Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
257. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his Department will consider prioritising defibrillators among the various other VAT reduction and removal measures that may be under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11207/22]
View answer262. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance if he will prioritise the removal of VAT on defibrillators as soon as allowable under EU law to make this life-saving piece of equipment more affordable for local voluntary groups to purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11541/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 262 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, the EU Commission published a proposal on the reform of VAT rates in January 2018 which would allow Member States more flexibility in how they apply VAT rates. The compromise text agreed at ECOFIN in December has been amended significantly in comparison to the original proposal so the EU Parliament will once again be consulted for their opinion.
Once the Parliament has issued its opinion on the proposal, the Council will formally adopt the directive. It will then enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
In the interim officials in my Department will be reviewing the options now available to Ireland in setting VAT rates. Future tax changes are generally taken in the context of the Budget. Deputies will be aware that my officials prepare a series of papers containing tax options for the Tax Strategy Group to be considered in the context of the budgetary process, alongside a wide range of submissions from various stakeholders and lobby groups.
