic corridors including the A75 and A77 as well as the railway corridors to Stranraer and Carlisle via Kilmarnock and Dumfries, with a particular focus on access to the ports at Cairnryan.

This study will provide recommendations setting out options for transport interventions which will be considered through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

Since 2007 the Scottish Government has invested £75 million in road maintenance along the A75 and £13 million on the A701. Approximately £11 million has also been invested in the A75 Hardgrove to Kinmount project to improve overtaking opportunities and remove known pinch points. Transport investment has to be supported by robust evidence and that is why the Scottish Government is undertaking the South West Scotland Transport study. This study is considering the rationale for improvements to road, rail, public transport and active travel on the key strategic corridors including the A75 and A77 as well as the railway corridors to Stranraer and Carlisle via Kilmarnock and Dumfries, with a particular focus on access to the ports at Cairnryan and will also consider the rationale for improving how Dumfries is connected to the M74.

This study will provide recommendations setting out options for transport interventions which will be considered through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

The Trunk Road Operating Company Contracts for the A7, A75, A76, A701 and the M74 between Junction 1 M8 and Junction 12 Millbank (excluding Junction 3 – 6) are due for renewal in August 2020. The procurement competitions for the contracts which contain these routes will commence this Autumn.

The M74 between Junction 3 Daldowie and Junction 6 Hamilton is part of the recently completed M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project. The management, maintenance and operating contract for this section of the M74 expires in May 2047.

The management, maintenance and operation contact for the M74 between Junction 12 Millbank and the Scottish border expires in July 2027.

The employment of teachers of the deaf is a matter for education authorities, to be addressed in light of their local circumstances and priorities.

Under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) Act 2004 (as amended) education authorities have duties to identify, provide for and to review the additional support needs of their pupils, including those with a sensory impairment. This includes ensuring that there are the staff and resources in place to support pupils in their learning.

To support teacher training in sensory impairment the Scottish Government provides £150,000 annual grant funding to the Scottish Sensory Centre to provide high quality Career Long Professional Learning.

The Scottish Government remain committed to ensuring that all children and young people get the support that they need to reach their full learning potential.

Following recommendations made by the Education and Skills Committee, in 2016 the Scottish Government undertook its own survey of education authorities to establish the picture of support for children and young people with a sensory impairment in Scotland. Following this, the Scottish Government set out a range of actions to support pupils with a sensory impairment. A number of these actions have already been delivered, and we continue to work on those outstanding.