Vol. 507 No. 2
159 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will direct the Western Health Board to allow a pharmacy to be opened in Knock, County Mayo, where there are hundreds of thousands of visitors, pilgrims and elderly people each year and no facilities of this type available. [16652/99]
As the Deputy is aware, the issue of a community pharmacy contractor agreement is a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. The criteria and procedures under which the chief executive officer shall determine the issue of a new pharmacy contract are specified in the Health (Community Pharmacy Contractor Agreement) Regulations 1996. I have asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.
