Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I strongly agree with the Deputy's sentiments on this issue. As part of the review, a steering group will be set up, led by my Department, comprising representatives from a number of Departments that have national lottery-related expenditure subheads. Public consultation will be conducted as part of this process, which is likely to involve a targeted group of relevant stakeholders. That will be finalised in the coming weeks. The legislation sets out the areas that can benefit from funding under the national lottery good causes heading but not all of those that are listed as potentially being beneficiaries are currently getting any funding, so we need to improve and streamline the process for the allocation of this funding. That may well lead to some changes and that is something we can manage over time. However, a large amount of money is being distributed and the link between that money and the national lottery and the protection of the lottery brand into the future are very important. That is also a key part of the review that is being undertaken.

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