World Pharmacists Week: Statements
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-24
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Cathy Bennett (SF), Cavan-Monaghan

Later on, we saw a similar situation in regard to the blister packs. Did the Minister consult the pharmacists? The free contraception scheme is another very positive scheme that our pharmacists are crucial in the delivery of. I have raised with the Minister on a number of occasions the need to significantly increase the upper age threshold for eligibility. Has the Minister increased that age? The scheme was first introduced in 2022 and limited to those aged 17 to 32. The increase to 35 in 2024 was woefully inadequate. Now, in 2026, we are still in the same place. Is the Minister going to tell me today that she is going to increase the age from 32? It still has not happened. At this pace of roll-out, it will take far too long before it is open to all who should be able to avail of it. I am certain that our pharmacists can and would willingly support this delivery but has it happened? I am not aware of any concerns in regard to the logistics of the appropriately expanded service but if there are, I am confident that the Minister could talk to the pharmacists about this and work it out with them. Has the Minister worked it out with them? If the Minister is really eager, she would be willing to work with the pharmacists and ensure that everybody over 32 years of age is able to get free contraception. Otherwise, the only explanation is a lack of political will on the part of Government.
As we mark World Pharmacists Week and recognise the significant value that our own pharmacists provide for all our communities, we have a few good points that the Government should take away from today. Yes, it should continue to deliver worthwhile initiatives and I am certain that it will find a very willing partnership in our pharmacists. Let our starting point be viewing them always as crucial and primary partners in primary care. Seek their opinion and expertise at as early a stage as practicable and hear out their concerns in their own capacity to deliver these initiatives. Crucially, hear out what supports might be needed. With that, we can best ensure that policies can succeed in moving from the theory of policy papers to the practical reality that pharmacies delivering primary care services can do better within their communities.

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Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:50+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-24