Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Lottery Funds.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

197 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the total receipts to the national lottery from the sale of lottery tickets for each county in the country; the total amount awarded by way of grants from the national lottery funds under the various headings for each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

203 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the total receipts to the national lottery from the sale of tickets in County Kildare for the years 1990-91; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

I will take Questions Nos. 197 and 203 together.

It has not been the practice to release information on the distribution of national lottery sales on a county basis. The national lottery company operate in a competitive retail environment and such commercial and marketing information must therefore be regarded as confidential. Releasing such information might also raise security considerations.

As regards the distribution of national lottery grants the position is that while as Minister for Finance I have overall responsibility for the national lottery, the operation of the various national lottery funded spending programmes is a matter for each of the Ministers concerned. I would suggest, therefore, that the Deputy might wish to raise this matter directly with these Ministers.

In the case of my Department the one activity which is funded by the national lottery is Gaeleagras na Seirbhíse Poiblí, the allocation for which in 1991 is £82,000. Gaeleagras operate through their headquarters in Dublin where approximately £75,000 will be spent in 1991. The provision of Irish language courses outside Dublin will involve the following expenditure: County Galway, £2,500; County Kerry, £2,500; County Donegal, £2,000.