Chamber and committees

Thank you, minister.

Thank you all for your opening statements and your responses to all the questions. They truly provide a picture of all the issues that people have been facing. I, too, thank you for all the work that you have been doing, both through Covid and before it.

We know that access to education is an issue that has affected the Gypsy Traveller community, and we have heard today that lack of devices or internet access are likely to have exacerbated the digital divide, resulting in digital inequality. What should be done to close the gap? Should the Scottish Government initiate a catch-up programme targeted at the Gypsy Traveller community?

Convener, if it is okay, I want to ask a quick question afterwards on the racial side of this.

Dr Tammi, do you want to say anything? I know that Dr Finn mentioned racism as an issue, too.

Thank you to all—[Inaudible.]

Dr Tammi, Maureen Finn has just said that the issue is not access but the one-to-one learning that people need. Should a catch-up programme for the Gypsy Traveller community be targeted more at that point rather than at overall access?

Leslie Drury wants to come in.

Dr Finn, do you have something to say about that? I believe that you highlighted the issue.

We have heard a lot today about racial discrimination and racism, which have no place in society, never mind the Gypsy Traveller community. Leslie Drury, does more need to be done to ensure that education and awareness raising happen at grass-roots level, perhaps with students and children in schools, so that they go home and talk about such matters? Would that allow us to root out any sort of racism against or racial tension with the Gypsy Traveller community?

Can you hear me okay now?

Davie Donaldson wants to come in.