Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S4W-17552

Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what outcomes it envisages from Gaelic-medium education.

The Scottish Government wants to see a rising number of children in Gaelic Medium Education, and that this should play an important part on stabilising and growing the number of Gaelic speakers nationally.

From an individual learners journey and as identified through the work of Education Scotland, the Scottish Government has two outcomes from Gaelic Medium Education. We wish to ensure that our children and young people are equally confident in the use of both Gaelic and English; and are able to use Gaelic and English in a full range of contexts within and outwith school.

Question reference: S4W-17558

Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what timetable it has set for the development of Gaelic education.

The Scottish Government is working continually with partners to ensure that Gaelic education is developed and expanded across the country. It is essential that this work is carried out in a manner that addresses local needs and demands.

The Scottish Government has written to local authorities seeking bids to Gaelic Specific Grant Scheme. These bids must show evidence of planned growth over the next 2 financial years and how work will help deliver more places in all levels of Gaelic education.

Work in this area has helped realise new schools and units across Scotland with further schools opening in Fort William, Glasgow and Portree over the next three years.

Question reference: S4W-17562

Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that, in addition to French, German and Spanish, the SCHOLAR programme provides for Advanced Higher Gaelic.

SCHOLAR, a Heriot-Watt University programme providing online learning resources for National Qualifications courses to Scottish secondary schools, is receiving Education Scotland funding to align existing resources with the new Curriculum for Excellence developments. This includes updating the existing provision for Gaelic (Learners) at Higher. It does not currently include provision for Gaelic at Advanced Higher but, as a member-led independent body, subscribed to by all 32 local authorities, SCHOLAR keeps its development programme and demand under regular review. SCHOLAR is also currently developing Gaelic Sciences at Curriculum level 3 with a grant from Bord Na Gaidhlig/Storlann.

Question reference: S4W-17557

Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many teachers trained to teach Gaelic-medium education have moved to teaching in English at the conclusion of their probationary period since 2007 because there was no full-time post available in Gaelic.

Question reference: S4W-17561

Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what encouragement it is giving to the establishment of more standalone Gaelic schools.

The Scottish Government is committed to the expansion of Gaelic medium education through support to local authorities who wish to establish new units and schools in their areas. Every encouragement is being given to the establishment of more standalone schools. We are in regular contact with local authorities on this matter and recognise the importance that these developments have for increasing the numbers of those who are able to use the language and that is why I announced on 23 September an additional £4 million over the next two financial years to the Gaelic Schools Capital Fund. Local authorities will be approached again to highlight the funds availability and to invite bids.

Question reference: S4W-17551

Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what its definition is of Gaelic-medium education.

Gaelic medium education has been defined in recent acts of the Scottish Parliament, including the Gaelic (Scotland) Act 2005 and Schools (Consultation) Act 2010, as “teaching by means of the Gaelic language as spoken in Scotland”. The Scottish Government is currently working to prepare National Guidance on Gaelic education. This will provide a more detailed definition of Gaelic medium education.

Question reference: S4W-17547

Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government which minister has responsibility to ensure that the National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-17 is delivered.

Question reference: S4W-17548

Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to strengthen the delivery of the National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-17.

The National Gaelic Language Plan is key to the delivery of the Scottish Government’s ambitions for Gaelic in Scotland. We will ensure that National Gaelic Language Plan priorities are at the centre of our Gaelic activity and, along with other key partners, we will seek to improve effectiveness and strengthen delivery in key areas such as early years, school education and promotion in communities. The delivery of the priorities in the plan is a demanding task and cannot be delivered by one body working in isolation. It is essential that all public bodies work in a coordinated manner to ensure the commitments highlighted in the Plan are met. I have asked Bòrd na Gaidhlig to review progress with these commitments and that this is reported to me at our Quarterly meetings.

Question reference: S4O-02528

Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve safety for cyclists.

Question reference: S4W-17486

Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
Date lodged: Friday, 27 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 11 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has spent on chaplaincy and spiritual care in each year since 2007.