Full employment and a strategy to address the childcare crisis in the December Budget are promised in the ail/Progressive Democrat mid-term Programme for Government review announced yesterday.
Tightening controls on the allowance given to party leaders, and more taxi licences for Dublin, possibly before Christmas, are also promised in the plan.
The negotiators of the review said more than three-quarters of the specific commitments in the original Programme for Government have been achieved, and promised to continue to deliver "unprecedented economic progress" until 2002.
In the review the Government said confidence in the political system had been "severely shaken" by recent revelations. It promised new controls on the party leaders' allowance, including mandatory external auditing. Audited accounts will be laid before the Oireachtas.
On childcare, the Government pledged to develop a comprehensive policy and "significant initiatives" in the Budget to respond to childcare and child support needs. Apart from measures to increase the supply of childcare facilities, it is to increase child allowances and is considering tax relief for childcare payments.
The Government also renewed its commitment to introduce a £100 a week State pension.
The review said the Government will maintain sustainable economic growth, low inflation and will spread the benefits of increased prosperity.
It promised to achieve full employment by reducing the jobless rate to below 5 per cent. It also promised effectively to eliminate long-term unemployment by 2002.
On taxation, the Government partners reiterated their promise in the original programme to reduce tax rates. But as hinted by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, at a Fianna Fail meeting in September, the immediate emphasis will also be on removing more of the low paid from the tax net and a move to a more progressive system of tax rates.
Corporation tax will be reduced to 12 1/2 per cent by 2003, the review stated.
The review said housing was a grave concern and plans for more social and affordable housing were to be brought forward. Reform of the capital acquisition tax regime, so that rising house prices do not place an intolerable financial burden on those inheriting the family home from close relatives, is also pledged.
A new work permit regime for asylum-seekers to allow them work is to be introduced.
The provision of taxis is covered in just one paragraph, which promises to increase the number of taxi licences in Dublin "as quickly as possible".
The Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Bobby Molloy, said at the press conference that proposals will be brought to Government in the next two to three weeks on the taxi issue. He did not rule out measures being in place in time for Christmas, but no time commitment has been made.