Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

As the Deputy is aware, I announced on 4 April that the Government had decided to hold a competition for the next national lottery licence. The licence will be for a 20-year period and will involve an upfront payment to the State with part of this payment being used to help fund the building of the new national children's hospital. No decision has yet been taken on the terms of the competition for the next licence. Before a competition can commence, the Government is committed to introducing primary legislation to revise the National Lottery Act 1986. My Department is carrying out the necessary preparatory work on that legislation.

The integrity of the process is a high priority and ongoing work is being led by officials in my Department. I stated in my announcement on 4 April that the ongoing provision of a fixed percentage of annual lottery turnover for good causes will be a legislative condition of the next licence. This percentage for good causes will be retained at 30.5% of lottery sales, which was the level that was achieved in 2011.

Regarding prizes, the National Lottery Act contains a provision that at least 40% of sales must be returned to players as prizes. I do not envisage this provision being changed.

Regarding retail outlets authorised to sell national lottery tickets, I am cognisant of the essential role retailers play in the operation of the lottery. I am also aware of the importance to retailers of income from the lottery, particularly in the present economic climate. The position of retailers will be taken into consideration in the context of the arrangements for the next lottery licence.

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