Published on Thursday3rdAugust2017

Taoiseach announces €5 Billion raised for Good Causes by National Lottery

20170803 Taoiseach National Lottery

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is pictured with National Lottery presenter Nuala Carey

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar tonight announced that the National Lottery has raised a landmark €5 Billion for Good Causes all over Ireland in the last 30 years, making a crucial contribution to life in communities and organisations right across the country.

Mr Varadkar made the announcement during the broadcast of a special extended mid-week Lotto draw in front of a live audience on RTÉ One television to mark the National Lottery’s 30th anniversary.

The Taoiseach said:

There isn’t a community, parish, town or townland in Ireland that hasn’t benefited from the National Lottery in some way since its foundation.

That includes financial support for sports clubs, disability, local social and health services, artistic projects, and the Irish language. 30c in every euro spent on the Lottery goes back to Good Causes.

The €210 million euro raised for Good Causes in 2016 equates to:  

  • 550 multi-purpose all weather pitches or 7,500 mini busses – the tools needed to foster grass roots sport of all types;  
  • 1.680.000 wheelchair accessible ramps or 700,000 self-propelled wheelchairs – providing mobility and independence for those who require it;  
  • 175,000 defibrillators – enabling everyday heroes in local communities when an emergency demands it.