Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 February 2018
156. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the annual return to the Exchequer from the national lottery in each of the years 2008 to 2017; the payout to charities and other beneficiary organisations and entities by the national lottery for each of the years; the arrangements in place with the national lottery operators; the timeframe of their tenure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5370/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Lottery was established under the National Lottery Act 1986 and continues in accordance with the National Lottery Act 2013.
A competition for the award of the twenty year licence to operate the National Lottery took place between May and October 2013. On 27 February 2014 the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform granted the new licence to Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) Limited who then entered into a transition phase with the previous operator, An Post National Lottery Company. Premier Lotteries Ireland Ltd was incorporated on 22 May 2013 and began operations as Operator of the National Lottery on 30 November 2014. A fee of €405m was received into the Exchequer for the National Lottery licence in 2014.
In addition, the following amounts have been transferred to the Exchequer from the National Lottery in each of the years 2008 to 2017;
2008 €265m
2009 €275m
2010 €250m
2011 €230m
2012 €220m
2013 €210m
2014 €178m
2015 €193m
2016 €219m
2017 €227m
In accordance with the National Lottery Act 2013 and under the terms of the National Lottery Licence, 65 per cent of the gross gaming revenue, that is total sales less the prizes awarded, is provided to fund "Good Causes". The remainder is returned to the lottery operator, out of which all costs of operating the national lottery must be met.
The sectoral areas funded under the Good Causes provision of the Act are:
- sport and recreation;
- national culture and heritage (including the Irish language);
- the arts (within the meaning of the Arts Act 2003);
- health of the community;
- youth, welfare and amenities; and
- the natural environment.
The Act also provides that the proceeds may be applied to such other purposes, if any, as the Government may determine from time to time.
A breakdown by Department of all the expenditure areas that are supported through National Lottery proceeds is set out in Appendix 1 of the Annual Revised Estimates for Public Services. Further details (e.g. specific projects or organisations) can be acquired from the relevant Government Departments.
