VAT on food supplements
Deputy Healy-Rae condemned the planned jump in VAT on food supplements from zero to 23% and said it would hurt businesses and consumers. The Taoiseach said he would refer the matter to Finance, suggested it was an EU VAT issue, and dismissed many supplements as ineffective.
I call Deputy Michael Healy-Rae and I ask him to try to think of his colleagues with regard to time.
Comment on this
On the programme for Government, it has recently been announced that the VAT rate is being increased at the end of this month from zero to 23% on food supplements such as vitamins, minerals and health supplements in general.
This is totally outrageous. It is going to affect those businesses but it is also going to affect the health of people who rely on natural methods in order to stay healthy. We have many health food stores and to go from zero to 23% in one jump is outrageous. I ask the Government to reconsider this outrageous proposal.
Comment on this
I am not. I will have to ask the Minister for Finance to provide a reply to the Deputy. It is probably an adjudication under the EU VAT directive rather than a decision of Government. When it comes to food supplements, my advice is caveat emptor. Food supplements very rarely do anything for our health. They are mostly snake oil and just cost people money.
Comment on this
The Taoiseach may tell that to the health food stores.