Lewis Macdonald

21 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to ensure that more acute optometry conditions are dealt with in the community rather than at outpatient departments, as is the case in the NHS Grampian region.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) legislation was amended from 1 October 2018, formally establishing community optometry as the first port of call for eye problems in Scotland. Supported by continued Scottish Government investment in GOS, prior to the COVID-1…

21 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to change the NHS National Services Scotland procurement process as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The procurement process carried out by NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) has not changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Board has continued to evidence due diligence within its procurement procedures. The Scottish Government does not intend …

21 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what changes will be made in the delivery of occupational therapy appointments and clinics as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Occupational therapists provide an important service in supporting people to regain and maintain healthy independent lives. During the initial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, Occupational Therapists were providing essential only care. The Scottish Government…

21 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what infection prevention policies will be in place in special schools when they resume in August 2020.

Answer · John Swinney: The Covid-19 Education Recovery Group, which brings together councils, teachers’ representatives, parent bodies and trades unions, continue to meet to discuss the next steps as we plan for the safe re-opening of schools and on the 30th of July we published de…

21 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding and support will be made available to help clear occupational therapy clinic backlogs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including for the provision of assistive technology.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government is currently developing a framework on recovery and rehabilitation from Covid-19 aligned to Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design: the framework for NHS Scotland which was published in May 2020. In line with our route map, we are looking for…

17 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of TUI’s reported proposals to withdraw from Aberdeen and the impact that this could have on Aberdeen International Airport and the Aberdeen city region economy, when it anticipates coming to a view on quarantine regulations and travel from Spain.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30843 on 21 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…

17 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with TUI regarding reported proposals by the company to withdraw services from Aberdeen.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the aviation sector globally as demand for travel has collapsed. This has meant that airlines have cancelled, suspended, or reduced capacity on routes to reflect that current lack of demand and mitigate op…

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many supply chain jobs will be created by the ScotWind Leasing programme.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government aims to publish the final Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy later this year. It will provide the spatial framework for developments coming forward under Crown Estate Scotland’s ScotWind leasing programme. A Social and Econo…

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-27777 by Roseanna Cunningham on 12 March 2020, what recent discussions it has had with Crown Estate Scotland regarding the employment opportunities arising from the ScotWind Leasing programme for workers across the offshore wind supply chain.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Crown Estate Scotland has engaged extensively with the Scottish Government over recent months on how the ScotWind leasing round can support the development of the offshore wind supply chain.

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-27776 by Roseanna Cunningham on 12 March 2020, for what reasons supply chain development statements are not included in Crown Estate Scotland’s scoring process for applications under the ScotWind Leasing programme.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Such a step would be in contravention of conditions for Scotwind leasing which is designed to be compliant with State aid, procurement and competition regulations.

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which companies have registered to participate in the ScotWind Leasing programme.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Companies are required to register their interest in ScotWind leasing by 5 August 2020. https://www.crownestatescotland.com/maps-and-publications/download/476 . Crown Estate Scotland will publish information on Scotwind leasing awards once agreements are in…

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether applicants to the ScotWind Leasing programme must include geophysical survey work as part of the supply chain development statements that are to be submitted to Crown Estate Scotland.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Supply Chain Development Statement process is not prescriptive as to the detailed scope of the work however, geophysical surveys are typically carried out during the development stage of the application process.

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the trade unions that represent seafarers in Scotland regarding the supply chain development statements that are to be submitted to Crown Estate Scotland as part of the ScotWind Leasing programme.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Comments on the supply chain development statement process from all stakeholders, including trade unions who represent seafarers is encouraged by 29 July 2020 https://www.crownestatescotland.com/maps-and-publications/download/478 .

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date Marine Scotland will publish the sectoral marine plan for offshore wind.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: We were delighted to receive over 400 responses to our consultation on the draft Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore wind energy earlier this year. The consultation analysis report was published on 22 July, marking another important milestone towards delivery o…

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-27776 by Roseanna Cunningham on 12 March 2020, whether Crown Estate Scotland will be required to publish the supply chain development statements of successful applicants to the ScotWind Leasing programme.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Crown Estate Scotland has committed to sharing final supply chain development statements with the Scottish Government and enterprise agencies, in addition key information on the supply chain development statements will be published.

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether applicants to the ScotWind Leasing programme must commit to paying the real living wage as part of the supply chain development statements that are to be submitted to Crown Estate Scotland.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: European Union state aid rules, which are still applicable, do not permit public bodies to make the award of a public contract conditional on the contractor paying staff the living wage. So although Crown Estate Scotland fully supports and encourages the livi…

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that trade unions are consulted regarding the supply chain development statements that are to be submitted to Crown Estate Scotland as part of the ScotWind Leasing programme.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Ministers see trade unions as a partner in the process to maximise an indigenous supply chain for Scotland to support growth of this sector. Crown Estate Scotland has requested feedback from all stakeholders on the proposed supply chain development s…

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to facilitate investment in the (a) growth and (b) capability of the offshore wind supply chain market.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30619 on 8 October 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…

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current capability is of the offshore wind supply chain market to meet the demand that will be created by the ScotWind Leasing programme.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Scotland is an ideal location for offshore wind, with 462,000 km 2 of Exclusive Economic Zone, a strong track record in delivering complex infrastructure in an often hostile offshore environment, excellent academic base and having been the location for test a…

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date breakfast and after-school clubs will be allowed to resume operating; what guidance it is producing regarding this, and when this will be published.

Answer · Maree Todd: All regulated childcare settings, including school age childcare services have been able to reopen from 15 July, subject to public health guidance. On 3 July the Scottish Government published non-statutory guidance for school-age childcare providers to suppor…

8 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when complementary therapists, including shiatsu massage practitioners, will be allowed to start receiving clients, and what COVID-19 precautions they will need to take before being allowed to reopen.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Following a clinical assessment, personal retail services, including Complementary and Alternative Medicine services (CAMs) and massage therapy, were advised that they could resume services as of 22 July 2020, where the service is carried out in a therapist’s…

7 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish a COVID-19 recovery service within the NHS for people with long-term health effects caused by the virus.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: We are working on the development of a Recovery and Rehabilitation Framework, which will align with Scotland’s Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design: The Framework for NHS Scotland’. It broadens the traditional understanding of “rehabilitation” to encompass a wider…

6 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister’s commitment that “there will be a public inquiry into this whole crisis and every aspect of the crisis”, (Official Report, 27 May 2020 c.6), when it expects the terms of reference for such a public inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 crisis to be set…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The First Minister has spoken on many occasions of her pride in all those across the public sector and beyond who have been working day and night to respond to the challenges of this unprecedented public health emergency. Nevertheless, given the scale of the…

5 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what provisions it will put in place to enable access to online learning for children and young people in rural areas of the North East Scotland region that do not have reliable broadband connections.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has committed to investing £25m to combat digital exclusion amongst children and young people. Funding offers have now been made to every Scottish local authority. That funding is to be targeted at the provision of devices and connecti…

4 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to understand the causes of long-term ill-health in people of working age following apparent recovery from the immediate effects of COVID-19.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30128 on 7 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/28…

4 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps will be taken to assist the recovery and rehabilitation of people of working age who remain unwell or develop long-term conditions following infection with COVID-19.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30128 on 7 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/28…

3 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the results of Public Health Scotland evaluation of the shielding programme will be published, and how the information from this will be used to inform policy and decisions for providing targeted support for the people who are shielding.

Answer · John Swinney: Public Health Scotland’s evaluation of the shielding programme is underway and has already informed the approach to shielding. One part of this work is a survey of shielding individuals and their carers, which received over 12,000 responses. A report on this …

3 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the PACE interventions to support oil and gas workers in Scotland that were reported to the Strategic Leadership Group on Oil and Gas and Energy Transition in July 2020 by Skills Development Scotland.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: As part of the update that Skills Development Scotland provided to the Strategic Leadership Group on Oil and Gas and Energy Transition they outlined that PACE has supported 59 Oil and Gas employer sites since February 2020. Information on PACE support has bee…

3 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the job losses among oil and gas workers in Scotland that were reported to the Strategic Leadership Group on Oil and Gas and Energy Transition in July 2020 by Skills Development Scotland.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: As part of the update that Skills Development Scotland (SDS) provided to the Strategic Leadership Group on Oil and Gas and Energy Transition SDS outlined that Oil and Gas Sector employers had notified agencies of 7,414 jobs that were at risk in Scotland, as a…

2 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reinstate the Energy Jobs Task Force to help protect the oil and gas workforce and the north east economy as the country enters another economic recession.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: In response to the dual impacts of Covid-19 and the oil and gas price crash, the Oil and Gas and Energy Transition Strategic Leadership Group (SLG), for which I am the ministerial chair, was refocused in April and is meeting monthly to identify practical acti…