Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
466. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures he will take to assist charities which will lose funding over the next two years owing to the discontinuation of the charitable lotteries fund to be able to continue to maintain their current level of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6802/14]
View answerThe decision was taken in 2012, because of the urgent need to make savings in Government expenditure, that the Charitable Lotteries Scheme could no longer be sustained. Beneficiaries were advised in October 2012 that it would be phased out on a gradual basis over a 3 year period, with the first reduction taking effect in late 2013. This is in order to give affected organisations as much time as possible to adjust to the change and to consider how they may increase the funding they receive through other fundraising projects.
With respect to charitable lotteries, provision for an increase in the prize fund limits applicable to such lotteries is included in the National Lottery Act 2013 which is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. It is the intention of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to commence this provision shortly. This will update the total prize fund limit for lotteries held under section 27 of the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act from £3,000, where it has stood since 1987, to €5,000. For lotteries held under section 28 of the 1956 Act, the limit will increase from €20,000 (set in 2002) to €30,000.
Separately, in July 2013, the Government approved the General Scheme of a Gambling Control Bill, which will update our laws on gambling, and will involve the repeal of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. This legislation will cover lotteries, but will exclude the National Lottery. The General Scheme, which is available on my Department's website, sets out the proposed increases in prize fund limits for lotteries that fall within the remit of this proposed legislation.
The General Scheme has been referred to the Attorney General's Office for formal legal drafting. It is anticipated that this will be a lengthy process, given the complexities of the issues involved.
