Parliamentary questions
Mary Fee
672 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
14 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many children are affected by adverse childhood experiences, and what support it provides to them to help build resilience and reduce trauma.
Answer · Mark McDonald: The term adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is often used to refer to a set of ten key types of adversity which were first explored in a US study in the 1990s and in subsequent ACE studies. This set of ACEs refer to experiences of: abuse (emotional, physica…
14 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many school children in each local authority area have a parent in prison, and what training is provided to school staff receive to support them.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not collect data on the number of school children in each local authority area who have a parent in prison. The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (as amended) places duties on education authorities a…
14 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to reduce levels of adverse childhood experiences.
Answer · Mark McDonald: The Scottish Government is committed to Getting It Right For Every Child and has wide-ranging policies, including pregnancy and parenthood, family relationships, children’s services and child protection, focused on prevention and early intervention to ensure …
7 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who the nominated executive lead for bereavement care is at each NHS board.
Answer · Shona Robison: It is the responsibility of each NHS Board to ensure that it has a nominated executive lead for bereavement care. As such this information is not available centrally. However NHS Education for Scotland (NHS NES) act as Secretariat for the NHS Bereavement S…
7 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what resource will be available to the new national co-ordinator for child bereavement services in each of the next four years.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is in the process of appointing the national co-ordinator for child bereavement services. We have allocated up to £70,000 in the financial year 2017-18 to support this work and will consider funding levels once the appointment process …
7 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the new national co-ordinator for child bereavement services will be appointed.
Answer · Shona Robison: Ensuring that children across Scotland receive the best possible support and access to service is of great importance and the Scottish Government has begun the process to appoint a national co-ordinator for child bereavement services. In doing so we have writ…
7 Jul 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made against each of the 14 recommendations made in its report, Shaping Bereavement Care.
Answer · Shona Robison: The 14 recommendations identified in the Shaping Bereavement Care report are being continuously actioned and developed locally by NHS Boards within the context of the 2020 vision for Health and Social Care Services. The Scottish Government is aware that there…
13 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to tackle discrimination faced by Gypsy/Travellers.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government recognises that Gypsy/Traveller communities are among the most disenfranchised and discriminated against in Scotland. We are continuing with work in a range of areas such as education and housing to achieve better outcomes for Gypsy/Tr…
13 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to raise awareness of the health and social care needs of Gypsy/Travellers.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is fully committed to providing the people of Scotland, including Gypsy/Traveller communities, with the NHS Services that ensure people come first and that those who use services get the right care and support whatever their needs, at …
7 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of female genital mutilation have been identified in Scotland since 2011, and how many people have been convicted for this.
Answer · Angela Constance: FGM, by its very nature, is a hidden issue. It may be underreported, and those who are affected may not be able to come forward or share their concerns. Between 1 April 2014 and 13 June 2017 there have been 83 referrals made in relation to concerns for girls…
7 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the implementation of the recommendations in Scotland’s National Action Plan to Prevent and Eradicate Female Genital Mutilation.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has established a Multi-Agency National Implementation Group to oversee implementation and monitor progress of the actions from the National Action Plan to Prevent and Eradicate Female Genital Mutilation. The Implementation group held …
2 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-01047 by Humza Yousaf on 31 May 2017, whether it plans to change the criteria for new bus pass applications for people over 60.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: In the coming weeks the Scottish Government will be consulting on ways in which to ensure the longer term sustainability of the Concessionary Travel Scheme. This follows substantial engagement with stakeholders. This will be an open and transparent public co…
29 May 2017 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met the Scottish Police Authority and what issues were discussed.
24 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to invest in wildlife tunnels and fencing to protect the common toad population.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government currently has no plans to invest in wildlife tunnels and fencing specifically to protect the common toad population. However, toads potentially can benefit from such arrangements put in place by Transport Scotland and local authorities…
24 May 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will maintain free bus passes for over 60s during the current parliamentary session.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: This Government funded free bus passes for the ten years it has been in Government. We have stated plans to extend to Modern Apprentices and Young People receiving Job Grants. Let me make it abundantly clear, if you have a bus pass, you will be keeping your …
17 May 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.
3 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many survivors of human trafficking with "reasonable" or "conclusive" grounds determination under the national referral mechanism in Scotland received compensation or financial awards through (a) provisions in the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, (b) the criminal confiscation …
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Compensation or financial awards may be obtained as a result of legal advice provided as part of the support and assistance survivors receive following entry into the National Referral Mechanism. Howev…
3 May 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will support the recruitment of additional teachers and classroom assistants in West Scotland.
26 Apr 2017 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government how leaving the EU will impact on third sector funding in the West Scotland region.
21 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action (a) the Scottish Prison Service and (b) private prisons take to comply with with rule 7(f) of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules 2015), regarding collecting data about a prisoner's family.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: Rule 12 of the Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011, which is applicable to all prisons in Scotland including priv…
17 Mar 2017 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what (a) short- and (b) long-term projects it has introduced that aim to improve diversity in the Parliament's staffing; how much has been invested, and how the outcomes are or will be evaluated.
Answer · David Stewart: The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is committed to improving diversity in the Scottish Parliament and recently launched its Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (2017-21). This being the first year of the Strategy, the aim is to create a framewo…
17 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which racial equality groups it has met to discuss the development of its equality outcomes strategy for 2017-21, and what issues were discussed.
Answer · Angela Constance: Scottish Government has met with the following race equality organisations: BEMIS, CEMVO Scotland, Central Scotland Regional Equality Council, Coalition for Racial Equality & Rights, Grampian Regional Equality Council, MECOPP and the Scottish Refugee Council.…
10 Mar 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the provision of fire services, including (a) staffing levels and (b) fire stations, in the next two years.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: Staffing levels and resource allocation within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) are matters for the Board of the SFRS. We expect the SFRS and its board to keep all aspects of service provision under review as part of its delivery of the 10 prioriti…
21 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what resources are provided to voluntary sector agencies to support older people who are (a) in prison and (b) being resettled following their release from prison.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The provision of Social Care, estate adjustments and equipment for people (of any age) in custody who have social care needs is handled on a case by case basis dependent on individual need and establishment capability. Social Care is usually procured by the S…
21 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what specific training is provided to prison officers and staff on how to care for (a) older people and (b) people with dementia.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: Care and support for specific needs related to older people and people with dementia is provided by other agencies including through the pro…
21 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to develop a national strategy for older prisoners.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has recently carried out a Social Care Needs Assessment, the results of which will be used to inform the d…
21 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the barriers are to older people accessing healthcare services from within prison, and what steps it is taking to overcome these.
Answer · Shona Robison: Since 2011 the responsibility for the provision of healthcare in prison settings changed from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to NHS Scotland. NHS standards for health care therefore apply to the provision of care within the prison setting and the Scottish …
21 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will develop guidance regarding best practice and responsibilities when resettling older people on their release from prison, including advice on pensions, housing and accessing healthcare.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: Between the extensive partnership working with housing, NHS and DWP and greater understanding from our increased involvement supporting peop…
21 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of prisoners have (i) a disability and (b) dementia.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: There are currently 612 people in custody with a self-declared disability which amounts to 8.3% of the total prison population. Figures reg…
21 Feb 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether older prisoners receive the same level of health and social care as the general population, including primary and dental care.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-07388 on 6 March 2017. 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…