Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State very much. I was of the understanding the IPU had been in consultation, but obviously it has not. I will go back to the pharmaceutical union and inform it of the process. I appreciate this will be opening shortly because, certainly, it is not just affecting my area; it is affecting areas throughout the country. Their union was actually calling for pharmacists to be added to the critical skills list. While I know a couple of hundred people are qualified every year in the role of pharmacist, the industry cannot get people to apply for the jobs. That is the big problem. I think a lot of people are in employment, to be honest about it. A recent report that came out shows that unemployment in my region is down to just over 4%, which is ahead of what it was prior to Covid-19. It is quite a low figure, which is great, certainly in terms of the mid-west. We are all so reliant on our pharmacists, however, so it is critical. I will tell them about the process, and I am sure the Department's website probably lays out the different things they must do to qualify. I thank the Minister of State.