VICTORY CLAIMED IN BATTLE WITH DRUG BARONS

MANY ``big players'' have been driven out of business by the Criminal
Assets Bureau which has effectively targeted drug barons, according to the
Government.

Justice and crime is one area where the Government claims that many of its
pre-election promises have been met in its first year in office.

The 29-page first-year review of the Coalition's Action Programme for the
Millennium goes through what has been implemented, Department by Department
and how it hopes to complete the rest of the programme.

The Government says its objective is to build an inclusive society where
all citizens ``have the opportunity and the incentive to participate fully
in the social and economic life of the country.''

The Government points out that unemployment has fallen by 25,000 in the
year since the Government came into office.

It says the unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted, has fallen every month
for the last l4, is currently at its lowest level for eight years and it is
the first time since November, l990 that the unadjusted Live Register has
been below 250,000.

It says the progress achieved on the introduction of a minimum wage
``perhaps the most significant social policy initiative since we legislated
for equal pay 25 years ago'' is clear evidence of its commitment to social
partnership.

It promises that the necessary legislation for a National Minimum Wage will
be introduced next year. Discussions will take place next month with the
social partners.

In the Justice area, the review reiterates the Government target to have
l2,000 gardai by the year 2002. The current strength is about ll,000 but,
due to people leaving the force, the recruitment of an estimated 2,200 will
be required, it says.

It says also that a prison building programme due to be completed in
August, l999 will bring to l,092 the additional prison spaces provided by
this Government. It says the target is to provide a further l,000 spaces by
2002.

It also says that the Independent Courts Service is expected to come into
operation at the end of this year, while work on refurbishing and providing
new court accommodation is continuing. The Budget for this year is IEPl2m.

The review says the Government believes that the problem of drug misuse is
best addressed in the context of tackling the wider problem of social
exclusion, with a sum of IEP30m being invested over three years in youth
services and facilities to combat drug abuse.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)