Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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307. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding transferred from the National Lottery funds to Government Departments and agencies for good causes in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25287/13]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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308. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding transferred from the National Lottery funds to the Office of the Minister for Children in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25288/13]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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309. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the impact of the sale of the National Lottery licence on the amount of funding available for good causes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25289/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 to 309, inclusive, together.

The surpluses transferred from the National Lottery Fund to the Exchequer in each of the years referred to in the Deputy’s question were as follows:

The next licence to operate the National Lottery is being designed to align interests between the new operator and the State with the objective of maximising contributions to be paid to Good Causes over the life of the next licence.

As I advised during the Dáil Committee Stage debate on the National Lottery Act 2013, it is intended that Good Causes contributions over the period of the new licence will be linked to a percentage of Gross Gaming Revenues (Sales less Prizes). This will offer the next licensee greater flexibility and scope for the growth and development of lottery games and distribution channels. Growth in Good Cause Revenues will ensure that contributions to Good Causes are maximised over the period of the new licence.

The precise percentage of Gross Gaming Revenues which will be allocated to Good Causes will be determined prior to the launch of the licence competition when a number of other matters in relation to the licence structure and licence competition will also be decided. The Government’s aim in this process is to deliver a significant upfront payment while ensuring that the annual revenues for Good Causes are maximised.