261. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health to outline in full the discussions that have taken place between him and a union (details supplied) in relation to the restoration of pharmacy fees and new services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41971/24]

I recognise the significant role community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and acknowledge the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of healthcare service reform.

There has been ongoing engagement between Department officials and the Irish Pharmacy Union regarding the potential to extend the scope of practice of community pharmacists and the enablers needed to implement that. My Department has been carrying out a comprehensive review of the pharmacy fee structure in the context of this engagement and the intended expansion of the scope of pharmacy practice, following the recommendations of the Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy.

I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively with community pharmacists to make a significant difference to patient outcomes. Of course, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services, and provide better value for money.