asked the Minister for Finance if he will state in respect of wealth tax the total number of payers in 1976, 1977 and 1978; and if he will provide a breakdown of payers by way of (a) individuals, (b) private non-trading companies, (c) discretionary trusts and (d) other payers; and the total revenue receipts from these groups in respect of 1976, 1977 and 1978.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose with the permission of you, a Cheann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.

Following are the statements:

TABLE 1

Notes:

There are no payers of wealth tax other than those falling within the three categories of assessable persons.

There was no valuation date in 1978 and in order to give a three year perspective the figures in respect of the 1975 valuation date are included in the table.

The figures available indicate the number of payers referable, not to a financial year, but to a valuation date.

TABLE 2

Notes:

A payment received in a particular year may refer to any valuation date prior to the date of receipt of that payment.

The figures in column (2) are included to complete particulars of receipts.

The figures in column (5) are estimated.