Results 13,801-13,820 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: Not at all?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: What kind of investment is required?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: Is the percentage of coverage increasing now all the time? Is there a proliferation of lotto availability in shops?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: I have one question. The regulator's opening statement has been provided to us. It states that the number of retail outlets has increased by approximately 1,500 to 5,200 since commencement of operations under the licence. Was the regulator referring to shops when he referred to the number of retail outlets?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: It is a very significant increase. Originally, the figure was 3,700 but it has increased by 1,500, or by 40%, which is significant. Online sales amounted to close to €40 million in 2016, according to statistics.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: For the record, half the increase in the number of retail outlets relates to post offices. They have been extended from approximately one third of post offices to all post offices, which accounts for half the increase, or half the 1,500 additional outlets since the licence was awarded.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: I thank Mr. Sloyan and Mr. Donohoe for their attendance and their opening remarks on behalf of the regulator. The regulator is the policeman for compliance with the licence. That is a key aspect of its work. How many staff has the regulator in the delegates' office.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: Eight posts are filled. What is the budget of the regulator?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: Is that funded out of the licence or by the central Exchequer?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: It is funded directly. Have there been any breaches of the licence conditions by the operator since it took control in late 2014?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: Could Mr. Sloyan elaborate on the phrase "no findings of any breaches"? If he identifies issues, does he give the operator an opportunity to correct or amend one of its practices? Is the issuing of a finding a formal process? It may not get that far.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: Mr. Sloyan has found no evidence of a breach.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: On the question of the proportion of the sales proceeds that goes towards good causes - this would be governed by the licence - Mr. Sloyan might clarify the current procedure for the committee. In his opening remarks he said, "Under the licence, the amount allocated to good causes is equal to 65% of the difference between total net sales and the amount in respect of prizes". Is there a...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: At least 50%.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: Has that percentage fallen since the new operator came into place? What was the percentage devoted to prizes for the customer under the old regime?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: Therefore, there was no reduction in the percentage of sales proceeds paid out in prizes.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: The licence requires at least 50% to be paid out in prizes, however. Is this a proportion of net sales?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: Net sales is gross sales minus certain costs.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: That is fine. In 2016, just under €219 million was transferred for good causes, €7 million of which related to sales in previous years. In 2015, the €193 million was transferred in respect of good causes. Therefore, there was a significant increase in the cash amount that went to good causes.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Overview of Operations of the National Lottery: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)
Michael McGrath: Is the amount going to good causes at an all-time high? I acknowledge the delegates are responsible only since 2013.