Chamber and committees

We have no plans to review the service level target now. We intend to introduce the PVG Scheme in Scotland next year and a consequence of that will mean that around 90% of applications for the enhanced disclosure carried out under Part 5 of the Police Act 1997 will transfer into the PVG Scheme. The PVG Scheme will also introduce a number of new checks and service level targets for that work. At that time we will also reappraise the service level targets for the work under the Police Act 1997.

There is no plan to review the procedures for processing applications at this time. Disclosure Scotland currently has in place quality assurance and quality improvement procedures. This oversight of processing arrangements allows the identification of aspects of the operation that could be improved, and makes possible changes which will bring benefits to users of the service.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0423-01.htm

The Zero Waste Fund for 2009-10 is £25 million, not £20.85 million.

The actual sums allocated from the Zero Waste Fund to each of these authorities for 2009-10 is as follows:

Council	Allocation (Millions)
North Lanarkshire	£1.518
South Lanarkshire	£1.449
Falkirk	£0.707
East Ayrshire	£0.561

 

Generally speaking, single outcome agreements (SOAs) do not include references to alternate weekly collections. The introduction, or otherwise, of alternate weekly collections for residual household waste is a matter for individual local authorities.

North Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire Councils briefly make reference to alternate weekly collections in their SOAs, however they do so in the context of highlighting actions being taken to meet recycling and landfill directive targets.

Scottish Government has a commitment to monitor the performance of local authorities across Scotland. That is why we have developed single outcome agreements with all 32 local authorities.

In addition, detailed monitoring of service provision at a local level is the responsibility of each local authority.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0305-01.htm

The Action for Children Scotland Renfrewshire Primary Support Project is in line with the principles of Preventing Offending by Young People “ A Framework for Action (Bib. number 46408), published in June 2008.

In this partnership Framework, we made a commitment to develop an evidence base around what works in early and effective intervention. Over the coming months we will undertake research which will look at a wide range of responses available and their effectiveness, with a view to identifying and disseminating good practice.

The Scottish Government does not intend to initiate programmes but will support local agencies to learn from evidence of what works, and plan services accordingly.

Funding is allocated to NHS boards for drug and alcohol treatment and support services and for the delivery of alcohol brief interventions. It is for NHS boards together with local Alcohol and Drug Action Teams to decide which services to fund based on identified local need.

In 2008-09, £1,651,000 was allocated to NHS Lanarkshire to fund drug treatment and support services and £2,455,698 for alcohol brief interventions and treatment and support services.

In addition, local authorities allocate funding for alcohol and drug services on the basis of their local needs and priorities. In the past, this level of funding has been significant, and at least comparable to the ring-fenced funding provided to NHS boards.

NHS boards also use resources from their unified budget to supplement funds made available through the alcohol and drug misuse budgets. £46 million has been allocated to NHS boards over 2008-11 to provide treatment and care to those people affected by hepatitis C, the vast majority of whom will be current or former drug users.

Costs for the home test kits, laboratory functions, call/recall office and helpline are centrally funded and managed.

NHS Education Scotland (NES) was commissioned in March 2006 to develop a national programme to support the education and training of health care professionals undertaking endoscopy. The estimates of numbers required were 150 clinicians and 25 non-medical endoscopists to help increase endoscopy capacity as part of the preparation for roll-out of the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme. Since 2006, NES has trained 171 clinicians and 31 non-medical endoscopists.

Additionally, those screened positive patients who require further hospital care such as a diagnostic test or treatment will be covered by the 62 day target to treatment. The Scottish Government has also made significant funding available towards the delivery of our 18 weeks whole - journey (referral to treatment) target which includes improvement in reducing waiting times for diagnostic services such as endoscopy. These new targets are due to delivery by the end of December 2011.