Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 23 March 2016
23 Mar 2016 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Residential Care (Self-Funding Payments)
Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights
Having heard the supplementary, I am absolutely sure that Mary Scanlon was not randomly picked to ask that question because she has campaigned vigorously on the issue ever since 1999.
I draw Mary Scanlon’s attention to the joint review of residential care services by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, which was published about 18 months ago. The issue was among a number of issues that we intend to try to address.
Finally, since this is Mary Scanlon’s last question, I pay tribute to her tremendous service to the Parliament, to the country and particularly to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. She will be sorely missed from this Parliament. [Applause.]
In the same item of business
4. Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
To ask the Scottish Government whether it complies with its social justice policy objectives for self-funding older people in residential care to pay more th...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights (Alex Neil)
SNP
Free personal care is available for everyone aged 65 and over in Scotland who has been assessed by the local authority as needing it. Free nursing care is av...
Mary Scanlon
Con
I thank David McLaren in the chamber desk team for randomly selecting me for this question, given that I have been complaining about not being selected for t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
And the question is?
Mary Scanlon
Con
How can it be socially just when councils pay about £470 a week for a placement in a care home but a self-funding placement costs well over £1,000? As this i...
Alex Neil
SNP
Having heard the supplementary, I am absolutely sure that Mary Scanlon was not randomly picked to ask that question because she has campaigned vigorously on ...