Widespread welcome for reduction in VAT on condoms

There's been a widespread welcome to the news that the tax on condoms is to be cut.

The Minister for Finance made the announcement when publishing the Finance Bill this afternoon.

The VAT on condoms will be reduced from 21% to 13.5%, meaning the price of a packet of 12 condoms will now cost nearly €1 less.

Minister Brian Cowen said the decision was made for public health reasons

The Crisis Pregnancy Agency and the Union of Students of Ireland have been lobbying for the tax cut for some time.

A recent study revealed that 20% of young people said that the cost of condoms would stop them from using contraception.