Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
97. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason for the change in policy regarding the use of unclaimed prize money which was agreed during the sale of the national lottery in 2014; if the intention to allow the use of unclaimed prize money to fund marketing activities was communicated to the tender bidders prior to the awarding of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11566/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the objectives relating to the sale of the National Lottery licence for a 20 year period was to generate significant up-front proceeds for the State. Proceeds of €405m were used to fund a range of expenditure projects and served to reduce the need for any further tax increases at that time.
Equality of treatment of bidders was a core principal of the competitive process for the licence. All prospective bidders participated in the process in a uniform manner through a centralised online communications platform put in place by the Department’s advisers, Davy Corporate Finance. All process documentation and communications occurred via a centralised Q&A and all documents and information provided were available to each prospective bidder for the duration of the competitive process. Information relating to the treatment of unclaimed prizes was shared in this manner with all prospective bidders during the process prior to the selection of a preferred bidder.
