Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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358. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the licensing and regulatory framework initiatives being pursued by her Department to address the increasing incidences of gambling addiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5941/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Government approved the General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill in July 2013. The Scheme is available on my Department's website and is with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel awaiting formal drafting. It is not possible as yet to indicate when the Bill is likely to be published.

This Bill will, upon enactment, replace all extant laws on gambling (with the exception of that governing the National Lottery). The new legislation will have consumer protection generally as one of its core principles, and it is envisaged that it will include several measures aimed at assisting and protecting vulnerable persons, the young and those for whom gambling has become a problem.

The Scheme, at Part 7, provides for a Fund to aid research, education and awareness activities and to support treatment programmes. The Fund will be based on contributions from the industry but the proposals will ensure independent supervision of its disbursement.

I am not aware of any specific national data or evidence, other than anecdotal evidence, that would support the Deputy's assertion about an increase in the numbers of persons presenting with gambling addiction problems. However, some limited scale research is this area is suggestive. I am not, therefore, in a position to comment on the matter. The scarcity of information on the scale and impacts of gambling underlines the need for measures such as the Fund I referred to above.