Vol. 519 No. 6
30 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to approve licences for community pharmacies in the Western Health Board area where such applications in this regard have already been turned down by the chief executive officer of the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14142/00]
The determination of an application for a new community pharmacy contract agreement is a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board under the Health (Community Pharmacy Contractor Agreement) Regulations, 1996. Appeals to the Minister are provided for in article 10 of the regulations where an application has been refused on grounds that a definite public health need has not been established. I am considering appeals in relation to decisions by the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to refuse certain applications for community pharmacy contractor agreements in her board's area and the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
