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Transport Scotland has undertaken to evaluate the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme following the first full year of operation. The evaluation will assess the short, medium and long term impact of the scheme by comparing conditions at different stages.

Baseline data collection is under way, including an online survey with children, young people and parents, secondary data collection, and assessment of travel behaviour, attitudes and perceptions of travel prior to the scheme’s starting on 31 January 2022.

During the first year of operation, short term outcomes such as uptake of entitlement and travel behaviour will be evaluated. This will be followed by a more thorough evaluation following the first full year of operation which will assess medium and long term outcomes such as changing travel behaviour and improving access to education, training and employment.

Further evaluations are planned to take place periodically to ensure that the scheme is meeting its stated objectives and offers public value.

Our Single Building Assessment initial phase is ongoing with 25 buildings across Scotland. We do not expect any remediation will be required for the vast majority of high-rise or other buildings in Scotland.

We are working with operators to monitor the impact on service levels and changes in vacancy levels. My officials are also in regular contact with the Department for Transport regarding issues about delays to licence applications and driver testing, which have affected recruitment and training.

In addition, officials across the Scottish Government are working with the bus sector to facilitate solutions to workforce issues through the Labour and Skills Shortages Action Plan, and connecting Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs) who are aware of opportunities in their areas with bus service operators (through the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT)).

Examples of good practice are being shared across the network of both LEPs and members of CPT to encourage more local level collaboration that matches the needs in each area. For example, all LEPs have been made aware of the successful recruitment fairs run for McGills/Xplore Dundee by Dundee LEP.

The Scottish Government provides support for energy efficiency measures and zero emissions heating in Scotland’s homes and businesses, including for traditional and heritage buildings. Home Energy Scotland (HES) is funded by the Scottish Government to offer free, impartial, bespoke information and advice on the installation of energy efficiency and renewables measures, and to act as a gateway to all our domestic energy efficiency funding schemes. For businesses, the Scottish Government offer free, impartial advice and support to Scottish SMEs through the Energy Efficiency Business Support Service, delivered by Zero Waste Scotland. Through this service, businesses can access the SME loan scheme which provides funding support for energy efficiency measures and zero emissions heating installations.

In order to meet our net zero ambitions, we will continue to invest in our advice services to increase their reach and support. We recognise that improving the energy efficiency of traditional and heritage buildings in Scotland may require a bespoke approach and we will work with stakeholders, such as Historic Environment Scotland, to understand the future support necessary to upgrade these buildings.

The Scottish Government provides baseline funding to NHS Boards and it is for Boards to determine how to use this funding to meet the healthcare needs of their resident population.

In 2021-22, Health funding exceeds £16 billion with £11.6 billion allocated to our frontline Health Boards. Our latest Budget takes funding for Health and Social Care to £18 billion for the first time, with £12.4 billion investment in our frontline health boards, representing additional investment of £387m (3.2%).

We continue to ensure that our health and care services receive the support that they need to address additional financial pressures resulting from Covid, including £862m provided to date in 2021-22.

Detail on how funding has been used specifically for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease would require to be requested from NHS Boards.

The information requested regarding whether the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has carried out any investigation into deaths due to hospital-acquired infection at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is not centrally held by the Scottish Government.

Health and safety at work is a reserved matter. HSE has confirmed that their published policy is generally not to investigate hospital acquired infections Who regulates health care (hse.gov.uk) . They have not investigated deaths at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital that may have been caused by a hospital associated infection.

HSE did however carry out an investigation into concerns raised with them in December 2019 about the ventilation within two wards at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the control of legionella in water systems across the hospital.

HSE was satisfied with the control of legionella but wrote to the Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow Health Board/NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde requesting improvements to the ventilation systems. An Improvement Notice was served in relation to the ventilation system within Ward 4C.

Further information is available on the NHS GGC webpage: https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/news/2019/12/hse-improvement-notice/ . The Improvement Notice is being appealed by the Health Board. However, HSE is satisfied that appropriate remedial action has been taken.

The information requested is available from https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/factsheet/2020/02/health-and-wellbeing-census/documents/health-and-wellbeing-census-frequently-asked-questions/health-and-wellbeing-census-frequently-asked-questions/govscot%3Adocument/HWB%2BCensus%2B2021-22%2B-%2BQA%2Bdocument%2B-%2BAugust%2B2021.docx.

Vaccination is the best way to keep you, your friends, family, and community safe and we encourage everyone to consider getting the vaccine.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice changed on 15 November 2021. In the vast majority of cases a successful route to safe vaccination can now be found, a disability would not necessarily mean that an individual cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

It is exceptionally rare to withhold vaccination, however, if vaccination is not straightforward support is available to help people achieve the benefits of protection from the Covid-19 vaccines. Local vaccination centres can help answer questions about the vaccine and can advise what arrangements may be put in place to enable safe vaccination.

In the rare cases where that support is provided and does not lead to vaccination then this will result in the person being identified as either able to safely receive the vaccine but decides not to do so and in this circumstance they will not be eligible for a medical exemption certificate; or they will be identified as clinically unable to safely receive the vaccine and in which case they will receive a secure paper exemption certificate in the post. All vaccine status certificates, including medical exemptions certificates, are time limited.

Further information on COVID-19 Status Certificates and about medical exemptions from them is available from NHS Inform , the COVID Status Helpline on 0808 196 8565 , or local vaccination centres.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04215 on 20 December 2021 . 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

Self-isolation can be difficult, but it is essential to protect people and reduce the spread of Coronavirus. The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting low income workers who have to isolate. That is why we have put aside £100m for increased spending on the Self-Isolation Support Grant to ensure that low income workers won't experience financial hardship as a result of doing the right thing.

Between the start of the scheme and 31 October 2021, 48,810 Grants have been awarded totalling £25.3 million. Eligibility has also widened to allow many more workers to access the support available. Workers earning less than the Real living Wage, living in households whose income is less than 25% above their Universal Credit level or receiving Council Tax Reduction are all eligible if they have to isolate. Additionally, carers of adults who need assistance to isolate and parents or carers of children who are isolating may also be eligible if their caring responsibilities prevent them from working. More information on eligibility including a checker tool is available at Self-Isolation Support Grant (£500) - mygov.scot