Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Again, I thank Senator Byrne for raising this issue. It is a very important area because we know the service our pharmacists provide to all of us. Certainly, they have been extremely busy in helping with the response to Covid-19 over the past couple of years. They do great work and it is important they can access the level of staff they need.

Again, to clarify for the record, the IPU does engage quite a lot with our Department. It also feeds into our retail forum quite successfully and engages quite a lot. What is important on these processes is the evidence. From memory, I think the IPU had submissions for certain categories of workers. When we are doing the Department's review, however, each area of concern must be specified. A formal response was not sent in for the previous two reviews. There might have been on the ones before that. It is important, therefore, we have that formal piece of evidence as well. There was engagement, and some progress has been made in other job categories, but the specific ones the Senator mentioned are probably the focus of this year's involvement. The IPU will no doubt be involved. I am happy to meet with it because it provides a great service.