Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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466. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures he will take to assist charities who are losing funding over the next two years from the discontinuing of the charitable lotteries fund to be able to continue to maintain their current level of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6802/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The decision was taken in 2012, because of the urgent need to make savings in Government expenditure, that the Charitable Lotteries Scheme could no longer be sustained. Beneficiaries were advised in October 2012 that it would be phased out on a gradual basis over a 3 year period, with the first reduction taking effect in late 2013. This is in order to give affected organisations as much time as possible to adjust to the change and to consider how they may increase the funding they receive through other fundraising projects.

With respect to charitable lotteries, provision for an increase in the prize fund limits applicable to such lotteries is included in the National Lottery Act 2013 which is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. It is the intention of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to commence this provision shortly. This will update the total prize fund limit for lotteries held under section 27 of the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act from £3,000, where it has stood since 1987, to €5,000. For lotteries held under section 28 of the 1956 Act, the limit will increase from €20,000 (set in 2002) to €30,000.

Separately, in July 2013, the Government approved the General Scheme of a Gambling Control Bill, which will update our laws on gambling, and will involve the repeal of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. This legislation will cover lotteries, but will exclude the National Lottery. The General Scheme, which is available on my Department's website, sets out the proposed increases in prize fund limits for lotteries that fall within the remit of this proposed legislation.

The General Scheme has been referred to the Attorney General's Office for formal legal drafting. It is anticipated that this will be a lengthy process, given the complexities of the issues involved.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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467. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of meetings he has had with representatives of charities which are losing funding as a result of the discontinuing of the charitable lotteries fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6803/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Beneficiaries of the Charitable Lotteries Scheme were advised by way of a letter from me dated 5th October 2012 that this Scheme would be phased out over a 3 year period, with effect from late 2013. This gradual phase out is intended to give affected organisations as much time as possible to adjust to the change and to consider how they may increase the funding they receive through other fundraising projects.

I have not met with representatives of the beneficiary charities since advising them of the phase out of the Scheme. In November 2012, a judicial review of my decision to phase out the Scheme was initiated by the Rehab Group, beneficiaries of the Scheme. A hearing took place in the High Court in July 2013 and judgement is awaited. I do not envisage meeting with representatives of the beneficiary charities while judgement is pending in this matter.

I previously met with representatives of the Rehab Group in November 2011, to discuss the Scheme and its future.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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468. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of legal action against the State arising from the closure of the charitable lotteries fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6804/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Beneficiaries of the Charitable Lotteries Scheme were advised by way of a letter from me dated 5th October 2012 that this Scheme would be phased out over a 3 year period, with effect from late 2013. This gradual phase out is intended to give affected organisations as much time as possible to adjust to the change and to consider how they may increase the funding they receive through other fundraising projects.

In November 2012, a judicial review of my decision to phase out the Scheme was initiated by the Rehab Group, beneficiaries of the Scheme. A hearing took place in the High Court in July 2013 and judgement is awaited.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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469. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the expected appointment date for the charities regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6806/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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On 24th January 2014 I issued a call for Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for appointment to the Board of a new Charities Regulatory Authority, with a view to making appointments before Easter. Arrangements are also being made to appoint an interim CEO to the new Authority and a number of other administrative staff from within existing resources. I intend to have these staff in place by the end of February to enable the Authority to carry out the necessary preparatory work before coming formally into operation later this year.

An early priority for the new Authority will be the preparation and publication of a statutory register of charities. All registered charities will be required to provide reports to the Authority each year on their activities and these reports will be made available to the public. This will provide a much needed increase in transparency and accountability in the charitable sector, and will support the good practice in charity governance and management that is critical to a vibrant charity sector that commands the trust and confidence of donors and beneficiaries alike.