Vol. 557 No. 1
367 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to an agreement that exists between his Department and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union in respect of payments to cover for locums while official staff are attending recognised courses; if he has made arrangements for the implementation of this agreement; if he has set up the required mechanism for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21520/02]
As part of a general package to compensate pharmacists for the Government initiative to extend automatic medical card eligibility to the over 70's, it was agreed with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union that an annual training grant would be paid to cover some of the costs of pharmacists and their staff attending approved training courses. Payment of this grant has not yet commenced pending finalisation of an overall agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union in relation to the Government initiative.
