Supported Employment

Part of Scottish Executive Question Time — General Questions – in the Scottish Parliament at 11:40 am on 7 October 2010.

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Photo of Keith Brown Keith Brown Scottish National Party 11:40, 7 October 2010

I had a chance to listen to some of the debate this morning, when such issues were raised. I acknowledge the genuine commitment and compassion that Helen Eadie has displayed on the matter, in the debate and in discussions with me. I hope that she acknowledges that there is the same commitment on the Government benches. We provide direct funding for some supported employment workshops, in Aberdeen and other areas.

The member asked about orders. Of course, it is not possible for us to provide contracts if we have no requirement for the goods but, in areas in which we have a requirement for goods, we are closely considering whether we can place contracts that will benefit the workshops. That work is continuing.

As was mentioned in the debate, where we can we also use the European Union public procurement directive, in relation to reserving contracts for supported factories. That is helping the order books of the workshops that Helen Eadie mentioned. I am happy to get back to the member with the other information for which she asked, although that is held by individual workshops.