I propose to take Questions Nos. 1071 to 1074, inclusive, together.
Licensed Merchant outlets (including such outlets operated in association with a veterinary practice) selling animal remedies are subject to a licensing regime operated by my Department. Currently, around 700 premises are licensed. Under this regime, the outlets concerned are subject to routine inspections once in a 3-yearly cycle, reflecting the current duration of the licences. Following are the relevant data for the years 2008-2011:
|
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
1
|
No of routine licence-related inspections
|
76
|
427
|
142
|
105
|
2
|
No of cases requiring formal follow-up arisingfrom 1 above
|
6
|
35
|
3
|
9
|
3
|
No. of focused investigations
|
3
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
The pharmacy profession is subject to professional regulation by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland in accordance with the Pharmacy Act 2007, including licensing of pharmacy outlets. While pharmacies selling animal remedies are not subject to routine inspection by my Department, they are subject to relevant legislation relating to animal remedies and, in this context, may be visited in the context of focused investigations. Following are relevant data for the years 2008-2011:
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
No. of focused investigations
|
6
|
8
|
4
|
2
|
The veterinary profession is subject to professional regulation by the Veterinary Council of Ireland in accordance with the Veterinary Practice Act 2005, including licensing of veterinary practice premises. However, in view of their critical role in prescribing and supplying animal remedies, veterinary practices are also subject to targeted inspections by my Department. Following are the relevant data for the years 2008-2011:
|
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
1
|
No. of targeted inspections
|
233
|
297
|
262
|
239
|
2
|
No. of focused investigations
|
6
|
8
|
5
|
2
|