Skip to main content
Normal View

Tax Code

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Questions (1177, 1181)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

1177. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the evaluation currently underway of the sugar-sweetened drinks tax; when details of the tax are due to be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41982/21]

View answer

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

1181. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the evaluation currently underway of the sugar-sweetened drinks tax; when details of the tax are due to be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42020/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1177 and 1181 together.

The Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax was introduced on 1st May 2018, and has now been in operation for more than three years. The introduction of the tax was an important action in the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, with the aim of combatting obesity through reducing consumption of added sugar in drinks and encouraging reformulation of products by the drinks industry.

Initial indications are that the tax has had a positive impact, particularly in terms of encouraging drinks producers to reduce the sugar content in their products. However, a more comprehensive analysis of the effects of the tax is needed, and the Department has commenced an evaluation of the measure.

The first step in this process was to look at existing examples that could inform the methodology to assess the impacts of the tax. This work is well advanced. The literature review and data scoping exercise will enable the Department to make an assessment of the potential approaches to evaluate the impact of the tax and the timelines and resources required for the evaluation. It is intended that the evaluation will be published when completed.

Question No. 1178 answered with Question No. 953.
Top
Share