Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps one would. I am dealing with people who possibly started playing the lotto when they were in their 50s and they are still playing in their 70s. It is something they enjoy doing. Pensioners play "Telly Bingo" and it is a social outlet for them.

I commend the 3,500 to 4,000 lotto agents on their contribution to the national lottery in the past 25 years. Billions have been raised for good causes. Unfortunately, much money was squandered as well as a result of political patronage by successive Ministers. It is also regrettable how national lottery funding was allocated. If it is decided that a percentage will go to health then it goes straight to the Department of Health and if a proportion goes to children it goes straight into the budget Estimates for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The decision in that regard was made a number of years ago.