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I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22629 on 16 November 2023 for information on a full range of ongoing actions we are taking to raise awareness of our schemes. 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 .

A range of skills will be required to deliver the transition to clean heat. Our Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan sets out practical steps that we will take to support the growth of the green heat sector.

We continue to work in partnership with the sector to ensure that the appropriate support and training provision are aligned at a local level with business needs and future local demands.

The Scottish Government does not hold or have access to information on the number of students currently pursuing specific energy efficiency qualifications. As energy efficiency would typically form part of a wider course syllabus for a diverse range of qualifications including engineering, technology, science and construction, the Scottish Government is unable to identify which courses include an energy efficiency component and therefore does not have the information required to answer the question accurately.

I refer the member to the answer in question S6W-22666 on 16 November 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 .

All the current means of heating homes and buildings require replacement and recycling of units and component parts, and this will continue to be the case.

There is no requirement for heat pump installation businesses to be registered. The Renewables Installer Finder tool, funded by Scottish Government, provides information on Microgeneration Certification Scheme certified installers who operate in Scotland and wish to list their information on the tool. The tool can be found at: Renewables Installer Finder (est.org.uk) .

The Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme is available to all domestic owner occupied households in Scotland, therefore data on household income and council tax band are not collected during the application process. In the following table, the data requested has therefore been supplied for local authority area only.

Funding issued through the scheme often comprises a combination of loan and grant funding.

On behalf of the Scottish Government, Element Energy conducted analysis of the technical suitability of low-carbon heating technologies in Scottish domestic buildings. A copy of this report is available here: Scottish Government (2020). Technical Feasibility of Low Carbon Heating in Domestic Buildings, www.gov.scot/publications/technical-feasibility-low-carbon-heating-domestic-buildings-report-scottish-governments-directorate-energy-climate-change/ .

We have recently published research by ClimateXchange that considers options for a methodology to assess the suitability of whole-building heating systems and we are currently undertaking work to develop options for such a methodology for further consideration.

We will consult during 2023 on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill to phase out polluting heating systems in Scotland’s homes and buildings and move to clean heating systems. Any regulations introduced will be technology-neutral since different homes and buildings will require different clean heat solutions (including heat pumps, heat networks and direct electric heating systems).

The following table sets out the number of applications approved for energy efficiency measures and clean heating systems for the financial year 2022-23. The figures include data from the Home Energy Scotland Loan and Cashback Scheme, which operated until December 2022, and the Grant and Loan scheme which began in December 2022.

A ‘clean heating system’ refers to a ‘zero direct emissions heating system’.

Hybrid heat pumps and hybrid heat pump systems are not included in the number of clean heating systems, as these usually include a heating source which directly produces carbon emissions, although the Scottish Government only provides funding for the zero emissions element.

The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme offers homeowners in Scotland a grant, interest free loan or a combination of both to support the installation of energy efficiency measures and zero direct emission heating.

Energy efficiency measures funded through the scheme must be recommended on the property’s EPC, ensuring that funding is being utilised for measures which are suitable for a property and will result in a reduction in carbon emissions.