Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

339. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of funds made available for gambling addiction prevention and-or treatment services in the past three years and to date in 2017; if he will, in the context of the tax strategy group review on betting duty, consider provisions for funding for gambling addiction prevention and or treatment services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28925/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Tax Strategy Group Review on betting duty focuses on recent developments in this area, including the extension of the tax regime to remote operators, and looks at the potential for revenue raising in that sector. 

The funding of addiction prevention and treatment services is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health. In this regard, I am not in favour of hypothecation of revenue receipts as it reduces the flexibility of the Government to prioritise and allocate funds as necessary at a particular time.