Seòmar agus comataidhean

Mouchel Scotland Ltd were instructed to produce a feasibility report for the A95/B9153 Kinveachy junction on 31 March 2000. The initial feasibility report was submitted to the Scottish Executive for consideration on 18 May 2000. A supplementary report was then provided on 7 July 2000. These reports were not commissioned for external publication. All the recommendations made have been considered and the scheme design is underway. The Highland Council and the local community will be consulted during the scheme design process.

It is anticipated that implementation of the works, at an estimated cost of £345,000, will commence in October and should be completed by January 2001.

It is for each learning provider to make their own decision about whether to register as a provider for the purpose of Individual Learning Accounts.

In September 1998 there were an estimated 195 full-time equivalent secondary school teachers who regarded Gaelic as their main subject qualification. Primary school teachers are not categorised by subject.

The Leirsinn survey, The Availability of Gaelic-speaking Teachers (summer 1997) found that in 1997 there were 101 primary school teachers in Gaelic-medium education, 25 secondary school teachers, and 38 supply teachers (21 primary and 17 secondary).

No estimates of requirements for teachers of Gaelic have been made centrally. Education authorities have estimated the numbers of additional teachers, including replacements, for Gaelic-medium education required over the next seven years. These estimates amount to:

Primary 150

Secondary 70

Two thirds of the notified demand was from the Highland Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Following completion of the review of earlier studies, it was decided that upgrading of the existing bridge represented the most practicable and cost-effective solution. This work is being undertaken in two phases; the first, to strengthen the bridge to meet current loading requirements was completed recently. The second phase, currently under design, involves widening the bridge to enable it to carry two lanes of traffic and the removal of the traffic signals, and will be carried out next financial year depending on the availability of funding.

The numbers graduating from the Teacher Education Institutions who have received some training for Gaelic-medium education in primary schools and the numbers trained to be specialist Gaelic teachers in secondary schools are estimated as follows:

	1995-96	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-2000
Primary	8	18	11	15	14
Secondary	4	5	5	5	4

The Executive is funding courses to equip teachers to deliver their specialist subject through the medium of Gaelic. Nine teachers attended the course in 1999.

Education authorities have indicated that they would wish to employ more teachers for Gaelic-medium education.

If Sabhal Mor Ostaig is a registered Individual Learning Account (ILA) provider then any courses provided which fall within the widely drawn definition of eligible learning announced on 10 May will be available to ILA members.

All work, which included statutory procedures for this particular scheme, ceased in September 1998. The Scottish Executive has no current proposals to progress this scheme. The local community would be consulted if this scheme were to be progressed.

The Scottish Executive has invested approximately £149,000 as part of Phase 1 of the improvement works on the A95 trunk road within Cromdale. These works were completed in 1999. Phase 2 of the improvement works will provide additional footways and new street lighting at an estimated cost of £150,000. These works will be progressed within financial year 2001-02. In addition, a refurbishment or replacement scheme for the footbridge in this area is currently under consideration. The estimated costs involved are £23,000 and £32,000 respectively. The total estimated investment for all these works is £331,000.

The Cromdale Community Council was consulted regarding Phase 1 of the improvement works within Cromdale. They will also be consulted at the appropriate time regarding Phase 2 of these works.

No. This funding is to promote the take-up of 1,000 Modern Apprenticeships and 5,000 Individual Learning Accounts in the industry. MAs and ILAs are delivered primarily in the workplace.

The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) is responsible for setting student intake levels to courses of initial teacher education (ITE). Each year the Executive provides guidance to SHEFC on ITE, setting out our strategic objectives for teacher education and supply. We have indicated to SHEFC that the supply of teachers able to teach in Gaelic medium education is a priority and have asked SHEFC to assist in promoting provision in this area. To help SHEFC consider how the need for Gaelic medium teachers might be met, the Executive has asked local authorities to identify their requirements. Last year authorities indicated a need for around 150 newly trained teachers for primary Gaelic medium over the next seven years and around 70 for secondary Gaelic medium over the same period. We are at the moment collecting updated information from authorities about their requirements in order that this can be provided in guidance to SHEFC for session 2001-02. It will be for SHEFC to consider how these future requirements for newly trained teachers can be met.

Comunn na Gaidhlig with funding from the Executive is conducting a publicity campaign, including leaflets, a video and a Gaelic careers conference, to attract potential recruits into Gaelic medium teaching; it has also discussed with the Teacher Education Institutions their admissions policies.