asked the Minister for Finance the number of companies that have applied for tax relief under section 244 of the Income Tax Act, 1967, relating to money spent on scientific research, in each of the last three years; and the total amount of money allowed against tax in each of the years concerned.

Section 244 of the Income Tax Act, 1967, provides relief in respect of expenditure incurred on scientific research. The relief, which applies for income tax and corporation tax purposes, is given by way of deduction as an expense in the computation of trading profits and statistics relating to the various items of expenditure allowed are not recorded. To provide the Deputy with the information sought would require the carrying out of a special survey of all company accounts and it is not considered that the time and effort required for this would be justifiable. It would appear, however that the relief is being availed of by a relatively small number of companies.