Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2023
192. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to expand sugar related taxes to include other goods including a wide range of high sugar quantity confectionary sweets, snacks and other consumable products to help tackle the national obesity pandemic. [12061/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the implementation of the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax is a matter for the Finance Act, any policy decisions around reforming or expanding the tax would be subject to engagement with the Department of Health on obesity policy and possibly State Aid consultation with the European Commission.
Following a proposal developed by the Department of Health in consultation with stakeholders, the Department of Finance introduced the Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) in 2018. The SSDT has now been in operation for more than four years. 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. A more comprehensive analysis of the effects of the tax is needed in order to inform any further fiscal policy considerations, and the Department of Health has commenced an evaluation of the measure.
A literature review was carried out by the Department of Health to make an assessment of the potential approaches to evaluate the impact of the tax. The Department has also developed links with researchers who are working on projects relevant to the evaluation topic, which has impacted upon the nature and timeline of the work. Further work on the analysis of the impact of the measure is expected to be carried out in the coming months.
The outcome of this analysis will assist the Department of Health in terms of examining and considering any possible further measures, in consultation with the Department of Finance.
