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-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-17556

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 local authorities have cited lack of teachers as a reason for denying access to Gaelic-medium education.

We have received no formal approaches from any local authority citing lack of teachers as a reason for denying access to Gaelic Medium Education. However, we are aware of the difficulties in the recruitment and retention of teachers in the Gaelic medium sector and for this reason we have been working closely with Bòrd na Gaidhlig, teacher education institutions, local authorities and the Scottish Funding Council to ensure that Gaelic teaching is promoted and information on the routes in to teacher training are clear and those entering the system are supported while given CPD opportunities.

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-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-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-17555

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 outline the differences between Gaelic-medium education and Gaelic learners’ education and the outcomes that could be expected from each.

The differences between Gaelic medium education and Gaelic learners’ education have been briefly dealt with in legislation of the Scottish Parliament. For Gaelic medium pupils we hope to ensure that young people are both 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. The outcomes for Gaelic Learners Education are described in the experiences and outcomes of Curriculum for Excellence and then in the criteria for national qualifications in the senior phase. It is our intention that this will receive further attention in the National Guidance that is being prepared.

Question reference: S4W-17553

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 when it started production of, and what plans it has to publish, statutory guidance on Gaelic education.

Question reference: S4W-17554

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 guidance it would give prospective parents of a pupil in Gaelic-medium education as to the length of time their child should be immersed in Gaelic.

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.