Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Delorey is correct that the NGOs receive their funding for this program through the health boards. This is money that is devolved to them. So as to why the health board has not responded to this request or included it in their budget planning, I cannot answer that question. That is a responsibility of the boards. As for increases, the board did provide an increase under the contribution agreement to the women's resource centre in the 1999-2000 budget. That increase does remain in place for the fiscal year 2000-01.

There has also been an increase to health boards of two percent to address the cost of utilities and we are checking into this matter right now to find out if this two percent increase has been passed on to the women's resource centre.

As for their request for an additional $100,000, I would need to speak with the health board to find out what their response has been to this request. Thank you.