Rhoda Grant

8 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how the various changes in regulations and restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are being met by environmental health officers, including what additional training has been required.

8 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many environmental health officers from each local authority area have been seconded to NHS Test and Protect teams.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Currently there is one trainee environmental health officer who has been seconded to an NHS Test and Protect team. Local authorities are responsible for decisions around the secondment of their staff.

8 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the environmental health officers in each local authority are female, also broken down by the proportion of those recruited as a result of the additional resources it announced on 22 September 2020.

8 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) sickness and (b) absence level is for environmental health officers in each local authority area, and how this compares with each the last three years.

30 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the qualification criteria will be to apply for the Self-Isolation Support Grant.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Applications for the new Self Isolation Support Grant (SISG) opened on 12 October. The Self-Isolation Support Grant is a new grant of £500. It will be offered through the existing Scottish Welfare Fund, administered by local authorities in Scotland. In order…

30 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting victims of crime during the COVID-19 pandemic.

28 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions were agreed as a result of the meeting convened by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism on 14 September 2020 with public agencies to discuss issues associated with camping, pressure on rural communities and the local environment, particularly in relation to th…

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The group agreed to identify how public bodies, communities and national park and local authorities might work closer to identify long term solutions to visitor management at rural pinch points and scenic areas. The group agreed to consult with wider interes…

21 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will determine the membership of the working group to consider a standalone offence of misogynistic harassment.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The challenges of COVID-19 have meant that the Working Group’s remit and membership are yet to be finalised, however this remains a priority. The Scottish Government will provide further details later this month.

17 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-02387 by Michael Matheson on 15 September 2020 (Official Report, c.7), how much it has spent on repairs and other associated costs on the Rest and Be Thankful (a) in each of the last 10 calendar years and (b) since January 2020, broken down by (i) a…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The following table contains the amount spent on the A83 Rest and Be Thankful by calendar year from 2013-14 to date. A legal agreement with the land owner at Glen Croe is in place for use of the Old Military Road. As this is a private legal agreement, the de…

31 Aug 2020 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Scottish Welfare Fund is reportedly being underutilised.

26 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has determined a date for the safe reopening of indoor trampoline parks.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The First Minister outlined in her statement on 20 August that from Monday 31 August indoor sport and leisure facilities can reopen with physical distancing and enhanced hygiene measures in place. The Scottish Government have produced new guidance for the op…

12 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the work and remit of its Population Taskforce will be expanded due to the changing nature of work in the wake of COVID-19.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The full remit of the Ministerial Population Taskforce can be found within its terms of reference . The impact of COVID-19 will be an important element in the future work of the Population Taskforce.

12 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when its Population Taskforce last met, and whether it will provide an update on (a) that meeting and (b) progress made by the group since the beginning of 2020.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Ministerial Population Taskforce last met on 23 January 2020. The minutes from this meeting will be published following the next meeting, scheduled for September. The meeting focused on education, planning and health together with the development of a Nat…

12 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its Population Taskforce is now gathering additional information about (a) the potential to increase homeworking and (b) marketing the Highlands and Islands as a destination to live, work and study following the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to remote working.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government understands that since the outbreak of COVID-19, many businesses and organisations have put a lot of time and effort into supporting their staff to work remotely. This has seen some positive outcomes with some stating that they have ha…

7 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Network Rail, (b) ScotRail and (c) Highland Council regarding flooding on the Highland Mainline at Gynack Burn at the north end of Kingussie station.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-31110 on 28 August 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness…

7 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Highland Council and (b) rail partners regarding dredging at the Gynack Burn near Kingussie station for the purpose of flood prevention.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-31110 on 28 August 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness…

7 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking in partnership with (a) Highland Council and (b) rail network operators in response to flooding on the Highland Mainline near Kingussie station; how many such flooding incidents it is aware of in the last five years, and when did they occur.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland meets regularly with the Office of Rail and Road and Network Rail to review the performance and resilience of the rail network in Scotland, including the Highland Mainline. The Office of Road and Rail is responsible for monitoring the safet…

22 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that every care home has an internal area where friends and relatives can safely meet residents when garden-based visits become impracticable at the end of the summer.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to my answer to question S5W-30892 on 26 August 2020. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…

22 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements will be put in place to allow friends and relatives of care home residents to be tested for COVID-19, using the same procedures as staff so that they can be allowed to visit.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: On 8 August, the Scottish Government updated its plan and guidance outlining a staged approach to the safe introduction of visiting in care homes during the COVID-19 outbreak. The guidance sets out a 4 stage pathway that care homes can progress through; with …

22 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in the light of reports that a member of staff at a care home in the Highlands re-tested as positive for COVID-19, what plans it has to review whether non-essential visits by friends and relatives should not take place until 28 days after the last case of COVID-19 in each home was dealt…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government recognises how hard it has been for care home residents and their families not to have regular face to face contact during the pandemic. On 8 August, we announced a move to stage 3 of the visiting pathway from 10 August. Stage 3 allow…

16 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make the arrangements to provide PPE to care homes and other care providers through National Services Scotland permanent.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: PPE from the national stock is currently being supplied free of charge to all social care providers as a ‘top up’ service through two routes. These are PPE Hubs in Health and Social Care Partnership areas and a triage helpline to provide supplies in emergency…

16 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking for a permanent provision to allow those who stop working in social care to register for free if they are willing to return in an emergency.

Answer · Maree Todd: Through emergency legislation, we have taken action to address the payment of registration fees for social care workers during this COVID-19 outbreak by extending the period of time a new or returning worker is required to pay their fees, from 6 months to 12 …

16 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources it has given to the Care Inspectorate, and when it will be able to restart inspections.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Care Inspectorate Scottish Government grant in aid allocation for 2020-21 amounts to £23.742m. We have agreed a settlement for additional funding of £1.1m in 2020-21 to meet budget pressures relating to regrading of inspectors and a team manager review. A…

16 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has established a national rapid reaction group for care homes; if so, who is on the group; who chairs it; who it reports to, and what decisions it has made to date.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: 1. PURPOSE: The remit of the Care Home Rapid Action Group (CHRAG) is to bring together representatives from across the care home system to monitor data on developments in the sector, enabling a swift reaction to any developing issues. Specific objectives of…

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what advice and guidance regarding ensuring that workplaces are clear from Legionnaires' disease it is providing to businesses that are re-opening following the lockdown.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30330 on 28 July 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/2…

1 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it uses (a) the Best Start Grant, (b) the School Clothing Grant, (c) Child Payment and (d) other mechanisms to boost the incomes of families living in poverty.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Entitlement to financial support such as the Best Start Grant and School Clothing Grant provide a vital contribution to households with eligible children. We are also prioritising the delivery of the Scottish Child Payment for children under 6. Our aim is to …

1 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage local authorities to support families who require free school meals by providing cash payments rather than arrangements such as vouchers or meals.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has provided an additional £12.6 million in funding to continue the provision of food to families eligible for free school meals during the course of the school summer holidays. We recognise that direct cash payments will work well fo…

24 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how uncertainty regarding the future of Wick John O'Groats Airport could impact on the Caithness and Sutherland area.

24 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale would be for introducing a public service obligation for services between Wick John O'Groats and (a) Aberdeen and (b) Edinburgh Airport.

24 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions, (b) consultations, (c) correspondence and (d) meetings it has had with stakeholders in the Caithness and Sutherland area regarding the nature of the services using Wick John O'Groats Airport.