Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on a twice annual basis, I meet with the chairs of the district education councils and authorities, and the superintendents meet with our staff at the same time. During those meetings, we have discussed the issue of funding, PTR and special needs funding, and I've given specific instructions that this money is to be used for the intended purpose to ensure that it goes into student needs funding, meaning that it should go into areas such as school consultants and program support teachers, supports for our students, for materials, supplies that they may need, special transportation and student support assistance and extraordinary situations where students my need some help. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In those conversations, has he also talked to them about the end result of that? What sort of evaluation does he engage in within these board officials to determine how well the money is being spent? Thank you.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned earlier, it is easy to quantify the PTR because that is measured and reported in that fashion. It is a little more difficult to quantify and to tabulate every expenditure that is made in support of student funding because of the variety of areas it could be used in: support teachers, student support, et cetera. That is reported back though, Mr. Speaker, in general terms through our annual reporting system. We have a very, very good reporting system from the DECs back to headquarters with annual reports. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question has to do with the special needs funding, not necessarily PTR, and the Minister said two things. One is that, because the area is so complex, he can't itemize everything and yet he is getting excellent reports from the boards. So there is a contradictory message there. I'm wondering if the Minister could provide the House, in writing, with the instructions he gives or guidelines he gives to the boards and what the evaluation is that is coming back. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure what the honourable Member wants me to put in writing other than what I have just stated. I did state that I meet with the boards on a consistent basis and we mentioned yesterday that we are on a continual process of better and better accountability of reporting, Mr. Speaker. We are determined to ensure that that transpires. I'll see what I can get in terms of information on this for the Member and we'll provide that as soon as we can get it available. Thank you.

Your final supplementary question, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. He is saying he'll get me information but he really doesn't know what I am asking for. What I am trying to do is; I think we have an obligation, when we are increasing funding for special needs, to do the best we can with the money. Would the Minister give me information that tells me where the money has gone to, what was expected of it and how it was spent? Thank you.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Those questions are clear and we'll do our best to provide that. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.