andMr. Boland asked the Minister for Finance if he intends allocating funds from the national lottery to assist national hunt racing in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Lottery.
9.
The legislation under which the national lottery operates provides that the surplus generated by the lottery may be used for the purposes of sport and other recreation, among other things. The Government recently decided in allocating the first £7 million of lottery revenue that £3.15 million should be spent on youth and sports projects. ]The Minister of State at the Department of Education, who has responsibility for sport and youth affairs, is responsible for preparing the detailed list of projects which he recommends for funding from the lottery. While the programme of expenditure requires my approval, I would not intend to issue funds to any project in the area of sport and recreation except on his recommendation.
The Minister's reply was very peculiar and it is hard to ask a question if we do not know whether it is possible to allocate this money from the national lottery. Is the Minister aware of the benefits to the economy of the £250,000 grant given by the Coalition Government last year to national hunt racing in terms of increased attendances at meetings and increased receipts from the tote? The investment was more than paid for from the returns and by the fact that we are now retaining many of our top class chasers and hurdlers as a result of the increase in prize money.
I accept what the Deputy said in regard to sporting activity and that horse racing is also an industry. The Deputy already had questions down to the Taoiseach in relation to this point. It is not my responsibility to initiate the kind of projects which would qualify for lottery assistance. However, I should like to point out to the Deputy and the House generally that the amount available from the lottery proceeds is not inexhaustible. In every constituency, no matter what project comes up, the first idea that springs to mind is to apply for funds from the lottery.
Including the health area.
In so far as the Deputy's question is concerned as to whether this sport or recreation would qualify for assistance from lottery proceeds, it is a matter for him to pursue with the Department of Education who deal with youth and sport and who will be responsible for putting the projects forward to the Department of Finance and the Government for consideration for lottery proceeds.
As the Minister is unable to say whether moneys will be allocated from the national lottery in this regard, can he indicate whether it is the Government's intention to continue the funding made available last year to the extent of £250,000 in order to boost and stimulate activity within that industry?
That is a separate question.
I take it that that means it is not intended to make an allocation this year?
The Deputy is not entitled to take anything out of it.
In view of the Minister's reply that the surplus money generated by the lottery would be used in the areas of agriculture, youth and sport, has he plans to increase the allocation of £3.5 million in the coming year? Does the figure include the elitist grant given to some of our finest sportsmen last year which amounted to £100,000? Will that be repeated this year and is it contained within the figure?
Most of the Deputy's supplementaries are a matter for the Minister for Education who deals with youth and sport. I am not in a position to give the Deputy information in regard to the figure involved. It is already clear that the lottery has been an outstanding success and I should like to congratulate the board and to thank participants for their great support. The sum of £7 million will be substantially increased by the end of the year and it is envisaged that additional resources will be made to various areas such as youth and sport. However, that will be a matter for the Minister for Education and her Minister of State and they will put forward proposals for expenditure for any additional resources which will become available from lottery proceeds.
Is the Minister aware that this question was originally tabled to the Taoiseach but that it was divided and that this portion went to him? It is typical that the racing industry/sport is in no man's land. My original question to the Taoiseach was in regard to transferring responsibility to the Minister for Sport but he found it unacceptable. Could the Minister make a recommendation to the Minister responsible for sport that an allocation equivalent to the figures given by the last Government to national hunt racing for 1987-88, that is £250,000, will be made? In the meantime, perhaps the Minister will sort out at the Cabinet table the whole question of who will be responsible in future for this sport.
I compliment the Deputy on putting down a question which can be divided into four different ones. Well done. This industry is certainly not in limbo, they even have a board to look after them, unlike many other organisations. ]In relation to the question regarding the allocation mentioned by the Deputy, if he puts down a question I will give the information.