Ms Teresa Griffin:

On that particular issue it is. I was going to discuss the July provision but we are equally concerned about access to early intervention when early intervention has been clearly recognised as having a beneficial impact on children who have special educational needs. The Department should look at it and take legal advice on whether it is equitable and whether it meets the legal standards to have early intervention schemes that are only open for children with autism and more latterly for children who are deaf. The Department must look at that and legally proof these schemes.