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The Scottish Government is responsible for putting a framework in place that is conducive to the encouragement of NHS dental services. Part of that framework includes providing funding, through the emergency support payments, multiplier payments, and bridging payments, to help NHS dental practices to provide NHS dental services.

We understand that there are particular challenges in attracting dentists to work in more remote areas which is why we have recently updated the Recruitment and Retention Allowance. This Golden Hello payment means that dentists providing NHS dental services in qualifying areas, including Gretna, can receive up to £25,000 over a two year period. We are also working closely with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) to develop a mentorship scheme for EU dentists which will allow them to work in Scotland to support areas facing recruitment challenges whilst they work towards their VT equivalence.

NHS Boards make arrangements with dental contractors to provide NHS dental services in their areas as local provision is the responsibility of the Board. However, officials meet regularly with the Board and are working closely with them on suitable contingency arrangements should these be required.

The Green Heat Finance Taskforce has met five times, with future meetings scheduled on a bi-monthly basis. Further information on the Taskforce, along with a summary of the meeting discussions, is available on the Scottish Government website Heat in Buildings: Green Heat Finance Taskforce - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

The Green Heat Finance Taskforce will publish a final report in September 2023.

The National Fertility Group make recommendations to Scottish Government on eligibility criteria for NHS IVF Fertility Treatment. The criteria are kept under constant review by the Group.

I would refer the member to the written answer of S6W-11101 of
‎ 4 October 2022; which confirms that significant progress is expected this year on the tender design stage, with the Invitation to tender stage to be undertaken thereafter.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

All funded activity was authorised by the Scottish Government in line with the strategic aims and objectives of the Ecosystem Fund.

The Women’s Health Plan, 2021-2024, includes an action to improve information and public awareness of heart disease symptoms and risks for women.

We commenced work on this action through the development of a comprehensive women's health platform on the NHS Inform website. This includes pages on women’s heart health, and provides information and signposting on Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme was developed from the start to include glass, as well as PET plastic and metal containers. This position has not changed.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11048 on
5 October 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answers to questions S6W-11097 and S6W-11098 on 17 October 2022. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers