Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. This Adjournment matter concerns the allocation of funding from the national lottery. The amount of money accruing to the Exchequer from the national lottery in 2009 was €275 million. That figure was given by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan. I hope the Minister of State will explain to the House where the money from the sale of national lottery tickets, be it Lotto or scratch cards, goes. Given that there has been a freeze in the sports capital programme grant, it is important the Government explains to the House where the money generated by the national lottery goes. Under the 1986 National Lottery Act, the national lottery was primarily set up to fund the promotion, development and provision of sporting, recreation and health facilities. I raise this matter on the Adjournment because it is of absolute importance that the Minister of State explains where the money is going, where the proceeds of the sale of tickets are being allocated - to which Departments and what areas, given that there is a reduction in funding in the sports capital programme.

I refer to more than the sports capital programme. As the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, will be well aware, lottery funding has been allocated to clubs, communities and organisations and has been utilised to maximum beneficial effect in creating sustainable communities in every corner of the country. It has enhanced communities by the awarding of money in addition to the money provided from the resources of different community organisations and sporting clubs. Lottery funding has also assisted the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in the drug rehabilitation programmes and other activities.

Looking through the 2009 distribution of funding, I am concerned that many worthy organisations that receive funding, for example, Bishopstown social services, Cork City Partnership and Mahon CDP in my area, will have no source of funding this year. I hope the Minister of State's reply will outline to the House that this critical source of funding will be made available and that it is still being disbursed given that there has been an increase in the sale of lottery and Lotto tickets.

My party has put forward a document, Reinventing Government, which calls for reform in the allocation of capital grants under the sports programme for funding sports and leisure facilities. While it is not for this debate, perhaps there has been ministerial bias in the allocation of funding. That is not the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney. There must be an open and transparent approach to the distribution of public money. Democracy demands fairness. The allocation of the fund should not be at the behest of a Minister based upon a constituency need.

The lottery funding comes from ordinary people's money. The funding derived from that which goes to sporting and community organisations and voluntary and charitable organisations is a stimulus to local communities, and the services and enhanced facilities are of benefit to all. We must outline to the people where the money from the national lottery goes. The Minister has stated in a reply to me in this House that there is no sports capital programme. I hope that there will be one. I look forward to the Minister of State's reply to the debate.