Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-24149 on 15 July 2019 asked by Alison Johnstone. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

 Work is underway to establish the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission and it will have its inaugural meeting after it is established. The membership and programme of work to be taken forward by the Committee in its first year will be determined once the Chair is appointed.

I refer the Member to the answer to question S5W-24146 on 7 August 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-24147 on 17 July 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx '

Scottish Government officials worked closely with the Free Personal Care Implementation Advisory Group to develop a detailed monitoring template that has been distributed to all local authorities. This format asks for information on costs, level, and nature of demand for Free Personal Care since the extension to those under the age of 65. This will allow for a more accurate estimate of the cost of the policy in coming years and allocations to local authorities. We are committed to review on this basis.

We intend to provide regular reports of the impact of the extension of Free Personal Care from early next year. This will enable both central and local governments to closely monitor the impact of the extension over the first three years.

Scottish Government officials last met with the Ministry of Defence on Monday, 29 th July as part of the Covenant Reference Group and discussed a wide range of matters relating to supporting the Armed Forces and Veterans Community. Specifically on education matters, officials from the Scottish Government and MOD’s Directorate of Children and Young People met on 23 July 2019 and at the most recent Scottish Service Children Strategy Group on 4 June 2019.

Officials will continue to meet with their counterparts at the MOD on a regular basis as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to engage with the MOD on issues that are of interest to the Armed Forces and Veterans Community in Scotland.

An analysis of the responses to the consultation on wildlife crime penalties will be published on the Scottish Government website as soon as practicable after the consultation closes on 16 August 2019.

We will set out our future legislative plans in due course.

Scottish Government officials from the European Structural Funds and State Aid Division maintain regular dialogue by email, phone and in person with the European Commission regarding the European Social Fund.

Officials from the Scottish Government met officials from the European Commission in Brussels on 14 June 2019 to discuss the European Social Fund.

All public bodies in Scotland produce and publish individual audited annual accounts. The Scottish Government produces all the accounts that are required. In a letter of 2 November 2016, the Permanent Secretary wrote to the Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee, in advance of her attendance at the Committee on 10 November: http://www.parliament.scot/S5_Finance/PAPLS_Papers_10_November.pdf

Work has continued to develop this new output but it has been challenging to accommodate this additional project with existing and new priorities, alongside overcoming the many technical challenges associated with consolidating data from a significantly expanded number of organisations, some operating to different accounting standards. However, the work is now drawing to a conclusion. Draft material has been shared for internal consultation within the Scottish Government and is with Audit Scotland for review .