- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional investment it will provide for the development of sport in Orkney in the years leading up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer
The Glasgow 2014 CommonwealthGames offer an unrivalled opportunity to inspire a new generation to take up sportand to be physically active. Within 100 days of the announcement of the decisionto host the games in Glasgow, we will publish for consultation an initial plan ofhow to capture these benefits.
It is for Orkney Councilto decide levels of investment in sport in Orkney. In accordance with the Concordat agreed between the ScottishGovernment and COSLA on 14 November 2007, we have no plans to ring-fenceany funding to local government for this purpose.
Officials are in discussionswith sportscotland about funding priorities for sport for the period to 2011. Ithas been an extremely tight spending round but we have secured additional fundingfor sport. Orkney can be considered for additional funding in accordance with existingschemes and procedures and will continue to benefit from our funding of activeschools.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the marine energy sector in Scotland regarding any difficulties in drawing down funding from the Marine Renewables Development Fund.
Answer
Our discussions withthe sector on this subject indicate that the Marine Renewables Development Fund(MRDF’s) grant levels are viewed as insufficient and in need of review. There arealso calls for the eligibility criteria to be reviewed. We are in touch with theDepartment of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on these issues.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform about improvements to the Marine Renewables Development Fund to enable testing and development of marine technologies in Scotland.
Answer
We are in regularcontact with the department on this issue. We have asked specifically for clarityregarding the availability and levels of grant funding for wave and tidal developmentin the light of BERR’s proposals for a banded Renewables Obligation.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the development of a renewable heat strategy.
Answer
The Forum of RenewableEnergy Development in Scotland (FREDS) established a Renewable Heat Sub Group inNovember 2006, to make recommendations to government on the key components of aRenewable Heat Strategy. Good progress has been made. The group has met on fouroccasions and will publish its report early in the new year. This will inform thegovernment’s approach to renewable heat.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution Scotland will make to the EU target for 20% of all energy to come from renewable sources by 2020.
Answer
The Scottish Governmenthas expressed its full support for the EU’s renewable energy target and will ensurethat Scotland makes a significant contribution towards achievingit.
For example, we haveannounced our target to generate 50% of Scotland’s electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020 and are currently workingwith stakeholders towards a strategy for the promotion of renewable heat.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on its strategic overview of energy policy.
Answer
We plan to place thisoverview on the Scottish Government website within the next two months.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to extend the Wave and Tidal Energy Support Scheme following the final allocation of money in 2008.
Answer
We are monitoringthe impact of recent awards and funding and assessing the demand and need forfurther support, taking into account other support mechanisms which are or willbe available. Decisions about further grant funding will be taken in the lightof this over the coming months.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 28 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase the support available to people with long-term chronic health conditions.
Answer
Our approach tothe management of long-term conditions will be set out in our
Action Planfor Health and Wellbeing, following the consultation on
Better Health,Better Care.
We are alsoworking in partnership with the Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland on along-term conditions action plan which will set out our approach to themanagement of long-term conditions, with a particular emphasis onself-management.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 28 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase the resources available to voluntary groups that support people with long-term chronic health conditions.
Answer
This issue willbe looked at in the context of the long-term conditions action plan which weare developing in partnership with the Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland.
More generally,we are currently implementing the December 2006 recommendations from theCommunity-led Supporting and Developing Healthy Communities Task Group. Thiswill deliver a range of measures designed to improve access for community-ledand voluntary bodies to skills and advice to enable them to improve delivery ofservices, to demonstrate effectiveness in improving health and to work betterwith funders in meeting the needs of the communities served. The work will alsoprovide advice and support to funders to enable them to work better with threesector service providers. This work has commenced with local discussionsbringing funders and service providers together with tailored support. Thesupport provided will not include additional funding for front-line activitiesfrom central government.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 28 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are available to voluntary groups that support people with long-term chronic health conditions.
Answer
Grants areavailable under Section 16B of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 to voluntary organisations which operateon a Scotland-wide basis and which are engaged in health initiatives thatcomplement those required by statute.
