Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

No, Madam Speaker. I think the honourable Member is asking for a formula without considering all the other funding arrangements that are available to the people of the Northwest Territories. You cannot deal with special needs in isolation of federal funding for Brighter Futures. You can't deal with special needs funding without addressing the whole issue of Head Start. These are all part of the funding arrangements, which have to be part of an overall response.

My honourable colleagues knows that the one region in the Northwest Territories that has taken a very positive approach to using Brighter Futures funding for educational reasons is the Baffin region. It is the only one. They are getting very good results from it. None of the aboriginal leaders in the north, other than from that region, have considered that. It is very important.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you. No, I haven't decided that. I will ask my colleagues whether or not that information could be made available.

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Madam Speaker, often teachers are able to define specific therapies for students, such as speech therapy. Once this identification has been made, is there a procedure for schools to make sure that these needs are identified, and assessment and treatment is arranged? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you. I can indicate to the honourable Member that there has never been a specific procedure. But, since I've assumed the responsibility of Minister and since we've signed the memorandum of understanding with Health and Social Services, we are developing a procedure whereby this particular matter can be addressed. But, generally speaking, the recommendation was normally made to health officials.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Pudluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Which Minister is responsible for ensuring appropriate assessment occurs? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Normally, Madam Speaker, it is the Department of Health and Social Services that deals with the assessment matters.

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Premier, the Minister of Health and Social Services. Madam Speaker, for school-aged children, which Minister is responsible for the provision of treatment such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and psychotherapy?

Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, a child would make, hopefully, continued visits to a nursing station with the initiative of the parents. Or, if a teacher is aware, they would probably talk to the parents and they would, in turn, approach a nursing station to establish the extent of the requirements. Depending on the situation or the individual need, this would be referred to a medical professional, a doctor. Whether it would be a touring doctor would depend on the circumstances. Or, they would be referred to a regional centre and these assessments would be made. These referrals would take place according to need. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Madam Speaker. To the Premier, is there a policy which covers the provision of this treatment?

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, if any individual patient is determined to need further care, it is the responsibility of the professional people handling that individual to continue to refer that patient, as the need is identified. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Does this apply to all the communities?