John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the implications for existing National Lottery agents on the sale of the National Lottery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18989/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I announced on 4 April 2012 that the Government has decided to hold a competition for the next National Lottery licence. The new licence will be for a 20 year period and will involve an upfront payment to the State, with some of the payment being used to help fund the building of the proposed new National Children's Hospital. The ongoing provision of a fixed percentage of annual lottery turnover for good causes will be a condition of the licence; this percentage is to be retained at 30.5% which was the level that applied in 2011.

In relation to existing agents of the Lottery, I am cognisant of the essential role which retailers play in the operation of the National Lottery. I am also aware of the importance to retailers of income from the Lottery, particularly in the present economic climate. I can assure the Deputy that the position of retailers will be taken into consideration in the context of the arrangements for the next Lottery licence and in this regard officials of my Department will meet with the retailers' representative bodies to ascertain their concerns.