Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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318. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the policy of reversing the cuts imposed on HSE employed pharmacists, and that does not include self-employed pharmacists, which it is perceived further discriminates against self-employed pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6966/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the contribution made by pharmacists and other health professionals who provide services under contract on behalf of the HSE, through reductions in the fees in respect of these services, to addressing the unprecedented economic crisis which the State faced over recent years.

In the context of the publication by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, of the Public Service Pay and Pension Bill 2017, on 7 November 2017, I announced that in 2018 I will undertake a process of engagement with representative bodies of contracted health professionals, aimed at putting in place a new multi-annual approach to fees, in return for service improvement and contractual reform and in line with Government priorities for the health service.