Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will acknowledge the good work which has been carried out by an organisation (details supplied) over the past two decades to help persons who suffer from a gambling addiction and establish this group on a statutory basis going forward. [38447/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to tell the Deputy that my officials had already arranged a meeting for next week with the organisation in question. My Department has met with this organisation before but next week's meeting is the latest in a series of meetings with participants from across the whole spectrum in the gambling sector. This organisation brings a particular and very useful perspective based on its first hand knowledge of the harmful effects of gambling.

Although based in Northern Ireland, I understand this organisation provides counselling throughout Ireland through a network of counsellors to persons affected by addiction, including gambling addiction.

The Deputy may be aware that I have obtained the Government's approval to prepare an entirely new Bill on the regulation of gambling and it is under preparation at present in my Department. I have identified the protection of vulnerable persons, including persons with gambling addiction problems, as one of the principles underpinning the forthcoming legislation. I have already made it known that the Bill will contain numerous and significant safeguards. It will also make provision for a dedicated fund to promote awareness of the dangers, as well as initiatives to encourage socially responsible gambling. I am hoping that the fund will be established by the industry and in those circumstances, the legislation will ensure independent oversight on how it is being used. However, I have made it clear that in the absence of an industry initiative, I would use the new legislation to impose a levy for the purpose of creating a fund.

I mention this aspect of the forthcoming Bill because the organisation in question here is, I understand, funded in very large measure by the industry and it is engaged in the type of work that we can all applaud. It is an example of the approach I want to encourage and next week's meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more. My responsibility, as Minister, is to facilitate them and others in their highly valued work. I believe that this can be achieved without the creation of new statutory bodies. Indeed, it is my view that organisations such as the one being referred to by the Deputy function best in the voluntary sector. I believe the approach I am adopting meets the needs of society generally in this area and it also allows the voluntary sector's response to grow, based on clear statutory foundations. I do not, therefore, plan to put this or similar bodies on a statutory basis.