2811. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the implementation of the revised pharmaceutical framework agreements; the way in which the HSE intends to operate the clock-stop procedures; whether all dates relevant to clock stops will be published via a reimbursement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24359/26]
Topics / Pharmacy Services
A subject heading for parliamentary questionsPharmacy Services
169 questions from 58 TDs, between 22 January 2025 and 13 October 2026.
169
questions
166 written, 3 oral
58
TDs have asked
10
parties and groups
Independents counted together
4
departments asked
Questions per month
The record holds no questions for August, when the Dáil does not sit.
Jan 2025Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | 2 |
| February 2025 | 2 |
| March 2025 | 1 |
| April 2025 | 13 |
| May 2025 | 4 |
| June 2025 | 11 |
| July 2025 | 2 |
| August 2025 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 3 |
| October 2025 | 7 |
| November 2025 | 7 |
| December 2025 | 18 |
| January 2026 | 25 |
| February 2026 | 19 |
| March 2026 | 3 |
| April 2026 | 5 |
| May 2026 | 30 |
| June 2026 | 3 |
| July 2026 | 7 |
| August 2026 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 6 |
| October 2026 | 1 |
Who asks, by party
The party each TD belonged to on the day, in alphabetical order. Parties differ a lot in size, and members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them, so this shows who raised it, not how much a party cares about it.
The TDs who asked most
Members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them. Each question counts once.
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27
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21
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20
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13
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5
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5
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5
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4
Asked of
Debated under the same heading
Debates whose official heading is exactly these words.
The questions
2812. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the changes to the reimbursement system forthcoming on foot of the new pharmaceutical framework agreements; the assurances that can be given to patients that decisions on medicines will be made faster; and if the governance of the reimbursement system will ensure this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24360/26]
995. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if her Department is examining the expansion of the approved appliances and drugs under the long-term illness scheme in light of ongoing difficulties with the approval request process for pharmacies; the impact these difficulties are having on people with disabilities and other long-term illness card holders who are being required to pay upfront for necess…
1656. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health in light of reports that some pharmacies are now charging patients for the delivery of prescription medications, if she will outline the funding or supports currently available to ensure that patients who are unable to travel to their local pharmacy, particularly older people, people with disabilities, and those in rural areas, can continue to access their …
1811. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if a regular scheduled rota for out of hours pharmacy service in Enniscorthy will be provided (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19045/26]
267. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the Health Products Regulatory Authority’s consideration of over-the-counter codeine sales; when this is expected to conclude; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15417/26]
268. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if she considers a restriction of over-the-counter low-dosage codeine-containing products to a prescription-only model to run contrary to the principles of the new pharmacy agreement and common conditions scheme; if she considers that new eprescribing and other pharmacy IT systems combined with the rollout of patient identifiers could serve as a control for ac…
603. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted a formal risk assessment of the requirement that dispensing pharmacies must contact the primary care reimbursement service on a case-by-case basis to secure reimbursement approval for clinically equivalent substitute medicines during a formally declared shortage; whether any patient-safety analysis has been undertaken regarding…
606. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the administrative burden placed on community pharmacies in circumstances where substitute reimbursement must be individually queried with the Primary Care Reimbursement Service; whether any review has been undertaken of processing times, approval rates or rejected applications in such cases over the past three years; and if she…
610. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any equity impact assessment has been conducted to determine whether patients without medical cards or without established drugs payment scheme eligibility face additional barriers in accessing substitute medicines during shortages; and whether she will outline any measures in place to prevent differential access arising from reimbursement mechanisms. [13…
1138. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE has carried out any clinical risk assessment of patients with disabilities, cognitive impairment, or home-care dependency who rely on pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems to safely self-administer prescribed medicines; if so, the date of such assessment; the persons that conducted it; and if she will publish the findings.…
1139. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any equality or disability impact assessment has been undertaken in respect of the exclusion of pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems from State funding under the long-term illness scheme, having regard to obligations to provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities; and if not, when such an assessment will be initiated. [12153/26]
1140. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the clinical or professional guidance her Department relies upon when stating that monitored dosage systems should be used only as a last resort; the source of that guidance; whether it has been formally adopted in Ireland; and if she will confirm whether any Irish clinical standard governs access to medication compliance supports for vulnerable patients living i…
324. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department recognises that, for some people with disabilities and people receiving home-care supports, pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, are clinically required to ensure safe medication administration and compliance; whether any national clinical guidance, policy circular, or Department-approved criteria exist to d…
325. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has undertaken, or commissioned, any patient safety or risk assessment regarding the withdrawal or non-funding of pharmacist-prepared blister packs for people with disabilities or cognitive impairment who rely on such supports in a home-care setting; the findings of any such assessment; and if none has been undertaken, when such an assessmen…
326. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has carried out a disability impact assessment, equality impact assessment, or human rights analysis in respect of the non-funding of monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, under the long-term Illness scheme; and if she will confirm whether the implications for people with disabilities living independently or with home-care suppo…
327. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when her Department first became aware that monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, were being provided to patients in practice while pharmacies claimed phased dispensing fees; the policy, governance, or compliance actions that were taken by her Department at that time; and if she will outline the Department’s oversight responsibilities in respect of en…
328. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what interim safeguards or guidance have been issued by her Department to ensure that patients with disabilities or complex medication needs do not experience disruption to medication compliance supports during the current pause in changes to phased dispensing arrangements; and whether clinicians or pharmacists have discretion to continue such supports where clini…
329. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the mechanism that exist, or are being considered, whereby a clinician, pharmacist, or multidisciplinary care team may formally certify that monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, are clinically necessary for an individual patient; and whether such certification would permit continued provision without cost to the patient under existing schemes. [10673…
330. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the way in which the non-funding of pharmacist-prepared blister packs aligns with national home-care policy objectives that support independent living for people with disabilities and older persons; and whether her Department accepts that medication compliance supports form an integral part of safe home-based care. [10674/26]
331. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when her Department’s examination of the use of monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, will conclude; whether formal policy proposals will be published; and if she will commit to ensuring that any future framework explicitly addresses the needs of people with disabilities and those receiving home-care supports. [10675/26]
1092. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify the rules governing pharmacy charges for blister-pack dispensing, including whether such fees must be explicitly itemised and displayed under PSI transparency guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9791/26]
1194. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that pharmacies have begun imposing a €20 monthly charge for the provision of blister-packed medications; the basis on which this fee is being permitted, given previous indications that the matter was under discussion with his Department; the steps he is taking to prevent the introduction of this charge, which disproportionately affects older, v…
418. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health for an update on discussions with the IPU in relation to blister packs. [8981/26]
3. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if she will remove charges for blister packs for those with a clinician-determined need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5083/26]