Chamber and committees

The revised Code of Practice will be made available on Disclosure Scotland''s website in mid-January, in advance of coming into force, to assist registered persons in preparing for the PVG Scheme.

Communications activities have included information events, both open and targeted to specific interests, publication of a regular newsletter and web-based materials and editorial and direct mail activities.

A comprehensive package of guidance and training materials, developed in partnership with a group of representatives from the public and voluntary sectors, has been available and publicised since summer 2010. Also since the summer 2010, Disclosure Scotland has been operating a PVG telephone and email helpline service dealing with specific queries. A parallel service has been operating for the voluntary sector via the Central Registered Body in Scotland (CRBS).

All of these materials have targeted the public, private and voluntary sectors using an extensive database of over 9,000 contacts which is added to daily by individuals and organisations registering on the PVG Scheme information website.

Additional support has been made available to the voluntary sector through CRBS, which provides information, support and training to third sector groups and organisations. To date, more than 1,400 people who work and volunteer with vulnerable groups have attended PVG Scheme training sessions run by CRBS.

In the run up to commencement, public awareness raising activities include advertising in the Scottish daily press, editorials in local press, adverts on local radio and also direct mailing, web and public relations activities to reach less visible groups and organisations.

The Scottish plans for distribution, as I outlined to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee in June 2010, depend to some extent on the level of funds which will be available. Current indications are that the total amount for distribution is likely to be lower than expected and the reclaim company may well release those funds more slowly. I will report to the Parliament once these issues, which are principally matters for the UK Government, have been resolved.

Our best estimate is that the BIG Lottery Fund may be able to release some funds in late summer 2011.

In the light of the spending review settlement DWP has confirmed that the budget for Remploy Limited remains unchanged. Remploy continues to be part of the UK Government''s programme of support to help severely disabled people into work. The status of Remploy as a non-departmental public body also remains unchanged, however, UK Ministers want to look at how they ensure continued improvements in the service provided by Remploy to disabled people.

Officials in the Scottish Government will continue to discuss the future of Remploy as part of the continuing reform changes.

For dates and times of meetings of the Cabinet Sub-Committee since 1 December 2010, I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38184 on 15 December 2010. 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.

For example, Care Information Scotland is a helpline and website providing information on all aspects of community care for older people. During the recent severe weather, Care Information Scotland was able to direct people to local sources of help and support.

The Scottish Government also provides funding to Age Scotland for the Scottish Helpline for Older People. This is a telephone helpline service for older people ensuring that both they and their families/carers are provided with high quality, relevant information for their needs. It also gives appropriate signposting to other helplines and organisations.

In addition, the Scottish Government''s Home Energy Scotland Hotline is in place to provide a one-stop shop where households can get all the help and advice they need to cut their fuel bill and keep their homes warm during a cold winter spell.

The Scottish Government also published a new section of the Ready Scotland website called Ready Winter, which provides practical advice on the simple practical precautions that people, including the elderly and vulnerable and their families, carers and communities can take to mitigate the worst effects of winter weather while going about their daily lives.