Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has issued guidance on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) to Local Authorities via the Scottish Heads of Property Services and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland.

NHS Scotland Assure, which is leading the national RAAC survey programme of the NHS estate on behalf of Scottish Government, issued a Safety Action Notice to Health Boards in February 2023 on the risk of catastrophic structural failure of RAAC planks in building roofing, walls, and flooring. This guidance note included recommendations on identification, risk management, monitoring and replacement of RAAC planks where necessary.

Information on the number of dental students expected to graduate is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

Scottish Government makes a recommendation on intake targets each year for Scottish dental schools but we do not hold information on students’ progress towards graduation. However, dentistry generally has a high completion rate and NHS Education for Scotland forecast data predicts around 160 graduates will enter into dental vocational training in 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken an inspection for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the Core SG Estate since 2021 and as such has not identified any reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the core SG estate.

A specialist has been appointed to support the development of a scope to undertake building inspection surveys which will also assist in identifying the presence of Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in the Core Estate. The Core Estate is defined as those sites/buildings where SG Directorates operate from.

The Scottish Government does not hold NHS Boards' Business Continuity Plans and the responsibility for ensuring appropriate contingency arrangements are in place lies with the individual NHS Boards. Once the extent of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in the NHS Estate is fully understood, NHS Boards will be able to incorporate appropriate plans into their Business Continuity Plans.

The NHS Scotland Assure survey programme, which is considering all of the NHS Scotland Estate, is being conducted by a recognised expert organisation in reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19700 on 31 July 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The Scottish Government recognises the value in having a range of Gaelic organisations with different functions and the SG aims at all times to remain informed and supportive of the work of these bodies. The SG will meet with An Comunn Gidhealach on average two or three times a year as well as meeting in wider gatherings. The focus of the meetings will be on the Royal National Mod and related initiatives and what support can be provided by the SG. The SG meets with Comann na Gidhlig on average two or three times a year as well as meeting in wider gatherings. The focus of the meetings will be projects that CnaG is taking forward and to consider what support SG can offer. The SG is in regular and frequent contact with Fèisean nan Gidheal both in relation to projects and initiatives which FnG is taking forward and in relation to wider Gaelic developments. The SG is aware of the work of Fèis Rois and SG does not hold meetings with this body or have a funding relationship with Fèis Rois. Along with the four bodies mentioned above, SG maintains close working relationships with other Gaelic bodies that have an important role to play in the promotion of Gaelic throughout Scotland.

The Scottish Government is working closely with NHS Scotland Assure and all NHS Boards to establish the current position with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Once the survey programme has assessed properties that may contain RAAC and it's extent within the NHS Estate has been determined, the Health Infrastructure and Sustainability Division within Scottish Government will consider whether Ministerial meetings with NHS Boards are required.

NHS Scotland Assure are conducting a survey programme which will confirm how many buildings in the NHS Estate contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Once the extent of the programme is determined, the condition will be assessed, thereafter it will be possible to establish the management and removal plans that may be necessary. This means however, that it is not currently possible to assess what these plans might cost until the survey work is complete.

The Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 aims to ensure that the majority of tenants living in the private rented sector are protected by the temporary, emergency measures.

Tenancies under the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 are exempt from the temporary rent cap, and there are only a small number of remaining tenancies under this Act. For these tenancies, rent increases can only occur every 3 years and the restrictions on rent increases already built into the system operate to ensure rents in respect of the 1984 Act are raised at fair levels.