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: S5O-00942

Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how leaving the EU will impact on third sector funding in the West Scotland region.

Question reference: S5W-08255

Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 17 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 28 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government which racial equality groups it has met to discuss the development of its equality outcomes strategy for 2017-21, and what issues were discussed.

Scottish Government has met with the following race equality organisations: BEMIS, CEMVO Scotland, Central Scotland Regional Equality Council, Coalition for Racial Equality & Rights, Grampian Regional Equality Council, MECOPP and the Scottish Refugee Council.

Discussions were held about the development of Equality Outcomes which focussed on the following themes: Employment, School Education, Social Security, Participation in Decision Making, Reducing Violence, Access to Justice, Health and Wellbeing, and Housing.

Scottish Government is planning to undertake further engagement with stakeholders on 3 April 2017.

Question reference: S5W-07991

Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Annabelle Ewing on 22 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the provision of fire services, including (a) staffing levels and (b) fire stations, in the next two years.

Staffing levels and resource allocation within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) are matters for the Board of the SFRS. We expect the SFRS and its board to keep all aspects of service provision under review as part of its delivery of the 10 priorities set out in the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2016, including modernising and continuing to transform the service to improve the safety and wellbeing of communities in Scotland

Question reference: S5W-07391

Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 8 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what resources are provided to voluntary sector agencies to support older people who are (a) in prison and (b) being resettled following their release from prison.

The provision of Social Care, estate adjustments and equipment for people (of any age) in custody who have social care needs is handled on a case by case basis dependent on individual need and establishment capability. Social Care is usually procured by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) from private agencies through the Scot Excel national framework arrangement for Social and Care Agency Workers, rather than from voluntary sector agencies.

There are a range of services which can support older people on their release from custody and reintegration to the community, which will involve a combination of SPS activity (through pre-release planning and co-ordination with community based services, as well as Throughcare Support Officer activity), universal public service provision (including housing services, welfare services, and community-based social care services), third sector service provision (such as offender mentoring services for women), and voluntary or charitable organisations.

Question reference: S5W-07389

Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 7 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what specific training is provided to prison officers and staff on how to care for (a) older people and (b) people with dementia.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

Care and support for specific needs related to older people and people with dementia is provided by other agencies including through the provision of prison health care services by the NHS.

In light of the increasing demands we are facing we are currently in discussions with our Trade Union partners, academic providers and other expert groups about introducing a Higher Education Diploma for prison staff. This will include improved education and training in relation to the Health and Wellbeing of our changing prison population.

Question reference: S5W-07386

Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 7 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of prisoners have (i) a disability and (b) dementia.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

There are currently 612 people in custody with a self-declared disability which amounts to 8.3% of the total prison population.

Figures regarding the number of people in prison with dementia are not held by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). Responsibility for the provision of health care services transferred from the SPS to the National Health Service (NHS) in November 2011. These figures are not held centrally.

Question reference: S5W-07387

Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 6 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether older prisoners receive the same level of health and social care as the general population, including primary and dental care.

Question reference: S5W-07388

Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 6 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what the barriers are to older people accessing healthcare services from within prison, and what steps it is taking to overcome these.

Question reference: S5W-07385

Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of prisoners are aged over (i) 49 and (ii) 59.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

On 27 February the number of prisoners over the age of 49 was 1009, which is 13.9% of the total prison population.

On 27 February the number of prisoners over the age of 59 was 314, which is 4.4% of the total prison population. The 314 is also included in the figure provided for those over the age of 49.

Question reference: S5W-07390

Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will develop guidance regarding best practice and responsibilities when resettling older people on their release from prison, including advice on pensions, housing and accessing healthcare.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

Between the extensive partnership working with housing, NHS and DWP and greater understanding from our increased involvement supporting people in the community, the SPS will continue to develop and share best practice and responsibilities when resettling people on their release from prison, including advice on benefits, housing and accessing healthcare.