Parliamentary questions

Paul Sweeney

1,340 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

16 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-23811 by Maree Todd on 8 January 2024, which outlined existing programmes that could not proceed as planned due to in-year budget changes, whether it will provide further detail on what planned new programmes could not go ahead due to those in-year …

Answer · Maree Todd: As set out in the answer of 8 January 2024 the in-year budget changes impacted on both new and existing programmes which could not proceed as anticipated. This included activities related to Mental Health and Primary Care; regional CAMHS developments; full im…

16 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it (a) can take and (b) is taking to prevent the (i) sale and (ii) use of unregulated products in aesthetic treatments.

Answer · Jenni Minto: We want to ensure all non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Scotland are delivered from hygienic premises by appropriately trained practitioners, applying recognised standards and using regulated products. The regulation of medicines and medicinal products is …

16 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the current regulation of people, who are not healthcare professionals, and who provide aesthetic treatments in Scotland, and what steps it is taking to ensure that these treatments are provided by adequately qualified, regulated and insured individuals.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government recognises there is no specific legislation to prevent individuals who are not health professionals and who operate from unregistered premises from carrying out non-surgical cosmetic procedures that pierce or penetrate the skin, and th…

15 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund will be renewed in the 2024-25 financial year, and, if so, how much funding will be allocated to it.

Answer · Maree Todd: Future funding for the for the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults will be subject to the annual budget process and approval by the Scottish Parliament. We expect to confirm funding as soon as possible thereafter.

13 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress NHS Scotland is making with the digitisation of all patient medical records.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Digitisation of records is an operational responsibility of individual Health Boards and GP practices. At a national level, and building on the existing use of electronic patient record systems, we are focussed on allowing medical records to be stored, li…

12 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care directorates decide how to allocate funds for research into specific cancers, such as brain tumours.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Within the Scottish Government, funding of Health and Care Research comes under the remit of the Chief Scientist Office (CSO). The CSO's Translational Clinical Studies (TCS) Committee and the Health Improvement, Protection and Services Research (HIPS) Commit…

12 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support its Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy directorates are providing for the life sciences sector to increase research into brain tumours.

Answer · Neil Gray: Public sector support for research and development does not sit within the Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy portfolio. This support is directed and delivered by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). SFC strategic initiatives, such as Alliances for Resea…

11 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when a final determination will be reached by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division regarding planning application NA-260-002 for a proposed residential development on long-term derelict land at Ingram Street and Albion Street in Glasgow.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The application for a mixed use development consisting of residential and commercial units at a site bounded by Candleriggs, Ingram Street and Albion Street in Glasgow, is currently with a Reporter at the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) of …

9 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider enhancing statutory protection of community-controlled housing associations and co-operatives in its proposed Housing Bill, in light of the number of takeovers or transfers of engagements that have occurred since 2010, which has reportedly caused a decline in com…

Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government has no plans for any changes to the current regulatory system for social landlords. All Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) are subject to the same regulatory requirements. The Scottish Housing Regulator has one statutory objective to s…

9 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any concerns that the Scottish Housing Regulator does not publish any background information or register of interests for individuals whom it appoints to its statutory managers list.

Answer · Paul McLennan: The statutory manager is not an employee of the Scottish Housing Regulator or of the landlord. The appointment is to carry out a statutory function. It is for the SHR to determine the information it publishes on those appointed to the statutory managers list …

9 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Scottish Housing Regulator's (SHR) appointment of any individuals to its statutory managers list who may also be regularly appointed as independent transfer advisors to housing associations that are subject to SHR statutory intervention could create a …

Answer · Paul McLennan: This is a matter for the independent SHR itself to determine in line with the powers given to it by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010 to appoint statutory managers. When the Regulator are considering who to appoint from the statutory manager’s list, they will t…

9 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what procurement procedure was followed by the Scottish Housing Regulator to determine its statutory managers list.

Answer · Paul McLennan: This is a matter for the independent Scottish Housing Regulator to determine. The SHR has published information about the application process for statutory managers ( Statutory Manager List - Application pack | Scottish Housing Regulator ).

8 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will communicate with the 73 individuals identified by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission in 2020 who had criminal convictions that were potentially affected by the issues arising from the Post Office’s Horizon computer sy…

Answer · Dorothy Bain: As was acknowledged by the Lord Advocate in her statement to Parliament on the 16 th January, any miscarriage of justice that has occurred as a result of the Horizon IT systems requires to be identified and addressed. The Scottish Criminal Case Review Commiss…

8 Jan 2024 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what urgent steps are being taken to address reports of a mental health crisis with an increase in calls to the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub.

5 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will engage with the Chinese-owned manufacturer, Chery Automobile Co Ltd, regarding any potential impact in Scotland of its reported interest in building a new car manufacturing plant in Britain by the end of the decade, as reported by the Financial Times on 4 January 2024.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government has identified nine priority areas within our values-led Inward Investment Plan, including the decarbonisation of transport, and we would consider the Scottish aspect to an investment from Chery Automobile Co Ltd into the UK. Engageme…

4 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its proposed 2024-25 (a) revenue and (b) general capital support budget allocation is for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is committed to providing revenue funding to the Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) and revenue budget allocation was provided in the 2024-25 Scottish Budget. Budget allocations are subject to Scottish Government in-year spend cont…

4 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its proposed 2024-25 (a) revenue and (b) capital budget allocation is for the urban regeneration company, Clyde Gateway.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government draft budget for 2024-25 allocates £0.5 million in revenue funding to Clyde Gateway. There is currently no capital budget specifically allocated to Clyde Gateway. Ministers have, however, yet to determine how the remaining budget withi…

4 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time equivalent staff days were lost due to illness across the NHS in 2023, broken down by illness.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The information requested on how many full-time equivalent staff days were lost due to illness across the NHS in 2023, broken down by illness is not centrally available. Information on sickness absence rates broken down by NHS board and by financial year can…

4 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what contracts it currently has with Fujitsu.

Answer · Tom Arthur: he Scottish Government has one contract with Fujitsu (Case 440206 Electronic Counting for Local Government Elections) to deliver electronic vote counting for Scottish local government elections.

4 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported scandal regarding the Post Office accounting software, Horizon, whether it will review any existing contracts that it has with Fujitsu, formerly ICL, with strict testing criteria enforced and independent experts reviewing internal testing processes.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has a contract for the provision of an electronic vote counting solution between the Scottish Ministers and Fujitsu Limited dated 16 October 2020. This contract delivered electronic vote counting services for the Scottish Local Governm…

24 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a newborn screening programme for adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD).

Answer · Jenni Minto: Any decisions on whether to introduce screening programmes in Scotland are guided by the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent expert advisory group which advises Ministers and the NHS in all four nations of the Unite…

21 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it (a) can take and (b) is taking to ensure the creation and maintenance of direct flight routes between Glasgow and China.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has always recognised the importance of our international links and we want to develop Scotland’s direct connectivity to China to help build strong links for business and exports, as well as make it easier for visitors and students to …

19 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the roll-out of the Hospital at Home service.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The expansion of Hospital at Home is already supporting Boards maximise capacity to meet demand and helping more people receive care at home or as close to home as possible, where clinically appropriate – which is relieving pressure on the front door of our A…

19 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the role of counsellors and psychotherapists in delivering its Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Answer · Maree Todd: As set out in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Workforce Action Plan, we recognise that counsellors and psychotherapists are part of the core mental health and wellbeing workforce and play a critical role in delivering the Strategy. Throughout t…

19 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the Scope of Practice and Education (SCoPEd) framework for counsellors and psychotherapists on the delivery of its Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Answer · Maree Todd: We recognise in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Workforce Action Plan that counsellors and psychotherapists are part of the core mental health and wellbeing workforce and that they have a critical role in delivering the Strategy. The Strateg…

14 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether 8.78% of NHS spend being allocated to mental health services represents a funding shortfall of £180 million per year from its target of 10% of spend.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23955 on 9 January 2024. 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-committe…

14 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether 0.66% of NHS spend being allocated to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) represents a funding shortfall of £50.32 million per year from its target of 1% of spend.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23954 on 9 January 2024. 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-committe…

14 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter of 21 November 2023 from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance to the Finance and Public Administration Committee, whether the in-year budget changes set out in the letter will impact the delivery of its commitment to spend 1% of frontline NHS spend on child and adoles…

Answer · Maree Todd: The majority of spending on mental health is delivered through NHS board budgets, and this is not directly affected by the in-year budget changes impacting on the direct mental health programme budget. Between the Scottish Government and NHS boards we expect …

14 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Public Health Scotland data confirming that the percentage of frontline NHS spend allocated to mental health services was 8.78% in 2021-22, whether it is still on track to meet its commitment to allocate 10% of NHS spend to mental health services by the end of the current pa…

Answer · Maree Todd: We continue to work towards delivery of the commitment that at least 10% of frontline health spending will be dedicated to mental health by the end of this parliamentary session. The NHS Recovery Plan 2021-2026 Annual Progress Update published in December …