SNP MSP Sandra White asks what the government's position is on the use of mosquito devices to deter the gathering of young people.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks what support the government are giving Police Scotland to improve the IT system.

Mr Matheson says the member should not believe everything he reads in the Daily Mail.

The justice minister says the government are providing funding and Mr Kerr should call for a change to VAT rules.

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In August we reported that Finance minister Derek Mackay had said he would put more pressure on the UK Treasury to scrap VAT bills for Scotland's police and fire services.

The organisations became liable for the tax after merging from regional into national bodies.

The Scottish government said it meant Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service still faced an annual VAT cost of about £35m.

The UK government said MSPs knew of the VAT implications before the mergers.

Local police and fire services were exempt from VAT but this ended with the creation of national bodies in Scotland in 2013.

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Mr Matheson says the government is committed to supporting the police service and budget.

Mr Beattie asks if the Tories "outrageous rules" on VAT for Police Scotland must end.

Mr Matheson says he does agree with that.

"The UK government are disadvantaging our police and fire service in Scotland," he says.

SNP MSP Colin Beattie asks whether the government will provide an update on its plans to support community policing during the current parliamentary session.

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Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur asks if Mr Matheson accepts more funding may be required in rural areas and the islands.

Mr Matheson says the government are investing record funding.

The justice secretary says the funding model has a rural weighting allowance in it for various areas in the country.

Labour MSP Mary Fee asks where and when the funding formula for community payback orders was published.

Mr Matheson says he will send the formula to the member.

The justice secretary says the formula was not imposed by the government but was taken forward in partnership with COSLA.

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Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says the government has responsibility to make sure funding is appropriate to deliver community sentences and it is currently at record levels.

Mr Matheson says the government supports local authorities, charities and other partners to ensure the system is robust.

Mr Carson says some community pay back orders take months and in some cases over a year.

Mr Matheson says the reality is that 19,500 community sentences were issued and about 6% of those had a time delay.

The justice secretary says the system is being reviewed.

Tory MSP Finlay Carson asks the Scottish government what plans it has to review the funding for community sentences.

We now move to portfolio questions beginning with justice and the law officers ministers.

Image source, BBC / Keith Marshall / Getty

First up this afternoon we have portfolio questions as justice and the law officers ministers are in the hot seats followed by culture, tourism and external affairs ministers.

Labour will then lead a finance debate calling for more investment in public services.

After decision time, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani will lead this evening's member's debate on fighting for tax jobs.

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Local Government Committee deputy convener Elaine Smith thanks all the witnesses for coming to give evidence and closes the committee.

Simone Smith says if you have a drug and alcohol problem you are asked to fix that before you get a tenancy.

Ms Smith asks how a person is supposed to sort out their mental health issues in that position.

She says access to mental health services is a big thing.

Thomas Lyon says when he went to the legal services agency he got put up in a hotel for five nights and did not speak to a person.

When he got a flat he was given no support, despite having a drug and alcohol problem.

Mr Lyon says it should be people with personal experience providing the support.

Julie McCallagh, volunteer with Shelter Scotland, says she had nothing in her supported acomodation other than white goods and are expected to live there.

Ms McCallagh says: "You are just left to it...not knowing how to live."

She says she knows people who have died in that situation because they are just left there.

Ms McCallagh says more support is required for people in that situation.

Emma Pearce says mental health support in a tenancy should be given.

Ms Pearce says she wants a one stop shop person to be offering help.

Rhys Campbell, homeless person says he has been to people on his "hands and knees" looking for supported accommodation.

Mr Campbell says he is willing to follow any rules but he is still waiting.

He says he hopes he gets sorted out soon.

Simone Smith says there should be support and life skills given to homeless people.

Ms Smith says: "The smallest things can make a difference."

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Thomas Lyon says says he only got a flat when his lawyer threatened legal action.

Mr Lyone says: "I''ve had to really, really fight to get into supported accommodation."