Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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639. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the national lottery reform report by an organisation (details supplied); the key steps that have taken place; and the indicative timeline on the next steps of the reform. [19408/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Lottery is a significant asset which plays an important role in generating funds for Good Causes throughout Ireland and across a range of areas including sport and recreation, culture and heritage, community health, the arts, and youth affairs.

The National Lottery Fund transferred €235m to the Exchequer in 2024. Approximately, €6 billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery commenced operations in 1987.

As agreed by Government, an independent, external review to explore potential policy options to help provide a more transparent and effective model for distributing National Lottery related funding to Good Causes as per section 41 of the National Lottery Act 2013 was completed in 2022 by Indecon.

The report put forward a number of recommendations which my Department is currently progressing. A cross-departmental liaison group, chaired by my department has been established. Last year, the first-ever National Lottery Good Causes report was published. This report highlighted the positive impact that Good Causes has on communities across Ireland. This report will continue to be published on an annual basis.

The next phase of the implementation of the Indecon Review will be to provide for a greater acknowledgment of National Lottery support amongst beneficiaries. This will be progressed in collaboration with the cross-departmental liaison group.

The Open Fund is one of a suite of recommendations being considered. My Department will assess the feasibility of such a fund in due course within the context of the other recommendations.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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640. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the national lottery reform report by an organisation (details supplied); the key steps that have taken place; and the indicative timeline on the next steps of the reform. [19409/25]

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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641. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the national lottery reform; which reform options his Department will be carrying out especially with a view to creating an open fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19410/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 641 together.

The National Lottery is a significant asset which plays an important role in generating funds for Good Causes throughout Ireland and across a range of areas including sport and recreation, culture and heritage, community health, the arts, and youth affairs.

The National Lottery Fund transferred €235m to the Exchequer in 2024. Approximately, €6 billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery commenced operations in 1987.

As agreed by Government, an independent, external review to explore potential policy options to help provide a more transparent and effective model for distributing National Lottery related funding to Good Causes as per section 41 of the National Lottery Act 2013 was completed in 2022 by Indecon.

The report put forward a number of recommendations which my department is currently progressing. A cross-departmental liaison group, chaired by my department has been established. Last year, the first-ever National Lottery Good Causes report was published. This report highlighted the positive impact that Good Causes has on communities across Ireland. This report will continue to be published on an annual basis.

The next phase of the implementation of the Indecon Review is a greater acknowledgment of National Lottery support amongst beneficiaries. This will be progressed in collaboration with the cross-departmental liaison group.

The Open Fund is one of a suite of recommendations being considered. My department will assess the feasibility of such a fund in due course and within the context of the other recommendations.