Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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77. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the issue of problem gambling will be a consideration of the review of the National Lottery good causes funding distribution model which is currently underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45410/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the terms of the National Lottery licence, almost 30c from every €1 spent on National Lottery games is returned to the Exchequer to be utilised by Good Cause projects.

I was pleased to recently announce plans to review the transparency and effectiveness of how National Lottery good causes related funding is distributed. This review is reflective of the Department’s overall mission, and in embarking on this project we are taking steps to ensure that National Lottery funding is distributed in the most transparent and effective way possible.

While the National Lottery is subject to regulation by an independent National Lottery Regulator, matters pertaining to gambling are a matter for the Minister for Justice. The Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps.

The Justice Plan 2021 identifies the enactment of legislation to licence and regulate the gambling industry as a key objective, and I understand that there are plans to publish the general scheme of a Bill which seeks to provide for the establishment of a Gambling Regulator in Q3 2021.