asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons at the latest available date whose income per year exceeds (a) £1,500, (b) £2,500, (c) £5,000, (d) £7,500, (e) £10,000, (f) £15,000 and (g) £20,000.

The statistics relating to income taxation are not compiled in such a manner as would enable information to be furnished in regard to all the income brackets mentioned in the question.

However, the following information in regard to sur-tax payers is derived from Table 75 on page 156 of the report of the Revenue Commissioners for the year ended 31st March, 1967.

CLASSIFICATION of Sur-tax payers by range of total income assessed for 1966-67 (adjusted as at 31st August, 1967).

The above statistics are based on total income as defined for sur-tax purposes and so do not, for example, include persons whose total income exceeds £2,500 but who, because of personal allowances, are not liable to sur-tax.

How many of them are Taca men?

Their number has been reduced.