I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31539 on 6 December 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

CMAL alongside the shipyard continue to work hard to ensure the delivery of these vessels. CMAL provided their regular update to the NZET committee on the vessel delivery on 18th December 2024 and expect to be able to provide assessment of delivery dates for MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal towards the end of January 2025, following the successful completion and presentation of the pre-sea trials commissioning and outfitting activities.

Staff deployment is an operational matter for ScotRail as the employer.

It is incumbent on ScotRail and Scottish Rail Holdings to demonstrate that aims set out it their proposals to adjust the opening hours of some of ScotRail ticket offices can be achieved.

CMAL is in constant dialogue with CalMac on the new vessels programme and the crew familiarisation process on the MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal will begin once the vessels have been transited from Türkiye to Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s Drink and Drug-Driving campaign runs from the 2 December 2024 to 13 January 2025. It covers radio, digital, out of home billboards in urban areas where audience can be reached prior to drinking or taking drugs, tactical outdoor sites, including posters and beermats in pubs and clubs targeting the audience in environments where they may be considering driving home under the influence. Sub-targeting of drivers living in the most deprived areas has been factored into plans and will be achieved through digital media postcode targeting.

All campaign materials will signpost to the roadsafety.scot website, which will support behaviour change by including further information on drug and drink-driving penalties, legal alcohol limits and roadside drug testing. PR and partnership activity and a campaign toolkit is available for partners which outlines details of the campaign and key messaging alongside shareable assets.

The effectiveness of the campaign will be evaluated and this work is undertaken by independent research agencies and seeks to track shifts in the target audiences’ attitudes and behaviours as a result of campaign exposure.

The Force Majeure/Exceptional Circumstance (FM/EC) provision is one that has existed for a number of years and if a business has been unable to comply with the rules of a scheme because of FM/EC, they may retain the right to aid in respect of the claim. To qualify, a business must notify the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division (SGRPID) in writing of the FM/EC event along with relevant evidence from the date they are in a position to do so.

The FM/EC provision applies on a case by case basis, and decisions are taken on the basis of relevant evidence provided. The way on which the Scottish Government continue to approach cases relies on the approach set out by legislation.

Examples of force majeure or exceptional circumstances are:

1.the death of the farmer

2.the long-term professional incapacity of the farmer

3.a severe natural disaster gravely affecting the holding's agricultural land

4.the accidental destruction of livestock buildings on the holding

5.an epizootic affecting part of or all of the farmer’s livestock (for example, Foot and Mouth Disease)

This is not an exhaustive list and animal health concerns, weather conditions, bull failure or transport issues may also qualify as FM/EC. These are only examples and they are not, by themselves, sufficient to qualify as FM/EC and the applicant would still need to provide evidence in support of these events that demonstrate that calving performance has been impacted by comparison to previous years.

In August 2024, the Scottish Government posted a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (Mainland and Islands) to support the industry with information on the new calving interval condition being introduced to the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) from 2025. The FAQ includes detail of the FM/EC provision in the context of the SSBSS calving interval condition, including the type of evidence that would be required to support a request for it to be applied.

No work has been undertaken to consider permanently replacing the M8 Woodside Viaducts with a surface level dual carriageway. Therefore, it is not possible to determine what the design and estimated capital cost of such an option would be, the practicalities of funding it or making a comparison with the costs for maintaining the existing viaducts.

Transport Scotland are currently undertaking a tender competition to appoint technical advisors to determine the most appropriate permanent solution for the M8 Woodside Viaducts including the next steps for procuring the works. Once undertaken, the works will provide greater resilience for these structures.

I recognise that endometriosis is a painful and long-term condition, which may result in young people being absent from school for a prolonged period. As acknowledged in our national guidance on attendance, ‘Included, Engaged and Involved Part 1,’ there are links between poor attendance and attainment. It is therefore important that education authorities provide appropriate support to meet the educational needs of children or young people where endometriosis is impacting on their attendance.

Teachers are not medical professionals and therefore cannot be expected to have a detailed knowledge of all medical conditions that might affect children and young people. Training requirements should instead be planned for and driven by the individual needs of children and young people in the schools in the area. Similarly, it would not be possible for our guidance to provide detailed information for every medical condition which might cause a healthcare need in schools. For this reason our guidance on ‘Supporting children and young people with healthcare needs in schools’ does not make reference to specific health conditions such as endometriosis. If a child and young person is diagnosed with a longer term condition or develops healthcare support needs, it is normally the role of parents/carers to notify the school that they require the school's input to support their child's needs. Our guidance recommends that if a young person were to be diagnosed with any health condition which might affect their schooling, they and their parent or carer should seek a meeting with the school at the earliest opportunity to discuss their potential additional support needs. This will enable appropriate information about their healthcare needs, including impacts associated medication to be shared and enable the consideration of an individualised healthcare plan.

Where endometriosis results in a young person being absent from school for a prolonged period, the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 requires that education authorities make special arrangements for pupils to receive education elsewhere than at an educational establishment. Alternative arrangements for education will depend upon the young person’s individual circumstances; however it could be provided, for example, at home or in a hospital setting.

a) The exact cost of obtaining the information has not been calculated but it is estimated to exceed the cost limit due to the number of cases and other matters that would require to be considered individually by officials.

b) Link to the published SG accounts on the SG website can be found here to show legal costs across multiple financial years. –

– Financial reports and accounts - Government finance - gov.scot

The Force Majeure/Exceptional Circumstance (FM/EC) provision is one that has existed for a number of years and if a business has been unable to comply with the rules of a scheme because of FM/EC, they may retain the right to aid in respect of the claim. To qualify, a business must notify the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division (SGRPID) in writing of the FM/EC event along with relevant evidence from the date they are in a position to do so.

The FM/EC provision applies on a case by case basis, and decisions are taken on the basis of relevant evidence provided. The way on which the Scottish Government continue to approach cases relies on the approach set out by legislation.

Examples of force majeure or exceptional circumstances are:

a. the death of the farmer

b. the long-term professional incapacity of the farmer

c. a severe natural disaster gravely affecting the holding's agricultural land

d. the accidental destruction of livestock buildings on the holding

e. an epizootic affecting part of or all of the farmer’s livestock (for example, Foot and Mouth Disease)

This is not an exhaustive list and animal health concerns, weather conditions, bull failure or transport issues may also qualify as FM/EC. These are only examples and they are not, by themselves, sufficient to qualify as FM/EC and the applicant would still need to provide evidence in support of these events that demonstrate that calving performance has been impacted by comparison to previous years.

In August 2024, the Scottish Government posted a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (Mainland and Islands) to support the industry with information on the new calving interval condition being introduced to the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) from 2025. The FAQ includes detail of the FM/EC provision in the context of the SSBSS calving interval condition, including the type of evidence that would be required to support a request for it to be applied.