Meghan Gallacher

13 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to (a) help the private nursery sector implement the roll-out of 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare and (b) ensure that the private and public nursery sectors are being supported equally.

Answer · Clare Haughey: Funded early learning and childcare (ELC) is delivered across the public, private, third and childminding sectors. Since August 2021, all local authority areas have put in place an expanded offer of up to 1140 hours of funded ELC for all eligible 2, 3 and 4 y…

31 Aug 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the National Autistic Society, in light of its reported concerns regarding support for families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

26 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the allocation of the £10 million being provided to schools to improve ventilation and CO2 monitoring, also broken down by how many schools in each local authority have received this funding.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Distribution of the £10 million funding has now been agreed with COSLA leaders. Each local authority will receive an equitable share of the funding on the understanding that it is used for its intended purpose. These include covering the costs of CO2 monitor…

24 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) its position is on and (b) support it can provide to pet owners in (i) local authority and (ii) privately-rented accommodation who face their lease being terminated at short notice and may be required to give up their pet should the only available alternative property have a lan…

Answer · Shona Robison: We understand the benefits of having a pet and sympathise with tenants who have to give up their pet when they move to a home where no pets are allowed. Decisions on whether pets are allowed in a tenancy are a matter for individual landlords and will be refle…

14 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 guidance for nightclubs under the new Level 0 framework and, in light of them being unable to reopen on 19 July 2021, what additional support it will offer to (a) these businesses, (b) staff and (c) freelance performers.

Answer · Kate Forbes: We do not underestimate the severe impact the pandemic is having on the night-time sector and restrictions will not be kept in place a day longer than necessary. As the First Minister made clear on 13 July, a gradual approach to the lifting of restrictions gi…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a national minimum allowance for foster carers.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to work with partners to take forward the recommendations of the National Review of Care Allowances, including development of a Scottish Recommended Allowance for foster care and kinship care. This will impro…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the support its provides to adopted families to be sufficient, given the recent report from Adoption UK Scotland, which stated that, for the third year in a row, over two-thirds of Barometer respondents said that they struggled to obtain help and support for their fa…

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 sets out a statutory duty for local authorities to provide adoptive families with the support that they require, like the provision of counselling, guidance and any other assistance in relation to the adoption pro…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent Adoption Barometer report by Adoption UK Scotland, which states that more than a third of adopted 16- to 25-year-olds did not reach a positive destination, in relation to education, employment or training, in 2020.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government recognises children and young people with care experience, including adoptees, have poorer outcomes and can often need additional support. The Scottish Government has provided Local Authorities with £11.5 million for academic year 2021…

14 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide clarification of the COVID-19 guidance for (a) weddings and (b) funerals, and how many guests can attend these (i) indoors and (ii) outdoors.

Answer · Ash Denham: The numbers who may attend marriage ceremonies, civil partnership registrations, funerals and wedding receptions and post-funeral gatherings in public places both indoors and outdoors are set out in guidance. These numbers only apply when the venue has suffic…

2 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed the guidance on whether parents and guardians can attend nursery and school graduations.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Advisory Sub-group for Education and Children’s issues have carefully considered their advice on nursery graduations this week. They confirmed that groups of parents and carers should not attend end-of-year events in Early Learning settings or schools in …

1 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the roll-out of 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare across all 32 local authorities will be completed.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The roll out of 1140 hours will be completed across all 32 local authorities in August 2021 when the statutory duty on local authorities comes into force.

1 Jun 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support and improve child mental health services.

24 May 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government plans to implement a national moratorium on incinerators, such as the proposal at Overwood Farm site near Stonehouse, in light of the reported detrimental impact that incinerators could have on Scotland’s bid to tackle the climate emergency.