The five top-earning pharmacies last year shared €2.93 million between them in payments under State schemes, according to new figures supplied by the HSE.

The top-earning pharmacy was Abbey Healthcare Ltd in south Dublin, which earned €930,238 in fees from the medical card, drug payment and other schemes.

The other four top earners were Aktj Ltd in Dublin - €722,418; Powers in Waterford - €672,936; Sam McCauley Group in Wexford - €667,508 and Rathkell Trading Company in Dublin - €666,499.

Figures for dentists' earnings show that Dr Jerome Kiely from South Tipperary was the top-earning dentist under State schemes last year, earning €322,521.

The second highest payout under dental fees was to Dr Terence G.Fox of Donegal, who earned €317,355 in fees/and the third highest dental fee earner was Dr Ronan Andrew Cuddihy of Wexford, who received €315,869.

These were followed by Daniel O'Connell of South Tipperary, who earned €286,055, and Dr Shane Barnes of Dublin West, who earned €259,473.

The above earnings for pharmacies and dentists would not include private patient fees.

The HSE said figures for GP earnings under the medical card and other State schemes were not yet available.