SNP MSP Gil Paterson asks the Scottish government how many people are registered with an NHS dentist, and how this compares with 2007.

Health Secretary Shona Robison says in the short to medium term there are a range of actions already being taken to increase recruitment in rural ares.

Ms Robison says the recommendations from the Shape of Training report must be implemented as a longer term solution. 

Surgeons should be encouraged to regard working in rural hospitals as a "viable career choice", the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has said.

In a report published last March, RCSEd said many surgeons considered appoints outside central Scotland as "remote".

This has caused recruitment and retention problems at rural hospitals, including sites in the Western and Northern Isles, Wick and Oban.

RCSEd said trainees and trainers should have a higher regard for rural posts.

The organisation said there was a Scotland-wide problem with recruitment, and vacant consultant jobs across all specialities had risen from 143 in September 2012 to 345 in September last year.

But in its new report, Standards informing delivery of rural surgery, external, it has warned that the problem was most acute in rural and remote areas.

Read more here.

SNP MSP Kate Forbes asks the Scottish government what its response is to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh report, Standards informing delivery of care in rural surgery .

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay is warming up for this afternoon's budget debate by fielding this SWAN question. 

Mr Scott says the SWAN project is seemingly struggling. 

Mr Mackay says he is happy to give a briefing about SWAN. 

Image source, SWAN

The Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) Framework Contract was awarded to Capita plc in February 2014. SWAN was made ready for Service at the end of July 2014 and has now over 3,000 sites connected to it. A number which is growing by the day.

Not only do we have the four Vanguard Partners who have signed their Call-off Contracts, we have Signed up three additional SWAN Members,  one other is about to sign their Call-off Contract and one other has asked to join. Capita and the SWAN Authority are also in discussion with another forty potential SWAN Members.

A second phase of the SWAN Programme has been defined and the attached document provides more detail of the Programme and its Mandate going forwards.

Here you will find the SWAN Programme Mandate, external

Conservative MSP John Scott asks the Scottish government when the revised Scottish Wide Area Network project will be completed and delivered in full.

After general questions we will bring you extensive coverage of first minister's questions.

Image source, bbc

Conservative MSP Liam Kerr will lead a member’s debate on the Awards for Valour (Protection) Bill.  

Image source, bbc

In the chamber this afternoon there will be a ministerial statement on Scotland's ferry services.

Then the Stage One debate on the budget will get underway followed by the all important decision time at 5pm.

Brian Taylor
BBC Scotland Political Editor

BBC Scotland understands that the deal over the Scottish budget involves around £160m extra for local government plus additional cash for the police service. 

On tax, it is expected that the threshold for the forty pence higher rate of tax will now be frozen at the present £43,000 level - rather than increasing in line with inflation as ministers originally intended. 

The deal with the Greens will be confirmed in Parliament this afternoon.

Join us for extensive coverage of the budget debate from 2.30pm.

Image source, bbc

Brexit Minister Mike Russell says he has no idea when Article 50 will be triggered which perhaps tells us something.

Image source, getty images

Committee convener and SNP MSP Joan McAlpine asks if the EU will agree to a transition on the UK's terms.

Mr Russell says: "We are not hearing anything much, apart from principles, from the EU."

Image source, ALLSPORT/Getty Images

Mike Russell speaks about the political and economic differences in transitional arrangements in leaving the EU; saying that a quick Brexit might be good politically but would be "pretty brutal" for industry.

He tells the committee that one UKIP MEP said leaving the EU is just like leaving a golf club - "you send a letter in saying I'm off and stop paying subscription fees".

"At best that can be described as a naive view", Mr Russell says.

Image source, bbc

Responding to a question by Greens MSP Ross Greer on promises that inter-governmental Brexit talks with the devolved authorities will be "intensified", Mr Russel says that he thinks this means there will be a "step change" in the process.

"We will know it when we see it", he says.

The minister also tells MSPs that any further unilateral actions on Brexit by the UK government without consultation of devolved authorities will show there is no genuine attempt to engage with them.

"It is a very fast moving and difficult situation" he says. 

He says the transition must be fast to prevent the illusion of remaining in the EU.