Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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An Independent Review of the Distribution and Utilisation of National Lottery funding was published in December 2022. The review aims to reinforce the sustainability of the National Lottery as a source of funding for good causes into the future.

The recommendations set out in the review are based on a wide engagement with Government Departments, public agencies, public consultations, surveys of the general public and an analysis of good practice in public lotteries in three other OECD countries – the UK, New Zealand and Finland.

The review recommends three options, which are not mutually exclusive. Option A represents a series of measures that could be taken without significant changes to the overall structures that are in place to oversee the allocation of National Lottery funds. These centre on a greater acknowledgement of the National Lottery by beneficiaries, and a reduction and refocussing of schemes that are supported.

Option B proposes the creation of a Cross-Departmental liaison group to promote a greater acknowledgement of National Lottery support, data collection and any necessary coordination on any other operational issues, as well as the creation of a database of beneficiaries, and the publication of an annual report setting out information on the beneficiaries of good causes funding.

Option C builds on Options A and B. Most notably, it would entail a regular independent evaluation, and the creation of an open fund

My Department will progressively roll out recommendations set out in Options A, B and C in an appropriate sequence and manner over the period 2023 to 2025, to provide a solid foundation for the National Lottery for the foreseeable future. In this regard, a Cross-Departmental Advisory Liaison Group will be established shortly, including relevant stakeholders, which will assist and liaise with my Department on implementation of the report’s recommendations.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Raising funds for Good Causes which help to support and make a difference to thousands of communities all over Ireland is one of the primary aims for the National Lottery. According to the terms specified in the National Lottery licence, 65% of Gross Gaming Revenue, which is the total lottery sales minus the total prizes, is passed on to the Exchequer to be disbursed for use by good causes. This means around 30 cents of every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes.

I am informed by the Regulator of the National Lottery that the amount of funding transferred from National Lottery Fund to the Exchequer for Good Causes for the last three years is as follows.

This funding is used to part-fund expenditure through a number of Departments on Good Causes projects. The allocation of this funding along with funding from the Exchequer by Vote and by Subhead is set out as an Appendix in the Revised Estimates for Public Services (REV) each year.

Overall amounts made available to Departments in each of the last three years, as set out in the REV for each respective year, are as follows.

The breakdown of allocations by subhead for each year is available in the published REVs online at www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/.