3451. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Food Safety Authority of Ireland holds data on the consumption of high-caffeine energy drinks by children in Ireland; the most recent assessment carried out of the health effects of such drinks on children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56402/26]

The Department of Health does not hold any data in relation to the consumption of high-caffeine energy drinks by children in Ireland. The only available data the Department holds on this is from the evaluation carried out on the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax that was published in 2024. The evaluation revealed that there had been an increase in energy drink consumption since 2020 from 30 million litres per annum in 2020 to 40 million in 2023, representing 10% of total carbonate consumption according to data obtained from Euromonitor. However, it is important to note that this data was for the consumption of the entire population of Ireland and no figure specifically for the consumption of these high-energy drinks by children was obtained during the evaluation.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) as Ireland’s independent regulator is the central competent authority for the enforcement of food safety legislation. The FSAI have confirmed to the Department that they do not hold any data on the consumption of high-caffeine energy drinks by children in Ireland.