Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:82 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the assistance which has been provided to date to the bacon industry under the business expansion scheme; and if he will list the recipients of assistance.
Written Answers. - Bacon Industry.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a total of £6.8 million has been notified to them to date as having been raised under the business expansion scheme for investment in meat-processing. At least 70 per cent of this amount relates to the bacon industry, but a precise breakdown is not available. Income tax relief on this £6.8 million would cost an estimated £3.5 million. This relief would, of course, be granted to the individual investors, and not to the industry.
Their obligation to observe confidentiality in relation to the taxation affairs of individual taxpayers precludes the Revenue Commissioners from listing the recipients of the investments.