We have a very serious problem in terms of the widespread street-dealing of prescription drugs, including benzodiazepines and, in particular, sleeping tablets. There is an urgent need for secondary legislation in this regard. It is now two and a half years since draft regulations to tackle this issue and amend the control of drugs legislation were drawn up in the Department of Health. Why is it that those draft regulations are still sitting in that Department? Will the Taoiseach give a commitment to ensure that the Minister for Health takes action in that regard to deal with this urgent problem?

I will advise Deputy Shortall at a later date on the situation in relation to prescription drugs. On the budget and its impact on people, 40,000 new jobs have been created during the past 12 months. That is the best road out of the difficulties in which many people find themselves.

Does the Taoiseach accept the data about the widening of the gap? Those data are very clear.

We are dealing now with promised legislation.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that there has been a ten year decrease in the number of people who are unemployed. Budget measures such as the housing assistance payment, the continuation of medical cards, the increase in child benefit and the introduction of family support are designed to help people who are experiencing problems.

They are all taken into consideration. The data still shows that as a result of the budget the gap has been widened.

I will come back to the Deputy on the prescription drugs issue.