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By the end of 2023, we intend to confirm the future scope of SIETF applications, taking into account the needs of Scotland's industrial base and the remaining allocated funding at that time. The decision will be informed by liaison with the UK Government regarding responses to the IETF consultation and consideration of options to extend the fund.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22080 on 23 October 2023. 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

Scottish Ministers are currently processing applications from SSE Renewables (via its project company Berwick Bank Wind Limited) for the construction and operation of the proposed Berwick Bank offshore wind farm. This process includes consultations with statutory and non-statutory consultees, as well as the opportunity for the public to make representations.

SSE Renewables has also submitted proposals to compensate for the potential adverse environmental impacts of the proposed wind farm, if a derogation under the Habitats Regulations is required. This includes a proposal regarding the guga hunt, which SSE Renewables has submitted on a without prejudice basis.

As this is a live application, it would be inappropriate to comment on the application further.

In determining an application for any project, the Scottish Ministers will consider a wide range of issues, including the environmental impacts it may have and whether a derogation under the Habitats Regulations is required. Any derogation under the Habitats Regulations, will include an assessment of the feasibility of compensation measures.

There is no specific qualification required to investigate and confirm the presence of RAAC in a building. The Institution of Structural Engineers note on their website that: “Identification can be undertaken by an experienced estate/ maintenance manager/ or building owner”.

It is recommended that the investigation and assessment of RAAC, once identified, should be undertaken by a suitably competent structural engineer.

Issues of RAAC competence and capacity building were discussed at the Cross-Sector Working Group meeting of 22 September. Minutes from that meeting are published on The Scottish Government Website at: Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC): Cross Sector Working Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

In the period 10-10-13 to 9-10-2023 there have been 43 public local inquiries held by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) in respect of onshore wind farm proposals exceeding 50 megawatts which require consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

Parties involved in planning proceedings are expected to meet their own costs. DPEA meet the costs of the reporter and administrative staff; advertisement of the case and the cost of the inquiry venue if necessary; and the general administrative costs of the case. DPEA do not record staff costs as reporters and administrative staff normally deal with a number of different case types at the same time.

DPEA began recording venue and advertisement costs from April 2019. The costs of inquiries from that date onwards are provided in the following table.

*The pattern of meeting types detailed in the information below reflects inquiries which took place during covid-related restrictions which meant that DPEA had to introduce virtual events. As covid restrictions have lifted, DPEA has transitioned back to holding some events in-person, some virtually, and some a mix of the two

The Scottish Government supports the further development of Waste Water Intelligent Networks (WWIN) and the benefits they will deliver. However, as this is an operational matter for Scottish Water, I have asked its Chief Executive to respond. His response is as follows:

Scottish Water has committed to installing 1,000 network monitors by 2024, as outlined within its Improving Urban Waters Routemap ( https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/-/media/ScottishWater/Document-Hub/Key-Publications/Urban-Water-Improvements/SW-Urban-Waters-Route-Map.pdf )

Additionally, Scottish Water will deploy a further 1,200 network monitors as part of the WWIN programme. This will further enhance their predictive Operational response and analysis of the data for longer term planning.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22080 on 23 October 2023. 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22080 on 23 October 2023. 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

In January 2023 we published the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan for consultation, after a delay to ensure wide stakeholder engagement and to allow for the finalisation of the technical evidence base.

The consultation closed on 9 May 2023 and received a very high level of responses. We published an independent consultation analysis report in September 2023. It is critical that we respond to the views expressed in the consultation and continue to engage with stakeholders as we work towards the final publication by Summer 2024, including the Just Transition Commission.

To date 32 different people have been prescribed diamorphine in this service since it started in 2019. Currently 25 people attend the service with 23 on active injecting plans.

The Chief Scientist Office published an evaluation of the facility in conjunction with Glasgow Caledonian University, Kings College London, University of Strathclyde and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. The evaluation concluded that heroin-assisted treatment was successfully implemented for those with complex needs who had previously been unable to meaningfully engage in other community drug treatment services. It also found that tailoring HAT to individual patients’ needs is essential to their ongoing engagement and that COVID-19 had a major impact on the original service delivery model, but other barriers to implementation were identified at individual, service and environmental levels.

The evaluation -

https://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/HIPS1919report.pdf - also concluded that HAT is not a short-term solution for a patient group with complex needs and polydrug use, therefore policy makers, commissioners and practitioners need to consider this when planning and operating similar services.