Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
74. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated yield from expanding the plastic bag levy to include medium-weight plastic bags and increasing the tax from 22c to 25c from 1 January 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39923/21]
View answerIn relation to the categories of bags currently subject to the plastic bag levy (PBL), based on the levy's performance in recent years until 31 December 2020, my Department's best estimate is that an increase in the rate from 22c to 25c would result in an initial additional levy yield in the region of €570,000 per annum. This estimate is calculated as follows:
|
Additional Measure |
Estimated number of bags subject to the PBL |
Estimated Total PBL Revenue |
Estimated increase in PBL yield due to additional measure |
|
Increase in PBL) rate from 22c to 25c |
19,000,000 |
€4.8m |
€570k |
It should be noted that PBL yields have been in decline over a number of years in line with decreased use of the relevant single use plastic bags. As such, the estimate provided here should be treated as highly provisional. I would also point out that the primary function of the levy is not to be a revenue raising measure, but rather to incentivise increased use of affordable, sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic bags, such bags representing an almost entirely avoidable waste stream.
In relation to medium weight plastic bags, which I take to be those for which consumers are currently charged at least 70c at the point of sale, as these bags are not currently subject to the levy my Department holds no information in relation to the number used each year. Therefore I cannot provide the requested estimate in relation to any extension of the PBL to cover such bags.
