Sharon Dowey

23 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it has considered, ahead of the implementation update for short-term let licensing, the recommendation proposed by the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers to decouple planning from short-term let licensing legislation, in light of the reported difficulties faced by bus…

Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government is aware of the proposals put forward by the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers and will issue a response to it in due course.

23 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been undertaken of the potential impact of short-term let regulations on the Scottish tourism sector and visitor economy, including on (a) visitor attractions, (b) activity providers, (c) service providers and (d) hospitality venues, and, if it is the case that no such …

Answer · Paul McLennan: We have published a Business Regulatory Impact Assessment, which is available on the Scottish Government website at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/short-term-lets-business-regulatory-impact-assessment/ I also refer the member to the answer to question …

21 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to support NHS Ayrshire and Arran to meet the four-hour A&E waiting time target, in light of reported evidence that it has not met this target since July 2020.

Answer · Neil Gray: Like other NHS Boards and across the UK, NHS Ayrshire and Arran continue to experience challenges in their A&E performance primarily due to capacity shortages. Officials meet regularly with NHS Ayrshire and Arran to ensure progress against their delivery plan…

20 Feb 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting culture outside of the Central Belt.

14 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the report of the independent review of the skills delivery landscape, which stated that success would be where “every individual in Scotland has equitable access to the learning opportunities required to reach a positive destination in their working life”, what steps it is …

Answer · Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-25489 on 9 March 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-committees…

14 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it holds any data on how many former prisoners who were held in custody as transgender men have de-transitioned since being released from prison.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The information requested regarding former prisoners who were held in custody as transgender men and have de-transitioned since being released from prison is not collected or held centrally.

14 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it holds any data on how many former prisoners who were held in custody as transgender women have de-transitioned since being released from prison.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The information requested regarding former prisoners who were held in custody as transgender women and have de-transitioned since being released from prison is not collected or held centrally.

14 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any prisons in the female estate of the Scottish Prison Service where a transgender woman will not be held in custody, irrespective of the individual circumstances of that prisoner.

Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: By adopting a person-centred approach, SPS aims to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone in our care. The placing of t…

14 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any prisons in the male estate of the Scottish Prison Service where a transgender man will not be held in custody, irrespective of the individual circumstances of that prisoner.

Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-25567 on 15 March 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available …

14 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners who are currently being held in custody have a Gender Recognition Certificate, broken down by prison.

Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: As defined in the Gender Recognition Act 2004, SPS cannot legally ask an individual to declare a Gender Recognition Certificate, howev…

12 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what data it holds on how many patients have been referred for a CT or MRI head imaging as a result of GP direct access to diagnostic services.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government does not hold data on how many patients have been referred for CT or MRI head imaging as a result of GP direct access to diagnostic services.

12 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what data it holds on how many patients have been diagnosed with a brain tumour through Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDSs) are a fast-track diagnostic pathway for patients who present with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer – brain cancers don’t tend to present in this way. …

24 Jan 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve recruitment and retention of GPs and consultants, particularly in rural areas.

17 Jan 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the lives of disabled people.

9 Jan 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the finance secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the potential impact of the reduction in the funding allocation for Scottish universities in its proposed Budget on graduate skills development and employability. 

22 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to reduce any inequalities in pregnancy loss and baby deaths of Black and Asian babies in Scotland.

Answer · Jenni Minto: We are dedicated to tackling inequalities in maternity experience and outcomes. That is why we asked NHS Boards to prioritise the roll-out of continuity of carer in maternity care, that underpins The Best Start programme leading to improved outcomes, for wome…

20 Dec 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what feedback it has received from arts and culture stakeholders following its announcement of the Scottish Budget 2024-25.

7 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide information on any (a) ongoing and (b) planned initiatives aimed at balancing the expansion of wind energy infrastructure with the protection of existing wind farms from the adverse effects of wind turbine shadows.

Answer · Neil Gray: The selection of a site and the configuration of wind turbines is a matter for the wind farm developer. This process involves comprehensive analysis to ensure the most suitable placement and design for wind turbines. Developers may have to balance the benefit…

7 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what data it is collecting to understand the extent of wind turbine shadow effects and their impact on the overall efficiency of wind farms.

Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23719 on 20 December 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-commit…

7 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it currently assesses the potential impact of new wind farm applications on existing wind farms, particularly in relation to the phenomenon known as wind theft or wind shadow.

Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23719 on 20 December 2023. 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-commit…

7 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that proposed wind farm developments take into consideration the cumulative impact on wind energy generation in a given area, particularly in relation to any shadowing effects on existing turbines.

Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23719 on 20 December 2023. 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-commit…

5 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to reduce waiting times for MRI scans in Ayrshire.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Since 2021, the Scottish Government have provided three permanent CT scanners to support core capacity within Boards, including a mobile CT pod currently stationed in NHS Lothian, which is deployed flexibly to support Boards that require additional capacity. …

20 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it is monitoring and analysing data on any increase in antisocial behaviour in (a) general and (b) relation to the implementation of the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government uses official statistics to monitor trends on reported incidents and people’s own experiences or perceptions of antisocial behaviour. These include the quarterly Recorded Crime in Scotland bulletin; Scottish Crime and Justice Survey an…

20 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to address any misuse of cards issued through the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme by young people committing acts of antisocial behaviour in communities.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Antisocial behaviour is unacceptable on Scotland's public transport and in wider society. Tackling anti-social behaviour must focus on the causes, not the mode of transport. While the Young Persons Free Bus Travel Scheme changes the way in which bus travel is…

20 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place to revoke or suspend cards issued through the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme in cases where young people have been found to be using them while committing acts of antisocial behaviour.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Free bus travel is one of several services provided through the National Entitlement Card. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for transport operators to remove cards from cardholders due to the impact this may have on access to other services, such as fre…

20 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what data it has on any incidents of (a) damage to vehicles, (b) abuse of bus drivers and (c) other antisocial behaviour by young people while using a card issued through the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is aware that there have been reports of incidents of anti-social behaviour on buses over recent months and we are aware of concerns relating to anti-social behaviour in other public places. We do not hold data on individual incidents …

16 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its policy of "working closely with the football authorities and clubs…to address unacceptable conduct by spectators", what its position is on whether the booing that was heard during the minute's silence at the Celtic v Aberdeen match held on 12 November 2023 was "unaccepta…

Answer · Siobhian Brown: We routinely speak to the Scottish footballing authorities on wide a range of topics, including the behaviour of fans. It should be noted that the majority of supporters across the country go to football to support their team in a safe and responsible manner …

15 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure that environmental horticulture is utilised as a policy solution in relation to climate change, the economy, health, and the planning system, as outlined in the Horticultural Trades Association's Scottish Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government recognises the horticultural sector’s important contribution to the Scottish population’s mental and physical health, and the environment through provision of plants and trees for public landscaping and domestic gardening. In addition,…

15 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what grant support is available for horticultural growers that are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to implement water retention innovations, such as reservoirs and water tanks, to encourage recycling rather than mains water use.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government provides funding through the Fruit & Vegetable Aid Scheme which promotes innovation and collaboration with a focus on environmentally sound cultivation practice and production techniques. Measures aimed at reducing the environmental im…

15 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support will be provided for tree and plant growers to trial and develop new peat-free growing media mixes.

Answer · Gillian Martin: We have consulted on ending the sale of peat in Scotland as per the commitment made in our 2021-22 Programme for Government. We received over 550 responses to the consultation, which are providing valuable insights as to the transitional needs of growers. We …