Paul O'Kane

2 Mar 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it will fulfil its commitment to abolish non-residential social care charges.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government remains committed to the removal of non-residential social care support charges within the lifetime of the current Parliament, so that services are based on a person’s need and not their ability to pay.

28 Feb 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its target to recruit 800 additional GPs by the end of 2027.

30 Jan 2023 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported announcement that Unite the Union has withdrawn from the co-design process of the National Care Service.

19 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend the Network Support Grant scheme for the bus network beyond March 2023 in (a) general and (b) order to ensure there is sufficient support for the number 52 bus route in Barrhead.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: There are currently no plans for the Network Support Grant to end in March 2023. The Network Support Grant replaced both BSOG and emergency COVID support grants from 1 April 2022. The Network Support Grant Plus was always a temporary fund, designed to furthe…

19 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent communication it has had with McGill's Buses regarding the number 52 bus route in Barrhead.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Transport Scotland officials recently contacted McGill's Buses to understand the reasons behind the application to withdraw the 52 service made to the Traffic Commissioner. McGill's Buses have advised that a decision on the 52 service has been delayed to allo…

19 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its analysis of the impact of the Network Support Grant scheme on the bus network across Scotland.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The purpose of the Network Support Grant is to help to keep both commercial and subsidised services more extensive and fares more affordable than they would otherwise have been. The Network Support Grant continues to provide the same support that the Bus Serv…

19 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) regarding the proposal to withdraw the Network Support Grant scheme at the end of March 2023.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: There are currently no plans to withdraw the Network Support Grant scheme and as such, no discussions on this topic have been held with SPT. The Network Support Grant Plus scheme is a temporary scheme which is coming to an end on 31 March 2023. The Scottish …

18 Jan 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with East Renfrewshire Council.

20 Dec 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting children and young people's theatre.

22 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to people with coeliac disease to assist with the purchase of essential gluten-free food products.

Answer · Maree Todd: There is no specific financial support to assist with the purchase of gluten-free food products. However, people who have been clinically diagnosed with coeliac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis can receive a range of gluten-free food on prescription at no …

22 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make additional resources available to support the NHS Gluten-free Food Service.

Answer · Maree Todd: Appropriate resources are in place to support the Gluten-free Food Service which has been delivered by community pharmacies since 2014. There are no plans to change this service which provides patients with a range of staple gluten-free food products without …

21 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the £10 million of funding for Changing Places toilets that it announced will be released.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government will invest in Changing Places Toilets over this parliamentary term, in order to increase the number of these facilities across the country and to support mobile Changing Places Toilets to allow people easier access to events and outdo…

21 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to review the current planning procedures for funding allocated for the construction of Changing Places toilets.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government introduced Scottish Building Regulations in 2019 requiring the provision of Changing Places Toilets in larger new buildings to which the public have access. These provisions are detailed in the Building standards technical handbook 20…

21 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it works with people with lived experience to co-design its current policy regarding Changing Places toilets.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: We are committed to working with people with lived experience as we progress our first phase of work to design an investment programme that ensures that the Changing Places Toilets which are built are fit for purpose. We work closely with PAMIS (Promoting A M…

21 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated for the construction of new Changing Places toilets in the current parliamentary session.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is committed to investing in Changing Places Toilets over this parliamentary term, in order to increase the number of these facilities across the country and to support mobile Changing Places Toilets to allow people easier access to ev…

17 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will be represented by any (a) Scottish Ministers, (b) elected politicians and (c) officials at the World Cup in Qatar.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government will not be represented at the World Cup in Qatar .

15 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether low-income families that are comprised of children in (a) kinship care and (b) foster care are eligible for the new Scottish Child Payment.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: Scottish Child Payment offers financial support to families with children, and is paid as a top-up of certain qualifying reserved benefits, such as Universal Credit. Applicants must also demonstrate child responsibility to meet the qualifying criteria in full…

15 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to ensure that there is a sufficient number of teachers at Dargavel Primary School, in Bishopton.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Local councils are responsible for the recruitment and deployment of their staff. This includes providing a complement of teachers which best meets the needs of each of their schools and its pupils within the resources available. During the pandemic, the Sco…

15 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how Education Scotland plans to review Dargavel Primary School, in Bishopton, to monitor any impact of the reported miscalculation in the school roll on pupils’ learning experiences and attainment levels.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In Scotland the provision of education is the responsibility of local authorities who have a duty under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to provide adequate and efficient school education. Under the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 the local aut…

15 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Leader of Renfrewshire Council to address the reported issues surrounding the school roll at Dargavel Primary School, in Bishopton.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We are taking the capacity issues at Dargavel Primary School very seriously, and we continue to be in close contact with Renfrewshire Council. On 30 November, I met with Dargavel Primary Parent Council, Neil Bibby MSP and Natalie Don MSP, and had a construct…

15 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding support it plans to make available to Renfrewshire Council to ensure that Dargavel Primary School, in Bishopton, can accommodate the reported larger than estimated school roll.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We are taking the capacity issues at Dargavel Primary School very seriously. We are aware that Renfrewshire Council is currently working on a long-term solution for the school, and has committed to engaging with parents and carers on proposals. My officials …

15 Nov 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the reduction in funding for Covid Recovery will be as part of the Emergency Budget Review.

9 Nov 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns raised by the Chief Constable and SPA Chair regarding the impact of the resource spending review on service delivery in Police Scotland.

7 Nov 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what urgent steps are being taken to ensure safe staffing across the NHS, in light of recent reports of staff shortages potentially contributing to patient deaths.

12 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a free rail travel scheme for people aged 22 and under.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The National Concessionary Bus Travel Scheme for Young People currently covers bus travel only. At this time, there are no plans to extend this to rail. On public transport fares more broadly, the Scottish Government is progressing its Fair Fares Review to d…

7 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to remove time-related restrictions on the use of the Young Scot National Entitlement Card scheme for rail travel.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is progressing its Fair Fares Review to ensure a sustainable and integrated approach to public transport fares as we recover from the pandemic. The Fair Fares Review is considering both the availability of services and the range of dis…

3 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to run a public awareness campaign in Scotland on the changes made to the Highway Code in January 2022.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Highway Code changes which came into effect at the start of the year were supported by a nationwide multi-media campaign in February 2022. Amendments to The Highway Code are reserved to the UK Government, and DfT is responsible for marketing these changes…

3 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has spent on raising awareness in Scotland of the changes to the Highway Code, which were introduced in January 2022.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Highway Code changes which came into effect at the start of the year were supported by a nationwide multi-media campaign in February 2022. Amendments to The Highway Code are reserved to the UK Government, and DfT is responsible for marketing these changes…

28 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available for third sector organisations to provide footcare services for vulnerable and older people.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has not provided direct funding to third sector organisations to provide footcare services for vulnerable and older people. Funding is provided to third sector organisations, including those that support vulnerable and older people, f…

28 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to provide free toenail trimming services for people aged 75 years and older.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to answer to question S6W-06660 on 4 March 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/w…