Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
558. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the status of the engagement of the Minister for State with responsibility for law reform with an organisation (details supplied); and if a temporary funding stream has been found. [5211/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile no budget provision currently exists within the responsibility of my department for individual projects of this nature, the new gambling legislation will likely provide for the establishment of a Social Fund – financed by levies on licensed operators – to provide funding for information and research campaigns and, critically, to assist appropriate addiction treatment and prevention programmes.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a gambling regulator focused on public safety and wellbeing, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. This commitment is clearly directed towards the protection of the public and the regulator will have a major role in this regard.
Work on the preparation of comprehensive new gambling legislation is underway in my department. That work will have regard to the recommendations in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on the Future Licensing and Regulation of Gambling in Ireland, approved by Government in March 2019, and other relevant developments and reports.
The Working Group Report recommends that the licensing and regulatory functions for all forms of gambling will be the responsibility of an independent gambling regulator which would be self-financing insofar as possible through fees and levies imposed on licensed gambling operators.
A modern and effectively regulated gambling environment will ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that gambling will be a safe, fair and entertaining activity for the majority of those who choose to take part in it. It must provide enhanced consumer protection for players while limiting to the greatest extent possible the harmful effects on young people and those who may be susceptible to addiction.
My predecessor hosted a major seminar on the future licensing and regulation of gambling at Farmleigh House in May 2019, bringing together a large number of interested and concerned stakeholders to discuss the Report of the Working Group and further developments. The next stage of engagement will take place following the publication of the General Scheme of the Bill later in the year.
Finally, as the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for addiction treatment rests with my colleague the Minister of Health.
