John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

"In fairness" has also been shelved as the new way forward. The Senator might notice that those words are no longer used.

I apologise that the Minister, Deputy Harney, cannot be present. I am taking the Adjournment matter in her name. Pharmacy graduates are obliged to complete one year of post-qualification training before they are eligible to become registered pharmacists. This is to fulfil the EU obligation that pharmacy education last a minimum of five years. In addition, at least six months of the pre-registration training must be in a clinical sitting, either in a community or hospital pharmacy. This course of study, supervised work experience and examination is organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, PSI. To date, the majority of pre-registration pharmacy students have tended to undertake 12 months of pre-registration training in one establishment, for example, a community or hospital pharmacy. However, it is possible for students to undertake two six-month placements, one of which must be in a community or hospital pharmacy and the second in another establishment relevant to the practice of pharmacy, for example, the pharmaceutical industry, academia etc.

The PSI has informed the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, that it is preparing a contingency plan in case of a shortfall in the number of placements available this year. Notwithstanding the Government's decision to introduce a moratorium across the public service, certain posts in the health sector may be filled through exemptions in the employment control framework for front-line posts. The framework allows for a growth in the number of front-line posts within the overall approved employment ceiling of 111,800 worktime equivalents for the health sector.

Provision has been made within the employment control framework for the continuation of the normal arrangements in respect of the filling of clinical placements, rotations and training positions for health care professionals, including trainee pharmacists. The PSI has been in discussions with the HSE concerning the number of placements available in the hospital sector and to ascertain whether there is an opportunity to increase the throughput of students in this area.

The Minister welcomes the initiative of the PSI in developing a contingency plan that will endeavour to ensure all students are enabled to acquire a "qualification appropriate for practice" and thereby to obtain registration as pharmacists and practise their profession.

The PSI's plan will require the full support of the HSE, community pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry, as well as tutor pharmacists across all sectors of practice, in the community, hospital, industry, academic and regulatory sectors, if it is to succeed. The Minister urges all concerned to support the PSI in this initiative.