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Crew commissioning of the vessel is already under way with senior Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) crew present in the shipyard as the vessel is prepared for operational delivery. Following a period of berthing trials and crew familiarisation the MV Glen Sannox, (Hull 801) is set to be operational eight weeks after handover.

North Ayrshire Council recently provided their updated socio-economic appraisal that will be reviewed by officials and used to inform the business case work. Peel Ports Group (PPG), are currently progressing the structural assessments which will help inform a decision on the expanded project scope and business case review.

It is for CalMac as operator of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service in the first instance to determine any actions that need to be taken in response to the closure of the Irish berth, maintaining safe links that the communities rely upon.

We understand and empathise with those affected and continue to impress upon Peel Ports Group and CalMac the urgency of the situation. Transport Scotland will continue to work with CalMac to monitor the ongoing impacts on all affected by the amended services and closure of the Irish Berth at Ardrossan.

The Scottish Government holds regular discussions with Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited on the charter and potential purchase of available and suitable vessels to support and improve services on Scotland’s ferry networks. Discussions also take place with CalMac where appropriate.

The Ardrossan Harbour Task Force has met 15 times since it was set up in 2016, the details of these meetings and the Attendees involved can be found on the Transport Scotland website, Ardrossan Harbour Task Force | Transport Scotland . Staff within the Transport Scotland Ferries Directorate support the Task Force work, including the ongoing business case and project cost review.

The Chief Executive of Ferguson Marine provided the most recent costs for completion of the vessels to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee in September 2023.

The Chief Executive also informed the NZET Committee in January that the estimated total cost to complete both vessels was being reviewed and the outcome would be notified to the Committee and Scottish Government before 23rd February.

Following a period of berthing trials and crew familiarisation the MV Glen Sannox (Hull 801) is set to be operational eight weeks after handover. The handover date is also in the process of being revised by Ferguson Marine and we expect this to be notified with the updated forecast costs.

The number of timetabled sailings CalMac has provided with the charter vessel, MV Alfred since 27 April 2023 until 9 February 2024 is 882.

Transport Scotland were informed on 2 February of Peel Ports decision to close the Irish Berth permanently.

This is an operational matter for ScotRail. The Member may wish to contact ScotRail directly.

The Scottish Government funds delivery of 1140 hours of high quality funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) to all three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds. This entitlement is regardless of the working status of their parents - putting children first.

We recognise how important both early learning and school age childcare are for families, especially those experiencing poverty. Within this year’s Programme for Government we have committed to work with local government and partners in the ELC sector to expand our childcare offers.

We are already delivering school age childcare services to around 1,000 priority families through our early adopter work in Glasgow, Dundee, Clackmannanshire, and Inverclyde - and through our Access to Childcare Fund projects.

Over the next year we will expand our early adopter work to include Fife and Shetland and also to broaden the work to include younger children. This work will provide us with a clearer picture about what approaches deliver the greatest impact for families.

In parallel we will continue to work with local authorities and our partners in the sector to support up-take of the existing two year old offer, to ensure as many children as possible receive the benefits of high quality ELC. We will also begin the work necessary to plan for an expansion of funded ELC for more families with a two year old, focused on those who will benefit most.

We know that the needs of younger children are different to those aged three and four and in developing our plans for an expansion we will be guided by what the evidence tells us is best for children and families.