Vol. 501 No. 4
85 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the reason the National Lottery capped the sale outlet number of scratch card and on-line lotto tickets at approximately £3,600; the proposals, if any, which exist to expand the number of sale outlets; the reason it is necessary to carry out new assessments if this capping arrangement exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6385/99]
Under the National Lottery Act, 1986 the number of agents to be appointed is a matter for determination by the National Lottery Company subject to the consent of the Minister for Finance.
The National Lottery informs me that the number of agents selling scratch cards and lotto tickets, 3,600 and 2,010 respectively, is based on the level of population and is in accordance with international norms for sales of this nature. The company has no proposals at present to increase the number of agents.
From time to time vacancies arise within the agency network and for this reason there is a requirement to carry out new assessments.
86 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 10 November 1998 the changes or alterations, if any, made in the criteria for appointing agents to sell lotto scratch cards or on-line lotto tickets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6386/99]
No changes have been made in the criteria since 10 November 1998 but the company informs me that it keeps the criteria under constant review. These criteria as set out in the previous answer are:
1. Location
2. Type of outlet
3. Opening hours
4. Turnover
5. Traffic/Type of customer
6. Number of staff
7. Number of cash points
8. Condition of outlet
9. Seasonal Trade
10. Proximity of other existing agents
11. Reason for wanting agency
12. General disposition of applicant
13. Applicant's experience in business
14. Existing Scratch Card sales if applicant is seeking Lotto
15. Credit worth
16. Type of tenancy – freehold or lease, long-term or short-term
17. Owner operated or staff managed business
87 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the number of assessments for appointing agents for the sale of on-line lotto tickets carried out in each area representatives region of responsibility in the past 12 months; the number and location of each successful applicant; the number assessed that were rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6387/99]
The following table shows the number of new applications and the number of re-assessments for on-line lotto agents handled by area sales representatives.
|
Area |
New Applications |
Re-Assessments |
|
Sligo, Donegal, part Mayo and part Leitrim |
30 |
26 |
|
Roscommon, part Mayo and Galway |
51 |
35 |
|
Limerick, part Galway, Clare, part Tipperary |
54 |
29 |
|
Cork City and County |
41 |
18 |
|
Carlow, Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford and part Tipperary |
75 |
30 |
|
Kildare, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, part Tipperary and Dublin 24 |
59 |
23 |
|
Cavan, Monaghan, Longford, Louth and part Meath |
55 |
47 |
|
part Meath, Dublin City and County Northside |
56 |
18 |
|
Wicklow, Dublin City and County Southside |
60 |
20 |
|
part Westmeath, Dublin City and County (part) |
71 |
24 |
|
Kerry, part Cork, part Tipperary and part Waterford |
42 |
22 |
|
Total |
594 |
292 |
