Stage 3 of the Energy Assistance Package provides installation of standard insulation measures to eligible households under the Carbon Emission Reduction Target programmes run by energy companies. This will include where appropriate, cavity wall and loft installation where the loft has no insulation or insulation below 60mm.

Energy companies are expected to contribute to the Home Insulation Scheme through activity under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target. The estimated cost of this activity will be included within the match funding sought for the scheme.

No targets for waiting times have been set. The Energy Assistance Package is a collaborative approach to tackling fuel poverty, and a range of partners with differing delivery timescales provide advice and intervention at each of the four stages. It is a demand-led programme and as such waiting times are dependent upon the number of applicants, available resources (including installer capacity) and the individual circumstances of each installation which may include technical issues such as the suitability of the fuel supply or the need for a building warrant, or personal issues such as agreeing a convenient installation date with the applicant. Delivery partners are working hard to keep waiting times to a minimum at each stage of the package.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25584 on 27 July 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25589 on 27 July 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21691 on 27 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

It is estimated that the cost of the development, implementation and marketing of the Home Insulation Scheme by the managing agent for the scheme, which will cover at least 90,000 households in its first phase, will be approximately £5.5 million. The Home Insulation Scheme (HIS) is expected to attract investment in energy efficiency measures by energy companies under their Carbon Emissions Reduction Target obligations. Other funding from HIS will be used to provide additional energy efficiency measures in the selected areas and to cover scheme evaluation. Funding may also be used to cover additional costs in rural and island areas and staffing costs. The breakdown of spend will depend on the uptake of measures under the scheme and final arrangements in respect of procurement.

Support to local carers'' projects is a matter for local authorities and health boards to determine on the basis of their local priorities. The Scottish Government supports national carers'' organisations through grants made under section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. Over the next three years we are committed to awards totalling £972,602 to five organisations. We recognise the importance of providing clarity over funding timescales and decisions so that organisations are able to plan effectively. We therefore work to ensure that notice about grant renewal arrangements is given at the earliest opportunity. Applications are now open for a new round of section 10 grants to be awarded as from 1 April 2010.

It is a matter for each local authority, working in partnership with NHS health boards and the voluntary sector, to consider the need for carers'' advocacy services in local authority areas. Decisions should be made within the context of local carers'' strategies and plans. There can be different models for carers'' advocacy services including specialist advocacy, support through carers'' centres and advocacy by the carers'' friends and relatives.

The Carers'' Strategy Steering Group, with representation from key interests, is taking forward consideration of a wide range of issues, including the need for and value of advocacy services. The Carers'' Strategy for Scotland will be published in 2010.

It is important that carers know what support is available to them and that they can easily access that support through good signposting. Carers'' assessments are vital in identifying carers'' needs for support and in helping to access this support. The provision of information to support carers in their caring role is being taken forward through the Carer Information Strategies in all area health boards and by the Scottish Ambulance Service. To support this initiative we have invested £9 million over three years. Carers'' centres can help identify and support carers, including the harder-to-reach carers, and provide them with information on available services. There are also some local helplines for carers and the planned one-stop-shop Care Information Scotland, for users to access information about care for older people.

The Carers'' Strategy Steering Group, with representation from key interests, will be considering the issue of easy access to support through good signposting. The Carers'' Strategy for Scotland will be published in 2010.