Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to Freedom of Information requests made to Historic Environment Scotland are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

Expenditure on clinical and associated travel costs arising from mesh removal surgery undertaken by the independent providers will be incurred following receipt of invoices from the contracted providers and travel agency. Separately, administrative costs have arisen in the NHS from the process of referring patients to the providers in question, however it is not possible at present to break these down in the manner requested.

As I indicated to the Member in response to his question S6O-00815 on 3 March 2022, I will be discussing with Historic Environment Scotland potential future management approaches for the properties in care, particularly in response to the undoubted challenges of climate change, once Historic Environment Scotland has completed its considerations. There is as yet no agreement on a definition of “managed decline” and no properties are subject to such an approach.

All answers to oral Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at Meeting of the Parliament: 03/03/2022 | Scottish Parliament Website

Information on funding awarded to projects from the Regional Food Fund in each year since it was established is published on the Scotland Food & Drink website and can be found at the following link: https://foodanddrink.scot/regional-food-growth/regional-food-fund/

The Scottish Arts Trust is an independent charitable trust that gives artists the opportunity to showcase their work through the Scottish Portrait Awards exhibition. This is held each year in Edinburgh and Glasgow and on alternate years at the Kirkcudbright Galleries or Duff House in Banff. I understand there are no plans to exhibit in the Highlands and Islands region.

There is an online exhibition available on the Scottish Arts Trust website at https://www.scottishartstrust.org/exhibitions-artists

The Scottish Government are aware of the importance of ensuring consistent and non-stigmatising communications and welcome the World Health Organization’s announcement that mpox is the new preferred term for monkeypox.

Public Health Scotland (PHS), who lead on communications, are currently working with stakeholders to assess the impact and consider what action is required to highlight the change of name to the public.

Scottish Government will continue to work closely with PHS and stakeholders to amplify any agreed messaging.

Decisions about specific programmes or interventions for those who have committed offences are generally taken at a local level under the model of community justice introduced in 2017. Local authorities have significant autonomy to direct justice social work funding to deliver statutory justice services and meet local priorities aimed at reducing reoffending. Services are also commissioned through local partnerships such as Health and Social Care Partnerships, and priorities will be informed by local Community Justice Outcome Improvement Plans.

The funding of Turning Point Scotland’s 218 service pre-dates the implementation of the current community justice model, so central funding has been protected as part of the legacy arrangements for the last 5 years. The creation of any new services, however, would primarily be a matter for local areas to consider.

We currently invest over £119 million of ring fenced funding in community justice services, which includes community sentences and other interventions. The bulk of this funding – around £108 million – is distributed to local authorities for the delivery of justice social work services. The remaining £11 million is directed towards third sector organisations for the delivery of community justice related services. From the main funding, £1.5 million is specifically for bail services for women which is distributed across 32 local authorities.

An additional £50 million per annum over this Parliament is also allocated to support the National Mission to reduce drug deaths and harms. Of this an additional £20 million per year goes to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and the further £30 million supports grassroots initiatives, implementation of Medication Assisted Treatment Standards, and work with nationally funding organisations.

The Scottish Government supports the growth of commercial shipbuilding in Scotland and has welcomed the UK Government’s intention to introduce a Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme (HSCGS) as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh.

We look forward to the launch of the HSCGS and once the final details are known we will work with the industry to establish how best to utilise the scheme and maximise its potential to support the growth of commercial shipbuilding in Scotland.

This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. NHS orthodontic services are provided by independent contractors/high street orthodontists and any management information on waiting times will be held by each practice. There is no central consolidation of this information, nor definition of waits in orthodontics.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to how much funding Historic Environment Scotland has allocated for the activities of its HistoricScot Youth Forum, are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.