Tax relief on flight training was phased out in August 2002, prior to this date you were able to claim 23% tax relief on training.
Any self employed contract pilot would be able to claim tax relief on renewal and rating costs (any independent contractor in any field of work may claim relief against any self funded training). As a newly qualified CPL/IR holder you would not have sufficient experience to work as a contract pilot. Note although Ryanair cadets through Brookfields are "contract" pilots, if ever audited for IR 35 compliance then HMRC would consider them "disguised employees under UK law, however I am not sure how Irish law stands on this issue.