Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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206. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount collected from the sugar tax in 2018; the way in which this compares to the amount expected to be collected in 2018; the estimated yield from the tax for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1108/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that the provisional receipts from Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) in 2018 are €16.5m. As this was a new tax, forecasting the level of receipts in advance was challenging, but based on the best available information was estimated at €30m. This assumed a commencement date of 1 April 2018. The subsequent 1 May commencement date impacted on the returns filed and payments made. The estimated yield from SSDT in 2019 is provisionally set at €35m.

Finally, the Deputy will be aware that the primary purpose of this tax is to change behaviour rather than to raise revenue. As such, the early indications are that the tax is working effectively in reducing the volume of sugar sweetened drinks being consumed in Ireland.