National Lottery ticket sales raised €227.9m for 'good causes' last year, bringing the total amount raised to €6bn since 1989.
An average of 1.2m people play National Lottery games every week, with 27 cents of every euro going directly to good causes, according to operator Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI).
Good causes funding, combined with Exchequer funding, supports over 4,500 charity and voluntary groups sports bodies, arts and heritage organisations, youth projects, and Irish Language initiatives annually.
Last year €405.4m was allocated across Exchequer and Good Causes programmes in 2023, an increase of €11.5m from the previous year.
The findings were published in the National Lottery Good Causes Annual Report 2023, the first annual report compiled by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPER) to provide greater transparency around the allocation of funding for good causes.
“Nearly €228m was raised for the Good Causes Fund in 2023, and we are delighted with the continued positive impact those resources have on thousands of Good Causes throughout the country," said Cian Murphy, CEO of PLI.
"It is hugely important our players understand and see first-hand how and where Good Causes funding is distributed and in particular the impact this funding has locally, within their own community.
"This report is a vital first step in helping to improve clarity around the funding model and we look forward to working closely with the Department to implement further measures that will deepen players awareness with Good Causes nationwide”.
“It is vital that we safeguard future Good Causes funding, to guarantee continued revenue streams for these organisations and groups to continue carrying out their amazing work in communities nationwide.”
The Arts Council was the largest organisation supported by National Lottery part funding, receiving €130.5 million in 2023.
Sport Ireland, the authority tasked with the development of sport in Ireland, was the next largest beneficiary, receiving nearly €105m in a mix of part funding from the National Lottery and Exchequer funding.
Youth organisations and services were provided €75.5m, part funded by the National Lottery in 2023, while the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) received €7m. The Heritage Council received €14.2m.
The HSE National Lottery grant scheme received a total of €4.5m in 2023, to support community groups and voluntary organisations across Ireland with grants of up to €10,000.
PLI holds exclusive rights to operation the National Lottery until 2034. The company has been owned by La Française des Jeux (FDJ), France's largest gaming company and operator of the French lottery, since November 2023.
(Pic: Supplied)
