- Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 May 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 24 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the current Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) to ensure that it is able to effectively support community renewable projects in Na h-Eileanan an Iar.
Answer
The Scottish Government wants to realise as many opportunities as possible for community energy and to maximise the benefits flowing to communities from our energy transition. That is why we continue to invest in CARES, which is currently putting a strong focus on heat decarbonisation while continuing to help communities assess their priorities for net zero activity, which can include potential opportunities for energy generation. Across all projects and technologies, CARES has advised over 900 organisations and offered £60 million in funding to over 680 projects. It has supported the installation of 57.9MW of renewable energy. In Na h-Eileanan an Iar, CARES has supported 44 projects and offered over £2.74 million in funding, which has supported the installation of 13.5MW of renewable energy.
The Scottish Government has commissioned independent research to consider how we create the right policy environment and target support in a way which maximises the contribution of community energy to a just transition. The outputs from this research will be used to inform future policy development and the support provided through CARES.
- Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 May 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 17 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle youth antisocial behaviour.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 17 May 2023
- Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 19 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can provide to fishers in Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency who have reportedly expressed concern about their livelihoods and the future of their communities in light of the potential economic and cultural impact Highly Protected Marine Areas may have on coastal and island communities once designated.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 19 April 2023
- Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 March 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 16 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it will next review its working location policy to consider whether more civil service jobs (a) in general and (b) that impact public services in the Highlands and Islands, can be decentralised.
Answer
Workforce numbers and locations are regularly reviewed to ensure that the organisation is delivering for the people of Scotland as efficiently and effectively as possible. We undertake workforce planning in line with Scottish Government priorities.
In addition to considering the location of roles, the Scottish Government is committed to flexible hybrid working for our workforce, enabling staff to work from a range of locations, both within government offices and working from home. Some of these locations are situated within the Highlands and Islands. Managers are asked to establish a flexible hybrid model with their teams that ensure meets business needs are met, which will vary depending on the nature of the roles and requirements.
The Scottish Government website references our ways of working and more information can be found here Ways of working - Work For Scotland (work-for-scotland.org)
- Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 March 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what contact it has had with the UK Government regarding concerns over the potential impact in Scotland of the proposed Illegal Migration Bill.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 March 2023
- Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 March 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 8 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential impact
on turnout at future Scottish Parliament and local authority elections of the
introduction by the UK Government of voter ID requirements for elections to the
UK Parliament.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 8 March 2023
- Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 23 February 2023
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 24 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when the proposed consultation on merging UHI Outer Hebrides College, UHI West Highland College and UHI North Highland College will be published.
Answer
The consultation has been published today and is available on the Scottish Government’s Consultation Hub, Citizen Space https://consult.gov.scot/lifelong-learning-and-skills/rural-and-islands-college-merger-proposal
It seeks views on the proposals put forward by the boards of management of North Highland College (UHI North Highland), West Highland College (UHI West Highland) and Lews Castle College (UHI Outer Hebrides) to merge into a single, incorporated college.
- Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 February 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on NHS Western Isles’ recruitment of a new permanent GP and hospital doctor for the islands of Barra and Vatersay.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2023
- Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 December 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 January 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to facilitating postal deliveries of prescriptions for people in rural areas who are housebound and have no access to a community pharmacy.
Answer
Scottish Government is not currently considering the introduction of a home delivery service for Community Pharmacy. A large number of community pharmacies provide a free home delivery service and where they don't, patients are encouraged to use approaches such using a 'flu friend', when family, friends or neighbours are able to collect medicines on their behalf.
- Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 24 November 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 9 December 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline the timetable for the awarding of the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.
Answer
My officials in Transport Scotland are currently considering the most appropriate route for continuity of these services. I will consider this advice as soon as I receive it. The most important factor for passengers and staff will be seamless provision, irrespective of future models considered.