Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the negotiations which have taken place in relation to the crisis in pharmacy and the progress which has been made in resolving this issue. [27734/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the meetings which have taken place since 1 May 2008 in relation to the new pay structure for pharmacies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27735/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an independent review of the payments to pharmacies has taken place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27736/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 403 to 405, inclusive, together.

The Health Service Executive (HSE), assisted by my Department, has engaged with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) on discussions surrounding a number of outstanding issues. These discussions commenced in the week beginning 5 May 2008. Progress has been made on these issues.

I established an Independent Pricing Body, chaired by Mr Sean Dorgan, former Head of IDA Ireland, to assess an interim, fair community pharmacy dispensing fee to be paid for the medical card scheme, the DPS and other community drug schemes. The Independent Pricing Body has submitted its report to me and I am considering its findings prior to submitting it to Government.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 406: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of pharmacists, on a county basis, who tendered their resignation to the Health Service Executive as a result of the crisis over the new pay structure within their sector; if any of those resignations have been withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27737/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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No community pharmacist has withdrawn from the GMS and community drugs schemes as a result of recent developments in the sector, and all patients continue to receive their entitlements in the normal way. The Health Service Executive (HSE), assisted by my Department, has engaged with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) on discussions surrounding a number of outstanding issues. These discussions commenced in the week beginning 5 May 2008. Progress has been made on these issues.

I established an Independent Pricing Body, chaired by Mr Sean Dorgan, former Head of IDA Ireland, to assess an interim, fair community pharmacy dispensing fee to be paid for the medical card scheme, the DPS and other community drug schemes. The Independent Pricing Body has submitted its report to me and I am considering its findings prior to submitting it to Government.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the expenditure by the Health Service Executive on taxis in 2007 in each hospital network area; the amount of these funds used to transport patients; the steps which are being taken to reduce these figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27750/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.