The Deputy may wish to note that the R and D Tax Credit was comprehensively reviewed in 2013, and the results can be viewed on the Department of Finance website. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the annual tax expenditure associated with research and development tax credits in each year from 2008 to 2012, the latest year available, is as set out in the following table. Data for the tax year 2013 are not yet available as the bulk of tax returns for 2013 are not due until later this year.
Year
|
Number of Companies
|
Cost €m
|
2008
|
582
|
146
|
2009
|
900
|
216
|
2010
|
1,172
|
224
|
2011
|
1,409
|
261
|
2012
|
1,538
|
282*
|
*The information shown for 2012 is provisional and may be revised. The cost shown includes €3.6 million research and development credit that was carried back against tax of earlier accounting periods.