Parliamentary questions
Paul O'Kane
310 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
11 Mar 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support high streets and town centres in the West Scotland region, in light of reported issues, including high vacancy rates.
5 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the current average processing time is for Adult Disability Payment applications submitted under the special rules for people with a terminal illness, and what steps are being taken to reduce waiting times.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Social Security Scotland fast-tracks Special Rules for Terminal Illness applications, aiming to make a decision within seven working days of receiving a shortened application and confirmation of a terminal diagnosis.Latest statistics show the average processi…
5 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the Early Learning and Childcare formula for funding provided to local authorities, in light of concerns that children who turn three shortly after a term start date, such as in early January, cannot access funded nursery provision until the followin…
Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: The Scottish Government provides the vast majority of local government funding – including funding for delivery of the 1140 entitlement – by means of a block grant. It is then the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own …
25 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what review it has undertaken of procedures relating to the disclosure of abuse by children with a learning disability, autism or neurodiversity, including those children who are non-verbal.
Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that robust child protection measures are in place across Scotland, and continue to be followed at all times. This includes for children with a learning disability, autism or neurodiversity.The National Guidance fo…
18 Feb 2026 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has reportedly reduced the funding it provides to the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award programme for 2026-27.
14 Jan 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what cross-government action it is taking to support island connectivity in the West Scotland region.
12 Jan 2026 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of a postcode lottery for classroom supplies and that some schools have only 93p per child per week for basic classroom supplies.
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that Police Scotland has the capacity, training and resources to respond effectively to explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) incidents in Scotland, including improving coordination with UK military EOD units to reduce response times and bolster public safet…
Answer · Angela Constance: Officer training and the associated resources and capacity in how Police Scotland respond to incidents involving unexploded ordnance are operational policing decisions for the Chief Constable, under the scrutiny of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), as is h…
19 Dec 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what further action it is taking to address the problematic use of fireworks.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government continues to work with partners throughout the year in addressing the misuse of fireworks. I welcome that Police Scotland reported a more peaceful and safe Bonfire Night period in comparison to recent years and that they recorded an al…
19 Dec 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what further consideration it has given to a fireworks licensing scheme or restrictions on the days on which fireworks can be supplied and used.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: We have aimed to strike a balance between introducing restrictions, while still enabling fireworks to be used safely in appropriate circumstances. We have already implemented four out of the six key measures provided for within the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic A…
2 Dec 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date its targeted lung cancer screening programme will commence in 2027; where this will take place; how much will be allocated to it, and when nationwide coverage will be achieved.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The pilot committed to in the Population Health Framework (PHF) will represent the first phase of the roll out of a national programme. The Scottish Government has commissioned Screening Oversight and Assurance Scotland to plan and implement this. Due to the …
19 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the current average waiting time is to see a cardiologist; how many people there currently are in total on NHS waiting lists for cardiology appointments, and what the (a) headcount and (b) FTE number of cardiologists currently is within the NHS.
Answer · Neil Gray: The link below shows the number of ongoing waits for Cardiology for Inpatient/Daycase Admission and New Outpatient Appointments at 30 June 2025 (latest) latest published statistics – this can be found under the 'data files' heading.The first table is th…
9 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many dermatology service staff are employed by each NHS board.
Answer · Neil Gray: The information requested on how many dermatology service staff are employed by each NHS board is not held centrally.Information requested on how many dermatology consultants are employed by each NHS board can be found on the TURAS NHS Education for Scotland …
9 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many clinics offer dermatology services, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Neil Gray: The information requested on how many clinics offer dermatology services, broken down by NHS board is not held centrally.
9 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration is given to dermatology services in the development of NHS workforce planning.
Answer · Neil Gray: Whilst the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, operational matters including staffing to dermatology services are in the first instance the responsibility of the relevant NHS board.NHS Boards are required to undert…
9 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether staffing levels across NHS dermatology services are sufficient.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government is responsible for setting the strategic policy direction for NHS Scotland and its workforce. Operational matters, including the staffing of individual services, are the responsibility of each NHS Scotland Health Board.Workforce statis…
9 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase capacity across NHS dermatology services.
Answer · Neil Gray: In addition to the previously announced £106 million investment to address long waits for planned care, the Government has committed a further £4 million to deliver extra dermatology activity. This will help to increase capacity for dermatology se…
9 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time for dermatology services is, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Neil Gray: Public Health Scotland (PHS) routinely publish ongoing waits for all planned care specialities, including dermatology, detailing the median wait (days) and 90th percentile (days). This information is published via the Stage of Treatment Publication.Table 1. N…
9 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with local authorities regarding the implementation of its guidance on the safe evacuation of disabled people and the development of personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEP) in schools and other educational establishments.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government engages with Local Authorities on a wide range of education-related issues.In Scotland, the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 place a duty on an employer and other dutyholders who have control of safe…
26 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports deer management in (a) lowland and (b) semi-rural areas.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: Good deer management is about achieving balance, what that looks like in different local areas will vary depending on the immediate environment and the impact deer may be having. That is why we have introduced new purposes for deer management in our Natural E…
9 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of waiting times for individuals seeking elective surgery for hernias within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Answer · Neil Gray: We know many people are still waiting too long and this is not good enough. We are determined do more and our Budget will provide a record £21.7 billion for health and social care. More than £106 million additional funding has been allocated to He…
9 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed waiting times for hernia operations with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Answer · Neil Gray: Ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly meet with the leadership of all NHS Boards to provide support and scrutiny whilst reinforcing national priorities, including further action to reduce waiting times.In addition, the Scottish Government comm…
9 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the current average wait time is for individuals seeking elective surgery for hernias within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government does not hold this information.Public Health Scotland (PHS) uses the national waiting times data mart to collect electronic patient records covering the waits that patients experience waiting for treatment as an inpatient or day case u…
12 May 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it or its relevant agencies have the power to prescribe or restrict the type of vehicular traffic that can use a particular road.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Roads Authorities in Scotland, such as local authorities and Transport Scotland can, under existing legislation, restrict the type of vehicular traffic that can be used on roads within their remit.The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 allows for the making of …
12 May 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authorities have the power to prescribe or restrict the type of vehicular traffic that can use a particular road.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Roads Authorities in Scotland, such as local authorities and Transport Scotland can, under existing legislation, restrict the type of vehicular traffic that can be used on roads within their remit.The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 allows for the making of …
30 Apr 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on its own reported assessment that its target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 is at risk.
25 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any analysis on the cost per person to successfully transition an individual into employment through its Parental Employability Support Fund, and, if so, what that cost was.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government collects and publishes statistics related to the No One Left Behind strategic approach as a totality of all funding. Therefore, no breakdowns for Parental Employability Support, including a cost per person, are available.The most recen…
25 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is in place for education practitioners regarding how to support children and young people who have been bereaved of a parent.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government recognises the significant impact that bereavement can have on young people and is committed to ensuring that schools are equipped to provide appropriate support.We published a professional learning resource and a Whole School Approach…
25 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many individuals were supported into employment through its Young Person's Guarantee in each of the last three years, and what this figure was as a proportion of all individuals supported through the programme in each of those years.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Young Person’s Guarantee last and final update report was published in March 2023 and outlines the outcomes and opportunities provided by the funding from the Young Person’s Guarantee.A joint implementation evaluation of No one Left Behind and…
25 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed, or plans to review, the eligibility criteria for Funeral Support Payment.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: At launch we substantially widened eligibility for Funeral Support Payment in comparison to the UK Government’s funeral payment. We recognised the complex nature of family relationships and introduced flexibility, meaning that the applicant does not hav…