Dr. Robert Ryan:

I am satisfied that there is an investment. Where we have considered the cost of intervention versus the yield, we have noted that there is a significant yield in monetary and other terms. In a year, I will be curious to know what the difference will mean in regard to education and the reduction of the threshold of referral from 12 weeks to four weeks. I believe it will make a significant difference.

At present, there are large public sector employers and other large employers that have occupational health services. They probably have the capacity to introduce the sorts of measures in question because they have sufficient resources. The SME sector does not. It is not just a question of cost as it is also a question of the practicality, feasibility and availability of a programme.