Chamber and committees

Detailed modelling to provide projections of future recycling performance is being undertaken as part of our work to develop a route map towards our 2025 recycling and waste targets, as set out in our update to the Climate Change Plan.

The Scottish Government does not hold this data centrally.

The Gaelic Capital Fund is an important support mechanism for Gaelic projects across Scotland. The Scottish Government is currently considering a range of bids from across Scotland and a decision will be made on these shortly.

The Scottish Government has a range of manifesto commitments for Gaelic. It is essential that we maintain mechanisms, such as the Gaelic Capital Fund, as we maintain the growth and expansion in Gaelic education across Scotland.

Data on the implementation of free personal care to under 65’s, in line with other non-Covid-19 data collections, was temporarily postponed due to the pandemic and redirection of the Scottish Government and Local Authority resources to the pandemic response. The Scottish Government recommenced the collection of data on the implementation of free personal care to under 65’s in August 2021. This data will be collected and quality assured ahead of publication of results in 2022.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02631 on 13 September 2021 September 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Eligibility for Free Personal Care is identified by an assessment of need. The assessment is carried out by a member of staff of the local authority's social work department. Local authorities have a duty under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to assess the needs of people and decide, in the light of this assessment, whether they should arrange any services and, if so, which services.

The Scottish Government has established a Covid Ventilation Short Life Working Group (SLWG) of expert advisors to consider what actions can be taken in the short, medium and long-term. It first met on 3 September 2021, with advice on initial recommendations due to be submitted to Ministers on 10 September 2021.

The SLWG is expected to be in place for 6-12 months. It will consider a more detailed timeframe for its programme of work at the next meeting later in September. The group will support our understanding of what measures building managers can take to improve ventilation in areas where it is found to be lacking.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring Covid testing is as accessible as possible and we have put in place a number of initiatives to encourage the use of lateral flow tests for routine asymptomatic testing. Our communication campaign recommends that members of the public use the lateral flow tests to test themselves twice a week. Our aim is to ensure that lateral flow tests are widely available and accessible to anyone who wants to use them. A target would not be helpful to deliver this.

As stated previously, the Scottish Government has used a number of approaches to promote regular testing; this includes targeted campaigns and guidance on how to access test supplies and the introduction of Pharmacy Collect. We will continue to develop campaigns to promote the importance of regular testing in preventing the transmission of Covid-19.

Previously, individuals had to access the batch number of the vaccine they received in Scotland by requesting access to their medical records. Batch numbers are now available on vaccination status certificates which can be downloaded or obtained at: Get a record of your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination status | The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (nhsinform.scot) or from the COVID-19 Status Helpline on 0808 196 8565 (open every day from 10:00am to 6:00pm).

2D QR barcodes have now been added to all records of vaccination for additional security.