I want to ask about the 2,000 community pharmacies across the country. They are playing a massive role at the moment in the current health crisis and they played a huge role during Covid. They are under real pressure but are still bearing the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, cuts and there is still no long-term strategy for the new role they could play. It is estimated that they could keep one in ten patients out of accident and emergency departments if their role was developed. How is the work of the working group on community pharmacies progressing and when will we see some long-term vision for the sector?

The Deputy has made a very good point. We saw during Covid that the role of community pharmacies was quite effective and that is still the case in respect of the Covid-19 vaccination programme. That has worked well.

I do not have an up-to-date position in terms of the outcome of the working group but I will speak to the Minister in that regard and seek to have further information provided to the Deputy.