Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09419 on 13 July 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 .

As the Census Coverage Survey (CCS) is ongoing, the predicted costs are based on the budget assigned to the CCS. Across the lifecycle of the Census Programme it was estimated that a budget of £3.1m would be required to deliver the CCS.

The CCS, alongside high quality administrative data and innovative statistical methods, will build on the census returns to deliver high quality Census Outputs. National Records of Scotland is continuing to take the action necessary to deliver the CCS phase of Scotland's Census Programme.

For the current Serco Caledonian Sleepers Ltd Temporary Measures Agreement in place, there is a small, capped, incentive payment linked to performance and not linked to cost base.

As the performance payments relate to potential future revenues receivable by Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited, this information currently remains commercially sensitive.

The assessments undertaken to inform ferries investments focus on direct infrastructure impacts such as route capacity and connectivity. The benefit realisation process for each project will seek to identify and maximise the positive impact of our investments. As an example of this, the recent introduction of the MV Loch Frisa was enabled by modifications works, instructed by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), undertaken at the Dales facility in Leith, and CalMac Ferries Ltd have now completed the recruitment of 38 crew for the vessel to provide the year round commutable service for Mull.

Transport Scotland continues to engage with Peel Ports on the commercial arrangements for the Ardrossan upgrade project. The project moved to the tender preparation stage in April 2022 and it will take a number of months to complete prior to progressing to contract award and contractor mobilisation, subject to funding approval and agreeing commercial terms with Peel Ports.

The Skye Triangle Infrastructure Programme is estimated to cost around £108million in total for the three port projects: Tarbert (Harris) £23million, Lochmaddy (North Uist) £21million and Uig (Skye) £64million as budgeted following completion of the tender processes. This compares with a total budget of £95million at the time of publishing the Infrastructure Investment Plan in February 2021. The works are aimed at replacing life expired infrastructure, improving resilience and increasing the range of vessels that can use the ports.

Each of the projects are currently in the construction phase and we estimate total project spend to date to be in the region of £34million. It is the responsibility of the statutory harbour authorities undertaking the works to monitor costs and spend for each of the port projects namely; Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) for Tarbert, Comhairle nan Eiliean Siar (CNES) for Lochmaddy, and The Highland Council (THC) for Uig.

There are no plans to review home educated pupils' entitlement to free school meals at present. Free school meals are not normally provided for children and young people whose parents have chosen to home educate them, as the local authority is not responsible for providing their education. Free school meals would only be provided to children and young people who are not receiving their education at a local authority run school if they had entered into an agreement to do so through their local authority. The Scottish Government is not normally made aware of these arrangements.

Local authorities have the flexibility to make discretionary offers of free school meals to families experiencing financial hardship due to exceptional circumstances if they do not meet the regular eligibility criteria. We would urge any families who are home educating their children and experiencing financial hardship to contact their local authority to enquire about what alternative forms of assistance might be available to them.

Families can also access Money Talk Team, a free service provided by Citizen’s Advice on behalf of the Scottish Government that helps to ensure that families are receiving all available benefits and are not paying more than is required for services. More information about this service can be found online at https://moneytalkteam.org.uk/ or by calling their free phone helpline on 0800 085 7145.

The Scottish Government continue to task Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) to search the second hand tonnage market for appropriate vessels to support and enhance connections on Scotland’s ferries network.

CMAL have investigated some 70 vessels since 1 December 2021 of which only 1 has been deemed suitable for purchase. The vessel (MV Loch Frisa) was bought, upgraded and entered service on the Craignure-Oban service in June 2022.

In financial year 2021-22, £12m was allocated to support the wellbeing of people working in health and social care of which £11,515,152 was spent.

The increasing options for flexible working available through less than full-time training (LTFT), has had a positive impact on the demographics of the medical profession.

Women’s participation in medicine is currently at a good level. There are proportionately more women than men graduating from Scottish medical schools. The requirement for Scottish trainee doctors (junior doctors) to provide gender details is not mandatory, but of the 4,744 of 6,167 current trainees in medical programmes who have disclosed this information, 2,787 are women against a figure of 1,957 for men. Across the UK, women make up just under 48% of all doctors. However, the number of licenced women doctors has been increasing at a higher rate than doctors who are men, year-on-year.

There are currently 53 trainees in cardiology programmes, of the 37 who have provided information on gender, 11 are women, against a figure of 26 for men. Historically, cardiology has been dominated by doctors who are men, an issue that is not specific to Scotland. In recognition of the gender disparity, the Cardiology Specialty Training Board is taking steps to address the issue. This includes a review of their membership and that of the Speciality Training Committee memberships across the regions, in terms of both gender and ethnicity.