Chamber and committees

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 is expected to be commenced towards the end of this year, at which time the tribunal system will become operational. The Executive intends to review the operation of the tribunals, as part of a wider review of the implementation of the 2004 act, in early 2007. The outcome of that review will inform whether or not the UK Government should be approached for provision to give the tribunals jurisdiction over disability discrimination cases in Scottish school education.

I refer the member to the question S2W-13438 answered on 21 January 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the Member to question S2W-13438 answered on 21 January 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the Member to the question S2W-13438 answered on 21 January 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the Member to the answer to question S2W-13438 on 21 January 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

From January 2005, local authorities are being required for the first time to record the number of carers’ assessments, including young carers’ assessments, being carried out. The first returns of information will be made to the Scottish Executive in April 2005, and thereafter figures will be collected annually.

The Executive has no plans to introduce a standardised assessment form for either users’ or carers’ assessments. We are, however, developing national minimum information standards for the data in these assessments, which will provide a consistent approach across the country. The standard for older people was issued in December 2004. We expect to cover all other groups, including carers, later this year.

Under our Carers Strategy a range of steps have been taken to help improve the support available to young carers. Amongst other things, this has delivered a marked increase in the number of projects supporting young carers, which have risen from 23 in 1999 to 52 in 2004. I recognise, however, that more needs to be done to meet the needs of young carers. I will be meeting carer representatives in the spring to discuss this issue in more detail and to consider whether a national Young Carers Strategy is needed. We will also consult young carers and other stakeholders about the way ahead.

No quality contracts have beenagreed with bus operators since the implementation of the Transport (Scotland) Act2001. We are aware that several have been considered. There is also, evidence ofa great deal of voluntary partnership working between transport authorities andbus operators as a result of the 2001 legislation.

 

Ministers are considering the evaluation report of the tobacco test purchasingpilot and an announcement will be made shortly.