Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-17036 on 31 October 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15005 on 3 September 2008 which details some of the initiatives which will help to tackle Islamophobia that are currently being funded by the Scottish Government. In addition educational resources are being developed for the Sectarianism: Don''t Give It, Don''t Take It online schools resource and we are working with groups representing Scottish Muslim communities to develop work in this area. Broader initiatives, such as that described in the answer to question S3W-16054 on 2 October 2008, which support multicultural community engagement and inter-faith dialogue will have a positive impact for all communities in Scotland, including the Muslim community.

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/webapp/wa.search .

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-16608 on 9 October 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

The Scottish Government is committed to creating a secure future for Gaelic in Scotland and aims to enhance the status of Gaelic, promote the learning of Gaelic and encourage the increased use of Gaelic in Scotland. In order to achieve this, the Scottish Government, has identified significant additional funding and is promoting Gaelic in education, in the arts, in broadcasting, in heritage and in public life.

In particular the Scottish Government has provided additional funding to authorities to assist with the costs of providing Gaelic education in their areas; the government has provided additional support to MG ALBA to deliver the new Gaelic digital service; the government has provided additional support to B²rd na G idhlig for the implementation of the National Plan, and the government has provided additional support for Scotland''s only all-Gaelic college, Sabhal M²r Ostaig.

The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 took effect on 13 February 2006 and established B²rd na G idhlig with a clear role in promoting the increased use of Gaelic. B²rd na G idhlig has published the National Plan for Gaelic and Guidance on the Development of Gaelic Language Plans. The National Plan provides the strategic framework for delivering Scottish ministers'' priorities for Gaelic. B²rd na G idhlig also has the power to issue notices to public authorities in Scotland requiring them to develop Gaelic language plans. The B²rd has made progress with issuing notices, approving public authority Gaelic language plans and implementing the priorities in the National Plan for Gaelic. To date three local authorities have had their Gaelic language plans approved by the B²rd: Highland Council (May 2008); Argyll and Bute (June 2008), and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (July 2008).

The new open-market shared equity pilot scheme (OMSEP) was launched in January 2008. The scheme is now available in ten local authority areas where there are affordability problems for first time buyers caused by a shortage in housing supply. OMSEP includes a number of changes which have been made as a result of the findings of the evaluation of the former open-market Homestake pilot scheme to improve the targeting of the new scheme.

The Scottish Government wishes to test the operation of the new pilot scheme in different types of urban and rural pressured housing markets before considering expanding the number of areas where the scheme operates.

The new open market shared equity pilot scheme (OMSEP) was developed on the basis of the findings of the Scottish Government''s evaluation of the former open market Homestake pilot scheme. In particular, a number of changes have been made to improve the targeting of the scheme. We are closely monitoring progress in the operation of the new scheme and will make amendments where appropriate. On 19 August 2008, we increased the maximum (threshold) prices for properties which can be purchased through OMSEP to give first time buyers a wider choice of properties which they can purchase through the scheme.

A full evaluation of the scheme, along with the new supply shared equity scheme, will be carried out by the end of 2010.

The previous open market Homestake pilot scheme was replaced in January 2008 by a new open market shared equity pilot scheme (OMSEP), which forms part of the Scottish Government''s low-cost initiative for first time buyers. OMSEP is principally targeted at allowing first time buyers on low to moderate incomes to access entry-level home ownership. However, it can also be accessed by others, such as people with disabilities whose current home does not suit their needs or people who have a experienced a significant change in their household circumstances.

The criteria used by registered social landlords to determine eligibility for OMSEP are set out in the grant procedures for the scheme. A copy of these procedures along with details of current threshold prices for OMSEP, which are the maximum prices of property which may be purchased in each region where the scheme operates, is available on the Scottish Government website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/Buying Selling/lift/.

Setting and assessing examinations in Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). SQA have fair and robust systems in place to ensure that, as far as is possible, candidates are not disadvantaged through illness or other circumstances which prevent them from sitting the external exam.

To ensure the credibility of SQA awards, the absentee and appeals procedures, which are identical, are based upon scrutiny of a candidate''s actual demonstrated evidence of attainment by professional teaching and subject experts appointed as SQA Examiners.

The District Court buildings at St. Andrew Street and Turnbull Street are scheduled to transfer to the Scottish Court Service (SCS) in December 2008. Both buildings have considerable backlog maintenance problems and require substantial investment. SCS is therefore currently carrying out an evaluation of the most suitable options for the future delivery of summary business currently carried out in these buildings that will maximise value for money.

Glasgow District Court employs four full-time and three relief stipendiary magistrates.