Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the funds which are collected annually through the 50 cent additional tax imposed on a box of cigarettes; the way these funds are directed to health matters; if this fund is audited on a yearly basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27320/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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In the budget for 2000, the Minister for Finance introduced an increase in the excise duty of just over 63 cent or 50p on a packet of 20 cigarettes, raising €167.605 million or £132 million for the Exchequer in a full year. The Appropriation Act 1999 stated that "such sum as may be determined by the Minister for Finance, not exceeding £132 million, shall be paid to the Minister for Health and Children...for services and purposes connected with the performance by the second-mentioned Minister of his or her functions, out of moneys collected by the Revenue Commissioners in respect of the duty of excise imposed by section 2 of the Finance (Excise Duty on Tobacco Products) Act, 1977".

The figure of €167.605 million contained in the Revised Estimates Volume 2005 in respect of certain excise duties on tobacco products is appropriated in aid of the Vote for the Department of Health and Children and allows gross total spending of €401.413 million for my Department. Thus, the net requirement of my Department from the Exchequer is reduced to €233.418 million. The collection of these excise duties is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.