Unemployment, however, is high, at about 400,000 for the island as a whole.
Education is free and universal to the age of 17, though the substantial and growing third-level sector draws mainly, still, from the economically advantaged levels of society. A reasonably comprehensive health and social welfare system is in place, the physical infrastrucure is being rapidly overhauled, environmental quality is good and with the major proviso that the war in the north and the scourge of unemployment have still to be tackled, Ireland looks to the 21st century with a cautious equanimity.