Chamber and committees

The recent works on the A76 in New Cumnock will be completed on 9 July 2010.

The Mauchline works will start on 12 July 2010, two weeks later than originally planned, however, the first phase of the works south of Mauchline Cross will still be completed before the end of the school holidays.

Transport Scotland have had representations from a local coach operator about access arrangements and the operation of their business during the works and from a national bus operator about the operation of their timetable and the use of shuttle buses during the works. The issues raised in these representations have been resolved.

The contract was awarded on 18 June 2010.

The Scottish Government has to date received two letters from parents regarding the Jacaranda Nursery in East Ayrshire. However, the provision of local pre-school services is the responsibility of the local authority and it is not the Scottish Government''s role to intervene in these local decisions.

Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with councils, including East Ayrshire, in various fora to discuss issues around the early years. These discussions can include the provision of pre-school education. In the light of representations from two local parents, officials have recently contacted East Ayrshire Council to discuss the Jacaranda Nursery.

While I wish to ensure that all children have access to high quality pre-school services, decisions on local services are for local authorities to plan and deliver to meet the needs of local families. I understand that, in this case, alternative provision is being offered by the local authority.

I understand that this question relates to pre-five education in East Ayrshire. I have had no meetings in my role as Minister for Children and the Early Years specifically to discuss this issue. However, it may have been referred to in wider discussions, for example on the implementation of the Early Years Framework.

The following table shows the number of school pupils in East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire who received at least one Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) payment in the academic years 2004-05 to 2008-09.

School Pupils Receiving an EMA Payment in East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire “ Academic Years 2004-05 to 2008-09

Academic Year	East Ayrshire	South Ayrshire	Total
2004-05	655	385	1,040
2005-06	690	555	1,245
2006-07	680	480	1,160
2007-08	665	455	1,120
2008-09	635	525	1,160

Notes:

1. Pupil numbers have been rounded up or down to the nearest five e.g. one, two round to 0; three, four round to five.

2. The method of collecting and collating EMA data has been improved continually over the years of operation of the scheme. Care must therefore be taken when making comparisons between data from the first two years of operation (2004-05 and 2005-06) and that from later years.

3. The academic year 2008-09 is the latest complete academic year for which information on EMA is available.

The EMA scheme was introduced for eligible 16-year-olds in the academic year 2004-05. It was extended to eligible 17-year-olds in 2005-06, eligible 18-year-olds in 2006-07 and eligible 19-year-olds in 2007-08. Prior to its introduction, EMA was piloted in four local authorities including East Ayrshire. It was available for the full-age range (16-19) in each of the pilot areas from 2004-05 onwards.

The South West Scotland Community Justice Authority Strategic Oversight Group has commissioned a multi-agency review of this case. The Scottish Government has been informed that, as part of the significant review process, independent scrutiny will be provided by a panel of senior personnel from Responsible Authorities unconnected to the case prior to a final report being submitted to the South West Scotland Community Justice Authority Strategic Oversight Group. We understand that the review findings will be published once this process has been completed and we will provide an update when the timescales for this are clear.

The police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are keeping relatives of Diane and Holly Fallon up to date on developments.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran have confirmed that at its board meeting on 7 April 2010 proposals were approved to progress the Outline Business Case for the New North Ayrshire Community Hospital in Irvine, which will include a new adult inpatient mental health unit.