Vol. 492 No. 7
109 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the specific commitments, if any, set out in An Action Programme for the Millennium which have been implemented in full; the commitments, if any, implemented in part; the commitments, if any, initiated; the commitments, if any, yet to be initiated and implemented by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15040/98]
This question has been submitted to me in both written and oral form and to each other Minister in written form. As one would expect the number of areas in the programme for the millennium for which my Department is specifically responsible is very limited. There are three commitments in the programme An Action Programme for the Millennium, which have been implemented in full: (i) a Cabinet sub-committee to co-ordinate the drugs strategy in the context of social exclusion has been established; (ii) an all-party committee on the Constitution has been re-established; (iii) The committee system in the Oireachtas has been reformed to make the Oireachtas more relevant to citizens.
With regard to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion, the following specific initiatives have been taken: (a) allocations of £10 million to support the work of local drugs task forces have been approved; (b) a £30 million young people's services and facilities fund has been established and detailed guidelines approved to support developments in areas particularly affected by the drugs problem; (c) a new programme of intensive family support services to meet the needs of children at risk has been introduced; (d) a pilot programme to improve the co-ordination of services in the most disadvantaged communities is under way and (e) a broad-ranging review of strategic issues relating to social inclusion and the national anti-poverty strategy is continuing.
Two commitments in the programme for the millennium have been partially implemented. A review group was established to look at the efficiency of the law offices of the State. The Cabinet will be examining the report in due course with a view to publication. Second, a comprehensive and independent study of a basic income policy is in progress. Its results will be reflected in a Green Paper which, in line with the Government's programme, will be published by June 1999. There are no other specific commitments in the programme that are the responsibility of my Department.
