Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the reduction in dispensing fees paid to pharmacists under the general medical scheme she will instruct a union (details supplied) to reduce the fees charged to pharmacists in view of the fact that their fees rose six fold in 2008 and dispensing fees have now been reduced by 35% to 40%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39825/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I presume that the Deputy is referring to the fees charged by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) under Schedule 1, Section 20 of the Pharmacy Act 2007. The PSI have recently made an application seeking my consent to their fees for 2010 and the matter is currently being considered. The Society will be advised of my decision shortly.

I would also like to point out to the Deputy that fees charged by the Society did not rise six fold in 2008. For example, the fees charged by the Society for the registration of pharmacists in 2008 rose from €432 to €450, an increase of 4.1%, and no increase was applied for pharmacists in 2009. There were also increases in some other fees in 2008 and 2009, for example, fees for the issuing of certificates, or for first time registration, however, the general level of increase in 2008 was in the range of 4.9% to 14.8%, and, in 2009, in the order of 5%.