Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

Chapter 2 Sustaining Progress
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reported that alcohol misuse was a primary presenting problem in up to 25% of cases. Alcohol has
also been identified as one of the factors contributing to crisis pregnancies.
Clearly, therefore, the adverse effects of alcohol extend beyond physical health issues to mental,
social and financial problems. There is a continuum of problems that can affect everyone in the
community, especially young people. Measures to reduce alcohol-related harm must address both the
supply and demand side, and need to be concerned with regulating availability and providing
deterrence. A Strategic Task Force on Alcohol was established in January 2002 and its Interim Report
was published in May 2002.
Tackling the problem of drug misuse as set out in the National Drugs Strategy must remain a high
priority. An Annual Report on the nature and extent of the drug problem and the progress being made
in achieving the objectives set out in the Strategy is due to be published in early 2003. The Critical
Implementation Path for the 100 actions under the Strategy, which indicates how each action is to be
implemented by the relevant Agency/Department, including timescales, will also be published in
early 2003. The Strategy itself is due to be reviewed in 2004.
Government will under this theme work with the social partners to develop a consensus on the most
effective strategies to deal with these major societal problems.
2.11 Including Everybody in the Information Society
Government is committed to securing and maintaining a leading position for Ireland in the
global information society through the implementation of the recommendations set out in
New Connections – the Government Information Society Action Plan.
The growing influence of information and communication technologies in our daily lives is
transforming the way we interact and do business. As more and more economic and social activities,
such as education, commerce, learning and entertainment, move to digital forms of delivery, people
who cannot access ICT are potentially at a growing disadvantage. The Government’s strategy to
realise the potential of the Information Society prioritises the development of an inclusive
information society and recognises individuals, communities and businesses as key stakeholders
in this regard. This extends beyond raising awareness and providing points of public access to the
Internet. Measures are needed to build the capacity necessary to support inclusive Information
Society development, to facilitate access and to actively promote participation. The Government and
the Social Partners will work to develop coherent strategies to promote participation among those on
low-income and late adopters.
In its approach to the delivery of public services, the Government will explore all access channels and
all technologies, including where possible mobile telephony, to ensure that no person is excluded by
virtue of their personal, economic or social circumstances. This model of service delivery is being put
in place around the Public Service Broker – the central access point for all public services – and will
be used for both direct and intermediated access e.g. telephone contact centres and one-stop-shops.
This will ensure that the benefits of eGovernment are clearly available, through integrated service
centres, to those who are not in a position to avail of direct access to services delivered through
the Internet.