Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the purpose he intends to use the balance of the up-front payment from the National Lottery operator licence. [11223/12]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will include a good cause guarantee clause in the licence awarded the new operator of the National Lottery next year to ensure current funding levels are maintained. [11224/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 94 together.

I announced on 10th November 2011, in the context of unveiling the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework 2012 – 2016, that the Government has decided to review a number of options regarding the future of the National Lottery. My Department is currently examining the various options with respect to the next Lottery licence and I expect to be in a position to revert to Government in a matter of weeks.

The Government's intention is to seek a large upfront payment to the State as part of the arrangements for the new licence, with some of the payment to be used to help fund the building of the proposed new National Paediatric Hospital. I would also stress that any new arrangements for the National Lottery will involve the continued provision of significant annual revenues from the Lottery for good causes. However, in advance of a final decision by Government on how to proceed on the matter, it would be premature for me to speculate at this stage on possible terms for the next licence.