Paul O'Kane

15 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support LGBT+ Pride, including what financial support it is providing for (a) Pride organising groups and (b) LGBT+ charities, in light of the large-scale public events that have been cancelled over Pride month in each of the last two years because of the COVI…

Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government recognises the severe impact that COVID-19 restrictions have on the events sector and on the ability of groups, including Pride organising groups, to organise large-scale gatherings and marches. The measures within the Strategic Frame…

15 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ban the practice of so-called LGBT+ conversion therapy.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government does not support the practice of conversion therapy in the UK. We are clear that this is an abhorrent practice with no place in modern society. We strongly support the UK Government’s commitment to ban conversion therapy, and are awai…

15 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will bring forward proposals to amend the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

Answer · Shona Robison: We remain committed to reforming the Gender Recognition Act 2004. We will announce our legislative programme to Parliament in September as part of the Programme for Government.

7 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the COVID-19 infection rate for people with (a) asthma, (b) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), (c) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), (d) bronchiectasis and (e) obstructive sleep apnoea has been in each month since March 2020.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: This information is not held by the Scottish Government. Information on positive COVID-19 cases is published daily by Public Health Scotland, however, this is not currently broken down by pre-existing health condition.

7 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people with (a) asthma, (b) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), (c) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), (d) bronchiectasis and (e) obstructive sleep apnoea have been diagnosed with long COVID in each month since March 2020.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: This information is not held by the Scottish Government. Information on the prevalence of ongoing symptoms following coronavirus (COVID-19) infection is collected and reported by the Office for National Statistics, but is not broken down for these specific co…

7 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the COVID-19 vaccination rate for people with (a) asthma, (b) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), (c) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), (d) bronchiectasis and (e) obstructive sleep apnoea has been in each month since March 2020.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Data on vaccination is compiled and forwarded to the Scottish Government by Public Health Scotland. We do not hold data on vaccination rate for specific illnesses of conditions, but on how many people in a specific cohort have been vaccinated. Latest vaccin…

7 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the death rate from COVID-19 for people with (a) asthma, (b) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), (c) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), (d) bronchiectasis and (e) obstructive sleep apnoea has been in each month since March 2020.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: This information is not held by the Scottish Government. COVID-19 death data is published by National Records of Scotland, but is not currently available for these pre-existing health conditions.  

14 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether funding that it would have previously spent on programmes for EU students will remain in the university sector from 2021-22.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The funding previously associated with providing home fee funded places for EU and associated students will remain in the college and university sectors for the next academic year 2021-22.

14 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made for universities places for 2021-22, and what action is being taken to support universities in coping with any variations in demand.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Following exam changes in 2020, the Scottish Government asked the Scottish Funding Council to fund additional places in Scotland’s universities in AY 2020-21. These places will continue to be funded in AY 2021-22 along with further additional places for affec…

14 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on entry requirements for universities.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: University entry requirements vary among universities and between subject, and also vary over time as demand for particular subjects and courses increases or decreases. As autonomous bodies universities are responsible for their own policies and procedures, i…