Crisis Pregnancy Agency Welcomes the Reduction in VAT on Condoms

January 31st 2008 – The Crisis Pregnancy Agency, the state Agency charged with reducing crisis pregnancy in Ireland, welcomes the announcement today from Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, that the V.A.T. rate on condoms will be reduced from 21% to 13.5%.

In December, the Agency submitted a policy paper to the Department of Finance, which presented a strong health related argument for the reduction of VAT on condoms.

The Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships (2006), a nationally representative study, found that one in five people aged between 18-24 say that the cost of condoms would discourage their use of them.

This reduction will see the price of a packet of 12 condoms reduced from €13.20 to €12.40, and a packet of three condoms reduced from €4.20 to €3.94.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Ms. Caroline Spillane, Director of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency said: “I welcome today’s reduction in V.A.T. on condoms. Condoms are the most popular method of contraception and they are one of the best forms of protection against STIs. While the reduction in cost to the consumer is not large, it will have an impact on the purse of the low-waged and younger person who report that cost is an issue for them. Pharmacy chains such as Unicare, Hickey’s, McCabe’s, Sam McCauley’s, Bradley’s and supermarket chains Tesco, Supervalu and Centra have said that if there was a reduction in V.A.T they would pass it on to their customers. I now hope that they keep this promise, and work with the government, on delivering a positive health benefit to people who find that the cost of contraception stops them from using it consistently.”

Condoms in Ireland are among the most expensive in Europe. They are not covered under the General Medical Card Scheme, and must be paid for by all patients, regardless of whether or not they hold a medical card or a GP visit card. Contraception is an extremely effective and cost-efficient means of preventing unplanned pregnancy. Condoms are the best known protection against sexually transmitted infections.

The Crisis Pregnancy Agency intends to conduct further work on how the cost of contraception more broadly can be reduced for individuals who find it prohibitive. The Agency is actively meeting with representatives from the pharmacy chains and condom manufacturers to discuss the issue.

For further information, please contact:

Orla McGowan
(086-3785366)
Information and Education Officer

Enda Saul
(085–7172008)
Programmes and Communications Manager