The Live Register figures for March 1999 are expected to show the numbers signing-on the Live Register at just above 200,000. I expect them to fall to under 200,000 during April, for the first time in 16 years.

There has been a fall of 52,000, in the numbers on the Live Register since this Government came to office. We have now had 23 consecutive months of a fall in the seasonal unemployment figure.

This is all extremely satisfying news. It is a further positive indication of the strength of our economy which is translating into both a substantial growth in employment and a substantial fall in unemployment.

Last month I indicated that there will be a major push to drive unemployment down to the 5% mark. I expect that the March Live Register figures will confirm that this is well on its way. On Monday, I provided my Government colleagues with the fifth monthly progress report on the Employment Action Plan which provides further evidence of our success in tackling unemployment. Since September last, nearly 5,000 young people were referred to FAS and 53% of these had left the Live Register by end-February 1999. We know that nearly 70% of these left the Register to take up a job, training or education course.

We have tracked with interest the first group of almost 900 people who were referred to FAS in September last. Almost 8 out of every ten of this first group had left the Live Register. Again nearly 70% of these left for positive reasons - 42% to a job, 16% to FAS programmes and 8% to re-enter education.

This month, March, the Action Plan has been extended to a further group of young persons - those under 25 as they cross 18 months on the Live Register. The preventative strategy is being further extended on 1st May when referrals from adult unemployed persons approaching 12 months on the Live Register will begin.

I have also ordered a major concentration on targeting unemployed persons in two areas - Ballyfermot, Dublin and Kilkenny. This will commence in June and the statutory agencies are gearing up for it now. I expect that this concentration will help unemployed people into jobs and training opportunities and lead to further reductions in the Live Register. Commencing in June every unemployed person will be targeted and referred to FAS for employment assistance.