Parliamentary questions
Irene McGugan
716 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
11 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in the light of the on-going review of the national lottery to ensure that the distribution of lottery money in Scotland meets Scottish needs and priorities.
Answer · Elaine Murray: The consultation paper on lottery distribution policy, "Review of Lottery Funding", was published jointly by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly on 29…
10 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses owned by Dundee City Council had no central heating in each year since 1999.
Answer · Des McNulty: No such estimate has been made centrally. The answer given to question S1W-34573 today, sets out the number of council dwellings in which central heating has been installed under the Central Heating Instalation Programme in 2001-02 and 2002-03. All answers to…
10 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses in Dundee are now centrally heated as a result of its central heating installation programme.
Answer · Des McNulty: Since the Central Heating Installation Programme for owner-occupiers and private renters began, in September 2000, Eaga have installed central heating in 892 dwellings in the DD postcode area. Dundee Council have installed central heating in 1,251 dwellings s…
4 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of any existing funding, or of the #600,000 recently announced by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, for improved opportunities to participate in sports for children and young people with special needs will be allocated to local authority and independent speciali…
Answer · Mike Watson: None. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-34419 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…
4 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the #600,000 recently announced by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport for improved opportunities to participate in sports for children and young people with special needs will be allocated.
Answer · Mike Watson: The £600,000 will be paid into the Scottish Physical Recreation Fund and managed by it specifically for Scottish Disability Sport (SDS). This will enable SDS to provide the specialist support needed to ensure that children and young people with special needs …
14 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake a review of the role and value of children's homes in order to ensure that the most effective action is being taken to deliver a high quality service that best meets the needs of looked after children in residential care, in the light of the findings of the arti…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: We have no plans to carry out such a review. Residential care plays an important part in the range of care options available for looked after children. It can be the most appropriate placement for some young people. Residential units are being inspected by th…
14 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken and what additional resources are being provided to improve access to qualifications, training and support for residential childcare staff, in the light of the findings of the article by G Heron and M Chakrabarti, "Examining the perceptions and attitudes of sta…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive, in partnership with employers, has made a significant investment in the training of the residential child care workforce. In 2001 the Executive established the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care to ensure residential child c…
7 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33444 by Mike Watson on 5 February 2003, which specific policies and practice give due regard to the objectives and principles in Part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in respect of the Scots language.
Answer · Mike Watson: The Scottish Executive considers the Scots language to be an important part of Scotland's distinctive linguistic and cultural heritage. The implementation of many of the objectives and principles in Part II of the European Charter for Regional and Minority La…
30 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-30388 by Hugh Henry on 22 October 2002, why the information on Eaga Partnership Scotland's website on central heating, insulation and survey waiting times is shown on maps of England and Wales only.
Answer · Des McNulty: We have asked Eaga to add the information to their website as soon as possible.
30 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average length of time has been between receipt of an application and completion of installation under its central heating installation programme in Dundee.
Answer · Des McNulty: Eaga say that the average waiting time is currently nine months.
27 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take with Her Majesty's Government to comply with Part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in respect of the Scots language.
Answer · Mike Watson: By signing the Charter, the UK Government recognises the distinctive nature and cultural value of the Scots language. The Executive has made good progress in complying with the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages in respect of Scots and the E…
22 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the membership is of the advisory group set up to provide advice to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport on plans to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns; what stage the celebration preparations have reached, and how much money will be allocated to celebr…
Answer · Mike Watson: The membership of the advisory group includes the Lord Provost of Edinburgh (Chair); Professor Michael Lynch, University of Edinburgh; Andrew Mathieson, Scottish Tourism Forum; Peter Irvine, Unique Events; Graeme Munro, Historic Scotland; Alison Lindsay, Nati…
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will produce a document, similar to the National Practice Guide to Investigations and Allegations of Abuse against Carers produced in Wales, to ensure a common standard for all agencies, as recommended in point 4 of the long-term actions section of the report by the Fostering …
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-33306 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/searc…
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission research into the advantages of the different reward and fee structures for carers and produce information for agencies to use when considering different reward typologies, as recommended in point 3 of the long-term actions section of the report by the Fosterin…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-33306 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/searc…
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission research into the aetiology of abuse in foster care settings, as recommended in point 2 of the long-term actions section of the report by the Fostering Network, Modernising the Foster Care Service in Scotland: "Trying to Meet the Standards".
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-33306 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/searc…
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the discussions on the registration of foster carers in the longer term remains on the agenda of the Social Services Council, as recommended in point 1 of the long-term actions section of the report by the Fostering Network, Modernising the Foster Care Service…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001, foster carers could be registered by the council as a social service worker. There are no plans or timescale set to register this group of workers but the Scottish Executive will keep this matter under review.
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a short-life working party to examine the training requirements of the foster care service and consider the establishment of a centre of excellence, as recommended in the medium-term section of the report by the Fostering Network, Modernising the Foster Care Ser…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-33306 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/searc…
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the call for home responsibilities protection to be extended to foster carers and make representations to Her Majesty's Government accordingly, as recommended in point 6 of the short-term actions section of the report by the Fostering Network, Modernising the Fost…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive has no functions in relation to home responsibilities protection, which is a reserved matter.
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the code of practice on the recruitment, assessment, approval, training, management and support of foster carers, as recommended in point 5 of the short-term actions section of the report by the Fostering Network, Modernising the Foster Care Service in Scotland: "…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The recruitment, selection, approval, training and support of foster carers is covered by the National Care Standards for foster care and family placement services and will be regulated by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care.
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will promote a national approach to the assessment, approval, support and reward for friends and family carers, as recommended in point 4 of the short-term actions section of the report by the Fostering Network, Modernising the Foster Care Service in Scotland: "Trying to Meet …
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-33306 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/searc…
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a short-term working party or project to look at the needs of the biological children of foster carers and establish a best practice document on this matter, as recommended in point 3 of the short-term actions section of the report by the Fostering Network, Mode…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-33306 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/searc…
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will generate a review of payment structures across Scotland in order to clarify the situation in respect of allowances to foster carers and, dependent upon the needs of this review, ensure that such allowances are sufficient to meet the needs of foster children, as recommende…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Fostering of Children (Scotland) Regulations 1996 and the accompanying guidance make clear that it is for local authorities to decide their own types and scales of payments to foster carers, depending on local child care needs and circumstances. We have n…
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission a short-life national training programme to ensure that carers are aware of the component parts of the education system and are able to support the children in their care, as recommended in point 1 of the short-term actions section of the report by the Fosterin…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: We are considering this report from the Fostering Network and how best to take forward the proposals they have made to improve the fostering system in Scotland. We will be examining those concerning the legal framework for fostering during the second phase of…
17 Jan 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer what arrangements are being made to facilitate new members in taking the Oath of Allegiance in Scots following the elections to the Scottish Parliament in May.
Answer · David Steel: The oath of allegiance or solemn affirmation must be taken in English under the terms of the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 and the Oaths Act 1978. However, under Rule 1.2 of Standing Orders, after taking the oath or affirmation, a member may repeat it in a langua…
16 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-27533 by Lewis Macdonald on 8 August 2002, in what year the Assignation Statement related to the Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh Trunk Road (A87) Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Toll Order 1992 in respect of the Skye Bridge was published; by whom it was…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Assignation Statement was made available for public inspection along with a draft of the Toll Order in October 1991, as required under Paragraph 14A(3) of Schedule 1 to the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. The statement was made by the then Secretary of State f…
16 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage the provision of broadband in the north-east of Scotland.
Answer · Iain Gray: Plans are being finalised to implement a step-change in broadband population coverage in Scotland, as well as to stimulate demand for services. In addition, we are already supporting trials of alternative technologies, such as powerline carrier and fixed wire…
23 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in the light of the publication of the concluding observations on Her Majesty's Government's second report produced by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and what plans it has to seek a debate in the Parliament on this issue.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Executive is fully committed to the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and has taken note of the concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. There are no current plans for a debate specifically on this i…
23 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken as a result of the publication of the concluding observations on Her Majesty's Government's second report produced by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, and in particular, to ensure that there is an immediate public information campaign on positive, no…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32859 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/sear…
23 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the issue of corporal punishment following the publication of the concluding observations on Her Majesty's Government's second report produced by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Executive has taken note of the concluding observations of the UN Committee. In the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill it is already seeking to clarify and tighten the law on physical punishment. Alongside this legislative approach, we also wish Scottish pa…
23 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what responsibilities it has to take forward the United Nations recommendations following the publication of the concluding observations on Her Majesty's Government's second report produced by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Executive is fully committed to the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and has taken note of the concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Many of these relate to devolved matters and will be taken int…