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Actions on loss and damage can either avert, minimise or address loss and damage; meaning we can prevent climate impacts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the severity of climate impacts through adaptative measures or remedy the harm that has been caused. The Scottish Government funding on loss and damage is focused on the latter, that is, addressing the losses and damages by remedying the harm that communities are suffering.

The Scottish Government funding is focused on addressing loss and damage because partner countries have continually stressed that this is an underfunded and underacknowledged area. But our funding also, in addition, lessens future potential impacts. For example following the devastating impacts of Storm Ana and Cyclone Gombe in Malawi, the Scottish Government’s funding has supported the training of 155 artisans in the construction of safer housing using low to medium cost materials. It is expected that, with the advanced knowledge and skill, the artisans will support community members to construct more resilient homes, better able to withstand future climate shocks.

The Scottish Government is committed to training Clinical Nurse Specialists. The Specialist Nursing and Care Report details how health boards have used the £2.5 million recurring funding announced in 2015 to enhance clinical nurse specialist in NHS Scotland.

We set out in Transforming Nursing, Midwifery And Health Profession (NMaHP) roles: review of Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Practitioner roles within Scotland , published in August 2021, how health boards can use a flexible approach to the education and training of Clinical Nurse Specialists. Education programmes can be provided through higher education institutions as well as modules provided by health boards; work based learning for training posts that have a specific specialisms with appropriate supervision; and digital learning to maximise access and flexibility to training.

The outcomes of the transport appraisal that supported second Strategic Transport Projects Review(STPR2), was published on the 8 December 2022 on the Transport Scotland website.

The appraisal was conducted in several phases which involved ongoing stakeholder engagement. The eleven regional and national Case for Change Reports were published in February 2021 and further details on these can be found here: STPR2 strategic approach | Transport Scotland .

Appendix D and E of the National Case for Change Report Initial appraisal: Case for Change - National - STPR2 | Transport Scotland , respectively detail those options sifted “in” and “out” for further consideration at next appraisal stage.

The outcomes of this final detailed appraisal, including details of the approach followed to appraise options, are contained in the published Final technical report - December 2022 - STPR2 | Transport Scotland .

Specific details on the results of the appraisal related to Recommendation 41 – Potential Fixed Links across the Sounds of Barra, Harris and between Mull and the Mainland can be found here: recommendation-41-potential-sound-of-harris-sound-of-barra-fixed-link-and-fixed-link-between-mull-and-scottish-mainland.pdf (transport.gov.scot)

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15454 on15 March 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

There are 18.8 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) Ophthalmology Consultants employed in NHS Lanarkshire as at December 2022.

There are 12.3 WTE Ophthalmology Consultants employed in NHS Forth Valley as at December 2022.

The information requested on what the current vacancy rate is for lung cancer nurse specialists within the (a) West of Scotland Cancer Network, (b) North Cancer Alliance and (c) South East Scotland Cancer Network is not centrally available.

The Scottish Government has a strong record of maintaining lower rail fares compared to the rest of the UK, with our commitment to this shown by the rail fares freeze in our recent Programme for Government.

The decision was taken last year to freeze ScotRail fares to the end of March 2023 to support rail users during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

I am currently considering future fare options noting the current challenging fiscal climate facing rail passengers and funders.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15454 on‎ 15 March 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

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.

The Scottish Government has overall responsibility for health and social care policy in Scotland, however the statutory responsibility for delivering or commissioning services lies with health boards. Operational decisions, including whether there is a need for lung cancer specialist nurses, is therefore, a matter for them.

Scottish Government officials have weekly cancer calls with health boards where issues with staffing can be addressed and supported.