Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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171. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the proceeds of the national lottery are distributed; the procedures in place for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22258/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the National Lottery Act 2013 and under the terms of the National Lottery Licence, 65 per cent of the gross gaming revenue, that is total sales less the prizes awarded, is provided to fund "Good Causes". The remainder is returned to the lottery operator, out of which all costs of operating the national lottery must be met. 

The sectoral areas funded under the Good Causes provision of the Act are:

- sport and recreation;

- national culture and heritage (including the Irish language);

- the arts (within the meaning of the Arts Act 2003);

- health of the community;

- youth, welfare and amenities; and

- the natural environment.

The Act also provides that the proceeds may be applied to such other purposes, if any, as the Government may determine from time to time.

A breakdown by Department of all the expenditure areas that are supported through National Lottery proceeds is set out in Appendix 1 of the Annual Revised Estimates for Public Services. Decisions on funding of Good Causes are taken as part of the normal Budgetary process in line with Government decisions on overall expenditure and Departmental priorities.