Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid): SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S1M-317, in the name of Iain Gray, on the Executive's commitment to the introduction of a carers strategy, an...

The Deputy Minister for Community Care (Iain Gray): Lab

I welcome to the public gallery carers who have travelled from all over Scotland to be here today. Given the caring responsibilities that they have, that rep...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

I can now give an interim answer to the point of order that was raised by Kay Ullrich. I understand that the parliamentary question was asked by Lewis Macdon...

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

welcome the sentiments that the minister has expressed. I am sure that carers across Scotland will join me in regarding this as a first step in the long-over...

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): Con

We welcome today's motion. I congratulate the minister and Kay Ullrich on their contributions to an evocative and important matter. The minister is also to b...

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): SNP

Mr Aitken says that the matter is not a question of finance and goes on to highlight the shortcomings in local government and the need to plough more money i...

Bill Aitken: Con

Of course it is a question of finance, but it is also a question of enabling the people who might be on the periphery of making a contribution to do so. I do...

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): LD

On behalf of the Liberal Democrats, I join in the plaudits to the deputy minister, who has produced a good paper and brought it before the chamber in an unde...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

A number of members want to speak in this afternoon's debate. I ask members to keep their speeches as close as possible to four minutes.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): Lab

I welcome today's debate. It is essential that our discussion of this issue is informed and constructive. We must move the carers agenda forward. The Scottis...

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): Lab

Does the member for Airdrie and Shotts agree that the doubled allocation of resources for the provision of carers services, including respite care, displays ...

Karen Whitefield: Lab

Yes, I agree.It is especially important that priority has been given to young carers. It is estimated that there are around 5,000 young carers in Scotland, a...

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I, too, welcome the fact that we have highlighted young carers today and I wish to confine my remarks to that subject. I am glad that young carers are being ...

Dr Richard Simpson (Ochil) (Lab): Lab

I must begin by declaring that I still act as a medical adviser to foster carers in the former Central Region, now Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire. Th...

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I welcome the opportunity to debate this extremely important issue in Parliament. I will use my time to draw attention to the needs of the valuable people wh...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

There is time for one more speaker. I call Kate MacLean; you have three minutes.

Kate MacLean (Dundee West) (Lab): Lab

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I will try to be brief. Iain Gray said that one of the first events he attended as a minister was a carers event. I wonder whet...

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): SNP

On a point of order. Might it be noted when we have important debates such as this in future that ministers should not make statements prior to the debate? P...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

Thank you. I understand the point of order.

Mrs Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): LD

I welcome the minister's comprehensive speech and, like all the other members who have spoken today, the strategy for carers. It is good that we have moved t...

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): SSP

On a point of order. It has been the practice for the Presiding Officer to indicate the number of members who wanted to speak in the debate but were unsucces...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

I am not aware that that is a practice, Mr Sheridan. For your information, I believe that the number is three.

Tommy Sheridan: SSP

Thank you.

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): Con

Much of what I wanted to say has been said. I am delighted that there is such consensus on this issue. I would like to think that, whether in a small or in a...

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): SNP

I welcome the tone and substance of this debate. Members from all parts of the chamber have made good speeches. I am sure that the Minister for Health and Co...

Iain Gray: Lab

Will Mr Hamilton give way?

Mr Hamilton: SNP

I will not give way.The £5 million is a relaunch of money that has already been allocated. Welcome though that money is, let us not go down the track of sugg...

The Minister for Health and Community Care (Susan Deacon): Lab

Let me say at the outset how genuinely pleased and proud I am to be standing here today shoulder to shoulder with Iain Gray and other members of the Executiv...

Kay Ullrich: SNP

When the minister met representatives of local authorities, did they assure her that they were receiving adequate funding to provide community care services?

Susan Deacon: Lab

Perhaps this is the appropriate point at which to address the SNP amendment. Amendments such as the one that has been moved today are dishonest and disingenu...