Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The measure has been in place for approximately five years, as the Deputy said. The initial indications are that the tax has had a positive effect. The indicators are that drinks producers are encouraged to reduce the amount of sugar content in their products, and studies in the UK would support those indications. Last August, the Department issued a request for tender for an external evaluation of the tax to determine the extent to which it is delivering the intended public policy and health policy objectives. This includes examining if the consumption of sugar sweetened drinks has fallen either by reducing the amount of those drinks consumed or maybe where consumers are switching to healthier choices. It also includes assessing whether the industry has reformulated products to reduce the levels of added sugar in the drinks products within the tax thresholds. That contract was awarded in September of last year. The evaluation is happening at the moment and we expect it to be completed in April of this year. The Department will then publish it.