I see that everyone is watching the tennis today.
Wave Energy Scotland (Objectives and Budget)
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in setting the objectives and budget for wave energy Scotland. (S4O-03961)
The objectives of wave energy Scotland can be found in the wave energy Scotland factsheet, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament information centre.
The operational costs of wave energy Scotland will be clarified as the model is developed, and significant funds will be made available from within the Scottish energy budget. Highlands and Islands Enterprise is currently preparing a business plan for wave energy Scotland, which will set out the strategy and governance arrangements and the range of skills and staff numbers needed for optimal effectiveness. We will announce the budget as soon as HIE has assessed the activities that require to be resourced. We expect the process to be concluded soon.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that, shortly after Pelamis’s decision to go into administration, Aquamarine Power announced its decision to scale back its operations. Those were two hammer blows for the wave energy sector.
Aquamarine Power has been successful in achieving a number of important milestones in the development of its Oyster device. Support from the marine renewables commercialisation fund, overseen by the Carbon Trust, has been important to some of that success. However, there is currently no clarity whether agreed funding from the Carbon Trust is going to be released for works that have already been completed. That situation presents serious challenges for the company.
I ask Mr Swinney to advise us when a decision is likely to be made. Will he or the energy minister undertake to engage directly with the Carbon Trust to ensure that staff at Aquamarine Power are advised of the decision at the earliest opportunity?
First, I endorse the point that Mr McArthur makes about the significant achievements that have been made in the sector. It is a challenging sector and none of us could suggest otherwise, but there have been significant achievements made, which is why we have brought forward the wave energy Scotland proposal, as a means to ensure that those achievements are developed further. We are determined to ensure that what has been achieved can be protected and enhanced in the Scottish interest.
I will ask the energy minister to engage directly on his specific point about the Carbon Trust. If there is anything that we can do to assist the situation, we will ensure that it is done. I reiterate the point that I made in my first answer, which is that the Government is committed to ensuring that we make advances on those questions, and I will ensure that Parliament is kept up to date on the progress of wave energy Scotland.
How many of the highly skilled people who were working at Pelamis—in my constituency—before its sad demise have been offered employment by wave energy Scotland?
I cannot give Mr Chisholm a definitive answer on that point because we are currently taking forward the preparations for wave energy Scotland. Those issues will be clarified once the business planning process is concluded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. As I indicated in my response to Mr McArthur, we will of course keep Parliament up to date on those questions.
I assure Mr Chisholm, whom I know has pursued the issue vigorously on behalf of his constituents, that the wellbeing of and opportunities for those individuals are uppermost in the Government’s thinking at this time.
Organ Donations
To ask the Scottish Government what progress the national health service is making toward meeting the demand for organ donations. (S4O-03962)
In 2013, the Scottish Government published “A Donation and Transplantation Plan for Scotland 2013-2020”. The plan sets out the ways in which the Government and the NHS plan to improve donation and transplantation in Scotland.
The plan builds on the very good progress made over the preceding five years. Since we started a programme of improvement, we have seen a 96 per cent increase in deceased organ donation and a 63 per cent increase in transplants, and the waiting list for a transplant has fallen by 25 per cent. Currently, 41 per cent of the Scottish population is on the NHS organ donor register, which is the highest percentage of any of the United Kingdom countries.
We have invested in the organ donation infrastructure in our hospitals by appointing additional specialist nurses and clinical leads for organ donation in every intensive care unit across the country. Organ donation committees have been established in all mainland NHS boards, with links established to the island boards. They are responsible for overseeing donation activity in their hospitals. We have also strengthened the Scottish organ retrieval team, which maximises the number of transplants by ensuring the timely and high-quality retrieval of organs from hospitals around the country.
The minister will be aware of public sensitivity over organ donations. What plans are there to continue to heighten awareness and participation by the public in that vital service?
Our document “A Donation and Transplantation Plan For Scotland 2013-2020” sets out our plans for the next few years. We will continue to run high-profile multimedia campaigns that are designed to raise awareness of organ donation; urge people to discuss their organ donation wishes with their families; and encourage them to join the register.
We will continue our targeted work with black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, building on what we have learned from the peer educator project that has been undertaken in Glasgow. In schools, we will continue to promote the use of our organ donation teaching resource pack, which was developed in line with curriculum for excellence. It has been highly evaluated by pupils and teachers and is available in an easy-to-use e-book format.
Our plan also sets out our intention to undertake a full consultation on potential approaches to increasing organ donation in Scotland.
North Ayrshire Economy
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to grow the North Ayrshire economy. (S4O-03963)
The Government is committed to growing the North Ayrshire economy and creating employment opportunities by working closely with a range of delivery partners, including our enterprise agencies and North Ayrshire Council.
We have invested in health, education and connectivity infrastructure across North Ayrshire. We are supporting specific initiatives such as the enterprise area in Irvine, which has created more than 250 jobs. Our regeneration capital grant fund is supporting projects in Millport, Saltcoats and Ardrossan with the aim of creating 178 jobs and 14 training places. That kind of support is contributing to the recent significant improvement in North Ayrshire’s youth and overall employment rate.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that Ayrshire has had particular difficulties following the loss of more than half its manufacturing jobs, amounting to 14,500 jobs lost in the decade to 2007 when the Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair was in office.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that North Ayrshire is becoming increasingly attractive for investments in the chemical manufacturing sector, with GlaxoSmithKline alone investing £95 million in the past three years, and that important infrastructure developments such as the Dalry bypass—the proposal for which has just undergone a public local inquiry—are vital to help to grow the North Ayrshire economy further?
I agree very much with Mr Gibson. As a matter of fact, I had one of my regular meetings with GSK just yesterday to discuss the sustained investment that the company has made in Irvine, which has created high-value employment in the North Ayrshire economy.
I am keen to find ways in which we can follow that very positive experience with GSK by encouraging other major employers to recruit and locate in North Ayrshire. It is welcome news that the public local inquiry into the Dalry bypass has concluded, and the reporter will now consider all the evidence. I look forward to hearing the outcome of the inquiry, and ministers will take decisions in the context of that outcome.
Alex Rowley has requested to speak. I take it that your question is on the North Ayrshire economy, Mr Rowley?
Yes, it is on the economy—thank you, Presiding Officer.
On the North Ayrshire economy?
I welcome the investment in the North Ayrshire economy. [Laughter.] Does the Deputy First Minister acknowledge that this week’s announcement from Tesco will have a devastating effect on many economies, not least that of Kirkcaldy?
If I may say so, I thought that Mr Rowley’s question was a triumph of parliamentary procedure—although it is not for me to judge on such matters.
In all seriousness, I say to Mr Rowley that the announcement about Kirkcaldy is the most significant, and the most serious, of Tesco’s announcements for Scotland. I had a discussion by telephone this morning with the leader of Fife Council, Councillor David Ross, on the implications of that decision. I have pledged to work jointly with Councillor Ross to advance the concerns that have been expressed about the local economy, and I have had representations from David Torrance to encourage me to do so. The Government will do all that it can to work in partnership with Fife Council to address what I recognise is a serious blow to the Kirkcaldy economy.
You may say Mr Rowley’s question was a triumph, cabinet secretary. I could not possibly comment.
Carbon Taxes (Restoration-related Coal Production)
To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the proposal to exempt restoration-related coal production from carbon taxes. (S4O-03964)
Members will be aware of the outstanding legacy of surface mine restoration following the liquidation of the coal sector’s two largest companies—ATH Resources and Scottish Resources Group—in 2013 and, in turn, the major problem facing the councils concerned in dealing with the restoration legacy. With the correct controls in place, the innovative proposal to which Mr Ingram refers could provide a funding solution for the restoration of legacy opencast coal sites in Scotland and in other parts of the United Kingdom.
Mr Ewing had a discussion yesterday with the UK energy minister, Matthew Hancock, to discuss the proposal and pressed for prompt consideration of the issue by the UK Treasury. The proposal is worthy of serious and detailed consideration, and Mr Ewing obtained agreement from Mr Hancock to work closely to explore it.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, which is good news. However, he will be aware that failed opencast companies have left a bitter legacy in affected communities, including mistrust regarding permissions for coal extraction. What reassurance can the cabinet secretary provide that the proposal from Hargreaves Services, if approved by the Treasury, will deliver the full restoration that we seek and not more of the same problems?
I acknowledge the significant and serious issues that Mr Ingram raises and has raised persistently on behalf of his constituents who have been adversely affected by the opencast issue. The key comment that I made in my original answer included the words
“With the correct controls in place”.
I reassure Mr Ingram and his constituents that, by ensuring that the proper and effective controls are put in place to avoid a situation whereby we just have a repeat of the unacceptable legacy that we have had, we will be able to use the proposal from Hargreaves to rectify what is clearly a serious issue for Mr Ingram’s constituents.
We will continue to engage in discussion with the UK Government on the proposal, because it requires its support and endorsement. However, we will do that in a fashion that will ensure that we do not have a repeat of past performance.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (Employment Support)
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to assist people with autistic spectrum disorder to gain employment. (S4O-03965)
I acknowledge the member’s continuing interest in issues related to autism and reassure him that employment opportunities for people with autism are a key priority in “The Scottish Strategy for Autism”, which was published in 2011. In addition to the existing support for young people with additional support needs, which includes activity agreements and targeted recruitment incentives, the commission for developing Scotland’s young workforce recognised the need for more action and made specific recommendations to support young disabled people. We continue to work with local authorities to promote the development and adoption of the supported employment model across Scotland.
In 2013, I joined the National Autistic Society Scotland as it launched its report “Count us in: it pays to listen.” The NAS pointed out in the report that although many people with autism are qualified and willing to work, they find that employers do not always offer support to allow employment to be sustained. The NAS called for the Scottish Government to engage with employer organisations to raise awareness of autism, the benefits of employing people with autism and the adjustments that should be made; and to encourage the inclusion of autism within diversity training courses. Will the Scottish Government continue to highlight those matters with businesses, employer organisations and training bodies to ensure that the many individuals on the autistic spectrum who want to gain and sustain employment are able to do so?
The Scottish Government fully recognises the importance of employer engagement, and we will continue to work with disability organisations and employers to raise awareness of autism and improve opportunities for employment for people with autism. It is our aspiration that, with the right support, people with autism are able to find suitable employment.
We are engaging with a number of stakeholders to support local initiatives to improve the employment opportunities that are available. Skills Development Scotland is working with Barnardo’s, Remploy and training providers to increase the take-up of modern apprenticeships and employability fund opportunities. In addition, the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council is working with Enable and the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability to improve outcomes for disabled learners. We have allocated £3 million in response to the recommendations from the commission for developing Scotland’s young workforce for a skills package, which includes specific activity to address underrepresentation across our employability programmes. We will continue to work in partnership to enable more people with autism to gain employment.
Question 6, in the name of Anne McTaggart, has not been lodged. The member has provided an explanation.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Ayrshire and Arran and what matters were discussed. (S4O-03967)
Ministers and Government officials regularly meet representatives from all health boards, including NHS Ayrshire and Arran, to discuss matters of importance to local people.
I am aware that the cabinet secretary was recently at University hospital Crosshouse, where she met her health and social care teams. Will she advise on how progress towards the integration of health and social care is benefiting my constituents in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley?
Chief officers are in place in each partnership and are working across the national health service board area to develop their strategic commissioning plans. Work is under way with professionals, clinicians and others in localities to support the strategic commissioning process. The integration schemes that will establish the integration joint boards and the integrated arrangements are expected to be submitted to ministers for approval in the next few weeks.
The cabinet secretary will be well aware of growing numbers of patients in NHS Ayrshire and Arran who are not being treated within the 12-week waiting time. Urology patients are having to travel to Glasgow for treatment and more than 1,000 dermatology patients have not been treated within the 12-week period. Regrettably, the services of Medinet are having to be used on a growing scale due to a failure in recruitment in NHS Ayrshire and Arran. How is the recruitment problem, which is common to many health boards, being dealt with at a local and national level?
I recognise some of the recruitment challenges. Having said that, that is against a backdrop of record numbers of staff and NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s budget increasing. Of course, the fact that it has the resource and the workforce does not mean that it does not have the challenges that other boards have, particularly in some key specialties. It is working closely with officials within the NHS here to look at how it overcomes some of those recruitment difficulties in key specialties. Some of that is about working across board areas, particularly where it is difficult to recruit, but I am certainly happy to write to John Scott with more detail around the specific issue that he raises.
Roads in Rural Areas (Gritting)
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that roads in rural areas are gritted. (S4O-03968)
Transport Scotland and its operating companies are responsible for winter treatment on trunk roads in rural areas, while local authorities are responsible for winter treatment on all other rural roads. From 1 October to 15 May, a 24-hour dedicated winter maintenance service operates on all of Scotland’s trunk roads. Our operating companies’ winter service plans are available on the Transport Scotland website.
Daily winter action plans continue to be made publicly available on the Traffic Scotland website by our operating companies throughout the winter. The information goes live at 3 pm each day, following receipt of the forecast. The action plan information tells people where the gritters will be, at what time and how much salt they will be spreading.
The minister will be aware that there has recently been a significant increase in road traffic incidents in my constituency of Aberdeenshire West, and there have been a couple of fatalities. That is sometimes due to the condition of the roads. Can the minister reassure me and my constituents that everything is being done to ensure that roads are maintained to a suitable standard for people who commute into towns for work to drive on?
I appreciate the point that Mr Robertson makes. I have witnessed at first hand the strong partnership working that we have. As well as sharing information and working together on, for example, salt supplies, we have strengthened the multi-agency arrangements, and local authorities are, of course, part of that.
In addition to our preparation campaigns, we deploy teams where they are required. I will pay particular attention to incident reports and raise matters as appropriate with our agencies and local authorities to ensure that any disruption to roads is minimised and that safety is paramount.
We have a very busy gallery today. Members will wish to join me in welcoming to the gallery the new Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin MLA. [Applause.]
Members will also wish to join me in welcoming the Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji, the Hon Dr Jiko Luveni, who is in the gallery. [Applause.]